A group of Yale University alumni publicly appealed to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, urging him to reevaluate his position within the Donald Trump administration.



What Happened: An open letter dated Wednesday, signed by 140 Yale Class of 1984 alumni, alleged that the Trump administration is steering the U.S. toward an &#8220;authoritarian state, undermining democratic values in the process, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/25/yale-treasury-scott-bessent-trump-fascism-us.html">according</a> to CNBC.



The alumni implored Bessent, a member of the class, to &#8220;stand&nbsp;up for what you know&nbsp;to be right&#8221; and to reflect on his role in &#8220;enabling the descent of America&nbsp;into fascism.&#8221;



The letter cited Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, as having significant access to Americans&#8217; private data, as well as the violation of immigration laws through the &#8220;illegal seizure and incarceration&#8221; of people.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/45014792/trumps-700b-bet-on-ramp-the-13b-startup-poised-to-take-over-government-payments-with-25m-pilot-deal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s $700B Bet On Ramp: The $13B Startup Poised To Take Over Government Payments With $25M Pilot Deal</a>



In a response issued to CNBC, Bessent expressed disappointment in his classmates, criticizing their lack of engagement in the political process. 



&#8220;It is equal parts odd and sad that a group of people, most of whom I have never met, feel they have standing in my life choices due to a tenuous overlap from 40 years ago,&#8221; Bessent added.



He defended his role in the Trump administration, describing it as the &#8220;honor&#8221; of his lifetime. &#8220;President Trump is the man in the arena. And the American people elected him—not these critics.&#8221;



Why It Matters: DOGE, an entity<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41927289/trump-appoints-elon-musk-and-vivek-ramaswamy-to-lead-doge-targeting-bureaucracy-and-65-trillion-federal-spending-we-will-not-go-gently" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;tasked with cutting federal spending</a>&nbsp;and abolishing excess regulations, has faced allegations of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44859945/whistleblower-alleges-doge-involved-in-major-cybersecurity-breach-at-us-labor-agency">collecting and combining sensitive personal data</a> from government systems, including the Treasury Department.



Moreover, the administration has faced c<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44779739/oops-hes-alive-and-secure-trump-administration-updates-status-on-mistaken-deportation-to-el-salvador">riticism for its deportation policy</a> after a Maryland resident was mistakenly sent to El Salvador due to &#8220;administrative error.&#8221; The Supreme Court backed a lower court ruling for officials to assist in the return of the person.



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/news/retail-sales/25/04/45003239/ex-shark-tank-star-exposes-consumer-sticker-shock-over-made-in-usa-premiums-after-tariff-surge-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ex-Shark Tank Star Exposes Consumer Sticker Shock Over &#8216;Made In USA&#8217; Premiums After Tariff Surge: &#8216;Not A Single Unit Sold&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



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Yale Classmates Urge Bessent To Reconsider Trump White House Role — Treasury Secretary Calls It an 'Honor'

Forget about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44988897/china-trade-war-4-big-brand-stocks-that-will-suffer-most">trade wars</a> and inflation. One actor of the US economy is doing great, with stocks up 2.5% even before this week&#8217;s <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/44988781/wall-street-rally-extends-into-third-day-whats-driving-markets-thursday">rally</a>.



Schwab analysts even issued a collective &#8220;buy&#8221; call on these stocks, citing value and stability in the sector.



&#8220;Some (financial) segments benefited from rising interest rates, which allow banks to lend at higher rates and insurance companies to increase returns on collected policyholder premiums,&#8221; Schwab said in a new research note. &#8220;The economy has proven to be relatively resilient in the face of one of the most aggressive tightening cycles in history.&#8221;



On the risk side, company analysts cite trade wars and reduced consumer spending as issues that could hold back bank stocks. &#8220;If sweeping tariffs kick in and slow growth materially, financials could struggle as consumers pull back on spending, businesses reduce investment, and lending slows,&#8221; Schwab noted.



Other Wall Street watchers agree, adding that some banking sectors are looking better than others at the moment.



&#8220;Bank stocks have been relatively mixed, large-cap U.S. banks have held up better than smaller regional banks, which remain under pressure from credit tightening, CRE (commercial real estate) exposure, and flattened yield curves,&#8221; said Fabio Ruggeri, founder and CEO of MenthorQ, a trading technology company in Miami, Fla. &#8220;While the big banks benefit from scale, trading revenue, and global exposure, the regional banks are still digesting the fallout from last year&#8217;s rate shocks and deposit flight.&#8221;



Short-term Federal Reserve actions, along with significant industry risks that could split the sector, are also in play.



&#8220;If the Fed pivots later in the year and the yield curve begins to normalize, net interest margins could improve,&#8221; Ruggeri said. &#8220;But risks tied to CRE, credit quality, and deposit competition are still in play. Investors should expect continued bifurcation. Stronger names will pull away from the weaker ones.&#8221;



Here are the three best stocks to buy in this outperforming sector.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Three Bank Stocks to Play Right Now</h2>



With talk of tariffs and trade wars watering down the markets right now and multiple risk factors (and opportunities) on the table, which bank stocks make the most sense right now? Here&#8217;s a sector snapshot.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">US Bancorp&nbsp;</h2>



The fifth-largest bank in the country, US Bank (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USB#NYSE">USB</a>), saw its shares fall in 2025, down 20.1% year-to-date. Yet sector analysts are buzzing over the banking giant&#8217;s Q1 earnings beat, with multiple analysts backing the stock. On April 17, Barclays revised its price target for USB from $56 to $61 and maintained an &#8220;Outperform&#8221; on the stock. Noting that Q1 had beaten expectations, Barclays said USB impressed with more substantial fee income, more robust net interest income, and a better grip on expenses.



&#8220;I do like U.S. Bank right now,&#8221; said David Capablanca, a veteran trader and founder and host of the Friendly Bear Podcast. &#8220;Like many of the major banks have had a pullback, it&#8217;s an opportunity to dip buy. And you don&#8217;t just buy all at once &#8211; plan to scale in over three to six months, average in once a month.&#8221;



Consequently, if the stock is going lower, you&#8217;re averaging in, and if it&#8217;s consolidating and rising higher, you&#8217;re still gradually getting into a good position in USB stock. &#8220;It&#8217;s a very low-risk strategy to average into a safe, big-name bank stock,&#8221; Capablanca added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Morgan Stanley</h2>



Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) is another big bank stock that has been trending downward but appears to be in bounce-back mode.



Like other big banks, Morgan Stanley has been recording significant gains in trading revenue lately. Its trading desk works closely with large institutional investors to manage portfolio risk and look for opportunities before and during this year&#8217;s tariff skirmishes. All in all, Morgan Stanley said its trading revenues were up 45% in Q1.



&#8220;Morgan relies less on traditional banking and focuses more on affluent wealth and investment exposure, which usually leads to diversified earnings,&#8221; Ruggeri said. Toss into the mix a healthy dividend of 3.39% in mid-April, and Morgan Stanley seems like another bank stock loaded with opportunity right now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">JPMorgan Chase</h2>



JPMorgan (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) shares are performing better than their sector competitors but are still down 3.2% so far in 2025. However, they are up 27% over the last year and have a strong history of stable management and reliable share performance.



&#8220;JPM is the gold standard of large U.S. banks,&#8221; Ruggeri said. &#8220;It has a strong balance sheet, diversified revenue, and deposit resilience.&#8221;



Other market experts agree.



&#8220;JPMorgan Chase continues to stand out — not just as a big bank, but as a highly disciplined and forward-thinking institution,&#8221; said Christopher Migliaccio, founder at Warren and Migliaccio, LLC, a law firm that handles asset management issues for its clients.



JPM&#8217;s most recent quarterly earnings showed the investment banking behemoth easily beat analyst expectations while boosting guidance on consolidated net interest income by $500 million, a metric that banking industry analysts have historically cited as key to overall future earnings.



USB is on board with JPM, hiking its price target from $277 to $305, citing higher Q1 earnings, larger trading revenues (for the same reasons as Morgan Stanley), and a strong dividend yield (2.41%).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Takeaway On Bank Stocks</h2>



Capablanca offers specific advice for regular investors seeking opportunities in the banking sector.



&#8220;Just don&#8217;t go for the higher-risk banks,&#8221; he advised. &#8220;Stick with the big ones, like Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Schwab, and JPMorgan. The big ones are the safest bets out there.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Matt Maley Alerts Inner Circle Before TV Appearances</h2>



While millions watch Matt discuss tariffs on Bloomberg, CNBC, and more — only his Inner Circle members receive his specific trade recommendations. Get Behind the Scenes Access <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/7-day-free-trial-matt-maley-inner-circle/?el=ResearchDaily&amp;he={{email}}&amp;adt_ei={{email}}&amp;utm_adType=SponsorAd&amp;utm_ad=RD0425&amp;utm_campaign=7daytrial">HERE</a>



Editorial content from our Expert contributors is intended to be information for the general public and not individualized investment advice. Editors/contributors are presenting their individual opinions and strategies, which are neither expressly nor impliedly approved or endorsed by Benzinga.



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3 Stocks To Consider In This Outperforming Sector

Investor risk appetite rebounded over the week as the U.S. administration signaled a de-escalation in trade tensions with China. President Donald Trump also reassured markets that he has no intention of firing Federal <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44977395/trump-backs-off-firing-powell-after-walmart-target-ceos-warn-him-of-empty-store-shelves">Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.</a>



Reports suggested China is considering suspending its 125% tariff <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/45004954/china-reportedly-begins-exempting-key-us-imports-from-tariffs-including-pharma-and-aerospace-parts">on select U.S. imports</a>, following indications that Washington may cut tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump hinted that negotiations with Beijing are ongoing, even as Chinese authorities denied any such talks were taking place.



The sell-off that had weighed on U.S. Treasuries and the dollar the previous weeks came to a halt, as investors found reassurance in the central bank's independence.



The S&amp;P 500 has now recouped nearly 80% of the losses suffered since the post–April 2 "Liberation Day" downturn.



Yet, recent business and consumer surveys paint a less optimistic picture. U.S. private sector growth slowed in April to its weakest pace in 16 months, according to flash <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44952395/us-business-activity-growth-slows-in-april-as-services-suffer-tariff-shock-markets-rally-as-trade-war-cools">Purchasing Managers' Index data.</a> 



Business expectations for the year ahead have dropped to near-COVID-19 pandemic lows, while prices for goods and services rose at the fastest pace in over a year, particularly in manufacturing, where tariffs are playing a key role in driving costs higher.



Consumer sentiment also deteriorated sharply. The University of Michigan's gauge fell 8% this month, with expectations down 32% since January — the steepest three-month drop since the 1990 recession. One-year inflation expectations surged from 5% to 6.5%, the highest since 1981, while long-term inflation expectations rose from 4.1% to 4.4%.



Among individual stocks, ServiceNow Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOW#NASDAQ">NOW</a>) led the S&amp;P 500 with a 20% weekly gain on strong earnings <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44986106/servicenows-1q-reflects-no-material-signs-of-strain-from-tariff-related-macro-uncertainties-analysts-raise-price-targets">and upbeat forward guidance</a>. In contrast, Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>) fell 15% after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44965915/northrop-grummans-strategic-edge-lies-in-classified-space-and-electronic-warfare-programs-but-market-focused-on-short-term-issues-analyst">cutting its 2025 outlook.</a>



Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) posted its biggest weekly rally since early November 2024, despite underwhelming earnings. Investors cheered Elon Musk's pledge to reduce his involvement in Dogecoin and refocus <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44974342/elon-musks-wealth-skyrockets-by-billions-as-tesla-stock-rallies-after-billionaire-ceo-steps-back-from-doge">on leading the EV company.</a>



Looking ahead, macroeconomic data and earnings will dominate the headlines next week. 



Four members of the Magnificent Seven will report earnings next week, with Microsoft Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NYSE">MSFT</a>) and Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) set for Wednesday, followed by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) on Thursday.



Thursday brings the release of the advance estimate for first-quarter GDP and the Fed's preferred inflation gauge for March, followed on Friday by the closely watched April jobs report, offering fresh clues on how tariffs are affecting the labor market.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/04/45020833/qqq-etf-faces-worst-week-of-outflows-since-november-as-investors-sell-the-tech-rally">QQQ ETF Faces Worst Week Of Outflows Since November As Investors Sell The Tech Rally</a></li>
</ul>



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Tech

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Wall Street Recovers, Dollar Steadies As Trump Tempers Trade Fight, Signals Support For Powell: This Week In Markets

Benzinga examined the prospects for <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">many investors' favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here's a look at some of our top stories.



U.S. markets rebounded this week as President Donald Trump softened his stance on trade and monetary policy. He indicated that tariffs on Chinese imports could decrease from the current 145% and affirmed his support for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, alleviating investor concerns about central bank independence.



The S&amp;P 500 regained nearly 80% of its post-April 2 losses, with notable gains in technology stocks. ServiceNow (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOW#NYSE">NOW</a>) led with a 20% weekly increase, while Tesla (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NYSE">TSLA</a>) surged 9.9% after CEO Elon Musk announced a reduced focus on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).



Despite the rally, economic indicators signaled caution. U.S. private sector growth slowed to a 16-month low, and consumer sentiment declined sharply. Inflation expectations rose, with one-year forecasts reaching 6.5%, the highest since 1981, suggesting persistent economic uncertainty.



Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week's most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.



The Bulls



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/44935008/netflix-stock-nears-all-time-high-whats-going-on">"Netflix stock nears all-time high: What's going on?"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) shares approached record highs following strong Q1 earnings—$10.54 billion in revenue and $6.61 EPS—driven by robust subscription and advertising growth, with analysts raising price targets up to $1,514 and highlighting the company's insulation from global tariffs due to its digital-only business model.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44963467/why-is-summit-therapeutics-stock-soaring-on-wednesday">"Why Is Summit Therapeutics Stock Soaring On Wednesday?"</a>, by Vandana Singh, reports that Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMMT#NASDAQ">SMMT</a>) shares surged after partner Akeso, Inc. announced that their Phase 3 HARMONi-6 trial met its primary endpoint, with ivonescimab plus chemotherapy showing a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival over BeiGene Ltd.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ONC#NASDAQ">ONC</a>) tislelizumab combo in patients with advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44966369/novavaxs-covid-19-vaccine-nears-fda-full-approval-stock-jumps">"Novavax's COVID-19 Vaccine Nears FDA Full Approval, Stock Jumps"</a>, by Vandana Singh, reports that Novavax Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVAX#NASDAQ">NVAX</a>) shares rose after the company stated its Biologics License Application is approvable and awaits FDA response following a post-marketing data request.



For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44998075/celestica-beats-q1-estimates-raises-fy-outlook-on-strengthening-demand-shares-slide">Celestica Beats Q1 Estimates, Raises FY Outlook On ‘Strengthening Demand,' Shares Slide</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44927300/this-nvidia-backed-ai-upstart-boasts-extremely-rapid-revenue-growth-analyst-initiates-overweight">Nvidia-Backed AI Startup Boasts ‘Extremely Rapid Revenue Growth' &#8211; JPMorgan Initiates With Overweight</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44995270/why-is-rocket-lab-stock-trading-higher-on-thursday">Why Is Rocket Lab Stock Trading Higher On Thursday?</a>



The Bears



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44996628/intel-q1-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-shares-tumble-on-weak-guidance-chipmaker-plans-swift-actions-to-drive-efficiency">"Intel Q1 earnings: Revenue beat, EPS beat, shares tumble on weak guidance, chipmaker plans ‘swift actions' to drive efficiency"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) shares fell after the company reported first-quarter revenue of $12.67 billion and adjusted earnings of 13 cents per share, both surpassing analyst expectations, but issued a disappointing second-quarter revenue forecast of $11.2–$12.4 billion, prompting CEO Lip-Bu Tan to announce organizational streamlining and cost-cutting measures to enhance efficiency.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44903087/amazon-stock-downgraded-price-target-slashed-as-tariffs-create-uncertainty">"Amazon stock downgraded, price target slashed as tariffs create uncertainty"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) shares fell after Raymond James analyst Josh Beck downgraded the stock from Strong Buy to Outperform and cut the price target from $275 to $195, citing underestimated EBIT pressures from tariffs and macroeconomic headwinds.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44966124/ibm-shares-slide-despite-better-than-expected-q1-details">"IBM Shares Slide Despite Better-Than-Expected Q1: Details"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) shares fell despite beating Q1 expectations with $1.60 EPS and $14.54 billion in revenue, as investors reacted to CEO Arvind Krishna's warning that economic uncertainty may cause clients to pause spending.



For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/04/44962797/enphase-energy-stock-is-tumbling-wednesday-why-investors-are-selling-shares">Enphase Energy Stock Is Tumbling Wednesday: Why Investors Are Selling Shares</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/reiteration/25/04/44965222/metas-fundamentals-look-fragile-heading-into-q1-report-analyst-warns">Meta's Fundamentals Look Fragile Heading Into Q1 Report, Analyst Warns</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44995935/t-mobile-shares-drop-despite-better-than-expected-q1-report-details">T-Mobile Shares Drop Despite Better-Than-Expected Q1 Report: Details</a>



Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following <a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> on X</a>.



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Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Netflix, Novavax, Intel — And The Market Begins To Bounce Back

Sen.&nbsp;Elizabeth Warren&nbsp;(D-Mass.) requested answers from&nbsp;Apple Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) CEO&nbsp;Tim Cook, citing a&nbsp;pattern of &#8220;influence-peddling&#8221;&nbsp;between the&nbsp;iPhone-maker and the&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;administration over the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44970168/elizabeth-warren-slams-tim-cook-over-alleged-backdoor-deal-with-trump-to-shield-apple-from-crushing-china-tariffs-creates-the-appearance-of-impropriety" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trade negotiations with China</a>.



Amid escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, tech bull&nbsp;Dan Ives thinks the time is &#8220;ticking&#8221; for trade deals as Wall Street reels from the aftermath of a tug-of-war <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44891715/tech-bull-says-time-ticking-for-trade-deals-as-earnings-season-gathers-steam-calls-nvidias-china-disclosure-a-game-of-who-blinks-first" rel="noreferrer noopener">between the world&#8217;s top two economies</a>.



Earnings



STMicroelectronics N.V.&#8216; (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STM#NYSE">STM</a>) first-quarter FY25 net revenues of $2.52 billion represented a 27.3% year-over-year decline, beating the&nbsp;analyst consensus estimate of $2.51 billion. EPS of $0.06&nbsp;beat&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44978860/stmicro-calls-out-bottom-in-q1-forecasts-q2-rebound-focusing-on-cost-cuts" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst consensus estimate&nbsp;of $0.04</a>.



Alphabet Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) reported first-quarter revenue of $90.23 billion, up 12% year-over-year, beating a Street consensus estimate of $89.2 billion and EPS of $2.81, beating a Street <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44995955/alphabet-q1-earnings-highlights-google-search-youtube-cloud-show-robust-momentum" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of $2.01</a>.



T-Mobile (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMUS#NASDAQ">TMUS</a>) reported first-quarter EPS of&nbsp;$2.58, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of&nbsp;$2.44, and revenue of&nbsp;$20.89 billion, beating the analyst <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44995935/t-mobile-shares-drop-despite-better-than-expected-q1-report-details" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of&nbsp;$20.62 billion</a>.



VinFast Auto (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VFS#NASDAQ">VFS</a>) reported&nbsp;quarterly&nbsp;earnings per share of 54 cents loss, missing the street view&nbsp;of 23 cents loss and, revenues of $677.89 million missed the&nbsp;analyst <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44989420/vinfast-auto-maintains-ev-delivery-outlook-amid-macro-uncertainty-despite-q4-margin-drag" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of $859.08 million</a>.



International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.60 per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.40 and revenue of $14.54 billion beat the analyst <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44966124/ibm-shares-slide-despite-better-than-expected-q1-details" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of $14.4 billion</a>.



Texas Instruments Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXN#NASDAQ">TXN</a>) reported first-quarter revenue of&nbsp;$4.07 billion, versus&nbsp;estimates&nbsp;of $3.91 billion, and EPS of&nbsp;$1.28, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44966804/texas-instruments-q1-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-strong-guidance-prepared-to-navigate-the-evolving-supply-chain-dynamics" rel="noreferrer noopener">versus estimates of $1.07</a>.



Lam Research (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>) reported quarterly earnings of&nbsp;$1.04&nbsp;per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of&nbsp;98 cents, and, revenue of $4.72 billion,&nbsp;which beat the analyst <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44965339/lam-research-stock-climbs-after-strong-q3-results-q4-guidance-above-estimates" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of&nbsp;$4.59 billion</a>.



Check Point Software Technologies (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) reported quarterly revenue growth of 7% year over year to $637.8 million, topping the&nbsp;analyst consensus estimate of $636.2 million and adjusted EPS of $2.21, beat the&nbsp;analyst <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44962682/check-point-q1-earnings-revenue-beats-expectations-ceo-highlights-strong-demand-for-quantum-force-and-ai-platform" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of $2.19.</a>



AT&amp;T Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/T#NYSE">T</a>) reported operating revenues of $30.63 billion beating the&nbsp;analyst consensus estimate of $30.35 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.51 also beat&nbsp;the&nbsp;analyst<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44947739/att-adds-324-thousand-postpaid-subscribers-in-q1-outpaces-verizons-289-thousand-loss" rel="noreferrer noopener"> consensus estimate of $0.49</a>.



SAP SE (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAP#NYSE">SAP</a>) reported quarterly revenue of 9.01 billion euros ($9.48 billion), beating analyst estimates and earnings of 1.44 euros ($1.54) per share <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44938879/sap-shares-climb-on-better-than-expected-q1-results" rel="noreferrer noopener">also came in ahead of estimates</a>.



Verizon Communications (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>) reported&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;first-quarter revenue growth was 1.5% year-over-year, reaching $33.49 billion, topping the&nbsp;analyst consensus estimate of $33.24 billion. Adjusted EPS of $1.19 topped the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44920917/verizon-struggles-with-subscriber-losses-from-price-increases-competition-and-lower-government-support" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst&nbsp;consensus estimate of $1.15</a>.



Smartphones &amp; Technology



The&nbsp;iPhone 17 series, the latest smartphone line-up from&nbsp;Apple, is reportedly facing significant stock shortages, and CEO&nbsp;Tim Cook&nbsp;is worried about it. The scarcity of Low CTE fiberglass cloth is reportedly causing a strain <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44917129/apple-ceo-tim-cook-gets-anxious-over-this-issue-threatening-the-inventory-of-iphone-17-he-is-pushing-suppliers-every-day" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on the&nbsp;stock of the iPhone 17&nbsp;series.</a>



Elon Musk&nbsp;says that&nbsp;Neuralink, which specializes in creating Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI), will help <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44892867/elon-musk-says-neuralink-will-help-blind-people-see-again-will-exceed-the-best-human-eyes" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘completely blind&#8217; people see again</a>.



Elon Musk&#8216;s BCI (Brain-Chip Interface) company&nbsp;Neuralink&nbsp;is reportedly eyeing an $8.5 billion pre-money valuation<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44972585/elon-musks-neuralink-eyes-8-5-billion-pre-money-valuation-in-latest-funding-round-report" rel="noreferrer noopener"> amid talks with potential investors</a>.



Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) introduced a newly redesigned version of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44973292/satya-nadella-calls-it-scaffolding-for-my-workday-introduces-microsoft-365-copilots-ai-glow-up-to-reshape-how-we-work" rel="noreferrer noopener">its Microsoft 365 Copilot app</a>.



Automotive



Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) has reportedly pivoted its marketing for the Cybertruck as CEO&nbsp;Elon Musk&#8216;s EV giant rebrands the vehicle <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44919745/cybertruck-gets-a-down-to-earth-redesign-as-tesla-shifts-to-traditional-pickup-marketing-amid-poor-sales" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">to showcase its utilitarian quotient</a>.



Tesla plans to ramp up production of its&nbsp;humanoid robot&nbsp;Optimus&nbsp;are facing significant roadblocks due to supply chain constraints and China&#8217;s new export <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44941025/tesla-optimus-robot-hit-by-chinas-rare-earth-magnet-crackdown-elon-musk-says-thousands-may-be-ready-by-year-end-but-no-guarantees-when-you-have-a-complex-manufactured-product" rel="noreferrer noopener">restrictions on rare earth materials</a>.



Elon Musk&nbsp;shared a comprehensive list of updates on the company&#8217;s FSD (Full Self-Driving) technology, crucial <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44943387/elon-musk-shares-fsd-update-at-tesla-earnings-call-10-to-20-model-ys-will-offer-paid-robotaxi-rides-in-june" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for Tesla&#8217;s Cybercab ambitions</a>.



Tesla has revealed that the company is running its autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin, as well as<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44972108/tesla-quietly-launched-robotaxi-service-for-employees-before-june-debut-now-reports-1500-completed-trips" rel="noreferrer noopener"> the San Francisco Bay Area</a>.



Chinese battery manufacturer&nbsp;CATL&nbsp;(Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited) has launched the second-generation <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44894382/tesla-battery-supplier-catl-unveils-new-fast-charging-battery-with-323-mile-range-in-five-minutes" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Shenxing&#8217; fast-charging battery</a>.



Nio Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>) has announced it will delay the launch of its Firefly EV in Europe to the third quarter after it claimed to launch <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44915240/tesla-rival-nio-delays-the-european-launch-of-firefly-ev-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">the product in the first half of 2025</a>.



General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) will continue to produce its Ultium architecture-based EVs like the Chevrolet Equinox at its production <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44916042/general-motors-has-no-plans-to-move-ev-production-away-from-mexico-despite-tariff-uncertainty" rel="noreferrer noopener">facility in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico</a>.



Geely Automobile Holdings&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GELYF#OTC">GELYF</a>) announced that the company will share its battery safety <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44945220/chinas-geely-announces-it-will-share-battery-safety-patents-safety-lab-with-the-auto-industry" rel="noreferrer noopener">patents at the Shanghai Auto Show</a>.



BYD Co., Ltd (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDY#OTC">BYDDY</a>) is pivoting its European strategy as the Chinese EV manufacturer looks <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44946809/byd-rejigs-european-strategy-amid-lack-of-market-knowledge-and-modest-dealer-network-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">to expand into the market</a>.



Image: Shutterstock

Mid Cap

BYDDY

CHKP

GELYF

GOOG

LRCX

Consumer Tech News (Apr 21-Apr 25): Microsoft's Copilot Gets a Sleek New Look, Apple Under Fire For 'Influence-Peddling' In US-China Trade & More

In a recent poll, a significant number of voters said that President Donald Trump&#8216;s second term has been &#8220;chaotic&#8221; and &#8220;scary.&#8221; The poll also indicates a considerable disapproval rate for Trump&#8217;s handling of major issues.



What Happened: The New York Times/Siena College <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/25/us/politics/trump-poll-approval.html?login=email&amp;auth=login-email">poll</a> reveals that 66% of registered voters describe Trump&#8217;s second term as &#8220;chaotic,&#8221; while 59% label it as &#8220;scary.&#8221;



The survey also indicates that 47% of Republican voters and 75% of independents concur with the term &#8220;chaotic.&#8221; However, fewer Republicans (36%) and independents (61%) agreed with the term &#8220;scary.&#8221;



Trump&#8217;s handling of all of the specific issues in the poll was found to be negative. His highest approval was for his handling of immigration, with 47% approving and 51% disapproving.



His lowest approval ratings were for his management of the Ukraine-Russia war and the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, with only 35% and 31% approval respectively.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44891004/meet-the-key-five-people-who-are-shaping-trumps-economic-agenda">Meet the Key Five People Who Are Shaping Trump&#8217;s Economic Agenda</a>



Overall, 42% approved of Trump&#8217;s second stint in the Oval Office so far, while 54% disapproved. The poll surveyed 913 voters nationwide between April 21-24.



Why It Matters: This poll comes at a time when the President&#8217;s approval ratings have been consistently low. The perception of his second term as &#8220;chaotic&#8221; and &#8220;scary&#8221; by a majority of voters could potentially impact the upcoming mid-term elections.



The significant disapproval rate for Trump&#8217;s handling of key issues, particularly the Ukraine-Russia war and immigration, may also influence voters&#8217; decisions in the future. 



The high disapproval rate among independents, who often play a crucial role in elections, is another factor that could have significant political implications.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44780349/trumps-tariff-policies-fuel-economic-concerns-economists-expect-slower-growth-ahead" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump's Tariff Policies Fuel Economic Concerns, Economists Expect Slower Growth Ahead</a>



Image: Shutterstock/Evan El-Amin

Trump's Second Term Viewed as 'Chaotic' and 'Scary' by Majority of Voters

A Reddit <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/economy/comments/1k54s6p/does_anybody_here_honestly_believe_that_real/">post</a> questioning the future of manufacturing in the U.S. sparked an avalanche of opinions this week. The original poster was straightforward: "You&#8217;d have to pay Americans $40-$50 an hour to work inside a manufacturing building, probably higher with benefits."&nbsp;



And they argued that bringing back domestic production would make consumer goods like iPhones way more expensive: "That $1,300 iPhone would easily be $3,000."



So, is a real comeback for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44880439/80-of-americans-say-the-country-would-be-better-off-with-more-manufacturing-jobs-but-only-25-want-one-themselves">American manufacturing</a> on the table?



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Automation, Not Labor, Is the Real Trend</h2>



The most common response was that even if manufacturing comes back, humans won't be the ones doing most of the work. "If it does, it will be mostly automated," one user wrote, pointing to Canon's fully automated camera factory in Japan as a real-world example. Another added, "New Chinese car factories are just <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/43422818/beyond-self-driving-cars-factory-automation-takes-center-stage">supervised robots</a> with a few humans for quality control."



One user summed it up with a bit of dark humor: "The factory of the future will have only two employees, a man and a dog. The man is there to feed the dog. The dog is there to stop the man from touching the equipment."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Labor Costs Are Just One Part of the Puzzle</h2>



Others pushed back on the $40/hour claim. One Redditor noted that most manufacturing jobs in the U.S. pay around $17 to $25 per hour. Managers might make $30 to $35. Still, even that adds up quickly for employers compared to overseas options.



Trending: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>



Another chimed in with data: "Chinese factory workers make [around] $32,000 a year." In other words, they're not working for $5 a day anymore.



Furthermore, Gen Z is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44881768/nearly-4-million-manufacturing-jobs-are-opening-as-boomers-retirebut-gen-z-is-not-interested">not particularly interested in factory jobs</a>, despite the increasing number of openings as older workers retire.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Building Factories Isn't a 90-Day Project</h2>



Even if companies wanted to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., it wouldn't be fast or cheap. "Preconstruction alone for a new facility would take about a year," said one construction worker.&nbsp;



A user in project engineering added, "As an engineer, the logistics of moving production to the other side of the world presents a host of logistical challenges that would take years to resolve."



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/overplay">Mark Cuban Backs This Innovative Startup That Turns Videos into Games&nbsp; &#8212; Claim Your Share Now</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tariffs, Politics, and Broken Promises</h2>



Several commenters pointed to policy uncertainty as a huge barrier. As one put it, "Thing is, these trade policies will be reversed in the next election with a new President. Not many companies are going to move their manufacturing back to the U.S. because it takes years to build a factory and by then, these policies will be a distant memory."&nbsp;



Others saw the situation as more chaotic than malicious. "I honestly don't believe in the &#8216;evil genius with a decades-long plot&#8217; thing anymore. But I get the appeal. It's comforting to think there's a plan. Even an evil plan. Because the alternative—that these people are just not very smart and it's all chaos—is even more terrifying."



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Image: Shutterstock

'Does Anybody Honestly Believe Manufacturing Is Coming Back To The US?' One Person Asked. Says, 'You'd Have To Pay Americans $40–$50/Hr'

A majority of Americans is expressing concern about the economy&#8217;s trajectory amid rising <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44884282/analyst-predicts-recession-is-coming-despite-financial-crisis-put-on-hold-warns-rich-kids-insulated-from-their-own-actions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumer costs and potential recession risks</a>, and President Donald Trump&#8216;s approval rating is taking the hit.



In a <a href="https://apnorc.org/projects/three-quarters-of-the-public-expect-tariffs-to-increase-consumer-prices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new poll</a> conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research between April 17-21, roughly three-quarters of adults predict that tariffs will drive up consumer prices, while about six in ten disapprove of the president&#8217;s handling of economic and trade matters.



Sixty-one percent of respondents said they are troubled by soaring grocery bills, while about half voiced anxiety about an impending economic downturn and the affordability of major purchases.



Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44871428/blackstone-president-warns-of-recession-risk-tied-to-trumps-tariffs" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blackstone President Warns Of Recession Risk Tied To Trump&#8217;s Tariffs</a>



Meanwhile, fewer participants expressed immediate fears about the availability of goods on store shelves.



Fifty-two percent of those surveyed oppose tariffs altogether, and 59% believe Trump exceeded reasonable limits in imposing them.



However, public opinion remains split on tariffs&#8217; impact on jobs: about 40% anticipate job growth, while a similar share foresees job losses. Half of respondents expect an uptick in domestic manufacturing.



Views about the economy remain sharply divided along party lines. Approximately six in ten Republicans rate the economy as healthy, while more than eight in ten Democrats rate it poorly.



Concern about a near-term recession runs far higher among Democrats than Republicans, the survey found.



Democrats Oppose Tariffs More Strongly Than Republicans Support Them



Opposition to tariffs is notably stronger among Democrats—82% are against them, including 62% who strongly object. Meanwhile, 55% of Republicans favor tariffs, with 27% expressing strong approval, according to the poll. 



Despite political divisions, majorities across parties agree that tariffs are likely to push consumer prices higher.



Financial anxiety is another point of concern, with 52% of Democrats and 50% of independents citing major personal finance stress, compared to 34% of Republicans. 



Notably, perceptions of economic conditions have flipped dramatically since Trump&#8217;s inauguration, with Republicans now far more optimistic and Democrats markedly more pessimistic than in previous years.



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/45027002/benzinga-bulls-and-bears-netflix-novavax-intel-and-the-market-begins-to-bounce-back" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Netflix, Novavax, Intel — And The Market Begins To Bounce Back</a></li>
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Image: Shutterstock

Equities

General

Trump's Approval Plummets As Tariffs Bite, Americans Expect Skyrocketing Prices and Shrinking Wallets

New Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins indicated a friendlier approach toward cryptocurrency during his tenure on Friday, highlighting the need for a clear regulatory policy to help the industry thrive in the U.S.



What Happened: During the cryptocurrency task force roundtable, Atkins emphasized the significance of blockchain technology in modernizing the financial system, predicting it to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, increase transparency, and mitigate risks.



&#8220;Market participants engaging with this technology deserve clear regulatory rules of the road,&#8221; Atkins said. &#8220;Innovation has been stifled for the last several years due to market and regulatory uncertainty that, unfortunately, the SEC has fostered.&#8221;



He expressed his enthusiasm to collaborate with market participants, President Donald Trump's administration, and Congress to create a &#8220;rational, fit-for-purpose&#8221; regulatory framework for crypto assets.



Atkins also expressed his appreciation for Commissioner Hester Peirce&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43685991/sec-crypto-task-force-head-heister-peirce-was-asked-if-trump-melania-memecoin-launches-made-her-job-difficult-this-is-what-crypto-mom-said">persistent advocacy</a> for a logical cryptocurrency policy in the U.S., saying the nickname &#8220;Crypto Mom&#8221; was well-deserved.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"></a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44971891/sec-teams-up-with-nayib-bukele-led-el-salvador-for-a-crypto-regulatory-sandbox">SEC Zooms In On Nayib Bukele-Led El Salvador&#8217;s Crypto Regulation Model</a>



Why It Matters: Atkins was sworn in as the 34th SEC chairman earlier this week, much to the delight of cryptocurrency supporters, including Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) Chairman Michael Saylor, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/44962422/michael-saylor-says-newly-confirmed-sec-chair-paul-atkins-will-be-good-for-bitcoin">who viewed the leadership change</a> as &#8220;good&#8221; for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>).



Atkins' stance on cryptocurrency regulation marks a departure from his predecessor, Gary Gensler, who saw much of the crypto sector as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41287244/sec-showdown-gary-gensler-defends-crypto-policy-while-commissioner-mark-uyeda-calls-it-dis">potentially violating</a> registration requirements. 



However, his ties with the cryptocurrency industry have raised concerns. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44468393/elizabeth-warren-questions-trumps-sec-pick-paul-atkins-on-ftx-ties-conflict-of-interest-over-trump-memecoin">questioned him</a> on his involvement with the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, potentially causing a conflict of interest scenario.



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<ul>
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/45002242/as-trump-memecoin-skyrockets-heres-a-look-back-at-the-doom-prediction-made-by-bitcoin-bull-max-keiser-months-ago" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">As TRUMP Memecoin Skyrockets, Here&#8217;s A Look Back At The Doom Prediction Made By Bitcoin Bull Max Keiser Months Ago</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

MSTR

SEC Chair Paul Atkins Says Crypto Deserves Clear Regulatory Rules, Praises 'Crypto Mom' Hester Peirce's Efforts

Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) shares have been under pressure as the company faces falling demand for its vehicles all over the world and a brand crisis amid CEO Elon Musk's involvement in politics. The stock has lost 33% in value so far this year. Tesla's deliveries <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/02/tesla-tsla-q1-2025-vehicle-delivery-and-production-numbers.html">fell</a> 13% in the first quarter year over year, while sales in Europe <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/02/business/tesla-sales/index.html#:~:text=Tesla%20does%20not%20break%20out,grew%2028%25%20on%20the%20continent.%23">dropped</a> a whopping 49% in the first two months of the quarter.



Ross Gerber, the co-founder and CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth &amp; Investment Management, said in an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcOVZf7FWEg&amp;t=97s">interview</a> with Schwab Network last month that Musk's reputation is one of the factors negatively impacting the company due to the executive's political affiliations.&nbsp;



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Gerber said that consumers need to "feel good" about buying a Tesla, but currently, concerns over political associations and the risk of negative attention are hurting customer sentiment. He said consumers do not want to be involved in the controversies related to the company, and the "fear" of how people will look at you if you are driving a Tesla car is impacting the company.



"We still own a lot of Tesla. I love the company, but the woes seem to just keep adding up, and the stock has come back to earth because the Musk positive has been offset now with Musk negative," Gerber said.



Trending: The secret weapon in billionaire investor portfolios that you almost certainly don't own yet. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">See which asset class has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 (1995-2024) – and with near-zero correlation.</a>



Robo-Taxis Not Enough to Ignite Growth



Talking about Tesla's financials, Gerber said the company doesn't "look good" in terms of technicals and fundamentals, as it's going through brand and execution issues. He believes Wall Street's earnings estimates for Tesla are still high and are tied to robots and robo-taxis. Gerber called these "moonshot" projects and said Tesla needs to focus more on selling vehicles to consumers:



"The growth isn&#8217;t predicated on selling robots or robo-taxis. Its growth is predicated on selling vehicles to consumers," Gerber told Schwab Network. "So, you know, these projects in some ways like moonshots are like great opportunities for Tesla that I don&#8217;t think they should not do, but they should be addressing the vehicle market that made Tesla what it is.&#8221;



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>



Trump's Victory Turned Out To Be ‘Not Good At All'



Gerber said that Musk's "huge bet" on President Donald Trump initially seemed to pay off, with a widespread belief that Trump's victory would bode well for the company. However, things didn't turn out to be as expected, and the company is getting attacked "because of the CEO," he said.



&#8220;The perception at the time was like this is going to be great for Tesla, but now that he&#8217;s there, it&#8217;s like how is this good, and it turns out it&#8217;s not good at all. And now people are like burning Teslas," Gerber told Schwab Network.



Gerber said Tesla can go "meaningfully" higher if it meets Wall Street's earnings expectation of $3.80 next year. However, he doubts the company's ability to meet these estimates:



&#8220;If It doesn&#8217;t, Tesla could go meaningfully lower with a revaluation of what the [price-to-earnings ratio] should be, and maybe it should be 50, and then you&#8217;ve got some serious decline. So it&#8217;s not me who decides that, it&#8217;s the market," Gerber said.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li>Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now</a>.</li>



<li>Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

Ross Gerber Says Elon Musk A 'Negative' For Tesla Stock, Trump's Win Proved 'Not Good At All' For Company

Sen. Jon Ossoff&nbsp;(D-Ga.) called for President Donald Trump&#8217;s impeachment on Friday for rewarding investors in his Official Trump (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>) meme coin with a gala dinner.



What Happened: Ossoff, a Democrat from Georgia,&nbsp;voiced his concerns&nbsp;at a town hall, contending that Trump&#8217;s act of selling access to him in exchange for payments made through his memecoin is an impeachable offense.



&#8220;He is granting audiences to people who purchase the meme coin that directly enriches him,&#8221; Ossoff said. &#8220;When the sitting president of the United States is selling access for what are effectively payments directly to him, there is no question that rises to the level of an impeachable offense.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Sen. Ossoff hosts town hall meeting in Marietta" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LF2xsYOi9H8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45010932/dogecoin-surges-17-on-the-week-what-is-going-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dogecoin Surges 17% On The Week: What Is Going On?</a>



Ossoff was not alone in raising these concerns. Fellow Democratic lawmakers Rep.&nbsp;Adam Schiff&nbsp;(D-Calif.)&nbsp;and Sen. Elizabeth Warren&nbsp;(D-Mass.) have requested that the U.S. Office of Government Ethics investigate Trump&#8217;s potential violation of federal ethics regulations over the private dinner event, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/25/trump-dinner-for-meme-coin-prompts-senators-to-demand-ethics-probe.html">reported </a>CNBC.



Why It Matters: These allegations come even as the team behind the TRUMP meme coin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45012922/trump-meme-coin-surges-15-as-organizers-clarify-participation-rules-for-gala-dinner">updated its terms and condition</a>s to indicate that Trump may not attend the gala dinner and that the event may be cancelled or rescheduled at their discretion.



The controversy began after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44959727/trump-token-price-explodes-60-following-announcement-of-private-dinner-with-donald-trump">top 220 cryptocurrency holders </a>were invited to an exclusive dinner with Trump, while the top 25 holders were promised access to a VIP reception and White House tour, as well as limited-edition commemorative non-fungible tokens. The memecoin surged as much as 65% on the announcement.



The project, 80% of whose supply is controlled by an affiliate of the Trump Organization, emphasizes that TRUMP is not a political initiative or investment opportunity but an expression of support for Trump&#8217;s ideals. 



Trump has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44555553/will-the-greatest-of-them-all-trump-memecoin-make-its-way-to-trump-media-etfs-polymarket-bettors-think-its-unlikely">promoted the meme coin</a> via his Truth Social account, deeming it &#8220;the greatest of them all&#8221;&nbsp;in March.



Price Action: At the time of writing, TRUMP was exchanging hands at $14.92, up 11.35 in the last 24 hours, and over 77% over the week, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42935252/shiba-inu-burns-skyrocket-by-300-amid-calls-for-larger-burns-from-shib-army" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shiba Inu Burns Skyrocket by 300% Amid Calls for Larger Burns From SHIB Army</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Image: Shutterstock/Phil Mistry

$TRUMP

Trump's Memecoin Dinner Event Sparks Impeachment Call From Democratic Senator, Says POTUS Is Selling Access To Those Who Enrich Him

A colossal explosion Saturday at a port in southern Iran, associated with a missile propellant shipment, claimed at least five lives and injured more than 700 people.



What Happened: According to an Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-explosion-fire-bandar-abbas-72637c6b3e152a30045275f57ace29ed">report</a>, the blast took place at the Shahid Rajaei port near the city of Bandar Abbas. In March, the port had received a shipment of sodium perchlorate rocket fuel, a chemical commonly used in missile propellants. The explosion coincided with the third round of talks between Iran and the United States concerning Tehran&#8217;s progressing nuclear program.



Iranian authorities, while initially vague about the cause of the explosion, dismissed any links to the country&#8217;s oil industry. Ambrey, a private security firm, posited that the explosion was likely a result of mishandling the rocket fuel shipment, intended for Iranian ballistic missiles.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/45018923/farmers-wonder-what-trump-meant-in-his-our-farmers-are-great-truth-social-post-youre-already-putting-more-th" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Farmers Wonder What Trump Meant In His &#8216;Our Farmers Are Great&#8217; Truth Social Post—&#8217;You&#8217;re Already Putting More Thought Into It Than He Did&#8217;</a>



Despite the blast&#8217;s close proximity to the missile fuel shipment, Iran has not admitted to receiving&nbsp;the shipment. The Iranian mission&nbsp;to the United Nations has remained silent on requests for comment.



The Shahid Rajaei port, which was the target of a&nbsp;2020 cyberattack attributed to Israel, is currently under investigation by the Iranian Interior Ministry to determine the cause of the blast.



Why It Matters: This explosion, linked to a missile propellant shipment, raises serious concerns about the safety protocols in place at the Shahid Rajaei port.



The incident also comes at a critical time, amidst ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran&#8217;s nuclear program. The lack of acknowledgment from Iran regarding the receipt of the missile fuel shipment further complicates the situation, potentially straining the already tense relations between the two nations.



The investigation by the Iranian Interior Ministry will be crucial in shedding light on the cause of the explosion and its potential implications.



Image: Shutterstock/Hamara

Deadly Blast at Iranian Port Tied to Missile Fuel Shipment: 5 Dead, More Than 700 Injured

Cryptocurrency markets are trading higher as whales continue an accumulation spree to fuel bullish momentum.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table style="overflow:auto; height: 90px; display: block;"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Gains +/-</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>$95,277.12</td><td>+2%</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</td><td>$1,799.22</td><td>+2.2%</td></tr><tr><td>Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)</td><td>$151.53</td><td>-0.2%</td></tr><tr><td>XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>)</td><td>$2.19</td><td>-0.4%</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</td><td>$0.1815</td><td>+0.6%</td></tr><tr><td>Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)</td><td>$0.00001387</td><td>+2.7%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Notable Statistics:



<ul>
<li>IntoTheBlock data shows large transaction volume decreasing by 22.1% and daily active addresses growing by 7.8%. Transactions greater than $100,000 are down from 11,905 to 10,849 in a single day. Exchanges netflows are down by 5,813.9%.</li>



<li>Coinglass data reports 131,279 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $291.56 million.</li>



<li>Crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez <a href="https://x.com/ali_charts/status/1915542519724511667">noted</a> that Bitcoin miners have earned more than $18.57 million in profits as prices raced ahead above $93,000.</li>
</ul>



Notable Developments:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45007049/bitcoin-etfs-see-442m-daily-inflow-as-btc-hovers-around-94000">Bitcoin ETFs See $442M Daily Inflow As BTC Hovers Around $94,000</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45008113/bitcoin-fundamentally-decoupled-from-us-tech-stocks-blackrocks-jay-jacobs-says">Bitcoin Fundamentally Decoupled From US Tech Stocks, BlackRock&#8217;s Jay Jacobs Says</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/45014801/heres-why-bitcoin-has-decoupled-from-stocks-according-to-standard-chartered">Here&#8217;s Why Bitcoin Has Decoupled From Stocks According To Standard Chartered</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45001061/shaq-agrees-to-amicable-proposed-resolution-with-ftx-investors-terms-to-remain-confidential">Shaq Agrees To &#8216;Amicable Proposed Resolution&#8217; With FTX Investors, Terms To Remain Confidential</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45012922/trump-meme-coin-surges-15-as-organizers-clarify-participation-rules-for-gala-dinner">TRUMP Meme Coin Surges 15% As Organizers Clarify Participation Rules For Gala Dinner</a></li>
</ul>



Top Gainers:



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table style="overflow:auto; height: 90px; display: block;"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Gains +/-</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin SV (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">BSV</a>)</td><td>&nbsp;$45.31</td><td>+47.7%</td></tr><tr><td>Virtuals Protocol (CRYPTO: VIRTUAL)</td><td>&nbsp;$0.9258</td><td>+24.8%</td></tr><tr><td>Dogwifhat (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">WIF</a>)</td><td>&nbsp;$0.6327</td><td>+16.3%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Trader Notes: Crypto chart trader Jelle observed that Bitcoin surged straight into the $90,000–$94,000 range with no real pause. 



If BTC manages to hold this zone through the end of the day, he expects weekend volatility, but believes the uptrend could carry into next week, citing strong bullish momentum.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> just chadded straight to the $90-94k area without stopping &#x1f440; Hold it above there until end of business today, let the weekend be choppy and we can resume pushing higher next week. Good stuff, happy weekend! <a href="https://t.co/EpYnVe81CT">https://t.co/EpYnVe81CT</a> <a href="https://t.co/6eSZnQjlBI">pic.twitter.com/6eSZnQjlBI</a>&mdash; Jelle (@CryptoJelleNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoJelleNL/status/1915780726542229602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Trader Degen Hardy is <a href="https://x.com/Degen_Hardy/status/1915770342267846735">watching</a> the $86,000–$88,000 zone as a possible long entry, noting it likely aligns with previous structural support or a key moving average. 



He warns that a weekend dip to shake out weak hands is possible given thinner liquidity. 



That said, if bulls maintain control, Bitcoin might either front-run the dip or simply continue grinding higher.



Elsewhere, Titan of Crypto <a href="https://x.com/Washigorira/status/1915793345852457242">noted</a> that Bitcoin has hit the $95,000 target and now eyes $99,000 as the next key resistance. 



However, he emphasizes the importance of holding above the prior monthly high, which BTC has just tapped, to confirm continued strength.



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45017648/bitcoin-climbs-12-on-the-week-as-traders-eye-run-to-100000">Bitcoin Climbs 12% On The Week As Traders Eye Run To $100,000</a></li>
</ul>

$BSV

$DOGE

$ETH

$SHIB

$SOL

$WIF

$XRP

Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Surging, But 'Choppy' Weekend Could Precede The Next Push

If you had $100,000 sitting in your account, what would you do with it? Buy a house? Dump it into stocks? Pay off your student loans and go on a Target spree with what's left?



In a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/2010/11/03/billionare-mark-cuban-entrepreneur-dallas-mavericks-secrets-self-made-10.html">2010 Forbes interview</a>, billionaire Mark Cuban—longtime "Shark Tank" star and the guy now trying to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44839817/billionaire-mark-cuban-says-pharma-is-the-easiest-business-ive-ever-disrupted-in-a-500-billion-industry-1-is-a-whole-lot-of-money">shake up Big Pharma</a>—offered his take. And spoiler: it's not what the TikTok finance gurus are preaching.



Instead of pouring it into the market or investing in a startup, Cuban said this:



"First I <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/42248381/mark-cuban-insists-credit-cards-are-not-your-friend-and-proposes-taking-out-a-personal-loan-for-expenses-instead-is-this-a-smart-move">pay off all my credit card debt</a> and evaluate paying off any other debt I have. What I have left I put in the bank."



Don't Miss:



<ul>
<li>‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.</li>
</ul>



That's right. The man who made billions selling Broadcast.com to Yahoo in the 1990s says step one is killing your debt. Step two? Parking your leftover cash in the bank—not because it'll grow, but because it'll wait.



His strategy is equal parts frugal and sharp. He adds, "Then I try to create as much transactional value as possible from that cash."



He looks at his entire budget and finds savings in boring but necessary stuff—like "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44065932/mark-cuban-was-asked-how-hed-invest-100k-his-answer-buy-bulk-toothpaste-and-soup-for-the-best-guaranteed-return-on-investment">toothpaste to soup</a>." Buying in bulk, he argues, gives you the best guaranteed ROI anywhere, sometimes saving you 30% to 50% on everyday items. That's your safest return, Cuban says. Better than trying to time the market.



Trending: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>



Cuban says, "Every five years or so there is a bubble bursting or amazing deals available because of a change in the economy." That might sound dramatic, but the pattern isn't entirely off. Look at the timeline:



<ul>
<li>2025: Commercial real estate's under pressure, VC funding has slowed, and inflation is still hanging around.</li>



<li>2020: COVID-19 hits. Stocks tank. Unemployment soars. Stimulus money floods the system.</li>



<li>2015: Oil prices plunge, China's stock market crashes, and U.S. markets stumble in a major late-summer selloff.</li>



<li>2010: The housing market's still reeling from the 2008 crash. Banks are shaky. Foreclosures peak.</li>



<li>2005: U.S. housing bubble in full swing—just two years before the subprime mortgage crisis begins to unwind.</li>



<li>2000: The dot-com bubble bursts. NASDAQ loses nearly 80% of its value in two years.</li>



<li>1995: Tech stocks start to soar, fueled by early internet hype. Just five years later—boom.</li>
</ul>



His advice might not be about nailing the exact timing—it's more about being ready when the shift happens.



Cuban continued, "Anyone who just kept their cash in the bank rather than in stocks over the past five to 10 years could be buying the home of their dreams for half price in most of the country."



See Also: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now</a>.



At the time, that wasn't an exaggeration. Following the housing crash, home prices had dropped dramatically, and interest rates—while not rock-bottom yet—were already sliding. His point wasn't about chasing returns in a savings account. It was about having dry powder when the rest of the market was drowning.



"They earned good money in half the past 10 years on the cash… and even though they aren't making much now, they have the transactional value available to them. Plus they have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43885487/billionaire-mark-cuban-said-the-first-step-to-getting-rich-is-giving-things-up-drink-water-eat-mac-and-cheese-and-save-every-penny">cash to invest if the market craters </a>and, most importantly, they sleep great at night."



And then comes the mic drop line: "Cash is king—and works far better than Ambien when you want a good night's sleep every night."



So is Cuban right? Depends who you ask. But if history really does crack every five years, and you're debt-free with cash on standby, you might be the one scooping up deals while everyone else is scrambling. And that sounds pretty Shark-like.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mark-cubans-advice-for-lotto-winners">Many are surprised by Mark Cuban's advice for lotto winners: Cash or annuity?</a></li>



<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Mark Cuban Was Asked What He'd Do With $100K: 'Put It In the Bank' Because Every 5 Years, A Bubble Bursts Or Game-Changing Deals Appear

When markets become moody, alternating between panic and euphoria, dividend stocks tend to offer a rare type of peace: predictability. For decades, they&#8217;ve provided a mix of income and stability that even the most flashy growth stocks can&#8217;t. And in that dividend-rich jungle, the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHD#NYSE">SCHD</a>) is an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">ETF kingpin</a>.



Let's talk receipts. Since its launch in 2011, SCHD has delivered total returns of 203%. That's not just "good-for-an-ETF" good—that's "maybe-I-should-rethink-my-investment-strategy" good. Along the way, it has consistently raised its dividend, even as markets fluctuated through pandemics, inflation tantrums and meme-stock mania.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44843179/the-dividend-etf-that-just-woke-up-and-why-investors-are-watching-closely">The Dividend ETF That Just Woke Up And Why Investors Are Watching Closely</a>



What's the secret sauce? SCHD holds a curated lineup of 100 high-quality, dividend-paying U.S. stocks. We're talking Coca-Cola (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>), Chevron (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>) and Altria (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MO#NYSE">MO</a>)—dividend legends, not one-hit wonders.



SCHD&#8217;s SEC 30-day yield is at 4.01%. That&#8217;s high. 



For perspective, as of 2015, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SCHD/dividends">SCHD&#8217;s typical yield has stuck around 3%</a>, and before 2022, it rarely broke through that. Yet here we sit, with a yield comparable to high-yield savings accounts—albeit many times more intriguing in the near future. Why? Because HYSAs don&#8217;t have to contend with compounding. SCHD&#8217;s does.



The Catch



Well, like everything in life (and finance), there is a trade-off. SCHD&#8217;s price has been hit in 2025, down close to 6% year-to-date and 9.5% in the last six months. Its increasing yield is partly due to declining prices. But long-term investors look at that as a signal to buy. Particularly those in pursuit of not only current yield but yield on cost (return/yield based on original cost and not current market price).



Projecting forward, SCHD could offer a yield on cost of over 14% in 10 years, assuming its current growth pace holds. The math makes a compelling case for SCHD as a long-term income generator.



Low Fees, High Value



At a mere 0.06% expense ratio, SCHD isn&#8217;t only generous with dividends, it&#8217;s also notoriously cheap on fees. That leaves more cash where it belongs: in your wallet.



3 Other Dividend ETFs Worth Watching



If SCHD is the class valedictorian of dividend ETFs, here are two other top-of-the-class performers that deserve honorary degrees:



Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VYM#NYSE">VYM</a>)



VYM targets U.S. businesses with higher-than-average dividend payouts and owns 589 holdings, so it&#8217;s more diversified than SCHD. Its current 30-day SEC yield is approximately 2.67%, and it has a bargain-basement expense ratio of only 0.06%. 



iShares Select Dividend ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DVY#NASDAQ">DVY</a>)



DVY goes the old-fashioned route, with a preference for utilities and industrials—your grandfather&#8217;s portfolio, but without the &#8220;old&#8221; part. It yields more than 3.7% and invests in stocks with a solid five-year history of paying dividends. With more than 100 holdings, it&#8217;s slightly more focused than VYM but offers a different sector bias that can complement a dividend portfolio. Expense ratio is 0.38%.



Bottom Line



While SCHD remains a standout stock for dividend growth, including VYM and DVY can add valuable diversity to your income strategy. Each provides something distinct in the way of dividend exposure—either more yield, defensive sector exposure, or longer-term consistency.



So if your portfolio needs a little less drama and a little more cash, consider making these dividend ETFs a permanent fixture at the table. Slow and steady wins the race—particularly when it pays you every quarter.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/04/44979728/intel-cuts-staff-etfs-brace-for-blow-q1-earnings">Intel Slashes Staff Ahead Of Q1 Earnings, ETFs Brace For Impact</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

Specialty ETFs

ETFs

SCHD

SCHD Is Down, But Its Dividend Is Up And These 2 ETFs Are Quietly Catching Up

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