Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old progressive state representative, emerged as the frontrunner in New York City&#8217;s Democratic mayoral primary Tuesday night, prompting former Governor Andrew Cuomo to concede defeat.



What Happened: With 91% of votes counted, Mamdani secured 43.5% compared to Cuomo&#8217;s 36.4%. City Comptroller Brad Lander trailed with 11.4%, according to preliminary results.



&#8220;Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won,&#8221; Cuomo told supporters at his campaign rally, praising Mamdani&#8217;s &#8220;really smart and good and impactful campaign.&#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">Cuomo: Tonight is his night, he won <a href="https://t.co/prSuY58bXl">pic.twitter.com/prSuY58bXl</a>&mdash; Acyn (@Acyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1937701732508926291?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The outcome represents a significant rebuke to the Democratic establishment. Cuomo entered the race in March with superior name recognition and a 30-point polling lead, backed by billionaire donors including Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone and Avenue Capital Group CEO Marc Lasry, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/24/new-york-mayoral-primary-results">according</a> to The Guardian. Outside spending supporting Cuomo exceeded $25 million, setting a record for the city.



Mamdani&#8217;s grassroots campaign capitalized on endorsements from progressive leaders Rep.&nbsp;Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez&nbsp;(D-N.Y.) and Sen.&nbsp;Bernie Sanders&nbsp;(I-VT). His platform includes rent freezes and free citywide bus service, resonating particularly with younger voters.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/06/46087248/americans-used-to-fantasize-about-getting-rich-now-they-just-want-to-be-comfortable-1-in-4-dont-feel-financially-safe-many-want-150000-payslips">Americans Used To Fantasize About Getting Rich, Now They Just Want To Be Comfortable: 1-In-4 Don&#8217;t Feel Financially Safe, Many Want $150,000 Payslips</a>



Why It Matters: The race utilized ranked-choice voting, requiring a candidate to receive 50% of the votes for an outright victory. Mamdani&#8217;s cross-endorsement with Lander positions him favorably for second-choice tallies, though final results may take days.



Market implications remain significant given New York&#8217;s economic influence. Former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/03/44094049/cuomos-mayoral-bid-shakes-up-nyc-race-drawing-major-power-brokers-and-critics-alike">previously endorsed Cuomo</a>, emphasizing the need for &#8220;economic development&#8221; leadership and cooperation with the Trump administration.



Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent after corruption charges were dropped in April following Trump administration intervention, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/03/44094049/cuomos-mayoral-bid-shakes-up-nyc-race-drawing-major-power-brokers-and-critics-alike">remains deeply unpopular</a>. 



Mamdani would become New York&#8217;s first Muslim mayor if elected, marking a historic shift in America&#8217;s financial capital.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46087132/elizabeth-warren-says-the-tax-break-for-mark-zuckerbergs-meta-is-so-bountiful-under-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-that-35-copay-from-each-american-wont-still">Elizabeth Warren Says The Tax Break For Mark Zuckerberg&#8217;s Meta Is So Bountiful Under Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Big Beautiful Bill&#8217; That $35 Copay From Each American Won&#8217;t Still Match It</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com

Politics

Zohran Mamdani Leads NYC Mayoral Primary, Andrew Cuomo Concedes Race: 'He Deserved It. He Won'

Leading cryptocurrencies moved further up on Tuesday as investors hoped the ceasefire between Iran and Israel would hold and help calm geopolitical tensions



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Cryptocurrency</th><th>Gains +/-</th><th>Price (Recorded at 10:20 p.m. ET)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>+1.67%</td><td>$106,712.57</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+2.73%</td><td>$2,466.22</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+2.73%</td><td>$0.1668</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



What Happened: Bitcoin hit the upper reaches of $106,000 overnight but was still 4.75% away from its all-time highs. Ethereum reentered the $2,400 region and consolidated.



Bitcoin's dominance increased to 64.5%, while Ethereum's market share eased by around 9%.



Short position traders continued to get liquidated, with more than $115 million in downside bets evaporating in the last 24 hours.



Bitcoin&#8217;s open interest climbed 2.12% to over $70 billion, marking a significant improvement from the weekend dip. Interestingly, over 60% of Binance traders with open BTC positions were short as of this writing.



The market sentiment remained in "Greed," according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index.



Top Gainers (24 Hours)



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Cryptocurrency</th><th>Gains +/-</th><th>Price (Recorded at 10:20 p.m. ET)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Sei (SEI)</td><td>+23.98%</td><td>$0.3327</td></tr><tr><td>Maple Finance (SYRUP) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+21.80%</td><td>$0.5888</td></tr><tr><td>SPX6900 (SPX)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+13.76%</td><td>$1.36 </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.28 trillion, following an increase of 1.13% in the last 24 hours.



Stocks staged a sharp rally on Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 507.24 points, or 1.19%, to end at 43,089.02. The S&amp;P 500 gained 1.11% to close at 6,092.18, while the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite spiked 1.43% to end at 19,912.53.



Investors factored in President Donald Trump&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46072859/trump-says-israel-is-not-going-to-attack-iran-after-ceasefire-violation-turn-around-and-head-home">assurance</a> that a ceasefire between Iran and Israel is in effect, even as reports of renewed hostilities raised doubts about its durability.&nbsp;



See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>



Analyst Notes: Widely followed cryptocurrency trader bwatts identified a bull flag setup for Bitcoin, potentially leading to upward price continuation.



"Remains bullish as long as weekly candles are closing over $97,938. Needs a daily close over $108,403 for upside continuation," the trader projected.



<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/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> Bull flag setup. Remains bullish as long as weekly candles are closing over 97,938. Needs a daily close over 108,403 for upside continuation. <a href="https://t.co/SiP83ASBam">pic.twitter.com/SiP83ASBam</a>&mdash; bwatts  (@_bwatts_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_bwatts_/status/1937515863961469341?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Meanwhile, a smart trader doubled down on their Ethereum bearish bet, adding another 10,000 ETH to the short position.



The trader held 50,000 ETH short as of this writing, with unrealized profits down to $13.9 million



<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">Smart trader 0xcB92 doesn&#39;t seem bullish on <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a>. His <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> short once had over $26M in unrealized profit, but he didn&#39;t close it—instead, he doubled down by adding another 10K <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a>. He now holds 50K <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a>($122M) short, with profits down to $13.9M.<a href="https://t.co/PZR8ypAal9">https://t.co/PZR8ypAal9</a> <a href="https://t.co/wCnZ8BKNZt">pic.twitter.com/wCnZ8BKNZt</a>&mdash; Lookonchain (@lookonchain) <a href="https://twitter.com/lookonchain/status/1937685796770971670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Photo Courtesy: sundaemorning on Shutterstock.com



Read Next:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/06/46075421/crypto-is-macroeconomically-insignificant-yanis-varoufakis-in-2023-why-the-2023-warnings-s">&#8216;Crypto Is Macroeconomically Insignificant&#8217;: Yanis Varoufakis In 2023: Why The 2023 Warnings Still Resonate In 2025</a></li>
</ul>

Cryptocurrency

News

Markets

Movers

Trading Ideas

$BTC

$DOGE

$ETH

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Inch Higher As Investors Hope 'Trump-Brokered' Iran-Israel Ceasefire Holds:  Analyst Says BTC Needs A Daily Close Over $108,403 For Upside To Continue

On Tuesday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) slammed Meta Platforms, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) alleged tax windfalls under President Donald Trump's new legislative package, saying the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45854511/elizabeth-warren-calls-trumps-tax-bill-ugly-for-targeting-cfpb-says-it-returned-21-billion-to-cheated-americans">benefits far outweigh</a> what ordinary Americans could ever contribute.



What Happened: Warren criticized a provision in Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" that she says offers Meta a massive tax break.



"If every one of the 340 million people in America paid a new $35 copay to visit the doctor, that still wouldn't be enough to cover how much Meta would get from just one tax break in Donald Trump&#8217;s ‘Big Beautiful Bill,'" she posted on X, formerly Twitter.



The U.S. population is estimated at 342 million, according to the Census — a number that, as Warren pointed out, wouldn&#8217;t be enough to offset the tax break given to Mark Zuckerberg&#8217;s company under the &#8220;Big Beautiful Bill.&#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 every one of the 340 million people in America paid a new $35 copay to visit the doctor, that still wouldn't be enough to cover how much Meta would get from just one tax break in Donald Trump&#39;s &quot;Big Beautiful Bill.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/LWcSqrI3eV">pic.twitter.com/LWcSqrI3eV</a>&mdash; Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenWarren/status/1937527386683154635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Warren and Meta did not immediately respond to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga's</a> request for comments.



Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45680165/meta-hits-1-billion-monthly-ai-users-eyes-future-with-subscriptions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meta Hits 1 Billion Monthly AI Users, Eyes Future With Subscriptions</a>



Why It's Important: Earlier this month, Warren slammed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," warning it could cause 16 million Americans to lose health coverage and add $2.4 trillion to the national debt.



Citing Congressional Budget Office estimates, Warren said the bill disproportionately <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45785851/elizabeth-warren-says-trumps-one-big-beautiful-bill-will-rip-away-health-coverage-from-16-million-a">benefits billionaires</a> like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg at the expense of everyday Americans.



Warren has also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45764421/elizabeth-warren-warns-ai-provision-in-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-could-enable-rent-hikes-this-policy-violates-the-senates-budget-rules">opposed a provision</a> in the bill that would prevent states from regulating artificial intelligence for 10 years. She argued this could lead to higher rents by protecting companies like RealPage. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has also criticized the measure.



Bezos and Zuckerberg's Meta have each <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/05/45708460/elon-musks-175-billion-in-doge-cut-falls-far-short-of-the-billionaires-goal-expect-to-achieve-over-time-the-trillion-dollars-of-savings-says-tesla-ceo">contributed $1 million</a> to Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration.



According to Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings, META is exhibiting a consistent upward trend across short, medium and long-term timeframes. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">More detailed performance insights can be found here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24215930/Screenshot-2025-06-25-at-7.27.47%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-960688"/></a></figure>



Photo courtesy: Sheila Fitzgerald / Shutterstock.com



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45396297/cathie-wood-dumps-palantir-as-stock-touches-peak-prices-bails-on-soaring-flying-taxi-maker-archer-aviation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cathie Wood Dumps Palantir As Stock Touches Peak Prices, Bails On Soaring Flying-Taxi Maker Archer Aviation</a></li>
</ul>



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

Government

Tech

Elizabeth Warren Says The Tax Break For Mark Zuckerberg's Meta Is So Bountiful Under Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' That $35 Copay From Each American Won't Still Match It

Artificial general intelligence may not lead to the deflationary future some investors expect, according to Harvard professor and former IMF Chief Economist Ken Rogoff.



What Happened: Appearing on the Dwarkesh Patel Podcast earlier in the month, Rogoff warned that AGI could actually push inflation up, keeping pressure on interest rates to stay higher for longer, amid growing demand for energy and infrastructure capital expenditures.



&#8220;AGI and AI are upward pressures on interest rates,&#8221; he says, adding that with &#8220;the huge energy needs [and] the capital investment, you&#8217;re going to see even more spending, not less.&#8221;



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46076895/microsofts-layoffs-news-july-2025-ai-investment-80-billion">Microsoft&#8217;s AI Gets $80 Billion—While Pink Slips Print By The Thousand</a>



This is in sharp contrast to other economists and experts, who have since commented on AI and artificial general intelligence being broadly deflationary. Rogoff, however, cautions that this is a misreading of how capital-intensive technological revolutions unfold.



&#8220;Traditionally, when you did a lot of investment, it raised wages,&#8221; he said, while citing research by MIT economist Daron Acemoglu, who has shown that automation doesn't always lead to falling wages or lower investment, but it can shift the economy toward capital-intensive growth paths instead.



Rogoff concludes that this isn&#8217;t going to be a deflationary story like it&#8217;s being projected, while adding that &#8220;this could actually make life harder for central banks, not easier.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter 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">Found one! <a href="https://t.co/BClpXhaWFc">https://t.co/BClpXhaWFc</a> <a href="https://t.co/6G4caRbggW">pic.twitter.com/6G4caRbggW</a>&mdash; Dwarkesh Podcast (@dwarkeshpodcast) <a href="https://twitter.com/dwarkeshpodcast/status/1937591807770051054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Why It Matters: Rogoff offers a contrarian take on the predictions made by several experts and economists on the matter in recent months.



The CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, recently said that AI would have a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44312626/sam-altman-warns-ai-will-be-deflationary-but-says-openais-biggest-constraint-isnt-data-or-demand-its">deflationary effect</a> on the global economy, something he says is underappreciated and misunderstood by investors.



<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">As I've said, AI is a deflationary nuclear bomb. The cheaper it gets, the cheaper everything gets… electricity is the other one. No one believes it now but we are reaching the deflationary tipping point there too, which accelerates AI…which accelerates cheaper energy and… <a href="https://t.co/Qa6yjKiAPx">https://t.co/Qa6yjKiAPx</a>&mdash; Raoul Pal (@RaoulGMI) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaoulGMI/status/1838406207641653606?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Investor and macroeconomist Raoul Pal, too, has echoed similar claims, having referred to artificial intelligence technology as a &#8220;deflationary nuclear bomb.&#8221;



He said that &#8220;The cheaper it [AI] gets, the cheaper everything gets&#8230; electricity is the other one,&#8221; in a post on X, late last year. 



Read More: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46046476/barack-obama-warns-ai-revolution-is-not-hype-says-youre-going-to-start-seeing-shifts">Barack Obama Warns AI Revolution Is &#8216;Not Hype,&#8217; Says &#8216;You&#8217;re Going To Start Seeing Shifts&#8230;&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

Economics

Ken Rogoff Warns AI's Hunger For Power Could Send Interest Rates Soaring: 'You're Going To See Even More Spending, Not Less'

U.S. equities rallied Tuesday morning as investor sentiment improved following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, confirmed by both President Donald Trump and Israeli <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46072859/trump-says-israel-is-not-going-to-attack-iran-after-ceasefire-violation-turn-around-and-head-home">Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>. 



The Nasdaq 100 jumped 1.6% to 22,200 by 12:45 p.m. ET, putting its February all-time high of 22,222 within striking distance. 



The tech-heavy index also formed a golden cross—a bullish chart pattern where the 50-day moving average moves above the 200-day, often seen as a signal of sustained upward momentum.



All major indexes posted gains of more than 1%. The S&amp;P 500 climbed to 6,100, nearing its record high of 6,147, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced to 43,120.



Oil prices plunged 5% to $64 a barrel, extending Monday's 7.2% drop and echoing the steep two-day declines observed in early April.



Sector performance was broadly positive, with technology and communication services leading the rally. Energy and consumer staples were the only sectors in negative territory.



The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) rose 1.8% to a record $247.26. Within the Magnificent Seven, Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) surged 2.5%, outpacing peers.



Semiconductor stocks rebounded sharply, with the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NASDAQ">SOXX</a>) rallying 3.7%, recovering to levels last seen before the January selloff triggered by DeepSeek-related concerns.



Gold prices fell 1.5% to $3,320 per ounce, as investor demand for safe-haven assets weakened amid reduced geopolitical risk.



Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) edged up 0.5% to $106,000, following a 4.3% rally on Monday. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Major Indices</td><td>Price</td><td>1-day %chg</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq 100</td><td>22,199.49</td><td>1.6%</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>2,160.13</td><td>1.3%</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>43,117.36</td><td>1.3%</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>6,095.41</td><td>1.2%</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated by 12:45 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>



According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The&nbsp;Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) rose 1.2% to $559.39.</li>



<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) rose 1.2% to $430.75.</li>



<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;rallied 1.5% to $539.43.</li>



<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) edged up by 1.2% to $214.36.</li>



<li>The&nbsp;Technology&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund outperformed, up 1.9%; the&nbsp;Energy&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) lagged, down 1.1%.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Carnival plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCL#NYSE">CCL</a>) rallied 7% after reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly results. </li>



<li>Other cruise and travel stocks rose, with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NCLH#NYSE">NCLH</a>) up 4.5%, Royal Caribbean Cruised Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RCL#NYSE">RCL</a>), up 2.2% and Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BKNG#NASDAQ">BKNG</a>) up 2.8%. </li>



<li>Uber Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NASDAQ">UBER</a>) rallied over 8% after launching its autonomous ride-hailing service in Atlanta in partnership with Waymo, covering a 65-square-mile area.</li>



<li>Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) soared over 10% after the Senate passed the stablecoin bill. </li>



<li>Shares of defense contractors tumbled following the ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel. Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>), Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>) and RTX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>) each fell by about 3%. </li>
</ul>



Now Read: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46077396/powell-interest-rates-trump-inflation-tariffs">Will The Fed Cut Rates In 2025? Powell Says It All Depends On Tariffs </a></li>
</ul>



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Tech Stocks Eye Record Highs, Crude Drops To $64 On Iran-Israel Truce: What's Driving Markets Tuesday?

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told Congress Tuesday that while inflation has cooled from its 2022 peak, it remains &#8220;somewhat elevated,&#8221; and the central bank is not ready to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/interest-rates">adjust interest rates, yet. </a>



However, he said the Fed is "well positioned to wait" for more clarity before making moves, and a "significant majority" of committee members expect to cut rates later this year.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tariffs Could Reshape Fed&#8217;s Inflation Outlook</h3>



Much of the near-term policy uncertainty revolves around tariffs. Powell said the inflationary effects of recent tariff increases—especially those announced earlier this year—could be "short-lived" or potentially "more persistent," depending on their scale and speed of price transmission.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46074385/nasdaq-seasonality-summer-record-highs">Nasdaq 100&#8217;s Summer Sweet Spot Is Here — And It Rarely Disappoints</a>



"Increases in tariffs this year are likely to push up prices and weigh on economic activity," Powell said, acknowledging risks to both consumer prices and business investment. 



He indicated the central bank is monitoring how tariffs ripple through supply chains and consumer pricing. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What Could Trigger Rate Cuts This Year?</h3>



Powell rebutted lawmakers&#8217; concerns about a recession, arguing that the U.S. economy isn't contracting despite a negative first-quarter GDP print.



The Fed Chair emphasized that key indicators do not reflect the sustained weakness typical of a recession.



When asked how the Fed would act if price stability and full employment goals conflicted, Powell said the committee would prioritize whichever mandate was further from its target.



"We look at the two goals and see which one is farther from its goal," he said, noting that the Fed would then assess how quickly each could return to target.



But Powell was clear: "We are not there yet."



Powell left the door open for rate cuts—particularly if inflation comes in weaker than expected or if labor market data deteriorates further.



"We could see inflation come in not as strong as expected," he said. 



"If that&#8217;s the case, we would suggest cutting sooner. Also, a weakening labor market would suggest cutting sooner."



Despite holding rates steady in June, Powell confirmed that "a significant majority of the committee feels it will be appropriate to reduce rates later this year."



Powell sidestepped questions about President Donald Trump's pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. 



On Tuesday, Trump accused Powell of triggering long-term economic damage, writing that interest rates should be "at least two to three points lower" and claiming it would "save the USA $800 billion per year." 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Trump's Iran Truce Triggers Wall Street Rally</h3>



Markets rallied following Trump's announcement that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran would hold, calming tensions that had rattled energy markets earlier this month. 



The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.9% to 6,080, while the Nasdaq 100 gained 1.2%. The Russell 2000, which tracks small caps, climbed 1.3%.



Top gainers in the S&amp;P 500 included Carnival Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCL#NYSE">CCL</a>), up 9.5%, and Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>), up 9.3%. 



Oil prices fell 4.7% after tumbling 7.2% on Monday. 



<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="Fed Chair Powell LIVE &#x7C; Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to Congress &#x7C; Day 1 &#x7C; June 24, 2025" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dey0Q0MGmG8?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>



Now Read



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46074385/nasdaq-seasonality-summer-record-highs">Nasdaq 100&#8217;s Summer Sweet Spot Is Here &#8211; And It Rarely Disappoints </a></li>
</ul>



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Will The Fed Cut Rates In 2025? Powell Says It All Depends On Tariffs

The Nasdaq 100 index is entering a historically bullish summer stretch where it delivered positive returns in 17 of the past 20 years, frequently powering toward record highs and rewarding <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/technology-stocks">investors with robust gains. </a>



According to Seasonax data, between June 27 and July 23 – or the nearest trading days to them – the Nasdaq 100 has shown an impressive seasonal edge, climbing in 85% of instances over the past two decades.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">One Of Tech's Best Seasonal Trades</h3>



From 2005 to 2024, this time window generated a cumulative gain of 4,419 points, or 220.95 points on average each year.



The average return in this 3-week span stands at 4.05%. Since 2005, traders who followed this window have seen 17 gains and just three losses.



The maximum gain was 11.07% in 2016. The worst loss, experienced in 2006, was relatively mild, at negative 2.92%.



Excluding 2024, the Nasdaq 100 recorded 15 consecutive periods of gains in that window.



Even during years with modest gains, the index frequently flirted with record highs. Notably, in seven separate years since 2017, the Nasdaq 100 set multiple record closes during this summer stretch:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>2024: 6 record highs between July 2–10</li>



<li>2023: 6 record highs from July 12–19</li>



<li>2021: 8 record highs between June 28 and July 23</li>



<li>2020: 7 record highs from July 2–13</li>



<li>2019: 6 record highs between July 3–24</li>



<li>2018: 4 record highs between July 12–24</li>



<li>2017: 2 record highs between July 19-20</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Start Date</th><th>Start Price</th><th>End Date</th><th>End Price</th><th>Profit %</th><th>Max Rise</th><th>Max Drop</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>27 Jun 2005</td><td>1,493.75</td><td>25 Jul 2005</td><td>1,593.57</td><td>+6.68%</td><td>+7.30%</td><td>-0.22%</td></tr><tr><td>27 Jun 2006</td><td>1,527.00</td><td>24 Jul 2006</td><td>1,482.34</td><td>-2.92%</td><td>+3.88%</td><td>-4.92%</td></tr><tr><td>27 Jun 2007</td><td>1,933.06</td><td>23 Jul 2007</td><td>2,036.33</td><td>+5.34%</td><td>+6.20%</td><td>-0.07%</td></tr><tr><td>27 Jun 2008</td><td>1,855.72</td><td>23 Jul 2008</td><td>1,845.56</td><td>-0.55%</td><td>+0.84%</td><td>-3.11%</td></tr><tr><td>29 Jun 2009</td><td>1,483.83</td><td>23 Jul 2009</td><td>1,601.52</td><td>+7.93%</td><td>+7.93%</td><td>-5.33%</td></tr><tr><td>28 Jun 2010</td><td>1,836.00</td><td>23 Jul 2010</td><td>1,875.38</td><td>+2.14%</td><td>+2.14%</td><td>-5.86%</td></tr><tr><td>27 Jun 2011</td><td>2,252.24</td><td>25 Jul 2011</td><td>2,424.15</td><td>+7.63%</td><td>+7.87%</td><td>0.00%</td></tr><tr><td>27 Jun 2012</td><td>2,565.53</td><td>23 Jul 2012</td><td>2,589.93</td><td>+0.95%</td><td>+3.52%</td><td>-1.13%</td></tr><tr><td>27 Jun 2013</td><td>2,906.84</td><td>23 Jul 2013</td><td>3,031.40</td><td>+4.29%</td><td>+6.14%</td><td>0.00%</td></tr><tr><td>27 Jun 2014</td><td>3,844.44</td><td>23 Jul 2014</td><td>3,986.19</td><td>+3.69%</td><td>+3.69%</td><td>0.00%</td></tr><tr><td>29 Jun 2015</td><td>4,379.87</td><td>23 Jul 2015</td><td>4,602.83</td><td>+5.09%</td><td>+6.85%</td><td>-0.65%</td></tr><tr><td>27 Jun 2016</td><td>4,201.05</td><td>25 Jul 2016</td><td>4,665.93</td><td>+11.07%</td><td>+11.07%</td><td>0.00%</td></tr><tr><td>27 Jun 2017</td><td>5,671.60</td><td>24 Jul 2017</td><td>5,941.37</td><td>+4.76%</td><td>+4.76%</td><td>-1.32%</td></tr><tr><td>27 Jun 2018</td><td>6,969.67</td><td>23 Jul 2018</td><td>7,371.78</td><td>+5.77%</td><td>+6.23%</td><td>0.00%</td></tr><tr><td>27 Jun 2019</td><td>7,657.05</td><td>23 Jul 2019</td><td>7,954.56</td><td>+3.89%</td><td>+4.05%</td><td>0.00%</td></tr><tr><td>29 Jun 2020</td><td>9,961.16</td><td>23 Jul 2020</td><td>10,580.59</td><td>+6.22%</td><td>+9.95%</td><td>0.00%</td></tr><tr><td>28 Jun 2021</td><td>14,524.98</td><td>23 Jul 2021</td><td>15,111.79</td><td>+4.04%</td><td>+4.04%</td><td>0.00%</td></tr><tr><td>27 Jun 2022</td><td>12,008.24</td><td>25 Jul 2022</td><td>12,328.41</td><td>+2.67%</td><td>+5.09%</td><td>-4.20%</td></tr><tr><td>27 Jun 2023</td><td>14,945.91</td><td>24 Jul 2023</td><td>15,448.02</td><td>+3.36%</td><td>+5.99%</td><td>-0.04%</td></tr><tr><td>27 Jun 2024</td><td>19,789.03</td><td>23 Jul 2024</td><td>19,754.34</td><td>-0.18%</td><td>+4.48%</td><td>-1.35%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Will 2025 Deliver Another Nasdaq Summer Breakout?</h3>



After suffering a steep 25% drawdown from its February record to the April 7 bottom, the Nasdaq 100—tracked by the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)—has staged a notable comeback. 



As of June 24, the index trades at 22,000 points, just 1% shy of its all-time high of 22,222 set on February 19, 2025.



This 33% rebound from tariff-induced lows in barely over two months has reestablished bullish momentum and officially placed the Nasdaq 100 back in bull market territory.



Technically, the recovery gained further credibility with the golden cross signal: on June 24, the 50-day moving average crossed above the 200-day average, a classic marker of upward trend strength.



The seasonal tailwind entering late June only adds fuel to the rally narrative. With historical data showing an 85% win rate between June 27 and July 23, the current setup positions the index for a potential retest—and possible breakout—of its all-time high.



However, valuations are rising and risks are building.



The Nasdaq 100 now trades at 28 times forward 12-month earnings, a full one standard deviation above its 10-year average of 22. While not at euphoric levels, this valuation is stretching, particularly as economic headwinds and trade tensions persist.



Read now: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46072859/trump-says-israel-is-not-going-to-attack-iran-after-ceasefire-violation-turn-around-and-head-home">Trump Says Israel &#8216;Is Not Going To Attack Iran&#8217; After Ceasefire Violation: &#8216;Turn Around And Head Home&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46072859/trump-says-israel-is-not-going-to-attack-iran-after-ceasefire-violation-turn-around-and-head-home"> </a>



.

Nasdaq 100's Summer Sweet Spot Is Here - And It Rarely Disappoints

George Efstathopoulos, multi-asset portfolio manager at Fidelity International, is shifting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/china">his gaze East</a>. 



"For the first time, I'm not selling the rally in China," he <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/2d99d11f-9d05-44ce-9f1d-e2f761156a52">says</a>, pointing to a structural innovation surge that's making the country's tech stocks serious contenders to their U.S. counterparts. Chinese tech stocks, long battered by regulatory uncertainty and global skepticism, are now outpacing their U.S. peers, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/magnificent-seven">Magnificent Seven</a>, in both performance and valuation appeal. 



Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABAF#NYSE">BABAF</a>) is up over 33% year-to-date and BYD (OTCPK:BYDDF), China's EV juggernaut, has surged nearly 46%. 



In contrast, Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) is down more than 5% and Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) has tumbled 17% in the same period.



Valuations highlight the stark divergence. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="508" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24070939/image-356-1024x508.png" alt="" class="wp-image-959626" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24070939/image-356-1024x508.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24070939/image-356-300x149.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24070939/image-356-768x381.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24070939/image-356-1536x762.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24070939/image-356-2048x1016.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0624">Created using Benzinga Pro data</a>



Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), which has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46046720/tesla-doubles-down-on-us-elon-musk-plans-another-8-billion-investment-after-spending-nearly-10-billion-in-2024">committed $8 billion</a> to ramp up EV and AI development this year, including China's largest grid-scale energy storage project, trades at a forward P/E of 178, per Benzinga Pro data. BYD, already outselling Tesla in China, trades at just 19 times forward earnings.



Alibaba and JD.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JD#NASDAQ">JD</a>) look even cheaper, with forward P/Es of 11.6 and 7.8, respectively.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/45973429/trump-wants-babies-to-get-1000-to-invest-at-birth-this-maginicent-7-stock-tops-poll-for-18-year-growth">Trump Wants Babies To Get $1,000 To Invest At Birth: This Maginicent 7 Stock Tops Poll For 18-Year Growth</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chinese Tech: High Growth, Low Valuation, Government Tailwinds</h2>



EV sales in China hit a record in May, crossing 1 million units in a month for the first time. Research firm Rho Motion <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/global-ev-sales-rise-may-china-hits-2025-peak-rho-motion-2025-06-12/">attributes</a> the growth to strong domestic demand and rising exports, with BYD tapping into new markets like Mexico and Southeast Asia, reported Reuters.



Government policy is also playing a supportive role. With fewer regulatory shocks and more focus on innovation and energy transition, sentiment around China's tech sector is beginning to stabilize. "China is leading in many tech spaces," says Nandini Ramakrishnan of JPMorgan Asset Management, pointing to AI and green tech dominance as long-term drivers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">U.S. Tech: Great Companies, Stretched Prices</h2>



U.S. tech giants still dominate investor portfolios, but at premium valuations. Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) trades at a forward P/E of 33.6, Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) at 32.4, and even Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>), the cheapest among them, sits at 17.7. Tesla's triple-digit multiple, compared to BYD's single-digit trailing P/E of 7.6, underscores how much optimism is already priced in.



Moreover, YTD returns have started to diverge. Alphabet is down over 12%, Tesla has slid 8%, and Amazon is still in negative territory. Only Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Microsoft, and Nvidia have posted double-digit gains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How To Play The Shift</h2>



Investors interested in diversifying away from expensive U.S. names may consider:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Direct exposure: Alibaba, JD, BYD</li>



<li>Broad ETFs: The KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>) offers China Internet exposure, and the Invesco China Technology ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CQQQ#NYSE">CQQQ</a>) offers China Tech exposure.</li>



<li>Global innovation funds: The EMQQ The Emerging Markets Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EMQQ#NYSE">EMQQ</a>) for Emerging Markets Ecommerce &amp; Internet exposure.</li>
</ul>



With structural growth drivers, cheap valuations, and improving sentiment, China tech is finally back on the menu.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45500627/only-3-mag-7-stocks-pass-peter-lynchs-favorite-valuation-test-tesla-isnt-one-of-them">Only 3 Mag 7 Stocks Pass Peter Lynch&#8217;s Favorite Valuation Test &#8211; Tesla Isn&#8217;t One of Them</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Maxx-Studio On Shutterstock.com

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Why This Fidelity Fund Manager Is Buying China Tech Over The Magnificent Seven

Amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, President Donald Trump declared Tuesday that a ceasefire between the two adversaries was back in effect, even as reports of renewed hostilities raised doubts about its durability.



What Happened: "Israel is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave' to Iran," Trump posted on Truth Social, adding, "the Ceasefire is in effect!" 



His message came after Israel <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/06/46068524/israel-says-iran-broke-trump-ceasefire-orders-high-intensity-strikes-on-tehran">accused Iran of violating </a>the U.S.-brokered truce.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24084947/Screenshot-2025-06-24-at-6.19.31%E2%80%AFPM-1024x368.png" alt="" class="wp-image-959831"/></figure>



Earlier in the day, Trump, speaking to reporters&nbsp;on his way to the NATO Summit 2025, &nbsp;referred to a single rocket&nbsp;fired after the ceasefire deadline,&nbsp;which missed its target, reported Fox News. He&nbsp;described Israel&#8217;s response as excessive, stating, &#8220;Israel&nbsp;unloaded right after we made&nbsp;the deal… I didn't like&nbsp;the fact that the retaliation&nbsp;was very strong.&#8221;



Trump called for&nbsp;both Israel and Iran to&nbsp;reduce tensions, emphasizing that Israel&#8217;s morning mission, instigated&nbsp;by the errant rocket, was&nbsp;unnecessary. &#8220;I'm&nbsp;not happy about that, Israel&nbsp;either,&#8221; he said, advocating for peace on both sides.



&#8220;These Guys Got To Calm Down,&#8221; urged Trump.



Despite his criticism, the President also acknowledged&nbsp;the broader progress in the&nbsp;region, describing it as a&nbsp;&#8220;new dawn&#8221; and praising Saudi Arabia&#8217;s&nbsp;efforts. 



However, he remained critical&nbsp;of media reports&nbsp;downplaying the success of U.S.&nbsp;B2 pilots who, according to him, destroyed Iran's nuclear capabilities. &#8220;That place is demolished,&#8221;&nbsp;he insisted, dismissing reports suggesting&nbsp;otherwise as "fake news." He also stated that Iran will &#8220;never&#8221; be able to rebuild its nuclear program.



&#8220;We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don&#8217;t know what&#8230;they&#8217;re doing,&#8221; stated Trump before heading to his helicopter.



SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46068097/elizabeth-warren-presses-marco-rubio-over-potential-500-million-usaid-diversion-to-controversial-ga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elizabeth Warren Presses Marco Rubio Over Potential $500 Million USAID Diversion To Controversial Gaza Foundation: Report</a>



Why It Matters: The&nbsp;recent ceasefire violations in the&nbsp;Middle East have sparked global concern. Trump had earlier declared the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/06/46068524/israel-says-iran-broke-trump-ceasefire-orders-high-intensity-strikes-on-tehran">ceasefire </a>to be in effect, urging both parties to adhere to it. However, Israel accused Iran of violating the ceasefire and ordered &#8220;high-intensity strikes&#8221; on Tehran, leading to Trump&#8217;s recent criticisms.



Despite the ceasefire violations, Wall Street veteran&nbsp;Daniel Ives&nbsp;had earlier labeled the reported ceasefire between Iran and Israel as &#8220;the most <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46071676/dan-ives-says-iran-israel-ceasefire-could-be-most-bullish-outcome-yet-for-wall-street-even-as-both-sides-break-truce">bullish outcome</a>&#8221; for U.S. markets, predicting a rally in U.S. stocks. The ongoing tensions and Trump&#8217;s recent criticisms add a layer of uncertainty to the situation.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46071861/market-rally-deceptive-analysts-flag-3-major-headwinds-investors-must-watch-now-plenty-of-risk?utm_campaign=Watchlist&amp;utm_source=Benzinga&amp;utm_medium=Email">Market Rally Deceptive? Analysts Flag 3 Major Headwinds Investors Must Watch Now: &#8216;Plenty Of Risk&#8230;&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Image via Shutterstock



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

Trump Says Israel 'Is Not Going To Attack Iran' After Ceasefire Violation: 'Turn Around And Head Home'

BlackRock, in its latest note, highlighted the defense sector as a prime investment opportunity, driven by accelerating geopolitical fragmentation and a global emphasis on national security.



What Happened: The financial giant is sharpening its focus on specific regions and technologies, with a strong preference for the United States.



According to BlackRock, the U.S. stands out due to its substantial defense expenditure, which, as SIPRI data indicates, &#8220;spends more than double on defense than Europe.&#8221;



Furthermore, the U.S. is home to the most sophisticated defense and defense technology firms, serving as a key supplier for critical systems like air and missile defense for many nations.



Within the defense sector, BlackRock highlights significant prospects in defense tech. This broad category encompasses not only artificial intelligence (AI) and software companies but also essential IT services and hardware, such as semiconductors, that power advanced defense capabilities.



The firm anticipates that numerous private defense tech companies could launch initial public offerings (IPOs) in the coming years, offering public market investors new avenues into this expanding theme. Space tech is another area of interest, expected to benefit from intensifying strategic competition.



BlackRock notes that &#8220;growing geopolitical fragmentation and strategic competition in AI are reinforcing the global focus on national security and resilience – creating opportunities in defense.&#8221; This underscores a selective approach to defense investments, where technological superiority and robust national security infrastructure are becoming paramount.



Here&#8217;s a list of some defense and defense tech stocks and global exchange-traded funds that investors could consider.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>U.S. Defense Stocks</td><td>YTD Performance</td><td>One Year Performance</td></tr><tr><td>Palantir Technologies Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>)</td><td>86.09%</td><td>479.14%</td></tr><tr><td>General Dynamics Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GD#NYSE">GD</a>)</td><td>8.16%</td><td>-5.43%</td></tr><tr><td>Northrop Grumman Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>)</td><td>6.76%</td><td>16.02%</td></tr><tr><td>Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>)</td><td>-2.03%</td><td>0.20%</td></tr><tr><td>Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>)</td><td>17.13%</td><td>12.40%</td></tr><tr><td>RTX Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>)</td><td>25.69%</td><td>43.01%</td></tr><tr><td>General Electric Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>)</td><td>46.99%</td><td>54.36%</td></tr><tr><td>TransDigm Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TDG#NYSE">TDG</a>)</td><td>17.27%</td><td>10.74%</td></tr><tr><td>Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HWM#NYSE">HWM</a>)</td><td>58.53%</td><td>123.36%</td></tr><tr><td>Axon Enterprise Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXON#NASDAQ">AXON</a>)</td><td>31.31%</td><td>167.59%</td></tr><tr><td>L3Harris Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LHX#NYSE">LHX</a>)</td><td>21.10%</td><td>11.36%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Global Defense ETFs</td><td>YTD Performance</td><td>One Year Performance</td></tr><tr><td>iShares US Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#BATS">ITA</a>)</td><td>26.34%</td><td>37.32%</td></tr><tr><td>Invesco Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPA#NYSE">PPA</a>)</td><td>19.61%</td><td>32.01%</td></tr><tr><td>SPDR S&amp;P Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XAR#NYSE">XAR</a>)</td><td>21.61%</td><td>41.72%</td></tr><tr><td>Global X Defense Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHLD#NYSE">SHLD</a>)</td><td>56.94%</td><td>74.59%</td></tr><tr><td>ARK Space Exploration &amp; Innovation ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKX#BATS">ARKX</a>)</td><td>15.13%</td><td>50.24%</td></tr><tr><td>Direxion Daily Aerospace &amp; Defense Bull 3X Shares (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DFEN#NYSE">DFEN</a>)</td><td>75.10%</td><td>78.38%</td></tr><tr><td>SPDR S&amp;P Kensho Future Security ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FITE#NYSE">FITE</a>)</td><td>8.48%</td><td>30.78%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/06/46042382/mark-cuban-corrects-elizabeth-warren-as-she-slams-jnj-pfe-for-higher-prices-and-zero-taxes-on-big-ph" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Corrects Elizabeth Warren As She Slams JNJ, PFE For Higher Prices And Zero Taxes On Big Pharma: ‘PBMs Corrupt Healthcare'</a>



Why It Matters: The futures of the S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq 100 indices rose on Tuesday as the investors overlooked a significant surge in Middle East tensions, triggered by Iran's missile attacks on U.S. military bases in Qatar and Iraq, which occurred just 48 hours following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.



Donald Trump shared a post on Truth Social on Monday, announcing a "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/06/46066239/dow-futures-jump-over-200-points-as-trump-announces-ceasefire-but-iran-says-no-agreement-crude-plunges">Complete and Total CEASEFIRE</a>," at which point, he says, "THE 12 DAY WAR" will be considered "ended." 



However, the Foreign Minister of Iran, Syed Abbas Araghchi, refuted claims of a ceasefire, saying that there was "no agreement" for cessation of military operations, in a post on X.



<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">As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around. As of now, there is NO &quot;agreement&quot; on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no…&mdash; Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) <a href="https://twitter.com/araghchi/status/1937311435882922420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Price Action: The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, rose on Monday. The SPY was up 0.99% to $600.15, while the QQQ rose 1.03% to $531.65, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46067629/hims-ceo-slams-novo-nordisk-for-anticompetitive-demands-after-ozempic-maker-abruptly-ends-partne?utm_campaign=Watchlist&amp;utm_source=Benzinga&amp;utm_medium=Email">Hims CEO Slams Novo Nordisk For &#8216;Anticompetitive Demands&#8217; After Ozempic Maker Abruptly Ends Partnership: &#8216;We Refuse To Be Strong-Armed&#8217;</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: Mike Mareen / Shutterstock.com

ARKX

AXON

DFEN

FITE

PLTR

SHLD

BlackRock Bets Big On Defense Companies Amid Escalating Geopolitical Tensions: Palantir, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Among Stocks In Focus

U.S. futures were trading higher on Tuesday after a positive day of trading on Monday. Futures of major benchmark indices were trading higher.



President Donald Trump announced a &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/06/46066239/dow-futures-jump-over-200-points-as-trump-announces-ceasefire-but-iran-says-no-agreement-crude-plunges">ceasefire</a>&#8221; in a Truth Social post, saying that "THE 12 DAY WAR" will be considered "ended." 



Despite this, the Foreign Minister of Iran, Syed Abbas Araghchi, refuted claims of a ceasefire, saying that there was "no agreement" for cessation of military operations, in a post on X.



<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">As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around. As of now, there is NO &quot;agreement&quot; on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no…&mdash; Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) <a href="https://twitter.com/araghchi/status/1937311435882922420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.35% and the two-year bond was at 3.84%. The CME Group's FedWatch <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">tool</a>&#8216;s projections show markets pricing a 77.3% likelihood of the Federal Reserve keeping the current interest rates unchanged in its July meeting. 



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Futures</td><td>Change (+/-)</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>0.69%</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>0.79%</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq 100</td><td>1.02%</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>1.18%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, were higher in premarket on Tuesday. The SPY was up 0.83% at $605.11, while the QQQ advanced 1.11% to $537.56, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



Cues From Last Session:



On Monday, U.S. stocks saw gains across most S&amp;P 500 sectors, with consumer discretionary, consumer staples, and real estate stocks leading the charge, though energy stocks diverged, ending the session in the red.



Economically, the S&amp;P Global US services PMI dropped to 53.1 in June from 53.7 the prior month, falling short of market expectations of 52.9. Meanwhile, the S&amp;P Global US manufacturing PMI held steady at 52 in June, matching the previous month's figure.



Shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDS#NYSE">FDS</a>) rose approximately 3.5% on Monday after the company released its third-quarter results.



The Dow Jones index ended 375 points or 0.89% higher at 42,581.78, whereas the S&amp;P 500 index rose 0.96% to 6,025.17. Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.94% to 19,630.98, and the small-cap gauge, Russell 2000, gained 1.11% to end at 2,132.68.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Index</td><td>Performance (+/-)</td><td>Value</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq Composite</td><td>0.94%</td><td>19,630.98</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>0.96%</td><td>6,025.17</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>0.89%</td><td>42,581.78</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>1.11%</td><td>2,132.68</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Insights From Analysts:



Senior economist Jeremy Siegel expressed his opinions on the ongoing tensions as Trump announced a ceasefire.



&#8220;Geopolitics is a wildcard, but the U.S. is far less exposed than it was in the 1970s. Even a brief closure of the Strait of Hormuz would not derail domestic growth—shale capacity and strategic reserves mute the blow,&#8221; he said.



&#8220;I maintain that investors should stay overweight equities versus bonds,&#8221; he added, sayin that &#8220;don't just chase the AI enablers at high multiples to earnings; real margin expansion could very well accrue to users of AI—banks, industrial, consumer-staples, mid-cap firms that are learning where they can cut costs, increase output and improve margins.&#8221;



In its most recent note, BlackRock spotlighted the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46068345/blackrock-bets-big-on-defense-companies-amid-escalating-geopolitical-tensions-palantir-lockheed-">defense sector as a top investment prospect</a>, fueled by escalating geopolitical fragmentation and a worldwide focus on national security.



As per BlackRock, the U.S. distinguishes itself through its extensive defense spending, which, according to SIPRI data, "spends more than double on defense than Europe."



Moreover, the U.S. hosts the world's most advanced defense and defense technology companies, acting as a vital provider of critical systems like air and missile defense for numerous countries.



Within the defense sector, BlackRock identifies substantial opportunities in defense tech. This expansive field includes not just artificial intelligence (AI) and software firms but also crucial IT services and hardware, such as semiconductors, that drive cutting-edge defense capabilities.



BlackRock observes that "growing geopolitical fragmentation and strategic competition in AI are reinforcing the global focus on national security and resilience – creating opportunities in defense." This highlights a targeted investment strategy in defense, where technological leadership and strong national security frameworks are increasingly critical.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-trade-futures">How to Trade Futures</a> 



Upcoming Economic Data



Here&#8217;s what investors will keep an eye on Tuesday:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>April&#8217;s S&amp;P Case-Shiller home price index for 20 cities will be released by 9:00 a.m., and Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack will speak at 9:15 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>June consumer confidence data will be out by 10:00 a.m., and the Fed Chairman Jerome Powell will testify to the House Financial Services Committee at 10:00 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>



Stocks In Focus:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>TD Synnex Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNX#NYSE">SNX</a>) was up 0.58% in premarket on Tuesday as analysts expect it to report quarterly earnings of $2.72 per share on revenue of $14.32 billion, before the opening bell.</li>



<li>Carnival Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCL#NYSE">CCL</a>) rose 2.04% as analysts expect it to report quarterly earnings of 24 cents per share on revenue of $6.21 billion, before the opening bell.</li>



<li>Worthington Enterprises Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WOR#NYSE">WOR</a>) advanced 3.55% as analysts expect it to report quarterly earnings of 84 cents per share on revenue of $301.44 million, before the opening bell.</li>



<li>FedEx Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDX#NYSE">FDX</a>) was 0.47% higher as analysts expect it to report quarterly earnings of $5.87 per share on revenue of $21.84 billion after the closing bell.</li>



<li>KB Home (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KBH#NYSE">KBH</a>) was down 0.43% as it revised full-year 2025 housing revenue to be in the range of $6.3 billion to $6.5 billion, down from prior guidance of $6.6 billion to $7 billion.</li>



<li>Chewy Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHWY#NYSE">CHWY</a>) dropped 1.31% as it commenced an underwritten public offering of $1 billion of its Class A common stock by a selling stockholder. It plans to concurrently repurchase $100 million of its common stock from the selling stockholder.</li>



<li>BlackBerry Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BB#NYSE">BB</a>) jumped 1.62% as analysts expect it to report quarterly earnings of $0 per share on revenue of $112.19 million after the closing bell.</li>



<li>Ibio Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBIO#NASDAQ">IBIO</a>) surged 44.58% after it announced a conference call scheduled for June 24 to discuss its obesity and cardiometabolic disease pipeline.</li>



<li>Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKTR#NASDAQ">NKTR</a>) zoomed 31.66% ahead of its investor call, where it plans to present top-line data from the 16-week induction period of its Phase 2b REZOLVE-AD clinical trial.</li>
</ul>



Commodities, Gold, And Global Equity Markets:



Crude oil futures were trading lower in the early New York session by 3.40% to hover around $66.18 per barrel.



Gold Spot US Dollar fell 1.29% to hover around $3,325.68 per ounce. Its last record high stood at $3,500.33 per ounce. The U.S. Dollar Index spot was lower by 0.30% at the 98.1240 level.



Asian markets ended higher on Tuesday as Australia's ASX 200, Japan's Nikkei 225, China&#8217;s CSI 300, South Korea's Kospi, Hong Kong's Hang Seng, and India's S&amp;P BSE Sensex indices advanced. European markets were also higher in early trade.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46068345/blackrock-bets-big-on-defense-companies-amid-escalating-geopolitical-tensions-palantir-lockheed-">BlackRock Bets Big On Defense Companies Amid Escalating Geopolitical Tensions: Palantir, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Among Stocks In Focus</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

CHWY

IBIO

NKTR

US Stocks Likely To Open Higher After Trump Announces Iran-Israel Ceasefire: FedEx, TD Synnex In Focus Ahead Of Earnings

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed a slight improvement in the overall market sentiment, while the index remained in the &#8220;Greed&#8221; zone on Monday.



U.S. stocks settled higher on Monday, with the Dow Jones index gaining more than 350 points during the session. Stocks recorded slight gains last week as the S&amp;P 500 fell around 0.2%, and the 30-stock Dow gained 0.02%.



Investors looked past a sharp escalation in the Middle East, where Iran fired missiles at U.S. military bases in Qatar and Iraq, just 48 hours after American strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.



According to Axios, citing Israeli officials, Iran launched six ballistic missiles at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military presence in the Middle East. Another missile was reportedly fired at a U.S. base in Iraq.



On the economic front, the S&amp;P Global US services PMI fell to 53.1 in June versus 53.7 in the previous month, and compared to market expectations of 52.9. The S&amp;P Global US manufacturing PMI came in unchanged from the previous month at 52 in June.



Shares of FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDS#NYSE">FDS</a>) gained around 3.5% on Monday after the company posted results for the third quarter.



Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a positive note, with consumer discretionary, consumer staples and real estate stocks recording the biggest gains on Monday. However, energy stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session lower.



The Dow Jones closed higher by around 375 points to 42,581.78 on Monday. The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.96% to 6,025.17, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.94% at 19,630.97 during Monday's session.



Investors are awaiting earnings results from TD SYNNEX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNX#NYSE">SNX</a>), Carnival Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCL#NYSE">CCL</a>) and FedEx Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDX#NYSE">FDX</a>) today.



What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?



At a current reading of 56.4, the index remained in the &#8220;Greed&#8221; zone on Monday, versus a prior reading of 56.3.



The Fear &amp; Greed Index is a measure of the current market sentiment. It is based on the premise that higher fear exerts pressure on stock prices, while higher greed has the opposite effect. The index is calculated based on seven equal-weighted indicators. The index ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents maximum fear and 100 signals maximum greediness.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/dividends/25/06/46050117/wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts-give-their-take-on-3-tech-stocks-delivering-high-dividend-yields-7">Wall Street&#8217;s Most Accurate Analysts Give Their Take On 3 Tech Stocks Delivering High-Dividend Yields</a> </li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Pre-Market Outlook

Dow Jumps Over 350 Points As Iran Strikes On US Military Bases Result In No Casualty: Fear Index Remains In 'Greed' Zone

Israel accused Iran of violating the U.S.-brokered ceasefire Tuesday after detecting missile launches from Iranian territory, with Defense Minister Israel Katz ordering &#8220;high-intensity strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran.&#8221;



What Happened: The accusation came hours after President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social at 1:08 AM EST, declaring &#8220;The ceasefire is now in effect. Please do not violate it!&#8221; 



Trump had announced a &#8220;complete and total ceasefire&#8221; between the nations Monday, outlining a phased timeline where Iran would initiate a 12-hour ceasefire six hours after his announcement, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46067020/trump-declares-israel-iran-ceasefire-now-in-effect-as-china-warns-of-spiraling-escalation-at-un">followed by Israel 12 hours later</a>.



Katz said the Israeli military would respond to &#8220;Iran&#8217;s blatant violation of the ceasefire declared by the President of the United States through the launch of missiles toward Israel,&#8221; Reuters reported. However, Iranian state media denied reports of any missile attack, according to state television.



The dispute follows Monday&#8217;s Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, including Iran&#8217;s Evin prison. Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir confirmed casualties in the prison&#8217;s administrative building, stating, &#8220;we had martyrs as well but the number is not yet defined.&#8221; The facility houses political prisoners and foreign nationals, prompting France to accuse Israel of endangering two French citizens, according to the Reuters report.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46067020/trump-declares-israel-iran-ceasefire-now-in-effect-as-china-warns-of-spiraling-escalation-at-un">Trump Declares Israel–Iran Ceasefire &#8216;Now In Effect&#8217; As China Warns Of &#8216;Spiraling Escalation&#8217; At UN</a>



Why It Matters: Markets initially rallied on ceasefire news, with Dow futures jumping 200 points to 43,136. However, energy sectors declined sharply as oil prices fell 12.83% from last week&#8217;s $78.74 peak to $68.63 per barrel. United States Oil Fund LP (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USO#NYSE">USO</a>) dropped 11.0% while SPDR S&amp;P Oil &amp; Gas Exploration &amp; Production ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOP#NYSE">XOP</a>) fell 5.69%.



The tensions escalated after U.S. B-2 bombers from Northrop Grumman Corp. struck three Iranian nuclear facilities Saturday, targeting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46067020/trump-declares-israel-iran-ceasefire-now-in-effect-as-china-warns-of-spiraling-escalation-at-un">Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan sites in a 36-hour mission</a>.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46066361/us-iran-nuclear-deal-in-2025-crypto-bettors-on-polymarket-see-strong-chance-after-trumps-ceasefire-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US-Iran Nuclear Deal In 2025? Crypto Bettors On Polymarket See Strong Chance After Trump's Ceasefire Announcement</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Israel Says Iran Broke Trump Ceasefire, Orders 'High-Intensity Strikes' On Tehran

Leading cryptocurrencies rallied Monday after President Donald Trump said Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire to halt ongoing hostilities.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Cryptocurrency</th><th>Gains +/-</th><th>Price (Recorded at 9:10 p.m. ET)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>+4.29%</td><td>$105,196.74</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+7.59%</td><td>$2,407.12</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+8.22%</td><td>$0.1639</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



What Happened: Bitcoin topped $106,000 in the evening before easing to around $105,000, marking a sharp recovery from the dip below $100,000 during the weekend.



Ethereum recorded a steeper rise, sailing above $2,400 following the drop to $2,100.



The rally came after Trump announced on Truth Social that Israel and Iran have agreed to a &#8220;complete and total ceasefire.&#8221; The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46065102/trump-says-there-is-a-ceasefire-between-isreal-and-iran">cessation of hostilities</a> would unfold in a phased manner, he added.



The spike hit bearish traders as over $365 million in short positions were wiped out from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours. A further $280 million risked liquidation if Bitcoin reclaimed $110,000.



Bitcoin&#8217;s open interest rose 2.52%, while the funds locked in Ethereum's derivatives contracts surged nearly 8% in the last 24 hours.



The market sentiment flipped back to "Greed," according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index. Indicating a resurgence in buying pressure.



Top Gainers (24 Hours)



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Cryptocurrency</th><th>Gains +/-</th><th>Price (Recorded at 9:10 p.m. ET)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Sei (SEI)</td><td>+31.18%</td><td>$0.2604</td></tr><tr><td>Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+21.66%</td><td>$1.68</td></tr><tr><td>dogwifhat (WIF)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+21.53%</td><td>$0.8353 </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.25 trillion, following a jump of 5.15% in the last 24 hours.



Stock futures climbed on this development. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures rose 182 points, or 0.42%, as of 8:42 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 gained 0.48%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures jumped 0.67%.



See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>



Analyst Notes: Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst Michaël van de Poppe said Bitcoin's dip below $100,000 is likely "the bottom of this correction."



"Massive move upwards, through which Bitcoin breaks through crucial resistance zones. I think we&#8217;ll continue to make higher lows &amp; attack a new all-time high for Bitcoin in July," Van de Poppe projected.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The second option on the markets, sub $100K is likely the bottom of this correction. Massive move upwards, through which <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> breaks through crucial resistance zones. I think we&#39;ll continue to make higher lows &amp; attack a new all-time high for Bitcoin in July. <a href="https://t.co/wlLU8Rq5BO">pic.twitter.com/wlLU8Rq5BO</a>&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1937227910248571155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



EliteOptionsTrader, a well-known options trader on X, said the latest price action could be the "spark" that ignites BTC's next leg higher.



"A clean hold above $109,000 opens the door for a swift push toward $130,000," the analyst stated. "A move like that would be a broader signal of risk-on appetite returning to markets."



<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/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> Breaking Out? All Eyes on $130K &#x1f440;&#x1f680; Bitcoin is showing serious signs of life. After spending over 7 months coiled under the massive 109K resistance zone, today's price action could be the spark that ignites the next leg higher. We're finally seeing <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> wake up with dips… <a href="https://t.co/qERCG3Jcmj">pic.twitter.com/qERCG3Jcmj</a>&mdash; EliteOptionsTrader (@EliteOptions2) <a href="https://twitter.com/EliteOptions2/status/1937311039210635342?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Photo: Antonio Gravante On Shutterstock.com



Read Next:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46053846/will-bitcoin-hit-new-all-time-highs-after-dip-under-100k-heres-what-new-poll-predicts">Will Bitcoin Hit New All-Time Highs After Dip Under $100K? Here&#8217;s What New Poll Predicts</a></li>
</ul>

Bitcoin Tops $106,000; Ethereum, Dogecoin Surge As Trump Announces Iran-Israel Ceasefire — Analyst Sees 23.6% BTC Spike If This Happens

U.S. futures markets are rallying on Monday night, after President Donald Trump announced a &#8220;ceasefire timeline&#8221; for the conflict between Iran and Israel. 



The S&amp;P 500 Futures trade at 6,112.50, up 0.58%, followed by Nasdaq Futures at 22,256.00, up 0.88%, and finally Dow Futures at 43,136.00, up 0.55%, at the time of writing this, just hours after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46059497/stocks-rise-oil-tumbles-despite-irans-strikes-on-us-bases-whats-driving-markets-monday">Iran&#8217;s missile strikes</a> against U.S. bases located in Iran and Qatar on Monday.



Trump shared a post on Truth Social on Monday, announcing a &#8220;Complete and Total CEASEFIRE,&#8221; at which point, he says, &#8220;THE 12 DAY WAR&#8221; will be considered &#8220;ended.&#8221;



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46065102/trump-says-there-is-a-ceasefire-between-isreal-and-iran">Trump Says There Is A Ceasefire Between Israel And Iran</a>



He further adds that this war could have gone on for years, destroying the entire Middle East, &#8220;but it didn&#8217;t, and never will,&#8221; Trump says, while congratulating both countries and everyone involved in this exercise. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="930" height="1024" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23212233/Screenshot-2025-06-24-at-6.52.13-AM-930x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-958862" style="width:501px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23212233/Screenshot-2025-06-24-at-6.52.13-AM-930x1024.png 930w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23212233/Screenshot-2025-06-24-at-6.52.13-AM-272x300.png 272w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23212233/Screenshot-2025-06-24-at-6.52.13-AM-768x846.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23212233/Screenshot-2025-06-24-at-6.52.13-AM.png 1166w" sizes="(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" /></figure>



The Foreign Minister of Iran, Syed Abbas Araghchi, has, however, refuted claims of a ceasefire, saying that there was &#8220;no agreement&#8221; for cessation of military operations, in a post on X. 



He does go on to state that if the &#8220;Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression&#8221; against Iran by 4 AM Tehran time, then Iran will have no intention of continuing with its response. Araghchi adds that any &#8220;final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.&#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">As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around. As of now, there is NO &quot;agreement&quot; on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no…&mdash; Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) <a href="https://twitter.com/araghchi/status/1937311435882922420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Asian markets opened higher on the news, with Japan&#8217;s benchmark Nikkei 225 up 1.02%, trading at 38,746.93 points, led by global, export-oriented companies. 



Crude oil prices plunged following news of the ceasefire, with Brent trading at $68.63 a barrel, down 0.78% during the day, and 12.83% from its high point of $78.74 a barrel last week, when tensions continued to flare.



Oil prices are dragging down leading energy ETFs, with the United States Oil Fund LP (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USO#NYSE">USO</a>) down 8.07% on Monday, and 3.19% after hours. 



This was followed by the ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (NYSEARCA:&nbsp;UCO), down 11.23% during the day, and extending its decline by another 4.32% after hours. Finally, the SPDR S&amp;P Oil &amp; Gas Exploration &amp; Production ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOP#NYSE">XOP</a>) was down 3.62% and an additional 1.66%.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">ETF</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">1-Day</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">After Hours</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Year-To-Date</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">United States Oil Fund LP (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USO#NYSE">USO</a>)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-8.07%</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-3.19%</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-0.68%</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (NYSEARCA:&nbsp;UCO)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-11.23%</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-4.32%</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-12.33%</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">SPDR S&amp;P Oil &amp; Gas Exploration &amp; Production ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOP#NYSE">XOP</a>)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-3.62%</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-1.66%</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-4.35%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) is down 0.18%, trading at 98.233 against a basket of foreign currencies, despite the easing of tensions in the Middle East. Gold spot prices are down 0.72%, trading at $3,344.41 per ounce.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="190" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23215248/Screenshot-2025-06-24-at-7.22.30-AM-1024x190.png" alt="" class="wp-image-958875" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23215248/Screenshot-2025-06-24-at-7.22.30-AM-1024x190.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23215248/Screenshot-2025-06-24-at-7.22.30-AM-300x56.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23215248/Screenshot-2025-06-24-at-7.22.30-AM-768x143.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23215248/Screenshot-2025-06-24-at-7.22.30-AM.png 1174w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



The United States Oil Fund exhibits strong momentum and has a favorable price trend in the short, medium, and long term. Click <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">here</a> for deeper insights into the stock and how it compares with peers and competitors.



Photo courtesy: Maxim Elramsisy / Shutterstock.com



Read More: 



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/06/46061928/iran-oil-attack-us-qatar-trump-negotiation">Oil Was Supposed To Soar On Iran Strikes—It Just Crashed Instead</a></li>
</ul>

Commodities

Dow Futures Jump Over 200 Points As Trump Announces Ceasefire, But Iran Says 'No Agreement' — Crude Plunges

On Monday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest made significant trades involving Circle Internet Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRCL#NYSE">CRCL</a>), Robinhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>), Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>). These trades highlight Ark&#8217;s strategic positioning in the market amidst evolving industry dynamics.



The Circle Internet Trade



Ark Invest executed a notable sell-off of Circle Internet shares across multiple ETFs, including Ark Fintech Innovation ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKF#BATS">ARKF</a>), ARK Innovation ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#BATS">ARKK</a>), and the ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKW#BATS">ARKW</a>). The sale amounted to a total of 415,844 shares. Circle shares surged more than 9% on Monday, closing at $263.45. At that price, the value of Ark's trade totaled $109.55 million.



This move comes as Circle&#8217;s stock <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/46056731/circle-internet-group-stock-climbs-to-new-highs-whats-going-on">reached new heights</a> following its announcement of a partnership with Fiserv to develop stablecoin-enabled solutions for financial institutions. The collaboration aims to enhance the adoption of stablecoins within the Fiserv ecosystem.



The Robinhood Trade



Ark Invest&#8217;s ARKK fund acquired 319,640 shares of Robinhood Markets Inc. Robinhood stock closed at $76.35 on Monday, valuing the transaction at $24.4 million.



This purchase follows a recent trend where a Robinhood director <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/46038740/robinhood-director-sells-millions-but-hood-stock-eyes-gains">sold millions</a> in shares, yet the stock continues to show potential for gains. As of June 2025, director Baiju Bhatt sold up to $31 million worth of stock, according to an earlier report. It should be noted, however, that another director, Christopher Payne, purchased nearly $2 million worth of stock in the same period.



The AMD Trade



Ark Invest made a sizable move on AMD, with its ARKF, ARKK, and ARKW funds collectively picking up 130,256 shares. AMD closed at $129.58 on Monday, putting the total value of the trades at $16.9 million.



This decision aligns with recent positive analyst forecasts, which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/price-target/25/06/46051985/amd-to-rally-more-than-36-here-are-10-top-analyst-forecasts-for-monday">predict a potential rally</a> of over 36% for AMD. The stock&#8217;s recent surge is attributed to rumors of a significant &#8220;GPU win&#8221; with Amazon Web Services and a favorable analyst rating update from Piper Sandler.



The TSMC Trade



Ark&#8217;s ARKK and ARKW funds acquired a total of 65,102 shares of TSMC. This move follows a series of analyst upgrades for TSM, driven by its strategic positioning in the semiconductor industry. With TSMC closing at $210.32 on Monday, the trades were worth approximately $13.7 million.



Analysts have been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/46030897/analysts-keep-boosting-taiwan-semiconductor-stock-heres-why">boosting their ratings</a>, recognizing TSM&#8217;s critical role in the global tech supply chain, as reported by Benzinga.



Other Key Trades:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>ARKW and ARKF added 4,198 shares of Coinbase Global Inc (COIN). The transaction in the platforms that allows for trading in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) was valued at $1.3 million.</li>



<li>ARKF, ARKW and ARKK together purchased 112,658 shares of Shopify Inc. (SHOP).</li>
</ul>



Photo Courtesy: ChrisStock82 on Shutterstock.com



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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/news/space/25/06/46043554/after-us-sanctions-china-deploys-indigenous-os-in-space-to-cut-foreign-reliance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">After US Sanctions, China Deploys Indigenous OS In Space To Cut Foreign Reliance</a></li>
</ul>



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

ARKF

ARKK

ARKW

CRCL

HOOD

Cathie Wood's Ark Invest Cashes Out $109 Million Out Of Circle Internet Stock As Shares Spike, Pivots Into Robinhood And These Chip Stocks

Oil markets defied all expectations Monday, crashing more than 7% to $68 a barrel even as Iran launched a barrage of missiles at U.S. military installations in Qatar in retaliation for American strikes on Iranian nuclear <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/iran">facilities over the weekend.</a>



Instead of triggering a surge in crude prices, typical of an escalating Middle East conflict, the attack seemed to confirm what markets have already priced in: this was a symbolic, controlled response, not the start of a full-blown war.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Iran Strikes US Bases, But Oil Plunges As Markets Shrug Off Threat</h3>



On Monday at around 1:00 p.m. ET, Iran's military declared the missile launches under the operation name &#8220;Annunciation of Victory&#8221;, targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar—the largest U.S. base in the region. 



Qatar temporarily closed its airspace amid the strikes, and flight-tracking services confirmed nearby UAE airspace closures as well.



But according to U.S. officials cited by Reuters, no missiles hit the base directly, and no casualties or damage were reported. 



The <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/23/world/iran-trump-israel-news">New York Times</a> confirmed that Iran had notified both Qatari and U.S. officials in advance, an unusual move likely intended to limit escalation and avoid fatalities.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chart: Oil Just Had Its Worst Day Since December 2022</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="528" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23152117/image-342-1024x528.png" alt="" class="wp-image-958665" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23152117/image-342-1024x528.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23152117/image-342-300x155.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23152117/image-342-768x396.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23152117/image-342-1536x792.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23152117/image-342-2048x1056.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Markets See Symbolism, Not Escalation</h3>



The initial response from markets was decisive: West Texas Intermediate crude – as tracked by the United States Oil Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USO#NYSE">USO</a>) – dropped more than 7%, marking its steepest daily fall since April 8 and pushing oil prices below levels seen before the Israel-Iran conflict erupted.



The market interpreted the attack as largely symbolic—matching the number of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear targets, but carefully calibrated to avoid serious damage. 



As reported by The Kobeissi Letter on X, a popular financial newsletter and media platform, Iran&#8217;s move was "calculated and de-escalatory," designed to satisfy domestic political pressure in Iran while avoiding direct military confrontation with the U.S.



"This is a textbook buy-the-rumor, sell-the-news event," Kobeissi said, adding that the retreat in oil prices reflects fading war risk and a potential opening for diplomacy. 



"The market is saying we are nowhere near World War 3."



<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">Iran&#39;s response has begun: After US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Iran just attacked US military bases in Qatar and Iraq. Meanwhile, oil prices just CRASHED over -6% on the news. Why? Markets are saying EVERYTHING you need to know. Let us explain. (a thread) <a href="https://t.co/TUny5gJcmt">pic.twitter.com/TUny5gJcmt</a>&mdash; The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) <a href="https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1937203434559799743?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Diplomacy Back On The Table?</h2>



The Trump administration anticipated a response from Tehran following the U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend, a senior White House official told <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-iran-us-strikes-06-23-25-intl-hnk#cmc9dokci001f3b70mnambkp5">CNN</a> on Monday.



According to the official, President Donald Trump does not currently seek further military engagement in the region, signaling a preference for containment over escalation. However, the administration remains prepared to act if necessary.



This positioning from both sides has reinforced the belief that, for now, the worst has been avoided. 



With the S&amp;P 500 trading less than 2% below record highs and oil back under $70, markets appear to be dialing down the energy shock premium—at least for now.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/25/06/46057446/us-bonds-traild-sp-500-5-straight-years-iran-shock-snap-streak">US Bonds Trailed S&amp;P 500 For 5 Straight Years — Will Iran Shock Snap The Streak? </a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Anton Watman/Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Analyst Ratings

Oil Was Supposed To Soar On Iran Strikes—It Just Crashed Instead

With President Donald Trump's stunning decision to directly involve U.S. forces in Israel's conflict with Iran, the geopolitical environment stands on fragile ground. Cynically, though, this development may provide an upward catalyst for CrowdStrike Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWD#NASDAQ">CRWD</a>). A cybersecurity specialist, CrowdStrike has been thrust into the spotlight amid an anticipated retaliatory response by Iran. As such, a clear incentive exists among government and private institutions to bolster digital defenses, thus lifting CRWD stock.



On Saturday night, Trump declared <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46043305/donald-trump-announces-spectacular-military-success-as-us-strikes-key-iranian-nuclear-sites">successful strikes on three crucial Iranian nuclear sites</a>, labeling the operation a "spectacular military success." During an address to the nation, the president stated that U.S. forces' main objective was to destroy Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity, criticizing its government as the "world's number one state sponsor of terror."



However, the contentious decision to bomb Iran has <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/06/20/nx-s1-5439184/maga-divide-trump-strike-iran">divided</a> Trump's support among his otherwise fiercely loyal base. On one hand, political supporters praised the decision to attack a longtime adversary and for supporting Israel. On the other end, notable proponents, such as former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, have argued that Trump is turning his back on his America First principles.



Worryingly, the U.S. could be sucked into another protracted military campaign in the Middle East, a matter that is deeply <a href="https://time.com/6590408/us-biden-middle-east-war/">unpopular</a> for the American public. What's more, Iran is likely to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-attacks-retaliation-targets-mideast-wars-63ccbe43d83cf3cc7faf3fc4b37e6333">retaliate</a>, which may threaten servicemembers stationed in the region. Perhaps most distressingly, Iran could activate sleeper cells to launch <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/u-s-officials-iran-threatened-terror-attacks-inside-u-s-242058821681">terror</a> attacks in the U.S.



Among the asymmetric warfare tools of Iran is its capacity to initiate cyberattacks. Last year, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>, NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) subsidiary Google confirmed that the Islamic nation's Revolutionary Guard <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40387430/google-confirms-iranian-hackers-linked-to-revolutionary-guard-targeted-trump-biden-and-harris-campai">launched a series of cyberattacks</a> targeting the political campaigns of Trump, former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris.



With the threat level elevated, both government agencies and private enterprises have every incentive to bolster their digital defenses. By logical deduction, the accelerated demand could lift CRWD stock.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Using Statistical Data To Pinpoint A Strategy For CRWD Stock</h2>



As compelling as the fundamental narrative may be for CRWD stock, it still lacks in the area of specificity. For traders (particularly those who focus on options), they live in the world of probabilities. It's not so much about the "why" of an investment but rather the "how" — as in, how much, how fast and how likely.



Since all options expire, an underlying thesis must be accurate in terms of magnitude (y-axis) and in time (x-axis). To address this challenge, it's important to conduct statistical analysis, which sounds easier said than done. At first glance, it's a straightforward process: merely take the desired outcome and divide it by the total frequencies of events in the given dataset.



However, the above approach only calculates odds across the dataset's distribution, which is a derivative probability. What most traders are looking for is the conditional probability: the odds of an outcome materializing over a specific subset of the underlying data. Colloquially, conditional probabilities are akin to situational batting averages, such as when there are runners in scoring position (RISP) as opposed to a simple average over an entire season.



To implement conditional frameworks requires that the measurement metric governing the data speak a unified language. This is the reason why market breadth — or sequences of accumulative and distributive sessions — represents a valuable tool. As a first-order principle (meaning that it cannot be mathematically reduced), market breadth's binary nature facilitates categorization and quantification, which then lends itself to sensible probabilistic analysis.



As it relates to CRWD stock, its price action over the past two months can be converted as a "6-4-U" sequence: six up weeks, four down weeks, with a net positive trajectory across the 10-week period. While this admittedly compresses the dynamic magnitude profile of CRWD into a binary code, the benefit is that this sequence can be catalogued to determine likely forward outcomes.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23144003/CRWD-stock-10wk-forecast-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-958623" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23144003/CRWD-stock-10wk-forecast-1024x576.jpg 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23144003/CRWD-stock-10wk-forecast-300x169.jpg 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23144003/CRWD-stock-10wk-forecast-768x432.jpg 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23144003/CRWD-stock-10wk-forecast.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image by author</figcaption></figure>



Based on past empirical data, in 61.9% of cases when the 6-4-U sequence flashes, the following week's price action results in upside, with a median return of 4.04%. Should the bulls maintain control of the market for a second week, past analogs suggest that CRWD stock could be due for a nearly 1% upside move.



Based on Friday's close of $476.30, CRWD may run close to $500 over the next two to three weeks. Given the fundamental catalyst, the security just might eclipse this psychological threshold.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Optimistic But Rational Trades To Consider</h2>



Based on the market intelligence above, aggressive traders may consider the 495/500 bull call spread expiring July 11. This transaction involves buying the $495 call and simultaneously selling the $500 call, for a net debit paid of $275. Should CRWD stock rise through the short strike price ($500) at expiration, the maximum reward is $225, a payout of nearly 82%.



Those who want to add an extra week to their timeline may consider the 490/500 bull spread expiring July 18. However, the drawback here is that the spread is considerably more expensive, requiring a net debit of $515. Still, the reward if CRWD stock hits the short strike price at expiration is $485, a payout of over 94%.



In both cases, the common driver is the implied shift in sentiment regime that the 6-4-U sequence generates. As a baseline, the chance that CRWD stock rises on any given week is 55.87%, which is a strong upward bias. But the aforementioned sequence amplifies this bullish edge, further incentivizing a debit-based strategy for those already prone to risk-taking.



The opinions and views expressed in this content are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Benzinga. Benzinga is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any information provided herein. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be misconstrued as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Readers are asked not to rely on the opinions or information herein, and encouraged to do their own due diligence before making investing decisions.



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Options

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CRWD

Options Corner: CrowdStrike Gains Relevance As Iran Poses Cyber Retaliation Threat

I'm usually a long-term investor. It fits my nature, inclination, and personality. The short-term trades I engage in from time to time are typically arbitrage-related. That does not mean that I don't know anything about trading.



Many years ago, I conversed with one of the greatest traders of the last 100 years. He said that when studying markets, if something can be tested, it must be tested. Since then, I have tested thousands of different ideas, thoughts, concepts, and what I thought initially were grand epiphanies, including dozens of technical indicators.



I have read thousands more tests and studies by traders, professors, and students of the markets. I have had countless conversations with value investors, arbitrage traders, floor traders, quantitative traders, private equity corporate raider types, fundamentalists, technicians, spread traders, scalpers, and everyone in between.



After talking, reading, and number crunching, I can tell you that the secret to trading success is not what you think it is. It is not a magic pattern. It is not the top-secret options strategy of the 1%. It is not the perfect algorithm. It is absolutely not a high win rate. In fact, a high win rate with small average gains is more likely to lead to a job waiting tables at Applebee&#8217;s than it is to being featured on Lifestyles of the Rich and Lucky.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Matt Maley Is Trading The Market's Shifting Forces—Live Wednesday At 6 PM ET</h2>



Geopolitical tensions, energy disruptions, and inflation are creating new market dynamics. Join Matt Maley this Wednesday at 6 PM ET to learn how he's positioning for these forces as we head into July. Matt will share how he's trading the current volatility, which sectors he's focused on, and the real trade setups he's targeting to capitalize on this evolving macro environment. Reserve <a href="https://events2.benzinga.com/matt-maley-webinar-wed-june25-2025-registration/?utm_campaign=webinar062525&amp;utm_adType=sponsorad&amp;utm_ad=RD062425">your spot now</a>—this is your chance to trade with a Wall Street veteran.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Right-Sizing Your Bets And Learning To Take Small Losses</h2>



Everett Klipp was one of the best traders in the history of the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). He was often called the Babe Ruth of the CBOT. During his career, he mentored Richard Dennis, William Eckhardt, Mark Spitznagle, and hundreds of CBOT traders. He was emphatic about taking small losses and avoiding the big losses that could wipe out an account or end a career.



Paul Tudor Jones has had spectacular success during his career and has repeatedly said that the key to making big money is not playing offense but playing defense and taking small losses. The wins will take care of themselves if you put defense first.



Charles P. DiFrancesca trained hundreds of successful floor traders at the CBOT. He taught that trading was not about predicting the future. It was about managing the present, cutting losers early, and letting winners run. He believed the only real mistake a trader could make was allowing a small loss to turn into a big one.



Charlie D. died too young, but not only did he get rich, he helped a lot of young traders survive and thrive during his career. If you have never read &#8220;Charlie D., The Story of the Legendary Bond Trader&#8221; by William Falloon, order it now from Amazon. You will thank me.



If someone claimed that Ed Seykota was the best trader ever, I would find it difficult to argue with them. He made a fortune, and his entire system was built around cutting losses short and letting winners run.



That sounds trite, but it&#8217;s a lot like &#8220;Buy Low, Sell High.&#8221; Really easy to say but very difficult to practice.



Ed is interviewed in the original Trading Wizards by Jack Schwager, as are Paul Tudor Jones and other wildly successful traders. You can get it on Amazon and I would be shocked if your local library did not have a copy.



Stanley Druckenmiller has made billions in the financial markets. He is one of the true greats of trading. He is best known for some of his legendary trades, but he repeatedly emphasized taking losses quickly when a position goes against you.



He did not earn 30% a year for 30 years with no down years because he spent a lot of time hoping a trade would return to its starting point.



William O&#8217;Neill&#8217;s CANSLIM program worked as well as it did because he never let a stock plunge precipitously and wipe out his account. He used 7% stops on every trade.



While that did not transition well to mutual fund management, O&#8217;Neill and CANSLIM made a lot of money for a lot of individual investors. He made billions by hanging on when he was right, allowing powerful fundamentals to send the stock soaring, and getting out quickly when he was wrong.



As individual traders and investors, we do not have the luxury of research staff and trading desks. We do have the luxury of being independent, though, and not having to answer to anyone.



It is not that difficult to set up a system. It does not matter if you want to use trend-based entry points or reversion-based entry.



It matters that you have an approach that is the right mix of probability and payoff and that has rules you can follow.



It matters that you understand the system.



We cannot all be Jim Simons and would go broke if we tried to be.



I am pretty sure you can make money using something as simple as a combination of Williams %R or RSI along with a short-term moving average, unless you hoped and dreamed too much about positions recovering losses and hung on long after you should have closed the trade.



If you want to be profitable as a trader, learn to take small losses quickly and painlessly. If you do not, you will certainly take a large one at some point that puts you out of the game.



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.



Photo: Shutterstock

Opinion

The Greatest Traders All Follow This One Simple Rule

The U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear facility on June 21 has raised the specter of a new oil crisis, reviving investor fears of energy-driven inflation and testing whether the stock market can <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/iran">withstand another geopolitical shock.</a>



Historical precedent offers a guide to how the S&amp;P 500 index responds to energy-driven geopolitical upheaval—and the record shows that outcomes vary sharply depending on the broader economic context.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How Did The S&amp;P 500 React To Past Oil Crises?</h3>



In the first major oil shock in October 1973, triggered by the Arab oil embargo, the S&amp;P 500 – as tracked by the Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) – plunged 11.3% within a month and was down 41% one year later. 



The second oil shock in January 1978, tied to the start of the Iranian revolution, saw a more minor short-term hit—down 6.2% over a month—but the index recovered 5.3% over 12 months.



During the first Gulf War in August 1990, the S&amp;P 500 fell 9.4% in a month but rebounded 8.6% over the following year. In contrast, the 2003 Iraq invasion saw modest gains of 0.8% in one month and a strong 35% surge over 12 months.



The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine brought an initial 3.7% gain in the S&amp;P 500, but the index declined 12.4% a year later amid inflation and interest rate concerns.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Crisis Event</th><th>Start Date</th><th>1-Month S&amp;P 500 Return</th><th>12-Month S&amp;P 500 Return</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>First Oil Shock (Arab oil embargo)</td><td>Oct 1973</td><td>-11.3%</td><td>-41.0%</td></tr><tr><td>Second Oil Shock (Iranian Revolution)</td><td>Jan 1978</td><td>-6.2%</td><td>+5.3%</td></tr><tr><td>First Gulf War</td><td>Aug 1990</td><td>-9.4%</td><td>+8.6%</td></tr><tr><td>Second Gulf War (Iraq Invasion)</td><td>Mar 2003</td><td>+0.8%</td><td>+35.0%</td></tr><tr><td>Russia-Ukraine War</td><td>Feb 2022</td><td>+3.7%</td><td>-12.4%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Real Market Damage May Come After The Oil Shock</h3>



While oil prices tend to surge during geopolitical shocks, history shows that the stock market pain often arrives later, when elevated energy costs start fueling inflation and central banks are forced to act by raising interest rates, thus reducing economic growth.



Prices peaked in January 1974 in the wake of the 1973 oil shock. The Federal Reserve raised interest rates in March of that year.



As borrowing costs rose, the S&amp;P 500 extended its decline, falling another 25% until it bottomed in October 1974. The oil shock initially triggered volatility, but the real equity damage came after monetary tightening.



A similar pattern followed the 1979 oil crisis. Oil peaked in May 1980, then fell 30% over the next three years. 



However, the S&amp;P 500 didn't bottom until July 1982, after falling 25% between November 1980 and mid-1982. This period coincided with Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker raising interest rates to a record 20%, keeping them in double-digit territory until August 1982 to crush inflation.



The 2022 Russia-Ukraine war followed the same blueprint. Oil surged to $130 per barrel in March, then slid to $80 by October. The S&amp;P 500 suffered a 20% drawdown from March to October 2022 as the Federal Reserve began lifting interest rates, then accelerated the pace of hikes through the summer.



These episodes reveal a consistent pattern: initial oil shocks may trigger a knee-jerk reaction in markets, but the most damaging effects emerge as inflation lingers, central banks raise rates, and growth weakens.



Bottom line, oil spikes alone don't always sink equities.



But when prices stay high for months, the inflationary pressure builds, forcing central banks like the Federal Reserve to respond with tighter monetary policy.



That's when the real trouble begins.



Read Next:



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Photo: Mohamad Reza Jamei/Shutterstock

War, Oil, And S&P 500: Here's How The Stock Market Behaves In Energy Crises

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