Latest news for Xinyi Solar Hldgs (OTC:XISHY) Stock

Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd is an investment holding company. Its activities consist of the production and sale of solar glass products, the development and operation of solar farms, and the provision of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services. The company's segments include sales of solar glass; solar farm business which includes solar farm development and solar power generation; and EPC services. It derives revenue from two core business segments, namely the sale and manufacturing of solar glass and solar farm business. Its operations are held in the People's Republic of China and Other countries.

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Key Takeaways:


	Xinyi Energy said its net profit in the first half of the year fell by 25% to 35%
	The solar farm operator is suffering in a climate of oversupply after a rapid buildup of solar farms in China


By Lee Shih Ta

Solar Glut Rains On Xinyi Energy&#39;s Profit Parade

XINYI SOLAR HLDG UNSP/ADR by Xinyi Solar Holdings Limited

Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd

In an interview with Fortune in 2013, legendary investor Warren Buffett shared his insights on avoiding speculative investing and adopting a disciplined, long-term approach. 
What Happened: Buffett, known for his value investing philosophy, highlighted the importance of understanding the productive potential of assets rather than making impulsive decisions based on market noise.
During the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzuTj_t7ILs&amp;t=2s">interview</a>, Buffett compared evaluating stocks to assessing tangible investments like farms or apartment buildings. For a farm, he advises calculating expected crop yields and determining their value. 
Similarly, for an apartment building, rental income should be weighed against taxes and expenses to estimate the expected return. In both cases, the focus should be on paying a fair price for the asset's productive potential.
&#8220;You always want to look at the productive ability of the assets you're buying, whether it's a farm, an apartment house, or a company. The company is represented by a stock. If you always get your money's worth, you'll do very well,&#8221; Buffett said. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42663704/warren-buffetts-timeless-advice-if-youre-gonna-do-dumb-things-because-your-stock-goes-down-you-shoul">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Timeless Advice: &#8216;If You&#8217;re Gonna Do Dumb Things Because Your Stock Goes Down, You Shouldn&#8217;t Own A Stock At All&#8217;</a>
&#8220;If you buy a farm, you look at the farm and say, "I expect to get so many bushels per acre of corn or soybeans." Then you figure out how much that will be worth and you figure out what the price should be. If you buy an apartment house, you should look at what the rentals will be, what the taxes and expenses will be, and then decide how much income you'll have. You pay a fair price for that,&#8221; Buffett added. 
However, when it comes to stocks, Buffett warned against buying based on hearsay or speculative advice. He encouraged investors to prioritize the long-term productive ability of assets over short-term price movements. 
"The biggest mistake people make is listening to a lot of other people and buying something because they think it's going to go up next week or next month, for whatever reason people give you. You should understand what you buy," he said. 
He emphasized that understanding the intrinsic value of a company, which a stock represents, is key to successful investing.
&#8220;With stocks, their neighbor whispers something to them and then run out and spend money that it took them years to earn,&#8221; Buffett said. 
Why It Matters: This advice aligns with Buffett's broader philosophy of value investing, which has guided his decades-long track record of outperforming the market. 
His focus on fundamentals serves as a reminder that patience and careful evaluation remain the cornerstones of sound investing.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40666605/warren-buffetts-career-advice-dont-think-about-money-take-the-job-that-you-would-take-if-you-didnt-n">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Career Advice: &#8216;Don&#8217;t Think About Money, Take The Job That You Would Take If You Didn&#8217;t Need The Job&#8217;</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

News

Warren Buffett's Stock Market Advice: Ignore Neighbor's Whispers On Stock Tips, Focus On Long-Term Value

Anthony Scaramucci, the former White House communications director, has urged&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;to focus on his thriving businesses and refrain from political involvement. 
What Happened: Scaramucci, who had a brief stint in the first Donald Trump administration and has since become a vocal critic of the President-elect, praised Musk&#8217;s business prowess.
Speaking with CNN in an interview last week, he said of Musk, &#8220;Stick to business. You've done great. You've made a couple hundred billion dollars since the election.&#8221;
He further warned Musk about the potential pitfalls of political involvement, saying, &#8220;Lay&nbsp;off the gas on politics&nbsp;a little bit because these&nbsp;people, these people could hurt&nbsp;you.&#8221;
While acknowledging Musk&#8217;s significant influence during the 2024 election, Scaramucci expressed doubts about Musk&#8217;s ability to exert the same level of influence in Washington. 
Despite Musk&#8217;s large following and significant influence, Scaramucci advised him to tread carefully. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42378550/musk-kicked-in-more-than-a-quarter-billion-dollars-to-trump-and-gop">Musk Kicked In More Than a Quarter-Billion Dollars To Trump and GOP</a>
He stated, &#8220;He's&nbsp;just got to be very,&nbsp;very careful because he's making&nbsp;enemies that he doesn‘t realize,&#8221; and added, &#8220;And&nbsp;the incentives in Washington are&nbsp;totally different than those in&nbsp;business.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Can he do the fandango like in that Queen song?
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1871485780037972349?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Responding to Scaramucci&#8217;s advice, Musk asked whether Scaramucci could &#8220;do the fandango like in that Queen song,&#8221; a reference to the line &#8220;Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango&#8221; in the song &#8220;Bohemian Rhapsody.&#8221;</figcaption></figure>
Why It Matters: Scaramucci&#8217;s advice to Musk comes at a time when the latter&#8217;s influence has been growing, not just in the business world but also in the political sphere. 
Musk&#8217;s significant role in the 2024 election and his large following are testament to his influence. However, Scaramucci&#8217;s cautionary words highlight the potential dangers that come with political involvement, especially for someone who is primarily a business figure. 
The different incentives and dynamics in Washington, as compared to the business world, could pose challenges and risks for Musk.
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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.

Politics

Anthony Scaramucci Tells Musk To 'Stick To Business' — Here's Musk's Musical Response

President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s repeated calls to defund public media have put organizations like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/recent" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NPR and PBS on high alert</a>.
Trump has long criticized outlets like NPR and PBS, accusing them of promoting liberal bias, and has vowed to cut all federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports public media, The Guardian <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/28/trump-npr-pbs-funding-cut" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
In April on Truth Social, Trump called NPR a &#8220;total scam&#8221; and demanded an end to its funding.
His criticism follows a longstanding pattern of Republican efforts to reduce or eliminate public media funding, dating back to the 1967 creation of the CPB.
The CPB provides grants to over 1,500 public radio and TV stations across the country, helping ensure editorial independence while also allowing for local fundraising.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/12/42713893/benzinga-bulls-and-bears-quantum-computing-tesla-amd-and-whales-buy-270-million-dogecoin-over-4-days">Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Quantum Computing, Tesla, AMD — And Whales Buy 270 Million Dogecoin Over 4 Days</a>
Trump&#8217;s allies, including Elon Musk, have joined the chorus. Musk, after labeling NPR as &#8220;state-affiliated media&#8221; in 2023, has called for the defunding of NPR, echoing Trump&#8217;s anti-public media stance, the report adds.
His recent collaboration with Vivek Ramaswamy to reduce government spending includes proposed cuts to the CPB&#8217;s $535 million budget.
Despite these efforts, public media remains deeply embedded in American life, with 99% of the population within reach of public radio or TV, The Guardian adds.
Yet the U.S. spends far less on public media compared to other countries. Critics argue that defunding public media would harm rural communities, where stations are often crucial for local news and emergency alerts.
While bills to defund NPR and PBS are currently before Congress, the challenge of transferring emergency alert responsibilities and the two-year funding cycle for the CPB could slow these efforts.
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Media

Trump's Threat to Defund Public Media Puts NPR and PBS on Edge

Dave Ramsey is synonymous with financial advice, but his journey to becoming a household name and building Ramsey Solutions – a $300 million business – is filled with humility, resilience and common sense lessons. Ramsey doesn't shy away from admitting his mistakes, jokingly claiming, "I've got a PhD in D.U.M.B." Here's how he turned those missteps into steppingstones for success.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From Rock Bottom to Financial Freedom</h2>
Over 35 years ago, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42514449/dave-ramsey-says-his-wife-wanted-to-leave-him-but-she-didnt-have-a-car-hitting-rock-bottom-financially-almost-ended-his-marriage">Dave Ramsey hit rock bottom</a>. In his late 20s, he went bankrupt. With a marriage hanging by a thread, two young kids and a mountain of fear, Ramsey recalls standing in the shower, crying because he didn't know what to do next.
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But adversity became his teacher. He turned to biblical principles about money, which mirrored the advice of seasoned wealthy individuals. Ideas like living on less than you make, avoiding debt, budgeting and being generous became the foundation of his financial philosophy. Applying these principles helped his family recover and inspired him to help others do the same.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Birth of a Business</h2>
What started as a small ministry in his church, teaching others how to manage their finances, became a full-fledged business. Ramsey was reluctant to expand initially. "I didn't want employees," he admitted. "As far as I was concerned, employees come late, leave early and steal while they're there."
But as demand for his financial advice grew, so did the need to build a team. His first hire was a man named Russ Carroll and from there, the journey began. Ramsey's early days were filled with long hours, mistakes and hard lessons, but he kept pushing forward.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Five Stages of Business</h2>
Through trial and error, Ramsey identified five stages of business growth and shared them in a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHZEAXH6kqk">video</a>:
1. Treadmill Operator
Business owners are overwhelmed at this stage because they're doing everything themselves. Ramsey described his experience working 16-hour days, collapsing on the couch at night and barely remembering what he accomplished. &#8220;I was the CEO – the chief everything officer,&#8221; he says. It's a cycle of nonstop work, where cash flow becomes the primary concern and the business cannot function without the owner's constant presence.
2. Pathfinder
This stage involves a lack of clear direction, where the team feels uncoordinated and enthusiasm begins to drop. Ramsey discovered that the key to breaking out of this stage is defining a mission, vision and core values. For example, one of his breakthrough moments came when he fired an employee spreading negativity, clarifying the company's no-gossip policy and reigniting team alignment.
3. Trailblazer
Scaling the business requires implementing systems and processes while delegating leadership responsibilities. Ramsey recalled the game-changing decision to record <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/06/39316291/dave-ramsey-tells-americans-if-you-retire-broke-its-your-fault-explains-how-to-retire-with-1-mil">Financial Peace University</a> on video. This shift allowed him to expand his reach while freeing up his time. At this stage, businesses must also focus on strategic planning to prepare for larger growth.
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4. Peak Performer
Businesses at this stage thrive financially and operationally, but the danger lies in becoming too comfortable. Ramsey emphasized the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/04/38254603/warren-buffett-says-the-key-to-success-isnt-having-the-greatest-business-idea-in-the-world-the-test">importance of staying innovative</a> and maintaining a culture of excellence. He shared how his team continually reevaluated systems and processes to keep improving, even when things were going well.
5. Legacy Builder
The final stage focuses on ensuring the business's success beyond the founder. For Ramsey, this meant rebranding his company to "Ramsey Solutions" and transitioning the "Dave Ramsey Show" to "The Ramsey Show." By developing future leaders and creating a succession plan, Ramsey ensures his company will continue to thrive long after his direct involvement.
Ramsey attributes much of his success to the "Momentum Theorem": Focused intensity over time, multiplied by God, equals unstoppable momentum.
He quickly acknowledges that his achievements combine relentless effort and divine grace. Ramsey says it's God's blessings, "but it's also 25 years of hard work."
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'I've Got A PhD In D.U.M.B' – Dave Ramsey Reveals How He Built His $300 Million Business

Renowned financial educator&nbsp;and author Robert Kiyosaki&nbsp;has predicted a significant surge in Bitcoin&#8216;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) value by 2025, while expressing distrust in Black Rock&#8217;s handling of the cryptocurrency.
What Happened: In a post on X on Friday, Kiyosaki voiced his concerns about Larry Fink, the head of Black Rock, and his handling of Bitcoin.
He accused Fink of being a &#8220;Marxist&#8221; and a &#8220;Share Holder Capitalist,&#8221; suggesting that such individuals are suppressing Bitcoin&#8217;s price for personal gain.
&#8220;Larry Fink dumping Bitcoin. VIVEK warned Larry Fink of BLACK ROCK is a Marxist. Vivek warned Fink &amp; Black Rock are Share Holder Capitalist not Stake Holder Caplitist. Share Holder Capitalists are Marxist….like Klaus Schwab who state: "Someday you'll own nothing and you'll be happy," he wrote in the post. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42677439/kiyosaki-warns-of-global-financial-crisis-protect-your-wealth-by-investing-in-real-assets">Kiyosaki Warns of Global Financial Crisis: &#8216;Protect Your Wealth by Investing in Real Assets&#8217;</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Larry Fink dumping Bitcoin. VIVEK warned Larry Fink of BLACK ROCK is a Marxist. Vivek warned Fink &amp; Black Rock are Share Holder Capitalist not Stake Holder Caplitist. Share Holder Capitalists are Marxist….like Klaus Schwab who state: "Someday you'll own nothing and you'll be…
&mdash; Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/theRealKiyosaki/status/1872665122440704137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Kiyosaki further stated his preference for keeping Bitcoin in his own wallet, expressing distrust in Black Rock&#8217;s Bitcoin ETF. Despite his criticisms, Kiyosaki remains bullish on Bitcoin, predicting it will reach $350,000 in 2025.
&#8220;I love Bitcoin in my own wallet. I would not trust Bitcoin in Black Rocks ETF. Black Rock suppressing Bitcoin price so the whales can buy Bitcoin at under $100k. I will keep buying more Bitcoin because Bitcoin going higher. I predict Bitcoin to hit $350 k in 2025,&#8221; he added in the post. 
Why It Matters: Kiyosaki&#8217;s comments come amid a broader debate about the role of institutional investors in the cryptocurrency market. His criticisms of Black Rock and Larry Fink reflect concerns about potential market manipulation and the concentration of power in the hands of a few large players.
Despite these concerns, Kiyosaki&#8217;s bullish prediction for Bitcoin suggests he remains confident in the cryptocurrency&#8217;s long-term potential. 
His comments highlight the ongoing tension between the decentralized ethos of cryptocurrencies and the increasing involvement of traditional financial institutions.
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Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

Kiyosaki Warns Of Bitcoin In Black Rocks ETF: 'It Is Suppressing Bitcoin Price'

Geologists have discovered a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/05/38895301/solitario-resources-finds-new-gold-zones-in-south-dakota-highest-grade-samples-collected">large gold deposit</a> in Hunan Province, China and experts call it a "supergiant." The Geological Bureau of Hunan Province announced their discovery in the Wangu gold field. It is estimated to contain 1,000 metric tons of gold, valuing around 600 billion yuan or almost $83 billion. However, some experts question the feasibility of this finding and whether the scope is as large as estimates say.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Discovery</h2>
According to Xinhua News Agency, the deposit was identified through extensive exploration, which included drilling 150,000 meters and analyzing 40 distinct gold veins. The highest-grade samples contained 138 grams of gold per ton of ore, surpassing the typical benchmark of eight grams for high-grade deposits. The initial exploration discovered 300 tons of gold at depths of up to 2,000 meters. Further analysis suggests that the deposit could extend up to 3,000 meters.&nbsp;
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<li>Over the last five years, the price of gold has increased by approximately 83% — Investors like Bill O&#8217;Reilly and Rudy Giuliani are using this platform to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/american-hartford-gold">create customized gold IRAs to help shield their savings from inflation and economic turbulence. </a></li>
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Liu Yongju, vice head of the Geological Bureau of Hunan Province, said that technological advancements like 3D geological modeling played a large role in uncovering the deposit. Visible gold in rock cores was among the evidence supporting the claim of vast reserves.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Comparisons and Skepticism</h2>
If verified, this discovery could rival South Africa&#8217;s South Deep Mine, which holds approximately 900 metric tons of gold and is considered one of the largest deposits globally. However, some analysts, including those at the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/24/12/42502069/gold-poised-for-its-best-year-in-a-decade-while-bitcoin-surges-analysts-eye-2025-as-a-golden-era-for-precious-metal-amid-michael-saylors-push-for-btc-as-a-reserve-asset">World Gold Council</a> (WGC), remain cautious.
John Reade, WGC's senior market strategist, emailed The Northern Miner to label the estimate of 1,000 metric tons as "aspirational." He pointed out that much more exploration would be needed to confirm the full scale of the deposit. He noted that Chinese reporting standards differ from global frameworks like Canada's NI 43-101 and Australia's JORC code, making independent verification necessary.
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Challenges to mining at such depths – ranging from extreme heat to high operational costs – could delay or limit production. Reade noted that even if mining begins, the deposit would contribute only a fraction to global supply, approximately 3,600 metric tons annually.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Implications for China</h2>
China is already the world's largest gold producer, with reserves estimated at over 2,000 metric tons earlier this year, according to ScienceAlert. Yet, domestic production has declined due to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41158922/biden-signs-law-to-exempt-certain-us-chipmaking-facilities-from-federal-environmental-reviews-un">environmental regulations</a> and the closure of smaller mines. A find like this could bolster China's reserves and production capacity.
The discovery also comes as global gold prices rise amid economic uncertainty, increasing the potential economic impact of such a find. However, historical parallels, like the Sonbhadra gold deposit claim in India, which was debunked in 2020 according to Mining.com, underscore the need for rigorous verification.
Trending: 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>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Comes Next?</h2>
While the announcement has sparked excitement, experts urge caution. Developing a deposit of this size and depth will require years of investment and planning. Independent verification of the reserves will also be critical to establish credibility.
For now, the Wangu gold field represents a promising development in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41398733/gold-surges-past-2-700-to-record-high-asia-and-europe-markets-in-green-global-markets-today-while-us">global gold market</a>, but whether it becomes a game-changer remains to be seen.
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Startups

$83 Billion Gold Deposit Unearthed In China – Is This The Largest Find In History?

Prominent MAGA figures have accused Elon Musk of silencing critics who challenge <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42713746/financial-crime-weekly-sec-charges-tai-mo-shan-with-misleading-terra-usd-investors-rocket-companies-sued-over-alleged-kickback-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">his views on immigration</a>.
The controversy erupted when at least 14 right-wing accounts reported losing access to premium features on X, including blue verification badges and monetization tools, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/28/elon-musk-accused-of-censoring-conservatives-on-x-over-immigration.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> CNBC.
This follows a wave of criticism targeting Musk's pro-immigration stance, particularly from anti-immigration factions within the MAGA movement.
The affected users, many affiliated with the media group ConservativeOG, said they were penalized after publicly voicing opposition to Musk's position.
These accounts saw their reach on the platform shrink significantly, triggering accusations that Musk was shadowbanning or censoring those who disagreed with him.
Read Next:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42687945/zelle-became-a-gold-mine-for-fraudsters-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-lawsuit" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;‘Zelle Became A Gold Mine For Fraudsters': Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Lawsuit</a>
Some of these individuals expressed concern that losing monetization features would impact their ability to continue posting content regularly.
In response to the growing controversy, Musk posted a "reminder" on X about the platform's algorithm, stating that accounts frequently blocked or muted by verified users would see their reach decline. 
However, this explanation only fueled further accusations of censorship. Critics felt that Musk, despite his claims of championing free speech, was punishing those who voiced opposition to his views on immigration.
Among those impacted was Preston Parra, head of ConservativeOG, who described the actions as a "political takedown" aimed at silencing conservative voices.
Parra vowed to continue fighting Musk's platform policies, which he sees as an attack on conservative values. The incident has sparked a broader debate over the influence of tech executives like Musk and their role in shaping political discourse, especially in light of his immigrant background and ties to pro-immigration figures.
The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between free speech advocates and those who believe social media platforms should regulate harmful content.
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MAGA Conservatives Accuse Elon Musk of Censorship Over Immigration Disagreements on X

According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), first-time homebuyers are now on average 38 years old, up three years from 2023 and nearly a decade older than buyers in the 1980s. The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/11/41876775/u-s-homebuyers-are-now-56-on-average-as-younger-generations-struggle-with-wildly-unaffordable-market-housing-expert-warns">median age for all homebuyers reached 56</a>, jumping seven years from 2023&#8217;s figure of 49.
Money talks in today&#8217;s market, with one-third of home purchases made in cash compared to one-fourth during the late 2010s. Existing homeowners tap their home equity for substantial down payments, outmaneuvering first-timers who must borrow at higher rates.
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<li>Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl-y2"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a></li>
<li>This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to <a href="https://arrivedhomes.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=15&amp;aff_id=1006&amp;aff_sub=yahoo&amp;aff_sub2=byerscta100">become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100 for properties like the Byer House from Stranger Things.</a></li>
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The share of first-time buyers fell to 24% of the market – down from 32% last year and well below the pre-2008 level of 40%. A Redfin survey found 40% of current homeowners acknowledge they couldn&#8217;t afford their homes at today&#8217;s prices.
Location compounds the challenge. High-paying jobs cluster in cities like Boston, New York, San Francisco, San Jose and Los Angeles, where less than 10% of listed homes fall within reach of median-income households.
Family wealth shapes buying power. A Redfin-commissioned survey revealed over one-third of buyers under 30 planned to use family cash gifts for down payments. University of Chicago economists found children of homeowners face better odds of achieving homeownership themselves, according to HousingWire.
See Also: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/connect-invest-real-estate-notes-y2">These high-yield real estate notes that pay 7.5% &#8211; 9% make earning passive income easier than ever.</a>
&#8220;To reverse these trends, we must address the root causes of unaffordability. That means building starter homes, reforming zoning laws and creating pathways for economic mobility that don&#8217;t rely so heavily on homeownership,&#8221; HousingWire said.
Most new mortgage holders are young borrowers from diverse backgrounds. While they stand to gain from homeownership&#8217;s long-term benefits, many report working longer hours or postponing medical care to afford payments.
The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/09/41082529/its-not-a-housing-crisis-but-a-housing-policy-crisis-homebuilders-call-out-roadblocks-as-prices-surg">affordability and policy crisis hits hardest in major job markets</a>. Cities with strong employment opportunities show median home prices far exceeding what typical earners can afford, forcing extended rental periods while saving for down payments.
Trending: Unlock the hidden potential of commercial real estate —<a href="https://equitymultiple.com/benzinga?invite=benzinga&amp;utm_campaign=product-promotion-earn&amp;utm_source=yahooFinance&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_content=unlockboost-yahoo"> This platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today!</a>
Cash buyers dominate the landscape as existing homeowners leverage equity gains from recent years. First-time buyers face a triple threat: high prices, elevated interest rates and competition from buyers with ready cash.
The generational wealth gap widens as homeownership becomes more difficult for those without family assistance. Potential buyers lacking inherited wealth or homeowner parents face steeper climbs toward ownership.
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Real Estate

38 Years Old, 56 Years Old: America's Homebuyers Are Older – And Wealthier – Than Ever

In a recent forecast, Anthony Pompliano, founder of Morgan Creek Capital, anticipates a significant upswing for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42638493/crypto-analyst-2025-will-continue-to-be-a-great-year-for-bitcoin">broader crypto market in 2025</a>.
What Happened: Pompliano, a prominent crypto advocate, asserts that digital assets are gaining traction in the conventional finance sector, which will act as a key driver in 2025.
Recently <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bPxXF-34XE">on</a> Fox Business, Pompliano said, &#8220;I think the big story of 2025 is going to be that crypto has now grown up and is part of the traditional financial system.&#8221;
He further emphasized that Bitcoin will continue to dominate the crypto sphere, with the majority of capital influx from the traditional sector being directed towards Bitcoin.
&#8220;I think that Bitcoin is the king and will remain the king. Most of the capital flows from the traditional world are going into Bitcoin. There are going to be other assets that enter into the market, you obviously see the Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) ETF get approved and you'll probably see others get approved as well,&#8221; he said during the interview. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42380983/this-analyst-says-bitcoin-could-reach-200k-by-end-of-2025">This Analyst Says Bitcoin Could Reach $200K By End of 2025</a>
Pompliano also pointed out that the case for any crypto other than Bitcoin is essentially a technological one, drawing parallels to the choice between tech behemoths such as Google, Amazon and Facebook.
&#8220;The argument for anything other than Bitcoin is a very different one, it's a technology argument. It's no different than trying to pick between Google, Amazon, and Facebook. The Bitcoin argument is much more akin to ‘Do I want to protect my purchasing power?&#8217;"
Despite the recent declaration by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell that the U.S. is legally prohibited from holding BTC as a reserve asset, Pompliano maintains a positive outlook for Bitcoin&#8217;s future. At the time of the report, Bitcoin was trading at $94,108, reflecting a 2.1% drop on the day.
Why It Matters: Pompliano&#8217;s forecast comes at a time when cryptocurrencies are increasingly being recognized and adopted by traditional financial institutions. 
This growing acceptance, coupled with technological advancements in the crypto space, is expected to fuel the predicted surge in 2025. 
Despite regulatory hurdles, such as the recent statement by the Fed Chair, the optimism surrounding Bitcoin and other digital assets remains high, indicating a promising future for the crypto market.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42155010/bitcoins-bull-run-betting-on-a-125k-finish-to-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin's Bull Run: Betting On A $125K Finish To 2024</a>

$ETH

Analyst Says This Single Factor Could Propel Bitcoin And Crypto To New Heights In 2025

Ever wondered what it feels like to become a millionaire? Kevin O'Leary, aka &#8220;Mr. Wonderful&#8221; from Shark Tank, has an answer that might surprise you: He doesn't remember – and he doesn't care.
For many, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/42223593/70-of-millionaires-dont-think-theyre-rich-even-though-people-are-wealthier-than-ever-they-dont-feel-it">hitting the millionaire milestone feels like</a> the ultimate dream. But O'Leary says it's not about the money. "People ask me all the time, ‘What did it feel like to become a millionaire?' My answer? I don't remember," Kevin shared. "That's not why I did it. It's not about chasing money."
<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">People always ask me, ‘What did it feel like to become a millionaire?' My answer? I don't remember—and I don't care. Chasing money isn't the goal. Solve big problems, and the money will come. But here's the real prize: personal freedom. That's what it's all about. Go solve… <a href="https://t.co/9BFYLGkP7f">pic.twitter.com/9BFYLGkP7f</a>
&mdash; Kevin O&#39;Leary aka Mr. Wonderful (@kevinolearytv) <a href="https://twitter.com/kevinolearytv/status/1870486863116636248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">It's About Solving Problems and Gaining Freedom</h2>
So, if it's not about the money, what is it about? According to Kevin, the real reward is personal freedom. "Solve big problems and the money will come," he explains. But it's freedom – being able to do what you love on your terms – that makes it all worthwhile.
Kevin believes that when you're passionate about solving problems, financial success naturally follows. But he also points out that the journey doesn't end when the bank account hits seven figures. In fact, for him, the work only got more exciting. "I woke up rich one day, but I didn't care. I work harder now than I ever did before."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elon-musk-told-the-u-n-if-they-could-show-a-plan-for-ending-world-hunger-hed-donate-6-billion-i-will-sell-tesla-stock-right-now-and-do-it">Elon Musk Told The U.N. If They Could Show A Plan For Ending World Hunger He'd Donate $6 Billion – ‘I Will Sell Tesla Stock Right Now And Do It'</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Retiring Early: A Dream or a Dull Reality?</h2>
Still, what he said earlier this year tells a somewhat different story. In his mid-30s, he sold his first company, Softkey, for $4.2 billion and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/09/40776473/it-was-boring-kevin-oleary-explored-every-beach-on-earth-after-he-first-got-rich-but-the-highs-and-l">decided to retire and live the dream</a>. He spent three years traveling to stunning beaches and exploring the world, but instead of happiness, he found boredom.
"I thought, ‘Hey, I'm 36, I can retire now.' And that's exactly what I did. But after three years, I realized it was really boring," Kevin admitted.
He discovered that work isn't just about money – it's about having a purpose. "Work gives you social interaction, keeps you thinking and makes life more interesting," Kevin says. That realization brought him back into the game, this time as an investor.
Trending: The number of ‘401(k)' Millionaires is up 43% from last year —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/401k-millionaires"> Here are three ways to join the club.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why the F.I.R.E. Movement Misses the Mark</h2>
Kevin's experience puts him at odds with the popular F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement. While F.I.R.E. encourages people to save aggressively and retire young, Kevin says early retirement often results in a lack of fulfillment.
"This whole idea of Financial Independence, Retire Early <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/07/39938702/dave-ramsey-says-the-fire-movement-isnt-sustainable-to-caller-who-spent-5-years-working-3-jobs-t">doesn't work</a>," he explains. People think, &#8220;I'm going to retire early and life will be perfect,&#8221; but they're wrong. Staying engaged is how you stay sharp and healthy, according to O'Leary.
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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>
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What's The Feeling When You Become A Millionaire? Kevin O'Leary Shares His Take On The Defining Moment

President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s estranged niece Mary Trump recently shared some of her most peculiar Christmas gift experiences with her uncle.
What Happened: Known for her vocal criticism of the President-elect, Mary Trump often uses online platforms to express her views.
In a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u_K67M9WHw">video</a>, she reflected on some of the more unusual gifts she received from her uncle.
She recalled a &#8220;single shoe&#8221; filled with hard candy, which she suspects was a regifted &#8220;party favor&#8221; from a luncheon hosted by Donald Trump's first wife, Ivana Trump.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42635765/mary-trumps-warning-donald-trumps-second-term-already-is-more-dangerous-than-the-first">Mary Trump&#8217;s Warning: Donald Trump&#8217;s Second Term &#8216;Already Is More Dangerous Than the First&#8217;</a>
Mary also recounted a playful sibling rivalry with her brother over who could receive the &#8220;worst&#8221; gift — a competition sparked by a leather-bound calendar that was already two years outdated.
She also revealed that her first gift from Donald and Ivana Trump was a three-pack of underwear from Bloomingdales. &#8220;It was a very exciting&nbsp;moment, and it just kind&nbsp;of got weirder from there,&#8221; she said in the post.
Why It Matters: The revelations from Mary Trump come at a time when Donald Trump, who won the 2024 presidential election against Vice President Kamala Harris, is preparing to begin his second term in the White House in January. 
These personal anecdotes provide a unique insight into the private life of the once and future president, adding a humanizing layer to the often controversial figure.
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Mary Trump Reveals the Worst Christmas Gift She Ever Received from Uncle Donald Trump

Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas"> many investors&#8217; favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here&#8217;s a look at some of our top stories.
Major U.S. indexes ended the week higher, with the Dow up 0.4%, S&amp;P 500 gaining 0.7%, and Nasdaq rising 0.8%, breaking a three-week decline streak. 
The S&amp;P 500&#8217;s strong Christmas Eve performance fueled hopes for a &#8220;Santa Rally,&#8221; a historical trend showing gains 64 out of 96 years during <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/12/42675763/santa-rally-serial-winners-10-stocks-historically-poised-for-big-year-end-gains">December&#8217;s final week. </a>Markets started recovering from the Fed&#8217;s hawkish rate cut signals but faced renewed volatility Friday, tempering Santa Rally expectations. 
Despite near-term uncertainty, 2024 remains exceptional, with the S&amp;P 500 matching last year&#8217;s 24% gain and U.S. stocks outperforming global markets by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42711387/wall-streets-santa-rally-at-risk-palantir-dethrones-nvidia-consumer-confidence-pulls-back-this-week-in-the-markets">widest margin since 1997.</a>
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week&#8217;s most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Bulls</h3>
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42657620/amd-and-micron-top-analyst-picks-for-ai-and-next-gen-tech-growth">AMD And Micron Are Top Analyst Picks For AI And Next-Gen Tech Growth</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anusuya-lahiri-0">Anusuya Lahiri</a>, highlights Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) being a top 2025 analyst&#8217;s pick for CPU/GPU momentum and AI edge opportunities, and Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>) for its dominance in high-bandwidth memory.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42676474/dogecoin-whales-load-up-coins-worth-92-million-over-4-days-as-meme-king-outperforms-bitcoin-ethereum-in-2024">Dogecoin Whales Load Up Coins Worth $92 Million Over 4 Days As Meme King Outperforms Bitcoin, Ethereum In 2024</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>, reports that whale investors acquired 270 million Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>), worth $92 million, over four days, boosting DOGE's 274% YTD rally, far outpacing Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) gains of 132% and 53%, respectively.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42698198/quantum-computing-stock-qubt-has-more-than-doubled-while-bitcoin-has-dropped-since-googles-willow-reveal-what-does-this-mean">Quantum Computing Stock QUBT Soars 157% While Bitcoin Drops Post Google's &#8216;Willow&#8217; Reveal</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, highlights Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QUBT#NASDAQ">QUBT</a>) surging after Google's &#8220;Willow&#8221; chip breakthrough, outperforming key indices, while Bitcoin faced a downturn amid concerns Willow&#8217;s quantum power could undermine cryptographic security.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42678014/top-7-blue-chip-stocks-with-the-best-return-potential-going-into-2025">Top 7 Blue-Chip Stocks With The Best Return Potential Going Into 2025</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42666472/gms-60000-cadillac-lyriq-was-its-best-selling-ev-in-2024-as-of-q3-is-premium-the-way-to-go-for-ev-makers">GM&#8217;s $60,000 Cadillac Lyriq Was Its Best Selling EV In 2024 As Of Q3: Is Premium The Way To Go For EV Makers?</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/24/12/42672565/why-trumps-return-to-office-could-drive-gold-demand-in-2025">Why Trump&#8217;s Return To Office Could Drive Gold Demand In 2025</a>
The Bears
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42660092/microstrategy-sinks-after-nasdaq-100-inclusion-bitcoin-bet-under-fire">MicroStrategy Sinks After Nasdaq 100 Inclusion: Bitcoin Bet Under Fire</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/piero-cingari">Piero Cingari</a>, reports MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) shares dropping 8.5% after its Nasdaq 100 debut, as analysts question its $561 million Bitcoin purchase at a 12% premium to current levels, marking its smallest acquisition amid declining stock performance.
&#8220;<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">Are Sub-$30,000 Cars Disappearing? Trump&#8217;s Tariff Plans Could Reshape US Auto Market</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, explores Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, potentially pushing the price of vehicles like Ford Motor Co.&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) Maverick and Honda Motor Co.&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HMC#NYSE">HMC</a>) Civic above $30,000, with one-third of sub-$30,000 cars currently made in Mexico.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42665033/tesla-shorts-gordon-johnson-and-james-chanos-express-skepticism-on-robotaxi-potential-as-usage-data-sparks-debate">Tesla Shorts Gordon Johnson And James Chanos Skeptical Of Robotaxi Potential Amid Usage Data Debate</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/kaustubh-bagalkote">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>, details criticism from Gordon Johnson of GLJ Research and short-seller James Chanos, who argue Tesla Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) robotaxi ambitions overpromise revenue potential, citing New York City ride-share data.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42676801/lyft-sues-san-francisco-over-100-million-tax-bill-citing-misclassification-of-driver-payments">Lyft Sues San Francisco Over $100 Million Tax Bill, Says Payments To Drivers By Passengers Misclassified</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42700098/us-markets-likely-headed-for-10-correction-says-jay-woods-trumps-tariff-plans-musk-co-led-doge-could-be-partially-to-blame">US Markets Likely Headed For 10% Correction, Says Jay Woods: Trump&#8217;s Tariff Plans, Musk&#8217;s DOGE Advocacy Among Contributing Factors</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42687945/zelle-became-a-gold-mine-for-fraudsters-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-lawsuit">&#8216;Zelle Became A Gold Mine For Fraudsters&#8217;: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Lawsuit</a>
Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following<a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga"> Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga"> on Twitter</a>.
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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Short Ideas

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$DOGE

AAPL

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QUBT

TSLA

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Quantum Computing, Tesla, AMD — And Whales Buy 270 Million Dogecoin Over 4 Days

A 25-year-old <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/10/41517544/timing-the-market-here-are-americas-next-10-boomtowns">South Carolina</a> YouTuber turned a $7,000 school bus into a two-story home, spending $50,000 on renovations to create a full-time living space with two bedrooms, an office and a full bathroom.
Chay Denne, known online as President Chay, documented the six-month transformation on his YouTube channel. The project began with removing 28 seats from the 40-foot bus, which Denne selected for its reliable engine condition.
The renovation&#8217;s centerpiece involved raising the roof four feet – something Denne says sets a YouTube record for school bus conversions. His father designed wooden jacks to lift the roof &#8220;safely and squarely,&#8221; allowing for 9-foot ceilings and two-story living space in the rear section.
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&#8220;Once everything was cut, it was time to try lifting it. It took many tries to get it right, but eventually, we raised it. You might be surprised to know that we went another foot higher,&#8221; Denne told viewers in his documentation series.
According to a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/12/42462666/plan-and-budget-for-the-mid-6-range-what-homebuyers-can-expect-in-2025-according-to-realtor-com">Realtor.com report</a>, the build required extensive weatherproofing. The team clamped and welded steel tubing to cut metal sections overnight to secure the shell before adding exterior siding. The finished structure stands 10 feet tall.
Interior work started with a multilayered floor system: thick plastic for water protection, 3-inch closed-cell foam for mold prevention and insulation, two-by-fours and a rigid subfloor. The team opted for a flat ceiling rather than the curved design common in bus conversions.
See Also: Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, and<a href="https://equitymultiple.com/benzinga?invite=benzinga&amp;utm_campaign=product-promotion-earn&amp;utm_source=yahooFinance&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_content=stockmarket-yahoo"> this platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000 offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today!</a>
The floor plan includes two bedrooms, an office and a full bathroom with working plumbing supported by built-in water tanks. The kitchen features a four-seat bar, while a 9-foot attic above the bathroom provides storage space. A dehumidifier prevents moisture buildup.
Denne&#8217;s girlfriend, Kelsey, assisted throughout the project. Upon completion, he proposed on the bus&#8217;s roof deck during a beach trip. &#8220;She has been my biggest supporter since Day 1, even helping with the first video on this channel,&#8221; Denne said.
The renovation serves as Denne&#8217;s solution to rising housing costs. His previous experience with smaller vehicle conversions and micro-campers led him to tackle the full-size bus project. &#8220;I decided I&#8217;d had it with rent and bought a full-size school bus,&#8221; he said. &#8220;This bus was going to make the perfect house because it ran beautifully and was super powerful.&#8221;
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<li>During market downturns, investors are learning that unlike equities, these<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/connect-invest-real-estate-notes-y2"> high-yield real estate notes that pay 7.5% &#8211; 9% are protected by resilient assets, buffering against losses.</a></li>
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'I'd Had It With Rent': Man Builds $57K Dream Home Out Of A 2-Story School Bus

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Sues Rocket Homes, Alleges Kickback Scheme</h2>
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued Rocket Homes, a division of Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RKT#NYSE">RKT</a>), on Monday in what it said is an action stop the company from providing incentives to real estate brokers and agents to steer homebuyers to Rocket Mortgage,<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-files-lawsuit-to-stop-illegal-kickback-scheme-to-steer-borrowers-to-rocket-mortgage/"> LLC for loans</a>.
The CFPB alleged that Rocket Homes pressured real estate brokers and agents not to share information with clients concerning products which were not offered by Rocket Mortgage, including the availability of down payment assistance programs.&nbsp;
Read Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42687945/zelle-became-a-gold-mine-for-fraudsters-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-lawsuit"> &#8216;Zelle Became A Gold Mine For Fraudsters&#8217;: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Lawsuit</a>
"Rocket engaged in a kickback scheme that discouraged homebuyers from comparison shopping and getting the best deal," said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra.&nbsp;
"At a time when homeownership feels out of reach for so many, companies should not illegally block competition in ways that drive up the cost of housing," Chopra added.
The CFPB also sued Jason Mitchell and his real estate brokerage firm, JMG Holding Partners LLC, which does business as The Jason Mitchell Group, for allegedly participating in the kickback scheme.&nbsp;
Rocket Homes denied the allegations in a statement late Monday, calling the lawsuit "flimsy" and part of a "political agenda.&#8221;
"The CFPB's allegations are false and a distortion of reality. The accusation that homebuyers paid more when working with Rocket Homes is a lie. Additionally, the notion that Rocket Homes penalized real estate brokers or agents for helping clients compare rates and choose the best lender for them is also a lie," the statement said, per Yahoo Finance.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SEC Charges Tai Mo Shan With Misleading Investors About Terra USD</h2>
The Securities and Exchange Commission last Friday<a href="https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2024-212"> charged</a> Tai Mo Shan Ltd. with misleading investors about the stability of Terra USD, when UST dropped from its purportedly fixed exchange rate of 1 UST to $1, known as a peg.&nbsp;
The SEC also charged Tai Mo Shan with offering and selling securities in unregistered transactions by acting as a statutory underwriter with respect to certain of its offers and sales of LUNA (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/luna/usd">LUNA</a>), a crypto asset issued by Terraform and offered and sold as a security.&nbsp;
"This case reminds us that, too many times in the crypto markets, we've seen significant investor losses due to fraud," said SEC Chair Gary Gensler.&nbsp;
"Here, the impact reverberated throughout the crypto markets, eventually costing the savings of countless investors. Regardless of the labels, crypto market participants should comply with the securities laws where applicable and not deceive the public. Otherwise, investors get hurt," Gensler added.&nbsp;
Tai Mo Shan agreed to pay $73,452,756 in disgorgement, $12,916,153 in prejudgment interest, and a $36,726,378 civil penalty as part of the settlement. Tai Mo Shan also agreed to cease and desist from violations of the registration and fraud provisions it violated, without admitting or denying the SEC's findings.
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Image: Shutterstock

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Legal

$LUNA

Financial Crime Weekly: SEC Charges Tai Mo Shan With Misleading Terra USD Investors, Rocket Companies Sued Over Alleged Kickback Scheme

Billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, advisers to President-elect Donald Trump on federal spending, are urging support for foreign tech workers &#8211; a stance that has ignited a Twitter firestorm among Trump's far-right base. 
The debate over immigration policy and the tech industry's reliance on skilled labor is at the core of the rift between Trump&#8217;s nationalist supporters and the Silicon Valley leaders backing his administration, underscoring potential challenges for Trump, who takes office on January 20, 2025.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big Tech&#8217;s Reliance On Foreign Talent</h2>
The tech sector has long championed the H-1B visa program, which enables U.S. companies to hire thousands of foreign engineers and specialists annually, primarily from India and China. However, Trump's first administration restricted the program in 2020, arguing it displaced American workers with lower-paid foreign employees.
Musk, a former H-1B visa holder whose company Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) has utilized the program, defended the industry's position in a Dec. 25, <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1871956518213656728">post on X,</a> "There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent. It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley." 
Ramaswamy went further. "‘Normalcy' doesn't cut it in a hyper-competitive global market for technical talent. And if we pretend like it does, we'll have our asses handed to us by China," he wrote in a long <a href="https://x.com/VivekGRamaswamy/status/1872312139945234507">X post</a>.
"Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long (at least since the 90s and likely longer). That doesn't start in college, it starts YOUNG," he continued.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Laura Loomer Looms Over MAGA</h2>
Earlier in the week, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40867076/laura-loomer-faces-republican-wrath-over-racist-posts-is-donald-trump-defending-her">Laura Loomer</a>, a far-right activist known for racist and conspiratorial remarks, criticized Trump's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42639812/trump-taps-sriram-krishnan-as-senior-ai-advisor-to-work-closely-with-ai-and-crypto-czar-david-sacks">decision to name Sriram Krishnan</a> as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy. Krishnan supports bringing more skilled immigrants into the U.S., which Loomer called "not America First policy" and accused tech executives of self-enrichment.
Loomer&#8217;s comments provoked <a href="https://x.com/DavidSacks/status/1871731437906645421">commentary on X </a>from venture capitalist and former PayPal (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PYPL#NASDAQ">PYPL</a>) executive David Sacks, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42356067/venture-capitalist-david-sacks-appointed-as-white-house-ai-crypto-czar-by-trump">Trump's newly appointed</a> "White House A.I. &amp; Crypto Czar," who said on Wednesday that attacks against Krishnan &#8220;have become crude.&#8221;
Late Friday, <a href="https://x.com/LauraLoomer/status/1872846772630163604">Loomer tweeted</a> that Musk had censored her account &#8220;in retaliation for speaking out about Big Tech and immigration&#8221; And that &#8220;MAGA is under attack."
Nikki Haley, former U.N. Ambassador and 2024 presidential candidate, also took to X on Thursday to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42696536/nikki-haley-blasts-doge-co-head-vivek-ramaswamy-for-his-take-on-american-culture-all-you-have-to-do-is-look-at-the-border-and-see-how-many-want-what-we-have">blast Ramaswamy</a>. 
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42696536/nikki-haley-blasts-doge-co-head-vivek-ramaswamy-for-his-take-on-american-culture-all-you-have-to-do-is-look-at-the-border-and-see-how-many-want-what-we-have">Nikki Haley Blasts DOGE Co-Head Vivek Ramaswamy For His Take On &#8216;American Culture&#8217; — &#8216;All You Have To Do Is Look At The Border And See How Many Want What We Have&#8217;</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where Does Trump Stand?</h2>
While Trump has not yet weighed in on the intensifying Twitter squabble, his positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his threat of mass deportation, were central to his campaign
That said, the online feud reflects the challenges Trump could face in keeping his MAGA base and his Silicon Valley billionaires playing nice together. 
"It's a sign of future conflicts," <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/12/27/h-1b-visas-elon-musk-trump-immigration/">said</a> Samuel Hammond, a senior economist at the Foundation for American Innovation. "This is like the pregame."
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Photo: Shutterstock

Biotech

Government

Regulations

PYPL

Musk And Ramaswamy Back Foreign Tech Workers, Sparking Rift In MAGA Trump Camp & Twitter Firestorm

This holiday season, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42676715/openai-ceo-sam-altman-crowdsources-2025-goals-sora-upgrades-top-user-wishlist">OpenAI</a>'s employees and former staff could experience an extraordinary financial windfall. A private stock sale orchestrated by the San Francisco-based leading AI company will allow approximately 400 eligible participants to cash in up to $10 million each, marking one of the most lucrative employee payouts in the tech industry.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Special Stock Sale</h2>
The opportunity comes via a tender offer from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42513807/trump-says-softbanks-100b-commitment-to-us-is-monumental-demonstration-of-confidence-in-americas-future">Japan's SoftBank Group</a>, which has agreed to purchase up to $1.6 billion of OpenAI stock at $210 per share. This price reflects OpenAI's valuation of $157 billion, which has doubled in just a year, according to Fortune. Eligible shareholders include current and former OpenAI employees who were issued restricted stock units more than two years ago.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who Benefits?</h2>
Current OpenAI employees will receive priority in this stock sale. Fortune reports they can cash out the maximum allowable amount of $10 million each. Former employees, while also eligible, may face limits depending on the level of participation. However, all participants are guaranteed to sell at least $2 million worth of stock, ensuring that everyone benefits from the opportunity.
The participation deadline was set for Dec. 24, so the resulting payout offers a timely holiday bonus for those involved. The eligible stock is reportedly valued at $2 billion, but some shares may remain unsold, with SoftBank purchasing $1.6 billion.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Growing Valuation</h2>
OpenAI's stock sale aligns with its dramatic growth. According to CNBC, since the launch of ChatGPT, the company has raised $13 billion, including $6.6 billion in its most recent fundraising round in October. SoftBank initially invested $500 million during this round and its latest tender offer represents an even greater stake in the AI leader. Other notable investors include <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42679515/microsoft-invested-nearly-14-billion-in-openai-but-now-its-reducing-its-dependence-on-the-chatgpt-pa">Microsoft</a> and chipmaker Nvidia.
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Tender offers like this have become increasingly important in the tech industry, especially given a subdued IPO market. By allowing employees to sell shares, companies like OpenAI provide liquidity to their teams while avoiding the pressures of going public.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Policy Revisions</h2>
This tender offer also reflects OpenAI's evolving policies toward secondary share sales. Past restrictions limited participation and raised employee concerns, but the company has since introduced changes to create a more inclusive process. Now, current and former employees have equal access to annual tender offers, ensuring a fairer system.
According to CNBC, the policy shift has quelled shareholder tensions while positioning OpenAI to maintain its capital-intensive operations. With plans to facilitate more secondary sales in the future, the company is addressing the growing demand for liquidity among tech workers.
Trending: 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>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Competition and Market Dynamics</h2>
OpenAI faces stiff competition from rivals such as Anthropic and tech giants like Google. Yet, the company's valuation and continued fundraising highlight its dominance in the rapidly expanding generative AI market. Bloomberg states it will generate $1 trillion in revenue within the next decade.
SoftBank's commitment to AI investments extends beyond OpenAI. The conglomerate has backed other startups, including Glean and Perplexity and recently announced plans with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42654769/tiktok-ban-under-trump-president-elect-wants-to-keep-months-after-pelosi-said-follow-the-money">President-elect Donald Trump</a> to allocate $100 billion toward projects in the U.S., according to The Associated Press.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Holiday Cheer for OpenAI Employees</h2>
This tender offer represents a rare opportunity for OpenAI's employees to turn their equity into tangible wealth. Whether they cash out partially or take full advantage of the $10 million cap, the payout is a testament to the company's success and commitment to rewarding its team.
OpenAI's stock sale reminds us of the financial opportunities available in the tech industry, especially for those working at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence.
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OpenAI's Big Holiday Payday: How 400 Employees Could Walk Away With $10 Million Each

Nine U.S. telecom firms have been hacked as part of a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41299017/lawmakers-demand-answers-from-at-t-verizon-and-lumen-over-chinese-hack"> Chinese-linked hacking campaign dubbed Salt Typhoon</a> as of Friday, top White House official Anne Neuberger said.
What Happened: Earlier this month, the Biden administration said that at least eight telecommunication companies have been affected by the hacking campaign. However, a ninth company has now been attacked, Neuberger, the U.S. deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology,&nbsp;confirmed on Friday without revealing the name of the company. 
As per officials, the hackers gained access to the private communication of an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41556817/trump-vances-phone-data-reportedly-compromised-by-chinese-cyber-group">unknown number of Americans</a> as part of the campaign. A large number of affected individuals are in the Washington Virginia area, Neuberger said on Friday. 
&#8220;We believe it was the goal of identifying who those phones belong to and if they were government targets of interest for follow-on espionage and intelligence collection of communications, of texts, and phone calls on those particular phones,&#8221;&nbsp;she said. 
China, however, has previously denied responsibility for the hacking.
Why It Matters: &#8220;We wouldn't leave our homes, our offices unlocked, and yet our critical infrastructure — the private companies owning and operating our critical infrastructure often do not have the basic cybersecurity practices in place that would make our infrastructure riskier, costlier, and harder for countries and criminals to attack,&#8221; Neuberger said, while calling for defensible infrastructure. 
Voluntary cybersecurity practices, Neuberger said, are inadequate to protect against China Russia, and Iran&#8217;s hacking efforts.
The FCC has launched a notice of a public rule to ensure telecom companies are putting into place basic cybersecurity practices. It is now waiting for all commissioners to vote on the rule by Jan. 15.
&#8220;We really are eager to have the bipartisan support across the FCC to ensure that telecom companies must put in place those basic cybersecurity practices that would make it harder, riskier, and costlier for the Chinese to compromise those networks in the future,&#8221; Neuberger said on Friday.
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Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

Global

Telecom Industry Targeted: Salt Typhoon Hackers Breach Nine Companies

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet L Yellen reportedly said on Friday that the government has less than three weeks to raise its debt limit.
What Happened: Unless the government raises its debt limit, it will need to take &nbsp;"extraordinary measures" to sustain federal operations starting between Jan. 14 and Jan. 23, Yellen said in a letter to members of Congress, as <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/12/27/debt-ceiling-yellen/">reported</a> by The Washington Post.
The government is starting to run out of money to finance its debt obligations, she noted while urging Congress to act.
Why It Matters: The debt ceiling refers to the limit of how much the Treasury can borrow. Failing to raise it risks a government default, jeopardizing programs like Social Security, Medicaid, and housing assistance. A default could also spike interest rates, as the U.S. might lose its reputation as a creditworthy borrower.&nbsp;
Earlier this month, President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42635450/why-trump-wants-debt-ceiling-killed-before-he-takes-office">called for either raising or completely eliminating the borrowing limit</a>, a move that could resolve the issue before he assumes office and allow him to pursue his agenda without future debt-ceiling battles.
&#8220;Congress must get rid of, or extend out to, perhaps, 2029, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling,&#8221; Trump wrote in a Truth Social&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113683687655180611" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">post</a>. &#8220;Without this, we should never make a deal. Remember, the pressure is on whoever is President.&#8221;
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Photos courtesy: Shutterstock and Flickr

Economics

US Government Has Less Than 3 Weeks To Raise Debt Ceiling Before Resorting To 'Extraordinary Measures,' Says Treasury Secretary Yellen

The world&#8217;s richest man Elon Musk earlier this week admitted to using the weight loss drug Mounjaro. 
What Happened: Musk on Christmas posted a picture of himself donning the Santa Claus costume with the caption &#8220;Ozempic Santa.&#8221; 
<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">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>
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The billionaire later clarified that he uses Mounjaro but chose to caption his picture otherwise as Mounjaro doesn&#8217;t have the same &#8220;ring&#8221; to it as Ozempic. 
Musk said that he chose Mounjaro produced by Eli Lilly (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) over Ozempic produced by&nbsp;Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) owing to seemingly fewer side effects. 
&#8220;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,&#8221; he said. 
<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">High doses of Ozempic made me fart &amp; burp like Barney from the Simpson's &#x1f923; Mounjaro seems to have fewer side effects and be more effective.
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1872109586947428455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Musk has previously voiced his support for weight loss drugs saying that the health benefits of reducing obesity far exceed the side effects of using the drugs.
&#8220;While no drug is without side effects, health problems associated with obesity almost certainly exceed the risks of GLP-1 agonists,&#8221; Musk said as early as Oct. 2023. GLP-1&nbsp;agonists are a class of medications that can help manage Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Why It Matters: While Musk, who was named by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, is all for weight-loss drugs, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. <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">is not.</a>
 In November, Trump selected Kennedy Jr.,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42254495/trumps-hhs-pick-rfk-jr-has-a-long-history-of-challenging-global-health-policies">known for his outspoken skepticism about vaccines</a>, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services which oversees drug regulation, among other things. 
Kennedy Jr. has previously voiced criticism for Ozempic, terming it as a means of gladdening the wallets of distant Big Pharma execs. In September, he criticized a New York Times opinion piece on Ozempic saying that the piece failed to acknowledge the causes behind obesity such as &#8220;our sickening food system&#8221; and sedentary lifestyle. 
&#8220;According to the writer, obesity seems to be a matter of lack—a lack of bariatric surgeries and a lack of Ozempic courtesy of Novo Nordisk, a Danish multinational whose wealth is bigger than Denmark's entire economy. As this drug becomes more widely available, the journalist seems to suggest, &#8216;America's biggest health problem&#8217; will be under control,&#8221; he wrote about the piece on social media platform X.
&#8220;Instead of fixing our food system and addressing the obesity crisis at its root, the author focuses on a drug that may palliate the symptom – and gladden the wallets of distant Big Pharma execs.&#8221;
&#8220;When I'm working in the next administration, I will address our sick food system—and the corrupt government agencies—to help make our country healthy again,&#8221; Kennedy Jr. then said while also adding that people should consider kitchen gardens instead of sending money to Denmark.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The MSM cheerleading for Ozempic has begun! New op-ed in the NYT "Opinion &#x7C; Is Obesity a Disease? It's Complicated in the Age of Ozempic" does make a valid point: that weight-shaming is cruel and that obesity is not a failure of character (we are not, she rightly and humanely…
&mdash; Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1839286350626914756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Elon Musk Admits To Using Weight Loss Medication Criticized By RFK Jr, Says He Prefers Mounjaro Over Miracle Drug Ozempic

Cyberhaven, a data-loss prevention startup, has confirmed a security breach involving its Google Chrome <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/google-chrome">browser extension</a>. Hackers managed to release a malicious update capable of stealing user passwords and session tokens.
What Happened: The breach was confirmed by&nbsp;Cyberhaven&nbsp;on Friday, although specifics were not disclosed. The email, shared&nbsp;by security researcher Matt Johansen,&nbsp;revealed that a company account was compromised to release the malicious update on Dec. 25.
This update allowed sensitive data to be extracted to the attacker&#8217;s domain.
The company stated that its security team identified the breach on December 25 and removed the malicious extension from the Chrome Web Store, replacing it with a legitimate version, according <a href="https://www.vulnu.com/p/breaking-cyberhaven-chrome-extension-compromised">to</a> a report by Vulnerable U.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42677149/nvidia-ces-2025-keynote-how-to-watch-jensen-huang-unveil-the-rtx-5000-series-gpus?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nvidia CES 2025 Keynote: How To Watch Jensen Huang Unveil The RTX 5000 Series GPUs</a>
Cyberhaven&#8217;s email advised affected users to revoke and rotate passwords and review logs for suspicious activity.
The company has engaged an incident response firm and is cooperating with federal law enforcement.
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 breach highlights ongoing security challenges related to browser extensions.
Earlier this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38031117/has-chrome-been-tracking-you-during-incognito-mode-the-answer-is-yes-and-now-google-says-it-will-del">Google faced scrutiny</a>&nbsp;over its Chrome browser&#8217;s privacy practices, particularly in &#8220;incognito&#8221; mode, where data collection was found to occur without user consent. This incident underscores the importance of robust security measures in browser extensions.
Amid these security concerns, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38684470/google-to-wield-ai-for-new-cybersecurity-tool-dubbed-threat-intelligence">Google has recently</a> integrated AI in its Threat Intelligence tool to enhance its cybersecurity posture. This tool aims to rapidly identify vulnerabilities, which could be crucial in preventing similar breaches.
The search giant also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41375089/google-urges-9th-circuit-to-halt-dangerous-epic-ruling-cites-substantial-new-security-risks">filed an appeal</a>&nbsp;against the Epic Games ruling, citing a higher risk of new security issues.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Unsplash

Google Chrome Users Beware This Holiday Season: Cyber Security Firm's Browser Extension Hijacked By Attackers

<a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a>
Currently, the tech landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by a new breed of game-changing stocks. These disruptive innovators are leveraging cutting-edge technologies to transform how we live, work and play, fundamentally reshaping entire industries.



From emerging startups to established giants, the tech landscape is ablaze with disruptive forces. Metrics suggest that the digital transformation <a href="https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/digital-transformation-market-104878">market could explode</a> from $2.71 trillion in 2024 to a staggering $12.35 trillion by 2032. Thus, identifying the pioneers driving this change is crucial for investors seeking substantial growth. However, discerning true disruptive potential from mere hype remains a critical challenge.



Let&rsquo;s identify three game-changing stocks. Each are strategically positioned to capitalize on this transformative wave and generate long-term value for investors.



<h2>GitLab (GTLB)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/gtlb1600-300x169.png" alt="In this photo illustration the GitLab (GTLB) logo seen displayed on a smartphone screen."><div>Source: rafapress / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Topping our list of game-changing stocks is GitLab (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/gtlb-stock-quote/">GTLB</a>). This software developer offers a comprehensive DevSecOps platform, streamlining the entire software development lifecycle to <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/03/3-underappreciated-tech-stocks-that-deserve-some-investor-love/">deploy software efficiently</a>.



Management of the software development company has recently reported impressive fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results. Quarterly revenue surged 33% year-over-year (YOY) to $163.8 million. Net income showed significant improvement, reaching $13.2 million, compared to a loss of $13.8 million in the prior-year quarter.



Further solidifying its commitment to software security, GitLab <a href="https://ir.gitlab.com/news-releases/news-release-details/gitlab-acquires-oxeye-advance-application-security-governance">announced the acquisition</a> of Oxeye on March 20, 2024.&nbsp;Oxeye, which provides cloud-native application security and risk management solutions, will likely accelerate GitLab&rsquo;s Static Application Security Testing (SAST) roadmap. In addition, Oxeye&rsquo;s capabilities could augment GitLab&rsquo;s software composition analysis and compliance tools.



Despite its strong fundamentals, GTLB stock has underperformed the broader market, declining almost 6% year-to-date (YTD). We should highlight that shares are trading at a premium valuation of about 15 times sales. Yet, Wall Street remains bullish, with a <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/markets/stocks/GTLB">median 12-month price target</a> of $75.00, implying a potential upside of 30% from current levels.



<h2>Synopsys (SNPS)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/snps1600-300x169.png" alt="Person holding mobile phone with logo of American technology company Synopsys Inc. (SNPS) on screen in front of web page. Focus on phone display. Unmodified photo."><div>Source: T. Schneider / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Synopsys (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/snps-stock-quote/">SNPS</a>) emerges as another disruptive force on our list.&nbsp; A pioneer in Electronic Design Automation (EDA), Synopsys shapes the future of &ldquo;Smart Everything&rdquo; with cutting-edge software products and consulting services. From self-driving cars to secure communication networks, Synopsys is making its mark.



The tech company has recently <a href="https://investor.synopsys.com/news/news-details/2024/Synopsys-Posts-Financial-Results-for-First-Quarter-Fiscal-Year-2024/">delivered solid results</a> for its first quarter of fiscal year 2024, exceeding analyst expectations. Quarterly revenue surged 21% YOY to $1.65 billion, while adjusted earnings per diluted share of $3.56 came in above guidance. Investors&rsquo; have been pleased with Synopsys&rsquo; strong market position, sending the SNPS stock up 10% YTD, 



Earlier in 2024, Synopsys <a href="https://investor.synopsys.com/news/news-details/2024/Synopsys-to-Acquire-Ansys-Creating-a-Leader-in-Silicon-to-Systems-Design-Solutions/default.aspx">announced a definitive agreement</a> to acquire Ansys (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/anss-stock-quote/">ANSS</a>). This merger is expected to create a leading force in silicon-to-systems design solutions, bringing together Synopsys&rsquo; EDA tools with Ansys&rsquo; broad simulation and analysis portfolio.



Analysts have a <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/markets/stocks/SNPS">12-month price target</a> of $639 for SNPS, suggesting an additional 14% upside from current levels. But the company is richly valued with a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 43.1 and price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is of 14. 



<h2>ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (DTEC)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_1917075950-300x169.png" alt="ETF Investment index funds concept with letter wooden blocks and lots of different currencies, ETFs to buy. Emerging markets ETFs"><div>Source: Eviart / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Rounding out our list of <a href="https://www.alpsfunds.com/exchange-traded-funds/dtec">disruptive forces</a> is the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (NYSEARCA:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/dtec-stock-quote/">DTEC</a>). Launched in December 2017, this thematic fund grants investors exposure to companies using disruptive technologies.



DTEC has diversified portfolio of 95 stocks, while the top 10 holdings constitute 12% of $99.3 million in total assets. Leading names include Hong Kong-based Xinyi Solar Holdings (OTCMKTS:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/xishy-stock-quote/">XISHY</a>), Align Technology (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/algn-stock-quote/">ALGN</a>), Dexcom (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/dxcm-stock-quote/">DXCM</a>), First Solar (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/fslr-stock-quote/">FSLR</a>) and PayPal (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/pypl-stock-quote/">PYPL</a>).



The sector breakdown of DTEC includes clean energy &amp; smart grid (10.58%), healthcare innovation (10.31%) and cybersecurity (10.17%). Geographically, the fund leans toward U.S. companies (65.91%), while maintaining exposure to China (5.38%) and Japan (4.72%). Such a diversification enhances DTEC&rsquo;s ability to capture growth opportunities across various sectors and regions.



So far in 2024, the fund&rsquo;s performance has been flat. Its trailing P/E ratio of 35.6 reflects the growth potential of the holdings.&nbsp;Finally, interested investors should note the expense ratio of 0.5%.



On the date of publication, Tezcan Gecgil did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.&nbsp;The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com&nbsp;<a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/" target="_blank">Publishing Guidelines</a>.
<div>Tezcan Gecgil, PhD, began contributing to InvestorPlace in 2018. She brings over 20 years of experience in the U.S. and U.K. and has also completed all 3 levels of the Chartered Market Technician (CMT) examination. Publicly, she has contributed to <a href="https://www.investing.com/">investing.com</a> and the U.K. website of <a href="https://www.fool.com/">The Motley Fool.</a></div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/04/disruptive-forces-3-game-changing-stocks-reshaping-the-tech-landscape/">Disruptive Forces: 3 Game-changing Stocks Reshaping the Tech Landscape</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.

Disruptive Forces: 3 Game-changing Stocks Reshaping the Tech Landscape

<a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a>
Tech has been by far the fastest-growing industry in the last two decades, with <a href="https://investorplace.com/industries/technology/">tech stocks</a> driving&nbsp;a lot&nbsp;of the hype and enthusiasm in the stock market. For years&nbsp;now, tech has been the primary engine behind the broader market&rsquo;s gains. Not only are the major tech giants continuing their relentless expansion, but we are also seeing spillover effects as technological innovations supercharge other industries.&nbsp;Fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation are being reshaped by advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, and more.



With so much transformative change underway, I believe now is an opportune time to invest in some&nbsp;of the&nbsp;lesser-known tech stocks before they capture Wall Street&rsquo;s attention. The tech industry is creating new companies and opportunities faster than ever before.&nbsp;While the spotlight shines brightly on Big Tech,&nbsp;there are&nbsp;plenty of up-and-coming tech firms still flying under the radar.&nbsp;These stocks remain unknown to most investors, overlooked and undervalued. However, they have massive growth potential&nbsp;ahead&nbsp;if management can execute effectively and capitalize on the&nbsp;huge&nbsp;market opportunities. Here are seven such tech stocks:



<h2>Tech Stocks: X-FAB Silicon Foundries (XFABF)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/semiconductor1600b-300x169.jpg" alt="In Ultra Modern Electronic Manufacturing Factory Design Engineer in Sterile Coverall Holds Microchip with Gloves and Examines it. Semiconductor stocks to sell. Undervalued Semiconductor Stocks"><div>Source: Shutterstock</div></div>X-FAB Silicon Foundries (OTCMKTS:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/xfabf-stock-quote/">XFABF</a>) is a leading foundry group for analog/mixed-signal semiconductor applications.&nbsp;It specializes in producing and selling analog/mixed-signal IC, micro-electro-mechanical systems, and silicon carbide products for automotive, medical, industrial, communication, and consumer sectors&nbsp;worldwide.&nbsp;The company also offers design support for electronic design automation platforms. Despite the booming semiconductor industry, XFABF stock hasn&rsquo;t fared well recently. The stock is down 42% from its peak in August 2023,&nbsp;mostly&nbsp;due to the slowdown in the automotive industry, which forms core demand. As people make fewer big purchases amid high interest rates, automotive chip demand has declined significantly.



However,&nbsp;I believe&nbsp;the current entry point could lead to explosive returns, as we are likely at a cyclical low. A turnaround after rates eventually come down could send the stock much higher. The valuation here looks very cheap compared to growth, trading at just&nbsp;6&nbsp;times earnings. The <a href="https://www.gurufocus.com/stock/XFABF/summary">3-year revenue growth rate is 28.4%</a>, better than 84% of semiconductor peers. Future 3 to 5-year annual revenue growth is 19%, topping 92% of semiconductor companies. Gurufocus puts XFABF&rsquo;s fair value at $24.4 by&nbsp;the end of&nbsp;2027. I see the stars aligning for a&nbsp;major&nbsp;rebound.



<h2>DroneShield Limited (DRSHF)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/stocks-to-buy-9-300x169.jpg" alt="stock button on a computer keyboard (representing best investments to start 2021. stocks to buy"><div>Source: Shutterstock</div></div>DroneShield Limited (OTCMKTS:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/drshf-stock-quote/">DRSHF</a>) has been having explosive growth in recent months, up 343% in the past six months. It&rsquo;s easy to see why when examining what this innovative company does.&nbsp;DroneShield&nbsp;engages in developing, commercializing, and selling&nbsp;hardware and software tech for drone detection and security.&nbsp;With tensions heating up and drones likely being the future of warfare, DroneShield has&nbsp;huge&nbsp;potential as a pure-play in the sector. Valuations could quickly swell as it continues&nbsp;landing&nbsp;more government contracts. Quintupling from current levels seems plausible if growth persists.



Its <a href="http://www.gurufocus.com/stock/DRSHF/summary">90%+ 3-year revenue growth rate</a> bests 99% of peers, and I expect rapid expansion to continue as DroneShield secures more defense contracts.&nbsp;This&nbsp;is a cutting-edge company operating in a crucial growth industry. While it has already made big moves, more upside lies ahead as drone tech becomes increasingly critical for governments worldwide. DroneShield finds itself in the right place at the right time to capitalize.



<h2>Tech Stocks: Nagarro (NGRRF)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-stocks1600-7-300x169.png" alt="AI Artificial Intelligence. Businessman using AI technology for data analysis, coding computer language with digital brain, machine learning on virtual screen, business intelligence. AI stocks"><div>Source: Tapati Rinchumrus / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Nagarro (OTCMKTS:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/ngrrf-stock-quote/">NGRRF</a>) is a digital engineering company offering services including AI and data analytics &ndash; some of the hottest sectors currently. Unfortunately, I can&rsquo;t say the same for the stock. NGRRF is down almost 70% from its peak and sliding lower. However, I foresee the company stabilizing and recovering in the coming months as double-digit revenue growth resumes. <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/NGRRF/earnings/estimates">Revenue&nbsp;is projected&nbsp;to grow from $1.1 billion in 2024 to $3 billion in 2033</a> &ndash; modest for a tech stock but with a compelling valuation.



Trading at 18 times earnings, I&rsquo;m banking on margin expansion from the current <a href="https://www.gurufocus.com/stock/NGRRF/summary">5.7% net margin</a> as economic conditions improve and EPS expands. Once Nagarro starts executing again, we could see huge upside. It also has an attractive 2.83% forward dividend yield while you wait. This overlooked stock could bounce back in a big way once tech recovers. With its digital engineering expertise spanning AI and analytics, Nagarro is well-positioned for the future. It currently trades at $73, but Gurufocus sees a fair price value of $347 by the end of 2027.



<h2>Aehr Test Systems (AEHR)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/stocks-to-buy-1600-300x169.jpg" alt="Stocks to buy: smartphone with the words &quot;buy&quot; and &quot;sell&quot; displayed on the screen. The user's finger is about to press buy. Stock charts are in the background of the image. Momentum Stocks. S&amp;P 600 Stocks to Buy. breakthrough stocks. Mario Gabbeli stocks"><div>Source: Chompoo Suriyo / Shutterstock.com</div></div>I have said before that the automotive industry was facing a lot of problems due to rate hikes and the ensuing slump in demand. This has caused companies that have the automotive sector as a big customer source to slump as well. Aehr Test Systems (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/aehr-stock-quote/">AEHR</a>) is one such company. Aehr Test Systems is a global provider of test systems for burning-in and testing logic, optical, and memory integrated circuits. They specialize in wafer level, and package part form testing. Their systems are used in various sectors including silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN), and optical photonics. Automotive chips are a core part of the company&rsquo;s business and the stock has 79% from its peak in Sep. 2023.



That said, I think AEHR can bounce back in the coming quarters as rates increase and automotive chips come in demand again. Regardless, I would warn that this company does not have the most reliable management. Guidance was cut twice in the past two months and we are looking at growth remaining flat next year as well. Thus, near-term bleeding could happen. But if you look at the long term, AEHR is still a bargain. Once rates are cut and EV sales volumes start rising, multibagger returns aren&rsquo;t out of the question in 24-36 months. It is a profitable company with a <a href="https://www.gurufocus.com/stock/AEHR/summary">21.4% net margin</a>, so it certainly isn&rsquo;t going to zero anytime soon.



<h2>Tech Stocks: Naspers (NPSNY)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/npsny-stock-1-300x169.jpg" alt="a hand holding a phone displaying the Naspers website"><div>Source: Piotr Swat / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Naspers (OTCMKTS:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/npsny-stock-quote/">NPSNY</a>) is a multinational company operating in the consumer internet industry. It holds investments in classifieds, food delivery, payments and fintech, education, health, and e-commerce. This stock&rsquo;s performance hasn&rsquo;t been as bad as AEHR, but it has been lackluster. The stock has had many ups and downs over the past few years, but it has been essentially flat since 2017.



However, the core fundamentals have been strengthening, and I believe the market is heavily underpricing the stock. Many other analysts agree with me here. This company is <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/NPSNY/earnings/estimates">expected to see double-digit sales growth</a> moving forward along with EPS bouncing back by 115% this year and growing 14% next year. Moreover, this company has $20 billion in cash against $16.2 billion in debt. The debt load does cause a lot of pain due to interest payments, but as rates come down, this too should turn into a tailwind.



The company has substantial holding in Tencent Holdings (OTCMKTS:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/tcehy-stock-quote/">TCEHY</a>) and other publicly listed, mark-to-market non-operating assets which are also expected to bounce back significantly over the coming years. It also <a href="https://www.gurufocus.com/stock/NPSNY/summary">yields a modest 0.27% dividend</a>. Gurufocus the fair price at $127 by the end of 2026. Its current price is just $34 and I don&rsquo;t see much downside risk from here.



<h2>Ubiquiti (UI)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/stocks-to-buy-300x169.jpg" alt='high-growth stocks an image of "Buy" on colorful buttons of the keyboard'><div>Source: Christian Chan / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Ubiquiti (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/ui-stock-quote/">UI</a>) is a technology company that manufactures and sells wireless data communication and wired products for enterprises and homes. Their industry-leading products are unified in an incredible software interface with scalable, license-free cloud management. This is another stock that is down significantly but could soon bottom out and deliver significant gains. There are&nbsp;definitely&nbsp;near-term risks here, but if you are chasing big gains in the long run, the near-term downside risk shouldn&rsquo;t matter much.



The company has very good margins and profitability metrics, and the dividend yield is at 2.3%. <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/UI/earnings/estimates">Growth is expected to restart next year</a>, with EPS bouncing back by 26% and revenue growing by 18.5%. This means you&rsquo;re paying just 13 times the 2025 expected EPS. I believe it can perform much better than analysts expect once the broader telecommunications industry bounces back. Most telecom companies are laden with debt and are busy with interest payments. But once cash frees up post-rate cuts, we should see growth reignite significantly. Gurufocus puts the fair price value for the stock at $309.



<h2>Tech Stocks: Xinyi Solar Holdings (XISHY)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/best_stocks_to_buy_now_google-300x169.jpg" alt="best investments: a hand using the touchpad on a laptop. a concept image of figures and charts is emerging from the laptop screen. overlooked stocks to buy"><div>Source: Shutterstock</div></div>Xinyi Solar (OTCMKTS:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/xishy-stock-quote/">XISHY</a>) is a photovoltaic glass manufacturer. It specializes in photovoltaic glass production and solar farm development. The company provides photovoltaic glass products to major PV module manufacturers globally. As of December 2023, it had six major photovoltaic glass production bases.



The entire solar sector has been seeing a downturn, but many solar companies are starting to bottom out, and there is a huge growth runway here in the long run. Xinyi has also seen its stock price decline, but I believe it can bottom out and recover soon as its top and bottom lines have continued to grow very fast. Its <a href="https://www.google.com/finance/quote/XISHY:OTCMKTS">top line grew almost 30%</a> for all of 2023. Net margin did decline by 15.4%, but with revenue continuing to grow fast, I expect that to bounce back soon.



Analysts <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/XISHY/earnings/estimates">expect 26.5% revenue growth this year</a> and 22% growth next year. Paying 11 times earnings seems&nbsp;really&nbsp;cheap as it also has a 4.15% forward dividend yield. Its <a href="https://www.gurufocus.com/stock/XISHY/summary">future 3 to 5-year revenue growth is better than 93% of peers</a>. All it needs right now is a margin recovery.



On the date of publication, Omor Ibne Ehsan did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com&nbsp;<a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/" target="_blank">Publishing Guidelines.</a>
<div>Omor Ibne Ehsan is a writer at InvestorPlace. He is a self-taught investor with a focus on growth and cyclical stocks that have strong fundamentals, value, and long-term potential. He also has an interest in high-risk, high-reward investments such as cryptocurrencies and penny stocks. You can follow him on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/omor-ibne-ehsan-56068022b/">LinkedIn</a>.</div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/04/7-unknown-tech-stocks-that-could-quintuple-your-money-in-2024/">7 Unknown Tech Stocks That Could Quintuple Your Money in 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.

7 Unknown Tech Stocks That Could Quintuple Your Money in 2024

Xinyi Solar Holdings goes ex dividend tomorrow

Impax Global Sustainable Infrastructure Fund Q3 2024 Commentary

ACWI

AEHR

ALGN

DRSHF

DTEC

DXCM

FSLR

GTLB

HVRRF

HVRRY

KDDIF

KDDIY

KLAC

MSFT

NGGTF

NGRRF

NPICF

NPIFF

NPSNY

NVDA

SNPS

TCEHY

WELL

XFABF

XNYIF

Xinyi Solar Hldgs

<h4>Key Takeaways:</h4>

<ul>
	<li>Xinyi Energy said its net profit in the first half of the year fell by 25% to 35%</li>
	<li>The solar farm operator is suffering in a climate of oversupply after a rapid buildup of solar farms in China</li>
</ul>

By Lee Shih Ta

China has rapidly emerged as a solar star by building new sun-powered farms at a breakneck pace to become one of the world&rsquo;s top producers of the clean energy source. But that status is also coming with a darker side, as many of the country&rsquo;s vast field of solar farms are increasingly underutilized due to the rapid buildup.&nbsp;

One company feeling the pinch of that solar energy glut is&nbsp;Xinyi Energy Holdings Ltd.&nbsp;(3868.HK), a member of the Xinyi family of companies specializing in solar farms, which earlier this month&nbsp;<a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2024/0719/2024071901033.pdf">warned</a>&nbsp;its profit fell between 25% and 35% in the first half of 2024 from HK$570 million ($74 million) in the year-ago period.

Like many of its peers, Xinyi Energy&rsquo;s asset base and revenue streams expanded as more of its new solar farms came online in the first half of this year. But limitations of the nation&rsquo;s electric grid reduced the profitability from the company&rsquo;s electricity sales. Higher depreciation expenses after the acquisition of new farms last year and in the first half of this year and the depreciation of the Chinese yuan against the Hong Kong dollar also undermined the company&rsquo;s profitability, it said.&nbsp;

Xinyi Energy&rsquo;s shares fell 4% to HK$0.96 on the first trading day after the profit warning, dipping below the symbolically important HK$1 level for only the second time this year. The shares have continued to fall since then and closed on Monday at HK$0.90.

<h3>From Glass Maker To Solar Farm Operator</h3>

As a solar farm operator, Xinyi Energy draws most of its revenue from power generation. The company recorded revenue of HK$2.52 billion last year, up 8.7% from 2022. Its profit inched up by 2.2% over that period to HK$990 million. Revenue from electricity sales and subsidies accounted for 99.6% of the company&rsquo;s total.

Xinyi Energy&rsquo;s parent is&nbsp;Xinyi Solar&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XISHY#OTC">XISHY</a>), China&rsquo;s largest photovoltaic glass maker. Li Xianyi, founder of the Xinyi family of companies, harkens from the same hometown in South China&rsquo;s Fujian province as Cao Dewang, China&rsquo;s &ldquo;King of Glass&rdquo; whose fortune tied to his Fuyao Group once made him the country&rsquo;s richest man. Li went to Hong Kong from Fujian when he was young and started his business by trading auto parts, before also going on to specialize in auto glass with the establishment of his own company in Shenzhen.

In 2005, he listed his&nbsp;Xinyi Glass&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYIGY#OTC">XYIGY</a>) in Hong Kong, and eight years later separately listed his group&rsquo;s&nbsp;Xinyi Solar&nbsp;photovoltaic glass unit there as well. Apart from making glass, Xinyi Solar also started building solar farms, and subsequently spun off that part of its business for a separate listing as Xinyi Energy in 2019.

Xinyi Energy&rsquo;s business model is quite simple. It buys power plants from Xinyi Solar and then sells the solar power they generate to grid operators. Since China has basically guaranteed that it will buy all the energy produced by such renewable sources, operating solar farms came to be viewed as a no-lose proposition, locally called an &ldquo;iron rice bowl&rdquo; business.

But plunging prices for solar modules and energy storage since last year have caused construction of new farms to shoot up, flooding the market with more power than the grid can absorb.

China&rsquo;s installed solar power capacity jumped a massive 55% year-on-year in 2023 to 610 GW. Put differently, the amount of newly installed capacity last year was almost as much as that for the previous four years combined. The rapid addition of so much new capacity inevitably means that a growing percentage of it can&rsquo;t be effectively utilized, especially due to elements like uneven supply and supply-demand mismatches. That ultimately leads to &ldquo;electricity abandonment&rdquo; when the grid&rsquo;s ability to absorb and distribute all the energy is insufficient.

<h3>Growing Abandonment Rate&nbsp;</h3>

Chinese regulations previously stipulated that the abandonment rate for solar farms should be 5% or less, meaning utilization rates should be 95% or higher. In the first quarter of this year, the average power abandonment rate nationwide was 4%, up two percentage points year-on-year. Fitch pointed out that installed capacity for renewable energy in China has reached record highs, which will continue to push up the abandonment rate.

The failure of new grid infrastructure to keep pace with the addition of so much new supply is only adding to the bottleneck that is seeing the amount of wasted capacity grow. Reflecting that mismatch, the State Council, China&rsquo;s cabinet, issued a new regulation on May 29 raising the maximum allowable electricity abandonment rate for renewable energy plants to 10% from the previous 5%, meaning the government only guarantees grid operators will buy up to 90% of a plant&rsquo;s installed capacity.

At the same time, the latest national power industry statistics published by China&rsquo;s National Energy Administration have stopped including utilization rates for different power generation methods, according to Reuters. It speculated the change implies an oversupply of electricity from solar power generation and a decline in the utilization rate.

Despite the government guarantee of buying power from solar producers, in practice that guarantee often equates to a policy of &ldquo;guaranteeing price but not quantity&rdquo; or &ldquo;guaranteeing quantity but not price,&rdquo; but not both. Now, the raising of the maximum allowable abandonment rate makes clear the government is stepping back from its promise to purchase all electricity generated by renewable sources.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China&rsquo;s state planner, issued a new regulation in March categorizing renewable energy purchasing into two types: &ldquo;guaranteed acquisition&rdquo; and &ldquo;market-oriented transactions.&rdquo; The former equates to purchasing at a specific base price, while the latter lets &ldquo;members of electricity market&rdquo; determine the price. The regulation specifies that failure to purchase power due to grid security, grid maintenance, or force majeure factors may not be included in the guaranteed price category.

The movement of renewable energy to a more market-oriented pricing and selling system will inevitably erode revenue and profits for power generation companies. But profitability will still be possible as long as the government continues to offer subsidies. Still, the current case of oversupply will make it hard for anyone to show significant growth in the short term.

Xinyi Energy currently trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of about 7.3 times, higher than the 6.3 times of&nbsp;China Suntien Green Energy&nbsp;(0956.HK) and the 5.4 times for&nbsp;Concord New Energy&nbsp;(0182.HK). While high dividend payouts previously attracted investors to Xinyi Energy, the payout ratio has been shrinking with the recent profit declines dating back to the middle of lats year, with 2023&rsquo;s full-year dividend of 0.06 yuan per share down 60.2% year-on-year. That led disappointed investors to start abandoning the stock, and that flight could accelerate if the latest profit decline leads the company&rsquo;s interim dividend to a new low.
This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga's reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.

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