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Franklin Templeton launched two new ETFs in 2025, aimed at enhancing dividend income with next-generation portfolio design. The ETFs have competitive expense ratios and use optimization techniques for risk-managed capital appreciation. They are a game-changer in the industry and bridge the gap between high yields and risk-managed growth.

Franklin Templeton&#39;s New ETFs Aim To Multiply Dividends...And Investor Confidence

Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>) announced plans to replace PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) with Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>) as its food court beverage supplier, marking a significant shift in the retail giant&#8217;s strategy and highlighting Coca-Cola&#8217;s growing market momentum.
What Happened: The change, announced by Costco CEO Ron Vachris at the company&#8217;s annual shareholders meeting, will take effect this summer, returning Coca-Cola products to Costco&#8217;s food courts after a decade-long absence. 
"We will be converting our food court fountain business back over to Coca-Cola," Vachris said, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/24/business/costco-coke-pepsi-hot-dog/index.html">according</a> to CNN.
The move comes as Coca-Cola demonstrates strong growth potential, particularly in emerging markets.
The beverage contract, which includes fountain drinks, cups, and straws, has been held by PepsiCo since 2013. The switch back to Coca-Cola coincides with analysts&#8217; bullish outlook on the beverage maker. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43220073/trump-is-about-to-make-americans-pay-even-more-for-coffee-to-punish-colombia-says-aoc-he-is-all-about-making-inflation-worse">Trump Is About To Make Americans Pay Even More For Coffee To Punish Colombia, Says AOC: He Is All About Making Inflation &#8216;Worse&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Piper Sandler analyst Michael Lavery recently initiated coverage of Coca-Cola with an &#8220;Overweight&#8221; rating and a $74 price target, citing the company&#8217;s strong position in North America and Latin America, which contribute approximately 70% of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42856857/coca-colas-strong-exposure-to-emerging-markets-is-key-to-sustainable-growth-says-bullish-analyst">its operating income</a>.
The transition aligns with Costco&#8217;s commitment to maintaining its iconic $1.50 hot dog and soda combination, a loss-leader that sold approximately 150 million units last year. This pricing strategy, unchanged since 1985, remains central to Costco&#8217;s customer value proposition, despite inflationary pressures affecting other food court items.
Coca-Cola&#8217;s return to Costco&#8217;s food courts could further strengthen its market position. The company&#8217;s significant exposure to emerging markets, where <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42856857/coca-colas-strong-exposure-to-emerging-markets-is-key-to-sustainable-growth-says-bullish-analyst">roughly 68% of the population</a> doesn&#8217;t consume commercial beverages, represents a growth opportunity of about 4.5 times its current consumer base, according to Piper Sandler&#8217;s analysis.
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Image Via Shutterstock 
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Equities

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COST

Costco Ditches Pepsi For Coca-Cola In Major Food Court Supplier Switch, Reinforces $1.50 Hot Dog Combo Legacy

Leading cryptocurrencies faced heavy sell-offs Sunday evening, mirroring the decline in stock futures.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>-2.81%</td>
<td>$101,669.43</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-3.80%</td>
<td>$3,203.23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-7.07%</td>
<td>$0.3299</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin plunged from $105,000 in the afternoon to $101,000 by evening, triggering a broader market slump.&nbsp;
Ethereum slipped from $3,340 to $3,178, while Dogecoin also plunged more than 7%.
About $400 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 4 hours of trading, with long liquidations accounting for $389 million.
The number of traders placing downside bets on Bitcoin increased in comparison to those gunning for price increases, according to the Long/Short ratio.
Bitcoin's Open Interest rose marginally in the last 24 hours. A rise in OI, coming alongside a drop in prices, indicated short selling.
The market sentiment remained in the "Greed" zone, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Onyxcoin (XCN)</td>
<td>+12.16%</td>
<td>$0.03633</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jupiter (JUP)</td>
<td>+9.88%</td>
<td>$1.03</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AIOZ Network (AIOZ)</td>
<td>+8.27%</td>
<td>$0.843</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.47 trillion, contracting 3.65% in the last 24 hours.
Stock futures ticked lower on Sunday night. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures fell 184 points, or 0.41%, as of 8:41 p.m. EDT. Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 fell 0.94%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures lost 1.79%.
The slump coincided with President Donald Trump's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43220073/trump-is-about-to-make-americans-pay-even-more-for-coffee-to-punish-colombia-says-aoc-he-is-all-about-making-inflation-worse">punitive tariffs on Colombian imports</a> and the hype surrounding China's open-source AI model, DeepSeek.
These moves come ahead of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings">big earnings week</a>, with tech behemoths from the ‘Magnificent 7' cohort set to report their quarterly financials.
Additionally, the Federal Reserve will hold its meeting on Wednesday, with investors pricing in a 99.5% chance that the interest rates will remain unchanged, <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">according</a> to the CME FedWatch tool.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Popular cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez noted an invalidation of Bitcoin's head-and-shoulders pattern, prompting an upside target of $122,000.
Note that the head and shoulders chart pattern depicts a bullish-to-bearish trend reversal, signaling that an upward trend is nearing its end.
<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">The failure of this head-and-shoulders pattern suggests a potential upside target of $122,000 for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a>! <a href="https://t.co/vMTfoaRNSO">pic.twitter.com/vMTfoaRNSO</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1883670758150529113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
In one of his earlier posts, Martinez also likened Bitcoin's ongoing trajectory to its 2015-2018 cycle.
"Historically, it was around this point when BTC went parabolic," the analyst remarked.
Another widely followed cryptocurrency chartist, Rekt Capital, underlined the importance of Bitcoin's historic weekly close.
"Historically, similar weekly closes above a final major weekly resistance at this moment in the cycle have preceded continued upside to new all-time highs," the analyst added.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BTC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BTC</a> Bitcoin is mere hours away from what could be a historic Weekly Close Historically, similar Weekly Closes above a final major Weekly resistance at this moment in the cycle have preceded continued upside to new All Time Highs<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crypto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crypto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://t.co/RjWPWEfwtk">https://t.co/RjWPWEfwtk</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ni8k16FyWR">pic.twitter.com/Ni8k16FyWR</a>
&mdash; Rekt Capital (@rektcapital) <a href="https://twitter.com/rektcapital/status/1883609497933164653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo by CMP_NZ on Shutterstock
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Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Fall With Stock Futures Amid Trump Tariff War, DeepSeek Hype: Top Trader Predicts Bitcoin's Upside To $122,000

President Donald Trump&#8216;s announcement of potential 50% tariffs on Colombian imports is stoking fresh inflation worries among economists and lawmakers, as markets grapple with shifting monetary policy expectations.
What Happened: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) criticized Trump&#8217;s proposed tariffs on Sunday, arguing they would worsen inflation for working-class Americans. &#8220;To &#8216;punish&#8217; Colombia, Trump is about to make every American pay even more for coffee,&#8221; she wrote on X, emphasizing that U.S. consumers, not Colombia, bear the cost of tariffs.
The tariff threat came after Colombia&#8217;s President Gustavo Petro denied entry to two U.S. repatriation flights carrying Colombian migrants, demanding protocols for dignified migrant treatment. Trump responded by announcing a series of measures, including initial 25% tariffs on all Colombian goods, rising to 50% within a week.
<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">To "punish" Colombia, Trump is about to make every American pay even more for coffee. Remember: &#x2A;WE&#x2A; pay the tariffs, not Colombia. Trump is all about making inflation WORSE for working class Americans, not better. He's lining the pockets of himself and the billionaire class. <a href="https://t.co/gcAomtzmCb">https://t.co/gcAomtzmCb</a>
&mdash; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) <a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1883617048011669887?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43219987/tesla-could-drop-over-13-due-to-trumps-potential-ev-tax-credit-cuts-fsd-and-delivery-concerns-says-gary-black">Tesla Could Drop Over 13% Due to Trump&#8217;s Potential EV Tax Credit Cuts, FSD And Delivery Concerns, Says Gary Black</a>
Why It Matters: Goldman Sachs analyst Manuel Abecasis warned that while direct inflationary impacts might be modest, consumer inflation expectations could rise sharply. The bank estimates a universal 10% tariff could boost headline inflation by up to 1 percentage <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43193866/trumps-tariff-hikes-could-stoke-consumer-inflation-jitters-challenge-fed-goldman-sachs-warns">point in extreme scenarios</a>.
Mohamed El-Erian, Chief Economic Advisor at Allianz, recently highlighted concerning divisions in inflation expectations, with the University of Michigan data showing Democrats <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42993713/trump-2-0-could-be-thwarted-by-inflation-mohamed-el-erian-notes-ahead-of-cpi-data-release">anticipating 4% inflation</a> while Republicans project just 0.1%.
Market indicators already suggest persistent inflation pressures, with the 10-year breakeven rate reaching the top of its two-year range. The University of Michigan&#8217;s consumer survey reported five-year inflation expectations at 3.3%, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/42988894/all-eyes-on-december-inflation-betting-odds-signal-risk-of-fed-struggling-to-tame">highest since 2008</a>.
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Image Via Shutterstock 
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Economics

Trump Is About To Make Americans Pay Even More For Coffee To Punish Colombia, Says AOC: He Is All About Making Inflation 'Worse'

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) reportedly continues to explore AirPods with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/37314895/apple-explores-camera-integrated-airpods-in-push-for-next-gen-wearables">tiny infrared cameras</a>.
What Happened: In his latest "Power On" newsletter, Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman fleetingly mentioned camera-equipped AirPods while reporting about Cupertino's wearables development.
While he did not dwell on the use cases of the camera, it clearly indicated that the development is still on the cards.&nbsp;
According to previous reports, these <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42640232/apple-airpods-to-get-heart-rate-temperature-sensors-and-cameras-to-help-with-ai-features-top-analyst">tiny infrared cameras</a> are expected to deliver an enhanced spatial audio experience, especially in combination with Vision Pro headset.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43219913/jeff-bezos-backed-perplexity-ai-proposes-deal-to-merge-with-tiktok-giving-us-government-50-stake-report">Jeff Bezos-Backed Perplexity Revises TikTok Merger Deal, Proposes Giving US Government 50% Stake: Report</a>
Reports also indicated that the cameras would allow users to leverage sound sources based on head movements while watching videos with the headset.
Moreover, they could enable &#8220;in-air gesture control,&#8221; allowing users to interact with devices through hand movements.
Mass production of these AirPods will reportedly begin by 2026 with a potential release in 2026 or 2027. Apple has yet to confirm any such plan.
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: The AirPods lineup is a critical component of Apple's wearables, home, and accessories category.
It generated $9.04 billion in revenue during the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41666494/apple-q4-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-installed-base-hits-new-highs-iphone-sales-rise-as-apple-in">fiscal fourth quarter</a> of 2024 which represents a slight decline from $9.32 billion in the same period in 2023.
Apple continues to maintain its leadership in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42182829/apple-could-keep-airpods-max-headphones-around-without-meaningfully-updating-them-says-analyst-heres-why">true wireless stereo (TWS) market</a>, holding a 17% market share as of the third quarter of 2024. However, this represents a sharp decline from 48.1% in 2019, according to Statista.
Price Action: Apple stock declined 0.39% on Friday, closing at $222.78, and fell an additional 0.27% in after-hours trading, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Tech

AAPL

Apple AirPods With Cameras? Rumors Persist About Next-Gen Features

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates offered his perspective on a range of subjects, including President Donald Trump&#8217;s reform task force and the Department of Government Efficiency on Sunday.
What Happened: A Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/bill-gates-interview-5-things-e11c3fa2">interview</a> revealed that Gates is in favor of the Elon Musk-led task force&#8217;s efforts to reduce federal spending. Gates stated, &#8220;I'm among the people who think the deficit needs to be brought down because otherwise it will create a financial problem for us.&#8221;
Despite his support, Gates expressed concern over the complete elimination of certain programs under the new entity. He underscored the significance of long-term beneficial programs like HIV treatment initiatives. Gates warned, &#8220;If you cut those off, not only would they die when we have a cure on its way, but the negative feelings you'd have say, in Africa, would be worse than never having done the thing at all.&#8221;
The interview also saw Gates discussing his childhood, U.S.-China relations, and his ties with Jeffrey Epstein.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43219929/musks-doge-department-reportedly-eyeing-blockchain-technology-to-slash-federal-spendingjustin-sun-pitches-tron">Elon Musk&#8217;s DOGE Department Reportedly Eyes Blockchain To Slash Federal Spending—Justin Sun Says Tron A Good Option</a>
Why It Matters: This interview included a revelation about his childhood and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43218782/bill-gates-i-would-probably-be-diagnosed-on-the-autism-spectrum-if-growing-up-today">possible neurodivergence</a> in his upcoming memoir.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Gates supports, has been a topic of debate with figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) weighing in. 
Sanders supported DOGE&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/12/42508653/bernie-sanders-supports-elon-musks-doge-stating-that-it-must-target-the-pentagons-886-billion-budget">focus on the Pentagon&#8217;s budget</a>. More recently, Warren <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43182640/elizabeth-warren-lists-changes-for-elon-musks-doge-department-urges-guantanamo-closure-due-to-hundreds-of-millions-in-annual-costs">suggested changes</a> for DOGE, including better negotiation of Department of Defense contracts.
DOGE department <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43140690/dogecoin-drops-6-after-doge-department-removes-logo">shares its name acronym</a> with Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) and the disappearance of Dogecoin iconography led to a fall in the cryptocurrency&#8217;s price recently.
Image via Shutterstock
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

General

Bill Gates Says He Supports DOGE Department, But Doesn't Want Elon Musk To Cut Off Certain Funding: 'The Deficit Needs To Be Brought Down'

In just 10 days, the world's richest 1% have burned through their share of the global carbon budget for the entire year. That's the amount of CO2 humanity can afford to emit in 2025 without pushing global warming beyond the critical 1.5°C limit. Meanwhile, it would take nearly three years for someone in the poorest half of the world's population to create the same carbon footprint.
This alarming statistic comes from Oxfam's latest <a href="https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/richest-1-burn-through-their-entire-annual-carbon-limit-just-10-days">analysis</a> and is a stark reminder of just how unequal the climate crisis is. As the Guardian reports, the poorest people face the harshest impacts – like extreme weather, rising sea levels and food insecurity. Meanwhile, the richest 1% live high-carbon lifestyles with private jets, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931896/jeff-bezos-500-million-superyacht-koru-steals-the-show-at-st-barts-annual-festival-where-173-billionaires-turned-up-with-their-yachts">yachts</a> and other luxuries. But it goes beyond their lifestyles, as their investments also fuel pollution, deepening the crisis for billions.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What's the Damage?</h2>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41193824/are-you-rich-enough-to-be-in-the-top-1-heres-both-the-income-and-net-worth-you-need-to-rank-amon">The richest 1%</a> of the global population, around 77 million people earning over $140,000 a year, are responsible for 15.9% of the world's CO2 emissions. Compare that to the poorest 50% of the world, who only account for 7.7%. In practical terms, the emissions from a billionaire's private jets, yachts and investments can equal the lifetime emissions of thousands of ordinary people.
<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">Reminder &#8211; Bill Gates&#39; seriously awkward response to being called a climate change hypocrite for flying on a private jet: I buy the gold standard of funding Climeworks to do direct air capture that far exceeds my family&#39;s carbon footprint and I spend billions of dollars on… <a href="https://t.co/sJz9BXXjsm">pic.twitter.com/sJz9BXXjsm</a>
&mdash; Camus (@newstart_2024) <a href="https://twitter.com/newstart_2024/status/1736450560411279636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: According to Juniper Research, the total value of B2B cross-border payments stored on the blockchain is projected to exceed $4.4 trillion — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/web3-enabler-future-of-enterprise-transactions">Join the first company to bring blockchain payments to Salesforce early with just $100.</a>
For example, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42509430/jeff-bezos-with-a-fleet-of-four-private-jets-including-the-fastest-gulfstream-is-offloading-one-for-a-whopping-39-million">Jeff Bezos' private jets</a> reportedly spent nearly 25 days in the air in one year, emitting as much CO2 as an Amazon warehouse worker in the U.S. would over 207 years. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/09/40773565/three-walmart-heirs-about-to-reach-100-billion-each-their-combined-wealth-will-surpass-elon-musks-ne">The Walton family's</a> three yachts alone emitted 18,000 tons of CO2 in a year – the same as 1,714 Walmart employees combined. Amazingly, Bill Gates owns not one, not two or even three private jets, but <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42592124/bill-gates-owns-4-private-jets-valued-at-194m-flying-more-than-once-a-day-on-average-he-has-one-of-the-highest-carbon-footprints">four private jets</a> and just like Elon Musk, he uses them more than once per day. This is excess on an unfathomable scale.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who Pays the Price?</h2>
While the richest continue to live in luxury, the poorest people, especially in tropical areas, face the worst effects of climate change. Rising temperatures lead to devastating droughts, floods and heat waves. By 2050, the emissions of the wealthiest could cause crop losses significant enough to deny at least 10 million people in Southern and Eastern Asia adequate calories every year.
Heat-related deaths will also skyrocket, with roughly 80% occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Southern Asia alone will account for 40% of these fatalities.&nbsp;
Trending: With 100+ historic trademark victories, this company holds IP for some of the highest-grossing characters in history. Now, they've propelled these icons into the future using next-gen patented AR, VR, and AI technology. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elf-labs-1">There&#8217;s now a limited window for investors to claim shares at just $2/share with $980 minimum—but the clock is ticking.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is it Finally Time to Make Them Pay?</h2>
Oxfam's message is that it's time to hold the wealthiest accountable for their outsized role in the climate crisis. Here's what governments need to do:
<ul>
<li>Tax luxury emissions: Introduce hefty taxes on private jets, superyachts and other carbon-intensive indulgences. Ban excessive emissions wherever possible.</li>
<li>Reduce wealthy polluters' carbon footprints: Enforce regulations that force the top 1% to drastically cut their emissions. Oxfam estimates that to align with global climate goals, they need to reduce their 2015 levels by 97% by 2030. Currently, they're on track to cut by just 5%.</li>
<li>Make rich polluters pay: Redirect these taxes to fund climate finance for poorer nations. Rich countries promised $300 billion annually to help the Global South cope with the climate crisis, but this falls woefully short of the $5 trillion owed in climate reparations.</li>
</ul>
Allowing the superrich to continue squandering humanity's future is unfair and destructive. If governments don't act, they're not just failing – they're complicit.
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<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
<li>Built on the trusted network of Fortune 500 companies, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/web3-enabler-the-most-boring-blockchain-company-partners-with-salesforce">this blockchain company partners with Salesforce to uproot lengthy and expensive B2B transactions, and you can invest with just $100.</a></li>
</ul>

'Make Rich Polluters Pay' – Only 10 Days Into 2025, The World's Richest Have Already Exhausted Their Fair Share Of The Year's Carbon Budget

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) faces diverging forecasts for its 2025 delivery growth, with Wall Street&#8217;s expectations clashing with independent analysts&#8217; predictions amid uncertainty over new vehicle launches and potential policy changes.
What Happened: The Future Fund LLC&#8216;s Managing Partner Gary Black highlighted on Sunday that while Wall Street projects Tesla&#8217;s fiscal 2025 deliveries at 2.07 million units, representing 16% year-over-year growth, respected Tesla forecaster Troy Teslike anticipates a 1% decline. 
This contrasts with CEO Elon Musk&#8216;s guidance of 20-30% growth provided during the third-quarter earnings call.
Black emphasized that Tesla&#8217;s 2025 performance hinges on three key factors: the success of the Model Y Juniper refresh, demand for the upcoming $30,000-$35,000 vehicle expected to be unveiled in the first half of 2024, and progress in Full Self-Driving technology.
Wall Street may lower its 2025 delivery forecast of 2.07 million units (+16% YoY) and earnings projection of $3.24 per share (+34% YoY), potentially pushing Tesla&#8217;s stock down to the $350-$375 range, a decline on approximately 13%, irrespective of management&#8217;s statements on autonomy, according to Black.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Wall Street is currently forecasting <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TSLA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TSLA</a> FY'25 deliveries of 2,074K +16% YoY vs 2024. On the 3Q earnings call, Elon guided to FY'25 delivery growth of 20-30% YoY. <a href="https://twitter.com/TroyTeslike?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@troyteslike</a> who I believe has the best long-term record forecasting TSLA deliveries is forecasting FY'25 YoY… <a href="https://t.co/9RtaDQfmBl">https://t.co/9RtaDQfmBl</a> <a href="https://t.co/YcJClyQ2lA">pic.twitter.com/YcJClyQ2lA</a>
&mdash; Gary Black (@garyblack00) <a href="https://twitter.com/garyblack00/status/1883304346936590345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43219158/trumps-world-liberty-financial-crypto-venture-amasses-over-388-million-in-digital-assets">Trump&#8217;s World Liberty Financial Crypto Venture Amasses Over $388 Million in Digital Assets</a>
Why It Matters: The potential elimination of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit under the President Donald Trump administration poses additional challenges. Black argues this would disproportionately impact Tesla, with U.S. sales representing 30-35% of its global volume, compared to just 4-5% for traditional automakers&#8217; EV sales.
Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives maintains a more optimistic outlook, recently raising Tesla&#8217;s price target to $550, citing growing confidence in demand and autonomous driving potential. However, Tesla&#8217;s fiscal 2025 and 2026 earnings estimates have declined 39% and 45% respectively <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43150976/dan-ives-raises-tesla-price-target-to-550-sees-golden-era-for-elon-musk-under-trump-sees-bull-case-upside-of-over-56-if-optimus-robot-counted-in-valuation">over the past year</a>.
The upcoming earnings call could be pivotal, with Wall Street closely watching fourth-quarter automotive gross margins, forecast at 16.2% excluding regulatory credits. The previous quarter saw better-than-expected margins of 17.1%, though CFO Vaibhav Taneja cautioned about sustainability challenges in the current economic environment.
Price Action: Tesla stock closed at $406.58 on Friday, down 1.41% for the day. In after-hours trading, the stock dipped further by 0.27%. Over the past year, Tesla&#8217;s stock surged 121.87%, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/01/43218339/netflix-palantir-and-moderna-are-among-top-12-large-cap-gainers-last-week-jan-20-jan-24-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio">Netflix, Palantir And Moderna Are Among Top 12 Large Cap Gainers Last Week (Jan 20-Jan 24): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

TSLA

Tesla Could Drop Over 13% Due to Trump's Potential EV Tax Credit Cuts, FSD And Delivery Concerns, Says Gary Black

Elon Musk-headed Department of Government Efficiency could tap blockchain technology to support its objectives of cutting federal spending, according to a report on Saturday.
What happened: Musk, who floated the idea of the so-called agency, was contemplating the use of a digital ledger to track spending, secure data, and make payments, Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-25/musk-exploring-blockchain-use-in-us-government-efficiency-effort">reported</a>, citing people with knowledge of discussions
Executives from the newly formed organization have also met with representatives of public blockchains to study their technology for possible integration.
The Department of Government Efficiency didn't immediately return Benzinga's request for comment.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43151588/cathie-wood-was-asked-if-she-would-buy-trump-coin-heres-what-she-said">Cathie Wood Was Asked If She Would Buy TRUMP Coin, Here&#8217;s What She Said</a>
Meanwhile, cryptocurrency mogul Justin Sun used the opportunity to pitch his Tron (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/trx/usd">TRX</a>) blockchain to Musk.
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<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Tron will be a good option for it! <a href="https://t.co/tyP9ZLtQqW">https://t.co/tyP9ZLtQqW</a>
&mdash; H.E. Justin Sun &#x1f34c; (@justinsuntron) <a href="https://twitter.com/justinsuntron/status/1883381050363289621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It Matters: The report comes amid cryptocurrency-friendly measures undertaken by the new Donald Trump administration to strengthen U.S. leadership in the expanding industry.
Last week, Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43177482/trump-signs-executive-order-on-crypto-bitcoin-reserve-to-be-evaluated">signed executive orders</a> to evaluate a strategic national digital asset stockpile and halt the creation of central bank digital currencies.
The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, is an entity<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41927289/trump-appoints-elon-musk-and-vivek-ramaswamy-to-lead-doge-targeting-bureaucracy-and-65-trillion-federal-spending-we-will-not-go-gently"> tasked with cutting federal spending</a> and abolishing meaningless regulations. However, the agency was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43086309/trumps-doge-committee-faces-lawsuit-over-alleged-federal-advisory-violations-and-lack-of-transparency">hit with many lawsuits</a> shortly after Trump took office as president last week.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>), the cryptocurrency to which the department alludes, was exchanging hands at $0.3308, down 7% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. 
Image Courtesy: Shutterstock.com
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43150952/blackrock-ceo-larry-fink-says-bitcoin-could-rise-to-700000-on-monetary-debasement-political-instability-fears">Blackrock CEO Larry Fink Says Bitcoin Could Rise To $700,000 On Fiat Fears: &#8216;If You&#8217;re Frightened Of The Debasement…&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

$TRX

Elon Musk's DOGE Department Reportedly Eyes Blockchain To Slash Federal Spending—Justin Sun Says Tron A Good Option

Jeff Bezos-backed Perplexity AI has reportedly submitted a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43078206/jeff-bezos-backed-perplexity-reportedly-makes-50-billion-move-to-merge-with-tiktok-but-elon-musks-x-remains-this-analysts-favorite-bidder">revised proposal</a> to merge with TikTok's U.S. business, offering the U.S. government a 50% stake in the new entity.
What Happened: The new plan, submitted to TikTok's parent company, ByteDance last week, allows the U.S. government to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43088960/trump-suspends-us-tiktok-ban-for-75-days-with-executive-order-but-legal-and-market-uncertainty-looms-over-platforms-future">own up to 50% of the merged</a> entity through a $300 billion initial public offering, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-bytedance-trump-perplexity-87988733973760927bb5681f7de9b9af">reported</a> the Associated Press, citing a person familiar with the matter.&nbsp;
The U.S. government would not gain voting rights or board representation under this proposal. However, ByteDance would retain ties to the app without the proprietary algorithm that powers TikTok's content recommendation system.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: This proposal is a revision of an earlier plan that Perplexity AI submitted to ByteDance, which included other investors but did not secure a response from the Chinese tech giant.
Previously, President Donald Trump indicated his willingness to see Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk or Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) chairman Larry Ellison take <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43118289/trump-open-to-elon-musk-or-larry-ellison-buying-tiktok-calls-us-permit-key-to-1-trillion-valuation">ownership of TikTok</a>.
Other investors, including Jimmy Donaldson, also known as MrBeast, and Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary, have also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42994923/mrbeast-discussing-buying-tiktok-with-billionaires-to-prevent-us-shutdown-lets-see-if-we-can-pull-this-off">been linked to TikTok's U.S.</a> operations.
After an executive order from President Trump, reports suggest that TikTok users in the U.S. are also noticing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/43216953/is-tiktok-turning-into-a-censorship-machine-users-witness-new-restrictions-after-trumps-order">heightened censorship</a> on the platform.
Image via Shutterstock
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42900737/stephen-king-slams-elon-musks-h-1b-visa-stance-musk-thinks-smart-immigrants-can-stay-the-rest-of-you-washing-dishes-get-lost" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stephen King Slams Elon Musk's H-1B Visa Stance: ‘Musk Thinks Smart Immigrants Can Stay – The Rest of You Washing Dishes … Get Lost'</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Social Media

Media

ORCL

Jeff Bezos-Backed Perplexity Revises TikTok Merger Deal, Proposes Giving US Government 50% Stake: Report

Retirement savings – it's not exactly dinner party conversation. Nobody's asking their friends, "Hey, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/07/39819250/do-you-know-how-much-you-should-have-in-your-401-k-heres-what-experts-recommend-vs-the-actual-av">how much is in your 401(k)</a>?" or "What's your net worth percentile?" It'd be awkward, right? But let's be honest, it's something everyone thinks about. Are you saving enough? Too little? Are you even on the same planet as your peers?
The truth is that most people are flying blind when it comes to knowing where they stand. But here's the good news: you don't need to be in the top 1% or some financial genius to set yourself up for retirement success. You just need to know the numbers that matter and make a plan.
So, how much do you need to be considered a "wealthy" retiree?
Don't Miss:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/62-years-old-with-1-mil-saved">I&#8217;m 62 Years Old And Have $1.2 Million Saved. Is This Enough to Retire Stress-Free?</a></li>
<li>Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
</ul>
The Numbers: Where Do You Stand?
According to Federal Reserve data analyzed by The Motley Fool, the top 10% of Americans hold a median retirement savings of $900,000. That's the benchmark for the wealthiest retirees. But let's get more realistic. Those in the 75th to 89.9th percentiles – still well above average – have median savings of $269,000.&nbsp;
And here's an interesting tidbit: even <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/40711869/how-rich-are-you-heres-the-net-worth-that-defines-upper-middle-and-lower-class">among the upper class</a>, half haven't hit the $1 million milestone in retirement savings. So, if you've been beating yourself up for not being a millionaire yet, take a breath. You're not alone.
How to Build Your Retirement Nest Egg
If these numbers feel like a wake-up call, that's okay. Starting now, the key is to focus on what you can do to boost your savings. Let's break it down.
1. Maximize Your Retirement Accounts
Whether it's a 401(k), IRA or both, these accounts are your best friends regarding retirement savings.
• Traditional 401(k) and IRAs reduce your taxable income now, meaning you're paying less in taxes today while saving for tomorrow.
• Roth 401(k) and Roth IRAs don't offer tax breaks up front, but your retirement withdrawal will be completely tax-free.
If your employer offers a 401(k) match, ensure you contribute enough to take full advantage. That's free money and leaving it on the table is like walking away from a bonus.
See Also: With 100+ historic trademark victories, this company holds IP for some of the highest-grossing characters in history. Now, they've propelled these icons into the future using next-gen patented AR, VR, and AI technology. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elf-labs-1">There&#8217;s now a limited window for investors to claim shares at just $2/share with $980 minimum—but the clock is ticking.</a>
2. Save a Consistent Percentage
Experts often recommend saving 10% to 15% of your income for retirement. Sounds simple, but it's not always easy. If that percentage feels too high, start with what you can afford – say 5% – and increase it over time.
Let's say you earn $50,000 per year. Setting aside 10% means saving $5,000 annually. Over 30 years, with investment growth, that can snowball into a much larger sum.
3. Boost Your Income
The more you earn, the more you can save – it's as simple as that. Look for ways to increase your income:
• Negotiate a raise at work.
• Pursue a promotion or higher-paying role.
• Explore side hustles or freelance work.
Even a small increase in income can make a huge difference over the years.
4. Control Your Spending
Saving more doesn't just mean earning more; it also means spending less. Pay close attention to fixed costs – like housing, car payments and childcare. These expenses should ideally be no more than 60% of your income, leaving room for saving and discretionary spending.
Small lifestyle tweaks can add up over time, like reducing dining out or cutting unused subscriptions.
Trending: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?
The Bigger Picture
Based on data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, here's a fact that might surprise you: despite rising costs, median wealth has been growing across all age groups. Between 2019 and 2022, younger families (ages 20-39) saw their median wealth increase by 137%. Older families (ages 60-79) saw a 35% rise, reaching a median wealth of $404,000.
But there's still a big gap. Older families typically have far more wealth than younger ones. That's the nature of the financial "life cycle" – you start with very little and (hopefully) accumulate more as you approach retirement.
What does this mean for you? Don't compare yourself to others. Instead, focus on steady progress. Saving for retirement is a long game and every small step counts.
Being on track to retire richer than 75% of people isn't about winning some imaginary contest – it's about creating security and freedom for your future. Whether your goal is to hit the top 10% with a million-dollar nest egg or to feel confident knowing you've done your best, it starts with taking action.&nbsp;
If you're looking for extra guidance or a personalized plan to hit your goals, consider <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">working with a financial advisor</a>. Focus on planning smart, saving consistently and making steady progress – it's not about being perfect. Your future self will thank you.
Read Next:
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<li>Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they&#8217;re on pace —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv"> here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/suze-orman-retirement-bucket">&#8216;Which Bucket Do I Draw From First?&#8217; Suze Orman Explains To 67-Year-Old The Best Order For Tapping Into Her Retirement Accounts</a></li>
</ul>

Personal Finance

Are You On Track To Retire Richer Than 75% Of People? Here's The Nest Egg You'll Need To Be Considered A Wealthy Retiree

Charlie Munger, the investment titan who, alongside Warren Buffett, transformed&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway&nbsp;into a global conglomerate, has left a lasting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39347990/this-famous-piece-of-wisdom-from-charlie-munger-can-go-a-long-way-in-investing-and-in-life-say-inves">legacy of investment wisdom.</a>
What Happened: Munger&#8217;s death in 2023 marked the end of an era. He and Buffett had turned Berkshire Hathaway from a modest textiles company into a $780 billion conglomerate.
Munger was known for his business savvy and his willingness to share investment advice. His investment philosophy was rooted in the power of value investing. He always advised to buy wonderful businesses at fair prices.
Munger once famously <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzuxDLR3_Ww">said</a>,&nbsp;&#8220;Forget what you know about&nbsp;buying fair businesses at wonderful&nbsp;prices. Instead, buy wonderful businesses&nbsp;at fair prices.&#8221;
Munger was not a proponent of daily trading, but rather focused on identifying robust investment opportunities and holding onto them for long periods.&nbsp;
Munger avoided stocks that others might choose simply for their perceived bargain value. Instead, he prioritized investing in companies he considered fundamentally strong and solid businesses above all else.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43077104/charlie-mungers-3-rules-for-success-dont-sell-what-you-wouldnt-buy-work-for-those-you-admire-partner-with-people-you-enjoy">Charlie Munger&#8217;s 3 Rules For Success: &#8216;Don&#8217;t Sell What You Wouldn&#8217;t Buy, Work For Those You Admire, Partner With People You Enjoy&#8217;</a>
&#8220;The big money is not in buying and selling, but in the waiting. The whole secret of investment is to find places where it is safe and wise not to diversify,&#8221; Munger had said.
Munger&#8217;s investment strategy was also characterized by his&nbsp;belief that &#8220;life is not&nbsp;just bathing you with unlimited&nbsp;opportunities.&#8221; He was highly selective in his investment choices, only considering those that passed rigorous scrutiny.
Furthermore, Munger believed&nbsp;that &#8220;good businesses are ethical&nbsp;businesses,&#8221; and he and Buffett were known for closely examining&nbsp;the operations of businesses they&nbsp;were considering for investment, looking for those with excellent growth potential and ethical business models.
Why It Matters: Munger&#8217;s investment philosophy has left a lasting impact on the world of finance. His focus on value investing, long-term holdings, and ethical business practices has shaped the strategies of countless investors and businesses. 
His legacy serves as a reminder that investing is not just about quick profits, but about identifying and supporting businesses that provide value and operate with integrity. His wisdom will continue to guide the investment community for years to come.
Read Next
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Image: Shutterstock

Success Stories

Charlie Munger's Three Investment Lessons: 'Buy Wonderful Businesses At Fair Prices, Big Money Isn't In Buying Or Selling-It's In Waiting, Good Businesses Are Ethical Businesses'

The Trump administration launched an immigration enforcement blitz in Chicago on Sunday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed in a statement.
ICE agents are expected to be joined by officials from several more agencies in the multi-day operation that will soon spread across the country, seemingly beginning with Democratic-run states and cities.
The Chicago operation is part of a broader effort to beef up ICE in terms of resources and agents, as the Trump administration launches its nationwide crackdown toward fulfilling <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43216758/well-go-as-far-as-im-allowed-trumps-plan-with-immigrants-starts-with-1-million-deportations">President Donald Trump&#8216;s vow</a> to deport one million people.  
"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with federal partners, including the FBI, ATF, DEA, CBP and the U.S. Marshals Service, began conducting enhanced targeted operations today in Chicago to enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities," the ICE <a href="https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/statement-us-immigration-and-customs-enforcement">statement</a> reads.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dangerous Criminal Aliens? The Governor Begs To Differ</h2>
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/26/politics/video/sotu-pritzker-on-planned-chicago-immigration-raids">told CNN's Dana Bash on Sunday</a> that he too wants violent criminals out of the country, but he expressed concern about how the Trump administration is carrying out operations.
"If that's who they're picking up, we're all for it." But, Prizker said, &#8220;they're going after people who are law-abiding, who are holding down jobs, who have families here, who may have been here for a decade or two decades. Why are we going after them? These are not people who are causing problems in our country.&#8221;
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43216758/well-go-as-far-as-im-allowed-trumps-plan-with-immigrants-starts-with-1-million-deportations">&#8216;We&#8217;ll Go As Far As I&#8217;m Allowed&#8217;: Trump&#8217;s Plan With Immigrants Starts With 1 Million Deportations</a>
The Chicago Police Department said in a statement to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/26/politics/chicago-immigration-trump-ice/index.html">CNN</a> it does not document immigration status, and in accordance with its "Welcoming City Ordinance," and that it "does not share information with federal immigration authorities." 
"We will not intervene or interfere with any other government agencies performing their duties," the Chicago PD statement reads.
Meanwhile, on Saturday U.S. Army troops patrolled Eagle Pass, Texas, reported CNN. following Trump's order to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/25/01/43219037/texas-gov-abbott-wants-11-billion-border-security-reimbursement-protecting-the-rest-of-america-was-expensive">deploy 1,500 additional soldiers</a> to the U.S.-Mexico border, raising the total to 4,000. 
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Photo courtesy of Chicago DEA

Government

Politics

Trump's Immigration Enforcement Raids Begin In Chicago: Gov. Pritzker Concerned Innocents Could Be Targeted

Billionaire entrepreneur&nbsp;Mark Cuban&nbsp;has shared his perspective on the impact of his wealth on his children&#8217;s lives and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42380812/mark-cuban-shares-the-one-thing-he-splurged-on-after-striking-it-rich-im-not-a-big-spender">their perception of success.</a>
What Happened: During a conversation with TikToker Bobbi Althoff in 2023, Cuban revealed that his children often grapple with the expectations set by his substantial wealth. 
Cuban&#8217;s children are acutely aware of the assumptions people make&nbsp;about them due to their&nbsp;father&#8217;s financial status. During <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keN-qiRfU3c">the </a>interview, he expressed his desire for them to establish their own identities and careers without being overshadowed by his success.
"Sometimes I think [the money is] the part they don't like. Not that they want to be poor, but it sets an expectation, it's how other people see them," Cuban said. 
Emphasizing the importance of self-reliance, Cuban has always encouraged&nbsp;his children to earn their&nbsp;own money and success. 
In an interview in 2022, Cuban <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUNMPG0Zx2k">said</a>, "My wife and I are really consistent in that, ‘You have to accomplish these things on your own. You don't want to be Mark Cuban's son or daughter your entire life."
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43077063/mark-cubans-success-mantra-if-youve-got-nothing-its-the-perfect-time-to-start-a-business">Mark Cuban&#8217;s Success Mantra: &#8216;If You&#8217;ve Got Nothing, It&#8217;s The Perfect Time To Start A Business&#8217;</a>
In 2020 in another interaction Cuban <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3021976694481420">mentioned </a>that he always encourage his children to focus on becoming more independent and self-reliant. 
"I'm not going to write you checks. You don't just get a credit card. You can't just buy whatever you want,"&nbsp;Cuban said adding: "I tell them,&nbsp;"After your health, my No. 1 thing for you all is, I don't want you to be entitled jerks.&#8221;
Cuban, who embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at a young age by selling garbage bags door-to-door&nbsp;to save money for sneakers,&nbsp;sees a similar spirit in one of his children. 
This child has started selling candy bars to classmates, learning about business models in the process, a move that Cuban strongly supports.
Why It Matters: Cuban&#8217;s approach to parenting offers a unique perspective on wealth and success. His emphasis on self-reliance and resilience, coupled with his desire for his children to carve their own paths, underscores the importance of individual achievement, irrespective of one&#8217;s background. 
This perspective is particularly relevant in a society where wealth is often seen as a determinant of success. 
Cuban&#8217;s story serves as a reminder that success is not inherited but earned, and that wealth, while influential, should not define one&#8217;s identity or worth.
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Image: Shutterstock

Mark Cuban Shares His Best Advice For His Kids: 'You Can't Just Buy Whatever You Want, I Don't Want You To Be Entitled Jerks'

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) and Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) are leading the charge in the consumer augmented reality (AR) space, with Apple Inc. looming as a formidable contender. 
Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman in his <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-01-26/apple-ar-plan-meta-samsung-glasses-are-coming-s25-edge-to-beat-iphone-air?sref=TBDibEcD">latest</a> weekly "Power On" newsletter on Sunday shared that Samsung Electronics Co. continues to make strides in AI innovation and smartphone design. However, Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) remains steadfast in its strategy despite delays in launching its next AR products.
Apple's journey into AR began over a decade ago with ambitious ideas for AR-powered windshields for self-driving cars. Those concepts evolved into the development of AR headsets, culminating in the launch of the Vision Pro mixed-reality headset. 
Although Vision Pro's $3,500 price tag and bulkiness hindered its success, Apple continues to refine its AR technology at a facility in Santa Clara, California. Despite technical challenges, the company aims to release AR glasses within three years, seeing them as a superior alternative to mixed-reality headsets, added Gurman in his post. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42935529/apples-slimmest-iphone-yet-the-iphone-17-air-expected-this-fall">Apple&#8217;s Slimmest iPhone Yet? The iPhone 17 Air Expected This Fall</a>
While Apple's progress in AR has slowed, rivals like Meta and Google are making significant headway. Meta's prototype AR glasses, named Orion, could reach consumers by 2027, and Google's collaboration with Samsung has produced next-generation devices powered by its Android XR operating system. Samsung has also unveiled its "Moohan" mixed-reality headset, which is expected to be more affordable than Apple's Vision Pro.
In the smartphone arena, Samsung is ahead of Apple with its new Galaxy S25 line, featuring cutting-edge AI capabilities powered by Google's Gemini platform. Additionally, Samsung's S25 Edge, an ultrathin smartphone, is set to debut months ahead of Apple's rumored iPhone 17 Air, showcasing its competitive edge in hardware design.
Meanwhile, Apple has made internal adjustments to bolster its AI and Siri efforts. Vice President Kim Vorrath, known for successfully managing key software projects like the original iPhone and visionOS, has been tasked with overseeing improvements in Siri and Apple's AI platform. 
Investors are closely watching Apple's upcoming earnings report on Jan. 30 for insights into its holiday sales performance and the impact of its AI initiatives.
As Apple refines its AR and AI strategies, it faces mounting competition from Meta, Google, and Samsung. The tech giant's track record of entering established markets with superior products will be tested in the years to come.
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GOOGL

Apple's Augmented Reality Gamble Faces Challenges As Rivals Surge Ahead In AI and Design

If anyone appears to have ridden the highs and lows of Hollywood, emerging relatively unscathed, it&#8217;s Vince Vaughn. Part of the comedy Frat Pack and the star of classic movies such as "Wedding Crashers" and "Old School," Vaughn was box office gold for a decade during the late 90s and early 2000s. Despite the inevitable career downturn, Vaughn has returned in recent years with new movies, TV shows, a cheery equanimity, a successful 15-year marriage and two teenage kids. He credits his real estate investments for his smooth ride in a notoriously turbulent arena.
&#8220;I got involved in property young. I was fortunate to make money at my profession and I didn&#8217;t want to lose it,&#8221;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPcU2b64FyU"> he told business coach JT Foxx</a>. &#8220;There were so many actors I knew who were intimidated. I thought I wanted tangible assets. First, I bought some gold. There&#8217;s no passive income off it, so I started to buy some small buildings that I could rent out. I knew the buildings would go up in price and I&#8217;d have some money coming in passively from it.&#8221;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Real Estate Is In The Family</h2>
Vaughn explained that he invested deeply in the Florida real estate market, which helped boost his cash flow and equity. After 30 years in Hollywood, according to Celebrity Net Worth, Vince Vaughn is worth $75 million. It turns out real estate is in the Vaughn blood. His mother, Sharon, was a stockbroker and real estate agent who, according to &#8220;Bloomberg Wealth Manager,&#8221; was once ranked as one of the top money managers in America. According to People, Vaughn&#8217;s wife, Kayla Weber, was a residential real estate agent in Canada before meeting the actor.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">An Active Buyer and Seller</h2>
Between his wife and mother, Vaughn has plenty of sound advice to call on when making his real estate investments. In addition to owning rental properties, the actor, whose Bad Monkey series has just been renewed for a second season with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42709939/apple-teases-streaming-see-for-yourself-event-could-this-be-a-free-preview-of-appletv-or-ad-supported-platform">Apple TV</a>, was also highly active in buying and selling <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/03/37541820/las-ultra-wealthy-residents-resort-to-shell-game-to-skirt-city-mansion-tax">luxury Californian real estate</a>. Here are some of his high-priced deals:
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<li>In 2006, he bought a 12,000-square-foot Chicago penthouse from Playboy chief Hugh Hefner. He later split the properties, selling the 35th floor for $4.1 million and the 36th and 37th floors for $8.5 million. The town house was listed for rent at $9,500/month before the sale, according to Today.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>In 2013, Vaughn paid $3.925 million for a 5,563-square-foot home in La Cañada Flintridge, California, selling it to DreamWorks Studios CEO Michael Wright for $4.8 million in 2013.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>In 2014, Vaughn purchased a 7,300-square-foot Manhattan Beach home for $6.5 million.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Slew Of New Projects</h2>
Look for Vaughn to invest his considerable future earnings in real estate. He has a slew of projects lined up. The second season of Bad Monkey is being shot, which Vaughn is also executive producing. The highly anticipated Dodgeball 2 is also due for release in 2025, nearly two decades after the first. Other Vaughn projects in the pipeline include Male Doula, The Insane Laws, The Risk Agent, Nonnas and Broke – which Vaughn, thankfully, is not.
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Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) has confirmed a data breach involving a third-party software provider that led to the exposure of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/11/35738108/unexpected-account-shutdowns-at-major-banks-lead-to-frustration-accusations-of-discrimination">sensitive customer data</a>.
What Happened: According to a <a href="https://www.maine.gov/agviewer/content/ag/985235c7-cb95-4be2-8792-a1252b4f8318/582166f7-27cd-44a1-8259-4ef444dafdf1.html">filing</a> earlier this month, an unidentified third-party software provider discovered unauthorized access to its systems in October. The breach did not directly impact Bank of America&#8217;s systems, but the data of at least 414 customers is now at risk.
The breach pertains&nbsp;to mortgage loans and the&nbsp;compromised data includes customers&#8217;&nbsp;names, social security numbers, addresses,&nbsp;phone numbers, passport numbers, and loan numbers. The bank is currently notifying affected customers about the breach.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42716153/massive-data-breach-exposes-millions-of-credit-and-debit-cards-is-your-account-safe">Massive Data Breach Exposes Millions of Credit and Debit Cards—Is Your Account Safe?</a>
In response to the breach,&nbsp;Bank of America&nbsp;is taking steps to mitigate&nbsp;any financial impact and scan&nbsp;for unauthorized transactions. The bank&nbsp;is also offering&nbsp;a free one-year enrollment to&nbsp;an identity protection service to&nbsp;affected customers.
Why It Matters: This incident underscores the growing risk of third-party data breaches in the banking sector. 
A recent <a href="https://securityscorecard.com/company/press/securityscorecard-threat-intel-report-97-of-leading-u-s-banks-impacted-by-third-party-data-breaches-in-2024/#:~:text=97%25%20of%20the%20largest%20U.S.,to%20just%202%25%20of%20vendors.">report</a> from SecurityScorecard revealed that&nbsp;97% of the top 100&nbsp;US banks experienced third-party data breaches last year. 
This trend highlights the increasing reliance on outside vendors for core banking functions and the associated risks.
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Image: Shutterstock

Bank of America's Sensitive Customer Data Compromised in Third-Party Hack - Is Your Account Safe?

Sen. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/elizabeth-warren">Elizabeth Warren</a> (D-Mass.) sent a detailed letter to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>, chair of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43182640/elizabeth-warren-lists-changes-for-elon-musks-doge-department-urges-guantanamo-closure-due-to-hundreds-of-millions-in-annual-costs">numerous suggestions</a> for slashing federal spending.
Warren outlined proposals she said could save the federal government upwards of $2 trillion over the next decade. Among her recommendations was scaling back federal enforcement against marijuana users and businesses, which she called an example of "wasteful spending."
"The United States could save hundreds of millions of dollars annually by cutting unnecessary federal enforcement actions and detention," Warren wrote in the <a href="https://www.warren.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/letter_to_doge_rerecommendationstosave2trillionoverthenext10years.pdf">Thursday letter</a> to the billionaire Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO. 
Warren criticized federal agencies like the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/drug-enforcement-administration">Drug Enforcement Administration</a> (DEA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for continuing to target legal marijuana businesses and seize cannabis plants. "These arrests and seizures unnecessarily drain federal resources," Warren said. 
When the DEA <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/07/33156524/dea-turns-50-unveiling-the-ineffectiveness-of-the-ongoing-war-on-drugs-now-what" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">celebrated its 50th anniversary&nbsp;</a>in 2023, it had spent over $1 trillion partly to enforce&nbsp;Richard Nixon&#8217;s&nbsp;1970 Controlled Substances Act, the cornerstone of his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/war-on-drugs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">War on Drugs</a>.
Warren recommended to Musk that both the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security could also conserve resources by deprioritizing arrests and other actions targeting marijuana possession in jurisdictions where it's legal under state law. 
"For example, almost half of states have legalized recreational marijuana, yet federal arrests for marijuana possession account for roughly a quarter of all drug possession arrests, even though federal sentences for marijuana possession are rare," Warren wrote, referring to FBI data <a href="https://norml.org/blog/2024/09/25/fbi-nearly-one-quarter-of-all-drug-related-arrests-are-for-marijuana-possession/">made public</a> in September 2024.
The senator pointed to reports showing the DEA eradicated over 5.7 million marijuana plants in 2022 and criticized the agency for failing to release updated data on marijuana-related arrests and seizures in 2024. She also highlighted a lawsuit by licensed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/10/41561733/lawsuit-against-the-feds-could-set-precedent-on-state-rights-new-mexico-marijuana-firms-move-to-">New Mexico cannabis businesses</a> accusing CBP agents of unconstitutional seizures and detentions.
Last week, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/01/43107039/elizabeth-warren-questions-robert-f-kennedy-jr-on-dangerous-views-pot-legalization-timeline-as-his-senate-hearing-stalls">Warren expressed</a> "serious concerns" about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s ability to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. She asked for more information on Kennedy's &nbsp;stance regarding marijuana legalization and other issues including what she called his "dangerous views on vaccine safety and public health, including your baseless opposition to vaccines." 
On Wednesday, Kennedy will appear before the Senate Finance Committee for the first of two confirmation hearings
Meanwhile, the DEA's leadership has drawn scrutiny, with acting administrator Derek Maltz <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/43169554/trump-appoints-dea-chief-who-will-bring-ruthless-narco-terrorists-to-justice-not-keen-on-legalizing-cannabis">linking cannabis to issues like school shootings</a>, an unfounded and most agree ludicrous stance. 
In related news, on Saturday the Senate confirmed the nomination of former South Dakota governor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/kristi-noem">Kristi Noem&nbsp;</a>to lead the Dept. of Homeland Security. 
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Photo: Shutterstock

Cannabis

Legal

Elizabeth Warren To Elon Musk: Cut Unnecessary Federal Cannabis Enforcement And Save Billions

The buzz around artificial intelligence is at an all-time high, but OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wants everyone to take a step back. In a tweet earlier this week, Altman urged people to dial down their expectations about the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), a form of AI capable of performing any intellectual task a human can do.
"Twitter hype is out of control again," Altman wrote. "We are not gonna deploy AGI next month, nor have we built it. We have some very cool stuff for you, but pls chill and cut your expectations 100x!"
<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">twitter hype is out of control again. we are not gonna deploy AGI next month, nor have we built it. we have some very cool stuff for you but pls chill and cut your expectations 100x!
&mdash; Sam Altman (@sama) <a href="https://twitter.com/sama/status/1881258443669172470?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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Altman's comments come as excitement around AI grows, fueled by advancements like the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/09/40842891/openai-unveils-o1-model-a-step-closer-to-human-like-ai-but-not-without-flaws">advanced &#8220;o1&#8221; reasoning model</a> and other cutting-edge tools. While these systems are impressive, they are far from achieving AGI, the holy grail of AI development. AGI would represent a transformative leap, but Altman's statement clarifies that we're not there yet – and likely won't be anytime soon.
Altman didn&#8217;t go into detail, but his reference to &#8220;very cool stuff&#8221; suggests that OpenAI may be working on intriguing improvements or new capabilities, such as brand-new applications that push the limits of artificial intelligence or enhancements to already-existing models like GPT-4.
Trending: Built on the trusted network of Fortune 500 companies, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/web3-enabler-the-most-boring-blockchain-company-partners-with-salesforce">this blockchain company partners with Salesforce to uproot lengthy and expensive B2B transactions, and you can invest with just $100.</a>
OpenAI is notably collaborating on a massive <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43111153/nvidia-and-ai-stock-rises-as-trump-announces-500-billion-stargate-ai-infrastructure-venture">new Stargate project</a> that President Donald Trump recently announced. This is a $100 billion initiative backed by SoftBank, Oracle and other tech giants to build advanced data centers across the U.S., crucial for training next-generation AI models and addressing computing power bottlenecks. The first data center is already under construction in Abilene, Texas, with plans to expand nationwide.
"It's big money and high quality people," said Trump, adding that it's "a resounding declaration of confidence in America's potential" under his new administration. Altman added, "This will be the most important project of this era."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why the Reality Check?</h2>
Altman's message is about managing expectations. The rapid progress in AI has led some people to think that AGI is just around the corner, while others worry about its potential risks. By asking everyone to calm down, Altman is reminding people that there's still a lot of work to do.
See Also: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
On the other hand, when <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/01/42867568/openai-ceo-sam-altman-predicts-agi-will-arrive-during-the-trump-presidency-says-chips-act-not-effective-enough">he&#8217;s making predictions</a> such as, &#8220;I think AGI will probably get developed during this president&#8217;s term and getting that right seems really important,&#8221; it&#8217;s no wonder people have high expectations.
This isn't the first time Altman has addressed public perceptions of AI. He has consistently emphasized the importance of responsible development and the need for robust infrastructure to support AI's growth.&nbsp;
He also acknowledged that OpenAI's $200/month ChatGPT Pro plan <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42810114/openai-ceo-sam-altman-reveals-company-struggling-with-chatgpt-pro-losses">isn't making money</a> because &#8220;people use it much more than we expected.&#8221; Maintaining ChatGPT alone costs over $700,000 daily, increasing the financial strain of creating cutting-edge AI.
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'Chill And Cut Your Expectations 100x,' Says OpenAI CEO Sam Altman–'We Are Not Gonna Deploy AGI Next Month, Nor Have We Built It'

Robert Kiyosaki, the acclaimed author of &#8220;Rich Dad Poor Dad,&#8221; has reiterated his preference for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42255036/kiyosaki-on-bitcoin-100000-almost-impossible-for-the-poor-and-middle-class-to-catch-up">over the US dollar</a>.
What Happened: In a post on X on Sunday, Kiyosaki highlighted the significant differences between Bitcoin and the US dollar, terming the former as &#8220;good money&#8221; and the latter as &#8220;bad money.&#8221;
The author has been a consistent supporter of Bitcoin and other digital currencies over the years.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">TWO LAWS THAT GIVE BITCOIN POWER 1: GRESHAMS LAW: When BAD money enters a system GOOD money goes into hiding. Good money gold and silver have been hiding from FAKE US dollars for years. Today, Gold, silver, and Bitcoin are forcing the fake US dollar into hiding. 2:…
&mdash; Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/theRealKiyosaki/status/1883250583890727018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Kiyosaki&#8217;s recent argument revolves around Bitcoin&#8217;s superior reliability as a&nbsp;store of value compared to&nbsp;the dollar. He anticipates that&nbsp;the leading digital asset will&nbsp;outshine the greenback in the&nbsp;future due to its stability and growth potential, traits he believes the dollar lacks due to inflation and excessive printing.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42804530/robert-kiyosaki-predicts-massive-market-crash-save-gold-silver-bitcoin-crash-is-here">Robert Kiyosaki Predicts Massive Market Crash: &#8216;Save Gold, Silver, &amp; Bitcoin, Crash Is Here&#8217;</a>
He invoked Gresham&#8217;s law to argue that &#8216;bad money,&#8217; like the dollar, has pushed &#8216;good money,&#8217; such as precious metals and Bitcoin, into hiding. However, he asserts that Bitcoin, gold, and silver are now pushing back, causing the dollar to retreat.
He also mentioned Metcalfe&#8217;s Law, stressing the importance of a strong network of participants. 
Why It Matters: Kiyosaki&#8217;s comments come at a time when Bitcoin is gaining acceptance as a mainstream investment and payment method. His views reflect a growing sentiment among certain financial circles that digital currencies could offer a viable alternative to traditional fiat currencies. 
This shift in perception could have significant implications for the future of global finance, particularly if more corporations follow MicroStrategy&#8217;s lead and invest in Bitcoin.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42638862/kiyosaki-warns-of-global-financial-crisis-protect-your-wealth-by-investing-in-real-assets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kiyosaki Warns of Global Financial Crisis: ‘Protect Your Wealth by Investing in Real Assets'</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Robert Kiyosaki Foresees Bitcoin Surpassing US Dollar As 'Good Money'

President Donald Trump&#8216;s hints at upcoming increases in tariffs have ignited a significant market rally, propelling stocks to unprecedented highs.
What Happened: Earlier, the market was apprehensive about the potential inflationary effects of Trump&#8217;s tariff plan. However, the President&#8217;s initial actions have flipped this narrative, fueling market confidence in economic growth over the forthcoming four years.
Stocks have been on a consistent upward climb since Trump took office. The S&amp;P 500 reached&nbsp;a record high on Thursday,&nbsp;recovering from an early-year sell-off as traders digested a flurry of White House orders and policy declarations. However, On Friday it fell to just 0.3%. 
Despite Friday&#8217;s decline, optimism around Trump&#8217;s pro-business policies has largely driven risk assets higher this week, with investors focusing on his inauguration. 
Traders were also reassured by the absence of formal tariff actions, as Trump has so far issued only threats on that front during his initial days in office.
All three major indexes logged their second consecutive weekly gains, suggesting a strong rebound in the bull market after December&#8217;s pullback. The S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq each advanced approximately 1.7% for the week, while the Dow rose 2.2%.
While addressing world leaders in Davos on Thursday, Trump&nbsp;said that he would demand that interest rates drop immediately. He also said he would ask Saudi Arabia and other OPEC nations to&nbsp;lower&nbsp;the price of oil.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42635605/exclusive-eric-trump-predicts-inflation-drop-through-energy-policies-and-spending-cuts">EXCLUSIVE: Eric Trump Predicts Inflation Drop Through Energy Policies And Spending Cuts</a>
Nancy Tengler, the chief investment&nbsp;officer of&nbsp;Laffer Tengler Investments <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/trump-tariffs-inflation-stock-market-rally-growth-trade-war-economy-2025-1">told </a>Business Insider,&nbsp;&#8220;Now investors are focused on,&nbsp;okay, the executive orders are&nbsp;coming through, he&#8217;s serious about&nbsp;deregulation, he&#8217;s serious about getting&nbsp;the tax cuts.&#8221;
&#8220;Those are important elements for the market, because — whether you agree with him or not, that&#8217;s never the issue. The issue is the uncertainty. And so it looks like we&#8217;re going to have a regular order of business and things are going to chug along,&#8221; she told the outlet.
The AAII&#8217;s most recent Investor Sentiment Survey showed a significant uptick in investor sentiment. It revealed that 43% of investors&nbsp;were bullish on stocks over&nbsp;the next six months, a substantial rise from the previous week&#8217;s 25%.
Trump&#8217;s executive actions this week have redirected the market&#8217;s attention towards&nbsp;higher growth and away from&nbsp;the potential risks of an unpredictable trade policy. The President also unveiled a $500 billion deal among&nbsp;OpenAI,&nbsp;Oracle&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>), and&nbsp;SoftBank&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) to expand AI infrastructure, triggering a surge in AI tech stocks.
Why It Matters: The market&#8217;s positive response to Trump&#8217;s tariff orders and policy announcements signifies a shift in investor sentiment. The focus has moved from potential inflationary risks to prospects for economic growth. 
This change is reflected in the record highs reached by stocks and the bullish outlook of investors.
The President&#8217;s announcement of a $500 billion deal to build more AI infrastructure also indicates a strategic move towards technological advancement, which could further stimulate economic growth and boost investor confidence in the tech sector.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/11/41869001/heres-how-trumps-policies-might-shape-the-markets-future">Here&#8217;s How Trump&#8217;s Policies Might Shape The Market&#8217;s Future</a>
Image: Shutterstock

SFTBY

Trump's Tariff Plans Ignite Market Rally, Pushing Stocks To Record Highs

Franklin International Dividend Multiplier Index ETF

Franklin Templeton kicked off 2025 with a bang, <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250123751431/en/Franklin-Templeton-Expands-ETF-Lineup-Launching-Two-New-Income-Multiplier-ETFs">launching </a>two<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs"> ETFs that aim to bring</a> a fresh approach to dividend income investing. Meet Franklin U.S. Dividend Multiplier ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XUDV#NYSE">XUDV</a>) and Franklin International Dividend Multiplier ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XIDV#NYSE">XIDV</a>), both curated to multiply dividend income.



Todd Mathias, head of U.S. ETF Product Strategy at Franklin Templeton, summed it up. &#8220;With competitive expense ratios of 0.09% for XUDV and 0.19% for XIDV, these ETFs provide cost-effective access to strategies that combine enhanced dividend income with next generation portfolio design, serving as a compelling option for investors seeking access to long-only equity income. These strategies are particularly well-suited for fee-based advisors, sophisticated clients, and general retail investors seeking efficient, diversified equity solutions."



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Closer Look At The Mechanics</h3>



The U.S. Dividend Multiplier ETF and the International Dividend Multiplier ETF don't just screen for high-yield stocks, they take things one level up. These ETFs have integrated New Frontier's proprietary optimization techniques to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/dividends">enhance dividend income</a> and risk-managed capital appreciation.



The Franklin U.S. Dividend Multiplier ETF tracks the VettaFi New Frontier U.S. Dividend Select Index, which yielded 4.1% as of Jan. 21 and focuses on U.S.-based dividend opportunities. Meanwhile, the Franklin International Dividend Multiplier ETF mirrors the VettaFi New Frontier International Dividend Select Index, which delivered 7.5% yield as of Jan. 21.



Robert Michaud, chief investment officer at New Frontier, describes these ETFs as a game-changer. "By applying our time-tested optimization to dividend strategies, we&#8217;ve built an index to pursue enhanced dividend yield coupled with risk-managed capital appreciation. This launch is setting a new standard in the ETF industry through effective investment technology. We&#8217;re confident these ETFs will redefine expectations for dividend-focused investments and demonstrate the power of advanced optimization in portfolio construction.&#8221;



Dividend-focused ETFs are nothing new, but the two fresh ETFs by Franklin Templeton aim to bridge the gap between high yields and risk-managed growth. 



See Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/01/43170440/leuthold-group-introduces-select-industries-etf-focus-on-companies-ready-to-outperform">Leuthold Group Introduces Select Industries ETF, Focus On Companies Ready To Outperform</a>



Photo: Shutterstock

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