Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas"> many investors&#8217; favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here&#8217;s a look at some of our top stories.



The Dow dropped 1.8% this week, while the S&amp;P 500 fell 0.6%, ending a three-week winning streak. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq gained 0.3%, continuing its climb, driven by optimism in tech and artificial intelligence. 



The Nasdaq 100, boosted by the Magnificent Seven, reached record highs, approaching the 22,000 mark and logging a 30% year-to-date gain. Five of the group's stocks, including Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), hit new highs, with their combined market value <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42492966/ai-driven-rally-pushes-tech-stocks-to-records-broadcom-enters-trillion-dollar-club-inflation-data-flashes-warning-signal-this-week-in-the-markets">surpassing $18 trillion.</a>



Inflationary pressures also persisted in November, with the Consumer Price Index rising 2.7% year-over-year, marking the second consecutive annual increase and presenting challenges for the Federal Reserve's 2% target. Shelter costs, which rose 0.3%, accounted for 40% of the monthly CPI gain, underscoring the sticky nature of inflation despite <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42436676/inflation-rises-as-expected-in-november-sustain-hopes-for-next-weeks-fed-interest-rate-cut">earlier signs of disinflation.</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/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42449593/tesla-stock-is-analysts-top-2025-sector-pick-elon-musks-political-involvement-will-accelerate-teslas-journey-beyond-autos">Tesla Is Analyst&#8217;s Top 2025 Stock Pick: Elon Musk Political Involvement May &#8216;Accelerate&#8217; EV Maker Beyond Autos</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, highlights Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) as an analyst&#8217;s top automotive pick for 2025, citing Elon Musk's political influence as a catalyst for Tesla&#8217;s expansion into AI, robotics, and renewable energy beyond its core automotive business.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42405504/dogecoin-can-touch-18-if-things-go-wild-says-influential-crypto-trader-thankful-for-the-dip-and-will-buy-more">Dogecoin Can Touch $18 If Things &#8216;Go Wild,&#8217; Says Influential Crypto Trader: &#8216;Thankful For The Dip And Will Buy More&#8217;</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, shares a crypto analyst&#8217;s bullish prediction for Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>), targeting $3 with a potential high of $18 in a &#8220;wild&#8221; scenario, while using dips between $0.40 and $0.30 to increase holdings early in the bull cycle.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42433049/microstrategy-nasdaq-100-inclusion-on-the-horizon-could-spell-59-upside-says-bernstein">MicroStrategy: Nasdaq 100 Inclusion On The Horizon Could Spell 59% Upside, Says Bernstein</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/murtuza-merchant">Murtuza Merchant</a>, highlights the significance of MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) joining the Nasdaq 100. Bernstein projects the move could enhance visibility, drive $2.1 billion in ETF inflows, and support a $600 price target, underpinned by the company's Bitcoin-centric growth strategy.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42433831/bitcoin-to-200000-ethereum-to-7000-solana-to-750-in-2025-predicts-bitwise">Bitcoin To $200,000, Ethereum To $7,000, Solana To $750 In 2025, Predicts Bitwise</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42453057/palantir-positioned-to-become-the-next-oracle-in-2025-says-dan-ives-messi-of-ai-set-for-breakout-year">Palantir Positioned To Become &#8216;The Next&#8217; Oracle In 2025, Says Dan Ives: &#8216;Messi Of AI&#8217; Set For Breakout Year</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/24/12/42412982/russell-2000-high-flyers-4-stocks-shaping-2024-with-quantum-ai-nuclear-space">Russell 2000 High Flyers: 4 Stocks Shaping 2024 With Quantum, AI, Nuclear, Space</a>



The Bears



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42404352/nvidia-china-antitrust-probe-may-remain-unsolved-in-near-term-says-top-analyst-investors-should-be-prepared-for-increased-scrutiny">Nvidia China Antitrust Probe May &#8216;Remain Unsolved&#8217; In Near Term Says Top Analyst; Investors Should Be Prepared For Increased Scrutiny</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/ananya-gairola">Ananya Gairola</a>, discusses China&#8217;s investigation into NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) for potential anti-competitive practices, with TF Securities&#8217; Ming-Chi Kuo predicting limited short-term financial impact but warning of escalating scrutiny, including possible future CUDA-related probes.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42402629/trump-to-change-dollar-stores-for-good-dollar-tree-exec-says-prepared-to-act">Trump To Change Dollar Stores For Good? Dollar Tree Exec Says &#8216;Prepared To Act&#8217;</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, highlights Dollar Tree Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLTR#NASDAQ">DLTR</a>) and Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) bracing for cost pressures from proposed tariffs, with Dollar Tree's CEO stating the company is ready to adapt its pricing and supply strategies.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42468190/defense-stocks-face-headwinds-as-trumps-doge-targets-spending-cuts-goldman-sachs-downgrades-general-dynamics-to-sell">Defense Stocks Face Headwinds As Trump&#8217;s DOGE Targets Spending Cuts: Goldman Sachs Downgrades General Dynamics</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/piero-cingari">Piero Cingari</a>, reports Goldman Sachs&#8217; downgrade of General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GD#NYSE">GD</a>) to Sell, citing risks from Donald Trump&#8216;s Department of Government Efficiency&#8217;s potential Pentagon budget cuts, while Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) and Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>) remain under scrutiny for valuation concerns and slowing growth.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42452944/larry-summers-cautions-on-trumps-tariffs-and-tax-cuts-markets-are-hair-trigger-sensitive-to-inflation">Larry Summers Warns Of Nixon-Era Risks In Trump&#8217;s Term: Policies Could Trigger &#8216;Significantly Larger&#8217; Inflation</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42482813/intel-cfo-hints-at-possible-division-split-as-company-struggles-to-recapture-moat">Intel CFO Hints at Possible Division Split as Company Struggles To Recapture Moat</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42430772/janet-yellen-warns-trump-tariffs-could-undermine-confidence-in-financial-markets-and-raise-american-household-costs">Janet Yellen Warns Trump Tariffs Could &#8216;Undermine Confidence In Financial Markets&#8217; And Raise American Household Costs</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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$DOGE

AAPL

DLTR

MSTR

NVDA

TSLA

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Tesla, Nvidia, MicroStrategy, Dollar Tree, And Dogecoin Prediction Of $18 In 'Wild' Scenario

Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, has positioned himself as a central figure in shaping the Trump family's political and financial strategies. He is a key figure poised to play a pivotal role in shaping America's trajectory alongside his father, Donald Trump. 



In a recent exclusive interview with Benzinga&#8216;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/bibhu-pattnaik">Bibhu Pattnaik</a>, Eric highlighted his father's focus on government efficiency, drawing parallels with Billionaire Elon Musk's approach to innovation. 



Praising Musk as "the Albert Einstein of our time," Eric underscored Musk's emphasis on creating efficiency in his businesses, including reusable rockets. 



&#8220;He&#8217;s a great chap. Elon Musk is the Albert Einstein of our time. The guy&#8217;s incredible. Actually, if you break down most of his businesses, what&#8217;s his recipe for success? And that&#8217;s, frankly, efficiency. He wants to make the most efficient rockets, ones that land back on top so they can be reusable in two weeks and everything else, right,&#8221; Eric told Benzinga. 



He further claimed that Musk&#8217;s efficiency-focused philosophy could reshape the U.S. government under a Trump-Musk alliance.



On Musk's role, Eric expressed confidence in his ability to contribute to America's progress, suggesting that his strategies could help cut federal spending by a trillion dollars. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/11/41869001/heres-how-trumps-policies-might-shape-the-markets-future">Here&#8217;s How Trump&#8217;s Policies Might Shape The Market&#8217;s Future</a>



&#8220;He wants efficiency, and that&#8217;s what DOGE is going to do. He&#8217;s going to create efficiency in the United States government. He&#8217;s going to cut a trillion dollars. I think Elon Musk is going to do an incredible job, and I think we&#8217;re going to see a stronger America because of it,&#8221; Eric added. 



Eric's comments framed Musk as a key partner in driving efficiency in both the private and public sectors.



Eric criticized the current federal workforce, alleging that a significant portion of government employees don't show up to work five days a week. He suggested reducing inefficiencies by cutting unnecessary roles and redirecting resources. 



He argued that such measures would lead to significant cost savings and a leaner, more effective government.



&#8220;Listen, 90% of the U.S. government doesn&#8217;t even show up to work five days a week. Yet you have 2.5 million employees in the United States government. Congratulations! if you&#8217;re not showing up to work, we don&#8217;t need you. Get rid of you and go be useful somewhere else,&#8221; Eric said. 



&#8220;Go do something where you&#8217;re going to be efficient. The commercial markets won&#8217;t allow somebody to not show up at work, right? Don&#8217;t take care of that problem. I think my father is going to create massive efficiency,&#8221; he further said. 



Eric also discussed his ongoing support for his father's campaign efforts, signaling a continuation of the family's influence on Republican politics. 



His remarks come as Donald Trump prepares for a potential 2024 bid, intertwining family business, politics, and innovation in a controversial but headline-grabbing vision for the future.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/42154761/majority-of-americans-approve-of-trumps-second-term-agenda">Majority of Americans Approve of Trump&#8217;s Second-Term Agenda</a>

News

Politics

Exclusives

Interview

EXCLUSIVE: Eric Trump Calls Elon Musk 'Albert Einstein Of Our Time,' Says Tesla CEO Will Help Build 'A Stronger America'

Peter Thiel has voiced his support for the Elon Musk-led <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/department-of-government-efficiency">Department of Government Efficiency</a> initiative, suggesting it could be a key strategy to prevent significant tax increases.



What Happened: During an interview on Thursday with Piers Morgan, Thiel noted that while many in Washington doubt the success of DOGE, he cautions against underestimating Musk&#8217;s potential.



The PayPal co-founder pointed out the unsustainable nature of the U.S. government&#8217;s 6% GDP deficit, indicating that the nation faces a choice between cutting spending and waste or imposing substantial tax hikes.



He pointed out that the recent U.S. election reflects a preference against European-style socialist tax increases, making initiatives like DOGE essential.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42406434/meta-and-youtube-remove-accounts-of-luigi-mangione-but-x-reinstates-profile-elon-musk-says-happened-without-my-knowledge?itm_source=parsely-api">Meta And YouTube Remove Accounts Of Luigi Mangione, But X Reinstates Profile: Elon Musk Says, &#8216;Happened Without My Knowledge&#8217;</a>



In response to Thiel&#8217;s comments, Musk concurred, stating, &#8220;Peter is right on all counts.&#8221;&nbsp;



<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">Peter is right on all counts <a href="https://t.co/YIUCVJ6mXy">https://t.co/YIUCVJ6mXy</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1867479072114348219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Why It Matters: The DOGE initiative, led by Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, aims to streamline federal spending and reduce the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42253427/elon-musks-doge-dream-team-from-marc-andreessen-to-ubers-travis-kalanick-silicon-valley-titans-join-forces-to-overhaul-federal-spending">budget by up to $2 trillion</a>.



The initiative has attracted Silicon Valley&#8217;s top minds to identify cost-cutting opportunities.



Ramaswamy has previously stated that most government projects should have a clear end date, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/12/42391076/vivek-ramaswamy-says-most-government-projects-should-come-with-a-clear-expiry-date-heres-when-he-says-doge-will-end">DOGE set to conclude on July 4, 2026</a>, aligning with America&#8217;s 250th Independence Day.



Last month, Mario Georgiou, CFA, and executive director, Head of Investments at InCred Global Wealth U.K., stated that the DOGE has the potential to achieve <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42131911/donald-trump-appointed-doge-to-have-marginal-impact-saving-50-100-billion-says-analyst-as-elon-musk-aims-to-target-500-billion-plus-in-federal-expenditures">annual savings of $50–100 billion</a>.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42383967/how-to-use-apple-watch-as-a-digital-key-for-your-tesla-car?itm_source=parsely-api">How To Use Apple Watch As A Digital Key For Your Tesla Car</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

Government

Tech

Peter Thiel Believes Elon Musk's DOGE Initiative Is The Answer To Avoiding Massive Tax Hikes: Tesla CEO Says He Is 'Right On All Counts'

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New On The Block</h2>



Intevac, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVAC#NASDAQ">IVAC</a>), which manufactures technologies for applications like solar cells and hard disk drives, has undergone a makeover. With its old restructuring woes in the rearview mirror, the company&#8217;s forecasted EBITDA is looking a lot healthier — basically, it&#8217;s flexing its financial muscles. Now, investment bank Houlihan Lokey is putting out feelers to see what kind of strategic alternatives are out there, which basically means they're chatting with anyone who might want <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mergers-and-acquisitions">to ink a deal</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Updates From The Block</h2>



Hershey Trust Co., holding a hefty 80% of the voting power at The Hershey Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>), recently told Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDLZ#NASDAQ">MDLZ</a>) to try again after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42398159/whats-going-on-with-hershey-stock-monday">rejecting their preliminary bid</a>, calling it &#8220;too low,&#8221; according to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-11/hershey-s-main-owner-said-to-reject-mondelez-s-offer-as-too-low?sref=TBDibEcD&amp;embedded-checkout=true">Bloomberg</a>. Meanwhile, Mondelez is wrestling with skyrocketing cocoa and coffee prices, possibly using that stress as fuel for their merger plans. Cocoa prices have gone through the roof—up over three times in the past year, and there was a 20% leap between October and November alone. Blame it on bad weather in cocoa-growing regions, shrinking global inventories, and the usual supply chain drama. Even BofA Securities analyst Peter T. Galbo jumped in, noting that Hershey looks like a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42483141/hershey-merger-talks-fail">pretty tasty merger target</a> amid all the cocoa chaos​.



Nippon Life Insurance wants to acquire all the shares it doesn&#8217;t already own in Resolution Life Group Holdings. The all-cash deal of $8.2 billion is the largest overseas acquisition ever by a Japanese insurer. It&#8217;s also only the second major deal Nippon Life has announced this year. It's clear that Japanese insurers, like Nippon Life, are on the lookout for opportunities abroad.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/24/12/42376708/nasa-mission-to-land-humans-on-moon-delayed-artemis-3-now-slated-for-mid-2027">NASA Mission To Land Humans On Moon Delayed &#8211; Artemis 3 Now Slated For&#8230;</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Off The Block</h2>



Dow agreed to sell a 40% stake in its U.S. Gulf Coast infrastructure assets to a fund managed by Macquarie Asset Management for $2.4 billion. The new partnership, cheekily named Diamond Infrastructure Solutions, will act as a go-to provider of top-tier infrastructure services for Dow and other industrial clients in Texas and Louisiana.



Novolex, the packaging giant backed by Apollo Global Management, has sealed the deal to acquire Pactiv Evergreen. The price hovers around <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42395976/pactiv-evergreen-realreal-kodiak-sciences-and-other-big-stocks-moving-higher-on-monday">$3.22 billion</a>. The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/apollo-backed-novolex-to-buy-pactiv-evergreen-for-3-22-billion-0e4815cf">reported</a> that the price tag equates to about $18 per share in cash, which is a sweet 23% premium over the stock's closing price of $14.66 on Dec. 6. It's also about 32% above where Pactiv's stock was trading on Dec. 2, right before rumors started flying about Apollo sniffing around for a takeover. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bankruptcy Block</h2>



The Onion's owners are upset with a bankruptcy judge for nixing their winning bid to buy Alex Jones&#8216; Infowars company. A federal bankruptcy judge declared <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/41982446/jokes-on-jones-onion-backed-by-families-of-sandy-hook-victims-buys-info-wars">last month's auction</a> and The Onion's offer "flawed," citing issues like a lack of transparency and an uneven playing field, as well as the failure to maximize value for Jones' creditors. This decision came after Elon Musk <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42229130/elon-musks-x-objects-to-sale-of-conspiracy-theorist-alex-joness-infowars-accounts-to-the-onion-claims-ownership-over-joness-social-media">stirred the pot</a>. Jones vowed that even if Infowars gets shut down, he'll simply move his operations to his backup studios and keep broadcasting via satellites, stations, and of course, Musk&#8217;s X platform. Despite all the drama, the ruling was a rare victory for Jones, who's been battling legal claims from the families of victims from the Sandy Hook tragedy, which he defamed by calling it a hoax.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notes From The Block</h2>



Fitch Ratings <a href="https://www.fitchratings.com/research/corporate-finance/us-corporate-m-a-could-accelerate-in-2025-credit-implications-mixed-02-12-2024">identified</a> several sectors with ample dry powder and legroom for acquisitions. They include construction, aerospace, gaming and leisure, healthcare, banking, and tech. Benzinga narrowed down which companies, based on growth potential and brand recognition, will likely attract suitors in 2025. These are primarily mid-size firms with market caps between $5 and $12 billion.



<ul>
<li>Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BROS#NYSE">BROS</a>): This takeover target boasts expanding profits, minimal debt load, strong brand recognition, and potentially untapped markets in the coffee-crazed northeastern U.S.</li>



<li>Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>): On Dec. 10, news broke that Sycamore Partners was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42421855/walgreens-stock-jumps-on-report-of-potential-private-equity-sale-what-you-need-to-know">exploring an acquisition</a> of Walgreens, who intend to take the company private and potentially split up its divisions.</li>



<li>Roku Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROKU#NASDAQ">ROKU</a>): ROKU's market cap is just under $12 billion, which is couch cushion cash for companies like Disney, Netflix, or Apple that could benefit from adding a hardware supplier</li>



<li>Zoom Video Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZM#NASDAQ">ZM</a>): With a $26 billion market cap, Zoom needs a buyer with deep pockets like Google, Microsoft, or Apple, but the company has plenty of positive free cash flow and a sturdy balance sheet.</li>
</ul>



For <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/24/12/42473024/5-merger-and-acquisition-targets-to-buy-before-trump-takes-over">more coverage, click here</a>.



For last week&#8217;s Deal Dispatch, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42378209/deal-dispatch-ubisoft-in-buyout-talks-dental-supplier-explores-sale-beloved-drive-through-goes-bankrupt">click here</a>.



Now Read:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42391429/canopy-growth-closes-acreage-deal-expanding-us-cannabis-portfolio-heres-what-investors-need-to-know">Canopy Growth Wraps Up Acreage Acquisition Expanding US Cannabis Portfolio, What Investors Need To Know</a></li>
</ul>

BROS

IVAC

MDLZ

ROKU

Deal Dispatch: Hershey Wants More From Mondelez, Houlihan Shops Intevac, Onion And Infowars Saga Continues

The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index – as tracked by the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) – extended its relentless climb this week, setting new record highs and nearing the 22,000-point milestone, fueled by strong investor optimism in the Magnificent Seven tech giants and the transformative <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/12/42447567/magnificent-seven-tech-titans-hit-182-trillion-market-cap-alphabet-amazon-apple-meta-tesla-jointly-notch-all-time-highs">potential of artificial intelligence.</a>



Year-to-date, the index has posted a robust 30% gain, on track to outperform the S&amp;P 500 for the ninth time in the last decade.



Since the start of 2023, the Nasdaq 100 is on track to double, nearing a 100% gain &#8211; a performance last achieved in 2019-2020 with a 102% rise and previously hit during the dot-com boom of 1998-1999.



Notably, five out of the seven Magnificent Seven stocks— Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) — achieved fresh record highs this week. The combined market capitalization of the group exceeded $18 trillion, surpassing China's gross domestic product at the end of 2023.



Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) emerged as the week's standout performer, soaring after a strong quarterly earnings beat and delivering upbeat AI-driven guidance for the coming year. The rally propelled the chipmaker into the exclusive $1 trillion market-cap club, making it the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42488220/broadcom-hits-1-trillion-milestone-the-next-magnificent-tech-giant">eighth-largest publicly traded company.</a>



Inflation data released during the week raised some red flags. Consumer inflation rose 2.7% year-over-year in November, in line with expectations, but producer inflation jumped to 3% year-over-year, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/treasuries/24/12/42460477/producer-inflation-rises-more-than-expected-to-3-in-november-cast-shadow-on-further-disinflation-progress">exceeding estimates of 2.6%.</a> This marked the sharpest increase since February 2023, raising concerns about potential cost pass-throughs to consumers.



Investors are fully pricing in a 25-basis-point interest rate cut at the Federal Reserve&#8217;s Dec. 18 meeting. Yet policymakers may signal fewer rate cuts for 2025 — potentially just three — while leaving open the possibility of a pause as early as January.



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President-elect Donald Trump rang the New York Stock Exchange opening bell on Thursday, expressing confidence in a strong U.S. economy. Trump was named TIME Person of the Year for the second time.



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General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) plans to abandon its robotaxi ambitions, aiming to save $1 billion annually and potentially license Tesla&#8217;s Full Self-Driving technology, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42429325/robotaxi-exit-to-clear-the-way-for-gm-to-license-tesla-fsd-says-gary-black-move-will-save-the-mary-barra-led-company-1b-a-year">says analyst Gary Black.</a>



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Alphabet's new Willow quantum chip showcases cutting-edge innovation. Analysts praise Google for advancing technology leadership, signaling potential breakthroughs in computing power <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42447332/alphabets-quantum-willow-chip-wows-analyst-google-at-the-leading-edge-of-technology-innovation">and commercial applications.</a>



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Global superstar Taylor Swift turned 35 years old on Friday, Dec. 13, and continues to be one of the most in-demand musicians as witnessed by a recent auction for old family Christmas cards and her recent success with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/12/42351922/trump-predicted-taylor-swift-sales-would-drop-target-data-shows-over-800k-sold">tour photo book.</a>



What Happened: Swift is likely celebrating the end of her <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/12/42393880/taylor-swifts-record-breaking-eras-tour-wraps-a-look-at-the-numbers">record-breaking "Eras Tour"</a> along with her birthday on Friday, but some investors or fans will soon be celebrating their recent purchase.



Auction company Goldin, which is owned by eBay Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EBAY#NASDAQ">EBAY</a>) recently sold two holiday photo cards featuring a young Swift on them, including two Christmas cards sent to friends and family by her parents.



The 1992 and 1993 Christmas cards, sold in separate auctions, featured Swift as a three-year-old and four-year-old respectively, alongside her younger brother.



The 1993 card features the written inscription "from our family to yours…much love, the Swifts/ Scott, Andrea, Taylor (4 years), &amp; Austin (almost 2)."



The Christmas photo cards sold for $2,318 (1992) and $2,566 (1993) for a combined $4,884.



<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">Up for bid at Goldin: Someone is selling the holiday cards they got from Taylor Swift's family in 1992 and 1993, when she was 3 &amp; 4 years old. <a href="https://t.co/5D0TA9BmeK">pic.twitter.com/5D0TA9BmeK</a>&mdash; Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) <a href="https://twitter.com/darrenrovell/status/1866888223701815558?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



"It's incredible the things people save from three decades ago," Goldin Auctions founder and CEO Ken Goldin said, as <a href="https://www.cllct.com/sports-collectibles/auctions/two-taylor-swift-family-holiday-cards-sell-for-nearly-5k">reported </a>by cllct. "The fact that so many people were interested in these two items and each received so many bids, it shows the incredible worldwide popularity of Taylor Swift."



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Why It's Important: Goldin has <a href="https://goldin.co/buy/?search=taylor%20swift&amp;page=1&amp;sort=Highest_Bids&amp;number_of_lots=96&amp;show_only=Sold%2520Items">sold </a>many Swift memorabilia items over the last year, and has <a href="https://goldin.co/buy/?search=taylor%20swift&amp;sort=Ending_Soonest">more </a>up for sale that ends in less than a week. Among the top sales for Goldin are a handwritten, twice-signed lyric sheet for Swift's song "Tim McGraw," which sold for $87,840, a signed acoustic guitar that sold for $9,762 and a lot of 40 signed "Folklore" CD inserts which sold for $5,957.



A separate 1993 holiday card also sold for $2,562 earlier this year by Goldin.



Swift's Eras Tour broke records and fans continue to gravitate to memorabilia and merchandise from the singer.



The singer recently released a photo book with pictures and behind-the-scenes stories from the tour through an exclusive partnership with Target Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>). The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/42244324/black-friday-frenzy-shoppers-queue-for-taylor-swift-merch-retro-gadgets-and-more-as-retailers-open-doors-early-amid-shortened-shopping-season">book drew lines </a>on Black Friday and also set impressive milestones in its first weekend of availability.



The book sold 814,000 copies over the Black Friday shopping weekend, according to data from Circana&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-book-sales-2024-record-c40605042af98eac2e9a7897a4bc2d73" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported&nbsp;</a>by the Associated Press.



The sales figures come with Target being the only retailer offering the book and being an in-store item for at least the first day. The number makes Swift&#8217;s book the top seller for the week and the biggest launch of 2024.



Swift&#8217;s book is the second-biggest nonfiction launch of all time, trailing only the first volume of&nbsp;Barack Obama&#8216;s&nbsp;2020 memoir, &#8220;A Promised Land,&#8221; the AP reports. The former president's book sold 816,000 copies in its first week. Unlike Swift&#8217;s book, Obama&#8217;s was widely released.



Goldin and eBay can be added to the list of companies that Swift has helped thanks to her popularity, a list that includes AMC Entertainment Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMC#NYSE">AMC</a>) and Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LYV#NYSE">LYV</a>). Swift was also recently named the top streamed artist on Spotify (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPOT#NYSE">SPOT</a>) for a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/12/42325116/2024-was-worlds-taylor-swift-era-once-again-spotify-reveals-top-artists-songs-albums-podcasts">second straight year.</a>



President-elect Donald Trump said that Swift's popularity and merchandise sales <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/09/40815602/trump-shakes-off-taylor-swifts-harris-endorsement-in-2024-election-shell-probably-pay-a-pri">could take a hit</a> after endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.



&#8220;She seems to always endorse a Democrat and she&#8217;ll probably pay a price for it in the marketplace.&#8221;



It appears Trump has severely underestimated the fandom of the Swifties.



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Taylor Swift Fans/Collectors Are Paying Over $2,000 For Old Family Christmas Cards

Former U.S. House Speaker <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/nancy-pelosi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nancy Pelosi</a> has been hospitalized after sustaining an injury during <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42479401/nancy-pelosis-stock-pick-broadcom-shoots-15-in-friday-pre-market-as-broadcom-ceo-sees-opportunity-over-the-next-3-years-in-ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">an official trip to Luxembourg</a>.



Pelosi, 84, was traveling with a bipartisan Congressional delegation to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge when she suffered the injury.



According <a target="_blank" href="https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-spokesperson-statement" rel="noreferrer noopener">to</a> her spokesperson, Ian Krager, Pelosi &#8220;sustained an injury during an official engagement&#8221; and was admitted to the hospital for evaluation.



Reports from U.S. media, citing anonymous sources, indicated that Pelosi fractured her hip after tripping and falling on a staircase during the event, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1wq3jld884o" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> BBC.



The injury comes just days after outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 81, also suffered injuries after a fall at the U.S. Capitol, underscoring the risks that accompany public figures&#8217; travel and engagements.



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Pelosi is currently receiving medical care and treatment in Luxembourg, with Krager assuring that she is &#8220;receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals.&#8221;



Despite her hospitalization, Pelosi continues to work from the hospital and is expected to return home to the U.S. soon.



Pelosi, a longtime California congresswoman, has had a prominent career in U.S. politics, serving as House Speaker from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023.



She was instrumental in several key legislative victories during her time in office. After stepping down as Speaker in 2023, Pelosi was re-elected to serve another term in the House.



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Presiden-elect <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump</a> is reportedly eyeing privatizing the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) after the agency reported a staggering $9.5 billion loss in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42454670/usps-chief-defends-plan-to-buy-more-electric-delivery-vehicles-says-wont-return-funds-without-legislation-from-congress" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the fiscal year ending September 30</a>.



This financial setback, caused by declining mail volumes and slower-than-expected growth in parcel shipping, has drawn attention to the Postal Service&#8217;s mounting liabilities, which now total nearly $80 billion, accoeding to a report <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/12/14/trump-usps-privatize-plan/" rel="noreferrer noopener">by</a> The Washington Post.



Trump has expressed interest in overhauling the agency, potentially moving it into the private sector, the report read, citing people familiar with the discussions.



Trump, set to take office on January 20, has spoken about his plans to privatize the Postal Service with Howard Lutnick, his nominee for commerce secretary, during discussions at Mar-a-Lago.



Trump&#8217;s push for privatization has been discussed with key figures, including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/elon-musk" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/vivek-ramaswamy" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vivek Ramaswamy</a>, both of whom are leading a non-governmental panel on government efficiency, The Washington Post reports.



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The panel&#8217;s discussions suggest a potential shift in how essential services like the Postal Service are managed, focusing on efficiency and reducing government expenditure.



Privatizing the USPS would likely reshape the landscape of consumer shipping.



Companies like FedEx Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDX#NYSE">FDX</a>) and United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPS#NYSE">UPS</a>) already dominate the parcel market. Privatization could narrow the scope of service, focusing on profitable routes, and leaving rural and less profitable areas underserved. This could affect millions of customers who rely on affordable, consistent mail services, particularly in regions where private carriers may not have the same reach.



The Postal Service, founded in 1775 by Benjamin Franklin, has long been a symbol of the nation&#8217;s commitment to connecting citizens. In 1970, it became a financially self-sustaining entity, tasked with binding the nation together through mail.



Despite the challenges posed by the digital age, it remains one of the most beloved federal agencies. However, with its ongoing financial struggles, the conversation about privatization has become more urgent. Trump&#8217;s plan, while still unclear, suggests a significant transformation of an institution that has served the nation for nearly 250 years, The Washington Post adds.



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Trump Eyes Privatization of Postal Service Amid $9.5 Billion Loss

Elon Musk, known for his work in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42383750/elon-musk-mocks-tesla-shorts-after-stock-hits-400-in-overnight-trading-on-robinhood">electric cars</a>, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/24/11/42151383/elon-musks-spacex-secures-new-moon-mission-contract-after-starships-successful-6th-test-flight">rockets</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42181583/elon-musks-neuralink-to-launch-new-feasibility-trial-with-brain-implant-and-robotic-arm">brain-chip technology</a>, once explored the world of comedy. Back in 2017, Musk decided it was time to take on satire, teaming up with former Onion editors Ben Berkley and Cole Bolton to launch a new media project called Thud!



Musk, a <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/899923514576084992">self-proclaimed fan</a> of The Onion, had previously tried to buy the satirical news site but couldn't close the deal. Instead, he offered Berkley and Bolton $2 million to create something new. According to the Verge, they eagerly accepted and poached a crew of Onion alumni to join them.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Birth of Thud!</h2>



<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">Thud!&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/973857445683462145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



In March 2018, Musk announced the project in true Musk fashion with a cryptic <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/973857445683462145">tweet</a>. He simply wrote "Thud!" and said, "That's the name of my new intergalactic media empire, exclamation point optional." Musk said the name was inspired by "the sound something thick and dull makes when it hits the ground."



But Thud! wasn't just about creating another news parody site. The team wanted to experiment with immersive and absurd satirical experiences, blurring the lines between reality and comedy.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Did Thud! Create?</h2>



The team developed several offbeat projects that are still floating around online, like DNA Friend, a parody of at-home DNA testing kits that claim to trace ancestry through photos of a person's mouth. TacStorm satirized American gun culture with its fictional gun that never stopped firing, while Ploog humorously advertised a &#8220;universal orifice adapter&#8221; that baffled audiences. Meanwhile, Mampfen poked fun at restaurant culture in Los Angeles, complete with an actual physical dining guide.



Some of these projects made their way into the real world. For example, a person dressed as a giant spit droplet promoted DNA Friend in New York City.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Empire Crumbles</h2>



Despite its promising start, Thud! faced serious challenges. Musk, concerned the satire could eventually target his own companies, pulled his funding in late 2018. This forced Berkley and Bolton to buy him out and try to keep the company alive.



Without Musk's backing, Thud! struggled. They had no business plan and couldn't secure new investors. By May 2019, the company shut down. Critics said the projects were clever but not funny enough to build a devoted audience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Legacy of Thud!</h2>



Today, Thud! is a quirky footnote in Elon Musk's long list of ventures. Its remains – a collection of satirical websites – serve as a digital time capsule of a bold experiment that fizzled out too soon.



Musk may have conquered electric cars and space, but it seems comedy was a frontier he couldn't quite crack. As the now-defunct Thud! website itself put it: "It was very aptly named."



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stopping Infowars&#8217; X Account Sale to The Onion</h2>



In a separate move, Musk recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42229130/elon-musks-x-objects-to-sale-of-conspiracy-theorist-alex-joness-infowars-accounts-to-the-onion-claims-ownership-over-joness-social-media">blocked the sale</a> of Infowars&#8217; social media accounts to The Onion&#8217;s parent company. The sale was part of Infowars&#8217; bankruptcy proceedings, but Musk's X Corp. argued that their terms of service prohibited transferring accounts without the platform's consent.&nbsp;



Musk's choice shows that he wants to control how accounts on X are used and passed on. He says that the platform owns the accounts, not the users. While there&#8217;s no decision yet, the case is making people think about who owns social media accounts and how companies like X can manage them during bankruptcy.



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Warren Buffett doesn't fit the mold of someone obsessed with traditional education, even though he's got the credentials to back it up. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska and a master's in economics from Columbia University. But here's the thing: the Oracle of Omaha doesn't believe college is a must-do for everyone – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41563534/warren-buffetts-son-says-his-allowance-was-75-cents-a-week-as-a-kid-and-his-billionaire-dad-woul">especially not for his kids</a>.



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In a 2019 interview with Yahoo! Finance, Buffett admitted, "My dad kind of jollied me into it. He could get me to do anything. If they'd had an SAT test in those days, he would have taken the test for me." That little anecdote says a lot about how he views college – not as some sacred path to success but as one option among many.



Buffett has repeatedly pointed out that college isn't for everyone. "Some people are going to get a lot out of advanced education and some people are going to get very little," he said in a 2018 interview with The Long-Term Investor. "I don't even think it's important that every person go to college at all." That's a bold statement from someone who evaluates the value of investments. And education, as he sees it, is one of those investments where the payoff isn't always guaranteed.



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Take his kids, for example. None of the three finished college. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/40881429/warren-buffetts-daughter-asked-him-for-a-41-000-loan-to-remodel-her-kitchen-but-the-billionaire-">Susie, his daughter</a>, came the closest – she was just three credits short. But, as Buffett joked during a 2018 Fox Business interview, "If you pool their credits, you got a degree."



Susie herself has said that growing up as a Buffett meant equal opportunity for all, regardless of gender. "He never treated me <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41198368/warren-buffetts-son-who-famously-cashed-in-his-90-000-inheritance-at-19-spends-millions-in-buffe">any differently than the boys</a> as far as you should do this or you should do that," she told Fox Business. That might explain why she felt no pressure to cross the college finish line – her dad didn't see it as a finish line.



For Buffett, the question isn't "Should everyone go to college?" but rather "Does it make sense for you?" He's quick to acknowledge that there are plenty of jobs paying $70,000 to $80,000 a year that don't require a degree. "It's a big commitment to take four years and the cost involved and maybe the loans involved. There ought to be a reason you're going," he told Yahoo! Finance.



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That's not to say he's anti-education. He famously said, "The more you learn, the more you earn." But he's also skeptical of stats that oversimplify the value of a degree. Comparing lifetime earnings of college grads versus non-grads? Buffett calls that "a fraud" because it ignores factors like ambition, access and plain old luck.



Still, the earnings gap is hard to ignore. In 2020, The Hamilton Project reported that the typical college graduate earns about $1.19 million over their lifetime – more than double what a high school graduate pulls in ($580,000). It's also $335,000 or 39%, more than the lifetime earnings of someone with an associate degree.



Buffett doesn't dismiss the value of education – he just doesn't worship at its altar. He grew up watching his sisters outperform him in school, yet they faced limited career options <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/08/40106860/warren-buffetts-wife-susan-said-he-feels-women-all-over-the-world-get-shortchanged-hes-all-for-l">because of their gender</a>. That stuck with him. "They scored the same as I did at tests and all that sort of thing," he told Fox Business. "They had better personalities."



So here's the takeaway: if Warren Buffett – one of the richest, smartest guys in the room – says college isn't for everyone, maybe it's time to rethink the "one-size-fits-all" approach.&nbsp;



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Personal Finance

Warren Buffett Doesn't Believe College Is For Everyone – None Of His 3 Kids Finished: 'If You Pool Their Credits, You Got A Degree'

Perianne Boring, a crypto lobbyist who is CEO of The Digital Chamber, says that Bitcoin&#8216;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) value could potentially skyrocket to $800,000 next year.



What Happened: Boring made this prediction this week during an interview with Fox Business. According to Boring, this prediction is based on the future policies of President-elect Donald Trump.



She indicated that if Trump&#8217;s proposed policies for the crypto sector are successfully implemented, Bitcoin could see a value close to $1 million or more than that.



The stock-to-flow (S2F) model, traditionally used for commodities and now applied to Bitcoin, supports Boring&#8217;s prediction. This model suggests that the price of an asset increases as it becomes more scarce.



<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">Personnel is policy: Perianne Boring <a href="https://t.co/52IPUr2owR">pic.twitter.com/52IPUr2owR</a>&mdash; Mornings with Maria (@MorningsMaria) <a href="https://twitter.com/MorningsMaria/status/1867562618518478849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



"The stock-to-flow model says it's going to be at over $800,000 by the end of next year. If Donald Trump is successful in putting forward a lot of the proposals that he's proposed to the community, the sky is the limit because Bitcoin has a fixed supply," she said. &nbsp;



Trump, who had previously expressed&nbsp;skepticism about Bitcoin and crypto&nbsp;during his previous term, has pledged&nbsp;to protect and grow the&nbsp;digital asset sector during his recent campaign trail. 



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>



He also promised to fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler and end policies that hinder&nbsp;crypto investors and companies from&nbsp;using digital assets.



Following Trump&#8217;s victory, Gensler announced his resignation effective from January. Trump also indicated that the US would cease selling its&nbsp;seized Bitcoin on the open&nbsp;market, opting instead to&nbsp;hold the asset as an&nbsp;investment.



Why It Matters: This prediction by Boring is significant as it ties the potential surge in Bitcoin&#8217;s value directly to the policies of the incoming administration. 



Trump&#8217;s shift in stance towards Bitcoin and his promises&nbsp;to protect and grow the&nbsp;digital asset sector could potentially lead to a significant increase in Bitcoin&#8217;s value. His decision to hold seized Bitcoin as an investment also indicates a recognition of Bitcoin&#8217;s potential as a valuable asset. 



This could further drive demand and scarcity, leading to a surge in Bitcoin&#8217;s value as suggested by the S2F model.



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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

$BTC

Analyst: Bitcoin's Potential Surge To $800,000 In 2025 Tied To Trump's Policies, Says This Analyst

Jeff Bezos is building a clock that makes the average wristwatch seem trivial. In a 2023 Lex Fridman Podcast episode, Bezos delved into the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/12/42370220/i-would-lose-almost-every-time-shaq-admits-he-invested-his-money-blindly-before-meeting-jeff-bezos-he-explained-what-the-future-holds">concept behind his $42 million project</a>: the 10,000-Year Clock.&nbsp;



Nestled inside a mountain in West Texas, this engineering marvel ticks once a year, chimes every century and showcases a cuckoo every millennium. Why? Bezos explains it's a bold symbol to shift humanity's focus toward long-term thinking – a concept he believes is critical in a rapidly evolving world.



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"This clock isn't just a piece of machinery," Bezos shared. "It's a reminder. Humans need to stretch their thinking horizons beyond quarterly reports or election cycles to generations ahead. Long-term thinking is the lever to solve problems that seem impossible when we're stuck in the short-term."



Although Bezos <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/04/38498372/jeff-bezos-is-so-rich-that-spending-1-000-000-is-like-the-average-person-spending-1-here-is-how-he-s">announced installation began</a> in 2018 via a post on X, there is no expected completion date at this time.&nbsp;



<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">Installation has begun—500 ft tall, all mechanical, powered by day/night thermal cycles, synchronized at solar noon, a symbol for long-term thinking—the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/10000YearClock?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#10000YearClock</a> is coming together thx to the genius of Danny Hillis, Zander Rose &amp; the whole Clock team! Enjoy the video. <a href="https://t.co/FYIyaUIbdJ">pic.twitter.com/FYIyaUIbdJ</a>&mdash; Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffBezos/status/965957024109379602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



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The clock itself is no small feat. Standing 500 feet tall and carved into a remote mountain, the design includes precision mechanics powered by natural thermal cycles. Materials like marine-grade stainless steel and hi-tech ceramics were chosen to ensure it lasts 10,000 years with no human intervention. As Bezos described, the clock will "accrue the patina of age" and eventually become a living piece of history, inspiring future civilizations.



During the interview, Lex Fridman posed a big question: "Do you think humans will be here when the clock runs out?" Bezos replied with measured optimism, saying, "Here on Earth? I think so." But he followed up took a more realistic tone: "The United States won't exist." He elaborated, pointing out that civilizations inevitably rise and fall. "10,000 years is so long. No nation-state has ever survived for anywhere close to 10,000 years."



Fridman noted how the accelerating pace of progress might further challenge long-term stability. Bezos agreed, adding, "It makes that even less likely."&nbsp;



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The clock's concept originated from inventor Danny Hillis in the 1980s, but Bezos has taken it to another level. By funding and housing the project on his own land, Bezos envisions it becoming a pilgrimage site. Visitors will have to hike rugged terrain to witness the clock in action – an intentional design to underscore its importance.



The clock's features are as mind-bending as its timeline. Five chambers mark milestones, including one- and 10,000-year anniversaries. A custom orrery will even track planetary movements and past interplanetary probes. Legendary musician Brian Eno contributed a chime generator capable of producing 3.5 million unique bell sequences, ensuring no sound repeats in any human lifetime.



Bezos emphasized that the clock is less about today's achievements and more about shaping the mindset of tomorrow. "We've built technologies capable of extraordinary wonders but also civilization-scale problems," he noted. By anchoring people to the reality of 10,000 years, the clock challenges humanity to act responsibly for future generations.



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This larger-than-life clock isn't just about engineering marvels or philosophical musings – it's also a testament to humanity's potential to think beyond the now. Whether it's climate change, global conflict or existential threats, Bezos believes the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/01/36578721/jeff-bezoss-refreshingly-normal-morning-routine-includes-puttering-around-drinking-coffee-chatting-w">solutions begin with a shift in perspective</a>.



The question remains: will this ticking timepiece succeed in nudging humanity to think further ahead? Bezos admits its true impact might not emerge for centuries, but that's kind of the point. "If it ever influences people to think longer term, that won't happen for hundreds of years," he acknowledged. "But we have to build it now."



For those daring enough to visit, don't expect instant gratification. It's a trek through desolate terrain, rising 2,000 feet above the valley floor. But maybe that's fitting for a clock that's teaching us all to slow down.



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Jeff Bezos Is Spending $42 Million On A Clock Designed To Last 10,000 Years – He 'Thinks' Humans Will Still Be Here, But Not United States

Kevin O&#8217;Leary has recently noted the increasing demand for data centers, describing them as a notable combination of real estate and technology with considerable potential.



&#8220;The demand is off the charts,&#8221; O&#8217;Leary said in a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO9iUXnVtOk">video</a> about the future of AI and tech infrastructure. &#8220;If I were 25 today, I'd focus on two massive opportunities: AI implementation and data center development.&#8221;



<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">If I were 25 today, I'd focus on two massive opportunities: AI implementation and data center development. Small businesses are desperate to adopt AI but need help executing it—that's your chance to step in and solve a huge pain point. And data centers? The demand is off the… <a href="https://t.co/ZoKWydqEmP">pic.twitter.com/ZoKWydqEmP</a>&mdash; Kevin O&#39;Leary aka Mr. Wonderful (@kevinolearytv) <a href="https://twitter.com/kevinolearytv/status/1865477807368745376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Are Data Centers and Why Are They Booming?</h2>



Data centers are the backbone of today's digital world. They store and handle huge amounts of information used for things like social media and AI tools. As more people and businesses rely on cloud services, smart technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), the need for data centers has grown fast.



When it comes to real estate, people usually think about homes, offices or stores, but data centers are different and bring something new to the table. They mix the steady nature of real estate with the fast growth of technology.



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O&#8217;Leary explains that data centers are more than just places to rent out. They also have special systems to keep things cool, constant power supplies and security to protect important information. They are key for running AI programs, which need much computer power and storage space.



&#8220;Real estate meets tech in the most lucrative way. This is where the future's heading,&#8221; O&#8217;Leary said. &#8220;Don't miss it.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Shift to Multistory Data Centers</h2>



Traditionally, data centers have been sprawling, single-story buildings in remote areas. However, the industry is going vertical with land prices soaring in prime markets and the need for more capacity. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/09/41080439/data-centers-are-building-upward-to-satisfy-demand-could-this-be-a-lifeline-for-commercial-real-esta">Multistory data centers</a> are now being built in urban and suburban areas, blending high-tech infrastructure with efficient land use.



&#8220;Data-center footprints are continuing to expand and if you can&#8217;t go outward, sometimes you have to go upward,&#8221; said Steven Donohoe, a senior executive at Equinix (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQIX#NASDAQ">EQIX</a>), a leading data center operator. These vertical designs allow data center operators to maximize their return on investment while meeting the growing demand for AI and cloud services.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Opportunities for Investors</h2>



There is an endless demand for data centers. According to O&#8217;Leary, only five significant data centers are currently being built in the United States, although the market requires at least 30 to meet demand.



For investors, this gap spells opportunity. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/data-center-reits">Data center real estate investment trusts</a> (REITs) like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DLR">Digital Realty Trust</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/options/24/09/40922851/a-closer-look-at-equinixs-options-market-dynamics">Equinix</a> lead the charge, offering ways to invest in this growing market. There are also private projects for building data centers that are catching the interest of people looking to start at the beginning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Lifeline for Struggling Commercial Properties?</h2>



Another potential lifeline for faltering commercial real estate could be the emergence of multistory data centers. Many suburban office buildings that aren&#8217;t being used could be converted into data centers, giving developers and landlords a new source of income. While not every office building can make the cut, the potential for repurposing these spaces adds another layer of opportunity in the real estate market.



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Real Estate

EQIX

Kevin O'Leary Says 'The Demand Is Off The Charts' For Data Centers. It's Where 'Real Estate Meets Tech In The Most Lucrative Way'

Bernie Sanders is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/07/39817447/warren-buffett-says-anyone-who-works-40-hours-a-week-should-live-a-decent-life-heres-what-he-pro">challenging the wealthiest Americans</a> with his call for a 100% tax on income above $1 billion. In a May 2023 interview on HBO's Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?, Sanders explained his stance: "You may disagree with me, but I think people can make it on $999 million. I think that they can survive just fine."



According to a Fortune article, Wallace asked, "Are you basically saying that once you get to $999 million, the government should confiscate all the rest?" Sanders responded with a direct "yeah."



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This reflects his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/12/42320573/musks-119-billion-wealth-increase-outpaces-dell-and-zuckerberg-but-guess-whos-catching-up">belief that the ultrarich</a> should not exist in a society with such extreme economic inequality. On his official Facebook page in September 2024, Sanders doubled down, saying, "We live in a nation today that has more income and wealth inequality than has ever existed in the history of the United States." He painted a stark picture of the divide, stating that while the billionaire class is "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/42217382/bernie-sanders-demands-scrap-the-cap-on-social-security-taxes-its-absurd-a-billionaire-pays-same-amount-as-middle-class-earners">doing phenomenally well</a>," 60% of Americans are "living paycheck to paycheck."



Sanders also addressed critics of his approach, saying, "What I believe is that we got to take on the greed of the billionaire class and say, yes, you know what, guys … you are going to start <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/42217382/bernie-sanders-demands-scrap-the-cap-on-social-security-taxes-its-absurd-a-billionaire-pays-same-amount-as-middle-class-earners">paying your fair share of taxes.</a>"&nbsp;



His plan doesn't just target billionaires' income – it includes a progressive wealth tax on households worth over $32 million, starting at 1% and climbing to 8% for billionaires. He's also proposed an exit tax of 40–60% on assets for those renouncing U.S. citizenship to avoid taxes.



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Critics argue that Sanders' wealth tax proposal could backfire, especially when fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The National Taxpayers Union Foundation warns, "At a time when new entrepreneurship should be fostered, a wealth tax would do the opposite." Their concern is that such taxes would disincentivize business growth and innovation, as founders could face steep tax bills simply for owning successful companies.



For example, a business owner with a company valued at $100 million would owe $1.2 million annually under Sanders' plan, forcing them to sell part of their stake just to pay the tax. Over time, this could discourage the creation of transformative companies like Tesla or Apple. Critics fear that these measures would ultimately stifle the very kind of risk-taking that drives economic growth.



A report from TaxFoundation.org also warned that wealth taxes could lead to capital flight, pointing to countries like France and Germany that abandoned similar policies after they proved ineffective.



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The results have been messy even in nations where wealth taxes still exist, like Spain and Norway. Spain, for example, has seen marginal tax rates climb above 100% in some cases, discouraging investment and hurting wealth generation across all income levels.



Despite the pushback, Sanders is standing firm. In his speech at the Democratic National Convention in August, Sanders stated, &#8220;Brothers and sisters, bottom line, we need an economy that works for all of us … not just the billionaire class."



Whether you agree with him or not, his proposal forces a crucial question: Is it time to rethink <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/can-you-guess-how-many-americans-successfully-retire-with-1-million-saved">how wealth is distributed in America</a>? Or will the unintended consequences of such radical ideas outweigh their potential benefits?&nbsp;



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Bernie Sanders Proposes Taxing Income Over $1 Billion At 100% And Urges It's Time To Make 'Greedy Billionaires' Pay Their Fair Share

Grant Cardone&#8217;s latest proposal to grant U.S. citizenship to 1 million immigrants who deposit $5 million each has sparked heated discussions. According to Cardone, this idea could inject a staggering $5 trillion into the American economy.



<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">&#x1f4b0;Make Immigration Great Again. Provide 1,000,000 immigrants with immediate citizenship when they bring $5M in deposits to USA. Instant creation of $5T in new investment dollars for America, resulting in new jobs, bank deposits &amp; business investments. How is this not a doable…&mdash; Grant Cardone (@GrantCardone) <a href="https://twitter.com/GrantCardone/status/1864032664141087077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Cardone tweeted his vision, claiming it would cost taxpayers nothing while benefiting the U.S. economy. "How is this not a doable idea?" he wrote. "This would result in new jobs, bank deposits and business investments. It's the opposite of allowing broke and homeless illegals to steal jobs and drain resources." While the tweet has garnered attention, it's just one piece of a larger conversation about immigration's role in economic growth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Immigration as Economic Stimulus</h2>



Cardone&#8217;s idea fits into discussions about using immigration to boost economies. According to experts like immigration lawyer F. Oliver Yang and contrary to what many believe, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/partner/general/24/04/38319536/business-immigration-is-vital-for-american-competitiveness-and-innovation-says-industry-expert-f-">bringing in immigrants fills critical positions</a>, generates fresh ideas and creates jobs. Yang points to programs that allow foreign investors and skilled workers to help local economies.



However, many developed countries struggle to support immigrants <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/05/38651903/developed-countries-need-immigrants-but-housing-just-isnt-enough-report">due to housing problems and high living costs</a>. For example, Canada recently decided to lower its immigration goals by 20% over the next few years to deal with a growing housing crisis, even though it knows it needs more workers to keep the economy running.



Rich immigrants are given preference under Cardone&#8217;s scheme, which has led some critics to doubt its viability and fairness. Although $5 trillion in new investments sounds promising, some argue that tying citizenship to income creates barriers for those who could contribute in other ways, such as possessing specialized skills or entrepreneurial talent.



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New immigrants, wealthy or not, may find it difficult to acquire housing and thrive in the United States due to housing shortages. Many Americans are already struggling with high housing costs and more demand could make homes even less affordable. In California, for example, people are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/09/40760293/california-could-soon-offer-undocumented-immigrants-up-to-150-000-in-home-loan-assistance-but-critic">debating a law called Assembly Bill 1840</a>, which would help undocumented immigrants with home loans. Critics worry it could stretch resources too thin.



Cardone's idea might be controversial, but it's not without precedent. Many countries, including the U.S., offer citizenship or residency to wealthy investors through programs like the EB-5 visa. However, scaling such programs to the level Cardone proposes would require careful planning to avoid exacerbating existing issues, such as housing shortages and economic inequality.



For now, his plan has rekindled discussions about how carefully considered immigration can – and ought to – influence the course of America&#8217;s economy. Immigration remains a potent, although divisive, tool for economic growth, regardless of whether his contentious $5 trillion ambition materializes.



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Grant Cardone: Offer Citizenship To 1 Million Immigrants Who Deposit $5 Million Each—'$5 Trillion In New Investment Dollars For America'

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