<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/11/41750727/kevin-oleary-supports-elon-musks-2-trillion-plan-to-slash-government-spending-with-trumps-backing-it">Elon Musk </a>doesn't shy away from big ideas or bold predictions, but his latest warning is a wake-up call for America.&nbsp;



During a recent appearance on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qZl_5xHoBw">The Joe Rogan Experience</a>, Musk pulled no punches when discussing the U.S. economy. His verdict? The country is heading toward financial collapse if drastic action isn't taken.



"We're drowning in debt," Musk said, referring to the $36.14 trillion the U.S. owes, as reported by the Treasury Department. He explained that interest payments alone comprise 23% of all federal revenue. "If this keeps up, the entire government budget will go to paying interest. That means no money for Social Security, no Medicare, nothing. America would be toast."



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Musk's warning hit a nerve and for good reason. Interest payments on the debt are already skyrocketing. In 2024, the government spent over $1 trillion on interest – a staggering figure compared to $4.92 trillion in total revenue.&nbsp;



The Congressional Budget Office predicts those payments will keep climbing, potentially outpacing Medicare and defense spending within a decade.



Musk didn't stop at identifying the problem; he proposed a solution: cutting federal spending by 30%. However, not everyone thinks that's realistic. Marc Goldwein, an expert from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, quickly critiqued Musk's suggestion.&nbsp;



"Cuts of that magnitude would be borderline impossible without touching programs like Social Security or causing severe economic pain," Goldwein said. He added that most of the federal budget is tied to mandatory spending, leaving little room for discretionary cuts.



Trending: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elon-musk-told-the-u-n-if-they-could-show-a-plan-for-ending-world-hunger-hed-donate-6-billion-i-will-sell-tesla-stock-right-now-and-do-it">Elon Musk Told The U.N. If They Could Show A Plan For Ending World Hunger He'd Donate $6 Billion – ‘I Will Sell Tesla Stock Right Now And Do It'</a>



Ever the skeptic, Joe Rogan asked Musk how this would impact everyday Americans. Musk didn't sugarcoat it. "It means inflation will spike, jobs will disappear and systems we rely on will collapse," he said. "This isn't some far-off possibility – it's already starting to happen."



Experts are divided on Musk's approach but agree the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41720492/anthony-scaramucci-predicts-u-s-will-tackle-debt-crisis-bitcoin-value-will-triple-and-reve"> debt crisis</a> is serious. According to the Peterson Foundation, unchecked debt could lead to higher interest rates, slower economic growth and lower household incomes.&nbsp;



"This isn't just about government budgets," their recent report stated. "It's about the economic future of every American family."



Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned Congress that the U.S. could hit its debt ceiling as early as January 2025. In a letter reported by The Associated Press, Yellen urged Congress to take immediate action to protect credit and the full faith of the USA.



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<li>Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a></li>



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

There Won't Be Money For Social Security': Elon Musk Tells Joe Rogan About Looming Bankruptcy And $1.1 Trillion Interest

The European Union&#8216;s (EU) USB-C directive has officially come into force, mandating a universal charging port for electronic devices. The directive, effective from 2025, requires mobile <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42736387/eu-usb-c-directive-kicks-in-what-it-means-for-you-your-devices-and-the-planet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phones to feature a USB-C port</a>.



Cyberhaven, a data-loss prevention startup, has confirmed a security breach involving its&nbsp;Google Chrome&nbsp;browser extension. Hackers managed to release a malicious update capable of stealing user <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42712841/google-chrome-users-beware-this-holiday-season-cyber-security-firms-browser-extension-hijacked-by-attackers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">passwords and session tokens</a>.



President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump has sought a &#8220;political resolution&#8221; of the TikTok ban, urging the Supreme Court to&nbsp;postpone a&nbsp;law that threatens to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42712643/trump-asks-supreme-court-to-delay-tiktok-ban-as-he-pursues-a-political-resolution" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">block the social media app</a>.



Venezuela's Supreme Court has levied a $10 million fine against&nbsp;ByteDance-owned&nbsp;TikTok&nbsp;for its alleged failure to curb the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42758430/tiktok-fined-10-million-in-venezuela-as-supreme-court-blames-platform-for-failing-to-prevent-deadly-viral-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spread of&nbsp;hazardous viral challenges</a>.



Streaming &amp; Music Platforms



Explicit content has been discovered in&nbsp;Spotify Technology S.A.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPOT#NYSE">SPOT</a>) search results, sparking user outrage over apparent moderation loopholes. A Reddit user shared a screenshot showing a pornographic video appearing in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42716915/spotify-users-discover-adult-content-hidden-in-search-results-sparking-outrage-over-moderation-loopholes" rel="noreferrer noopener">search results for British rapper&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42716915/spotify-users-discover-adult-content-hidden-in-search-results-sparking-outrage-over-moderation-loopholes" rel="noreferrer noopener">M.I.A</a>.



Netflix, Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) Squid Game&nbsp;is back in the spotlight&nbsp;with its second season, and fans are buzzing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/42759975/squid-game-season-3-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-thrilling-finale-coming-in-2025" rel="noreferrer noopener">about the third and final season</a>.



Smartphones



Samsung Electronics Co.&#8217;s&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNLF#OTC">SSNLF</a>) Galaxy S25 Slim, identified as model SM-S937, is reportedly not launching&nbsp;alongside the rest&nbsp;of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42717053/galaxy-s25-slim-delayed-samsungs-sleek-new-model-wont-reportedly-be-part-of-the-first-wave-in-early-2025" rel="noreferrer noopener">the&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42717053/galaxy-s25-slim-delayed-samsungs-sleek-new-model-wont-reportedly-be-part-of-the-first-wave-in-early-2025" rel="noreferrer noopener">S25</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42717053/galaxy-s25-slim-delayed-samsungs-sleek-new-model-wont-reportedly-be-part-of-the-first-wave-in-early-2025" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;series in early 2025</a>.



Apple Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) has stopped selling its&nbsp;iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus,&nbsp;and third-generation iPhone SE models across <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42712752/apple-halts-iphone-14-iphone-se-sales-in-eu-heres-why" rel="noreferrer noopener">most EU countries</a>.



A new leak reiterates that&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;is reportedly set to&nbsp;improve the display technology&nbsp;in its upcoming&nbsp;iPhone 17&nbsp;series. Over the weekend, Weibo-based Chinese leaker&nbsp;Digital Chat Station&nbsp;said that supply chain materials support the rumors of a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42736353/iphone-17-to-get-display-upgrade-as-apple-finally-ditches-60hz-technology-new-leak-reiterates-possibility" rel="noreferrer noopener">higher refresh rate for the standard iPhone 17</a>.



Apple is offering discounts of up to 500 yuan ($68.50) on its&nbsp;iPhone 16&nbsp;models in China as it&nbsp;faces increasing competition&nbsp;from&nbsp;Huawei Technologies. Apple has launched a rare promotional event in China, set <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/01/42759147/apple-discounts-iphone-16-prices-in-china-by-up-to-68-5-as-it-battles-huaweis-resurgence-in-the-country" rel="noreferrer noopener">to run from Jan. 4 to Jan. 7, 2025</a>.



Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42739523/apple-amazon-samsung-and-nintendo-what-tech-marvels-are-these-giants-cooking-in-2025" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple, Amazon, Samsung, And Nintendo: What Tech Marvels Are These Giants Cooking In 2025</a>



Technology &amp; Artificial Intelligence (AI)



Amid a surge in demand for AI chip package substrates,&nbsp;Ibiden Co.,&nbsp;a significant supplier for&nbsp;Nvidia Corp.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), is evaluating the possibility of hastening its production capacity expansion. This move comes as the company aims to keep pace with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42718022/days-after-key-nvidia-supplier-warned-of-ai-spending-slowdown-another-nvda-partner-considers-accelerating-expansion-to-meet-growing-demand" rel="noreferrer noopener">the growing needs of the AI industry</a>.



Cathie Wood, CEO and CIO of&nbsp;Ark Invest&nbsp;shared her optimistic outlook for 2025, highlighting advancements in robotics, energy storage, artificial intelligence, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42758213/cathie-woods-ark-invest-predicts-explosive-growth-in-2025-innovation-is-going-to-scale-dramatically-as-the-economy-begins-to-get-rid-of-regulations-under-this-new-administration" rel="noreferrer noopener">blockchain technology, and multiomics</a>.



Encode, a nonprofit organization, has joined forces with&nbsp;Elon Musk in a legal effort to prevent&nbsp;OpenAI&nbsp;from transitioning into a for-profit entity. This move comes as Encode files a request to submit an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42712824/elon-musks-legal-battle-against-openais-for-profit-transition-joined-by-non-profit-encode" rel="noreferrer noopener">amicus brief in support of Musk's injunction</a>.



Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)-backed OpenAI has revealed its plans to evolve into a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation (PBC). The company aims to balance shareholder and stakeholder interests <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42712683/openai-lays-out-its-for-profit-transition-plans-says-it-must-evolve-to-advance-its-agi-mission" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">while maintaining its public benefit mission</a>.



Image: Shutterstock

News

Tech

AAPL

MSFT

NFLX

NVDA

SPOT

SSNLF

Consumer Tech News (Dec 30-Jan 3): Apple Stops Selling iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone SE, Trump Seeks A 'Political Resolution' Of TikTok Ban & More

The week was filled with stories that kept the business world buzzing. From Elon Musk&#8217;s controversial involvement in German politics to the surge in natural gas prices due to freezing US temperatures, there was no shortage of news. Let&#8217;s dive into the key stories that shaped the weekend.



Elon Musk Accused of Meddling in German Elections



Tesla Inc. CEO Musk has been accused by the German government of attempting to influence the upcoming federal elections. Musk&#8217;s endorsements of the far-right party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), have been deemed &#8220;intrusive and presumptuous&#8221; by Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's largest opposition party.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42732904/elon-musk-blasted-as-intrusive-and-presumptuous-for-trying-to-influence-german-elections-toward-far-right-party">Read the full article here.</a>



US Freeze Drives Natural Gas Prices Up



An arctic blast across the US has led to a surge in heating demand, resulting in volatile conditions in energy markets. Natural gas futures saw a significant bounce back, with February contracts climbing by over 2%. The National Weather Center (NWC) predicts continued heavy coastal rains and higher-elevation snow for much of the northwestern U.S.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/25/01/42769181/natural-gas-prices-surge-as-arctic-blast-freezes-us-3-stocks-on-the-move">Read the full article here.</a>



Mortgage Rates Hit Six-Month High



The new year has brought little relief for prospective US homebuyers as mortgage rates have soared to their highest level in six months. The average interest rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages climbed to 6.97% in the week ending Dec. 27, 2024, marking the steepest rates since early July.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/42764583/mortgage-rates-soar-to-697-applications-crash-jobless-claims-fall-thursdays-econ-data">Read the full article here.</a>



El-Erian Highlights Economic Disparity in the US



Influential economist Mohamed El-Erian pointed out the stark contrast between US "economic exceptionalism" and the struggles of lower-income households in what he calls a "K economy." El-Erian highlighted the growing economic disparity in the United States, noting the significant and increasing challenges faced by lower-income households.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735416/el-erian-warns-of-hidden-crisis-in-exceptional-us-economy-as-lower-income-households-face-considerable-challenges">Read the full article here.</a>



El-Erian Cautions Federal Reserve Against Overly Restrictive Policies



El-Erian has raised concerns over the Federal Reserve's potential policy direction for 2025. El-Erian emphasized the importance of the Fed avoiding an overly restrictive stance in the coming year, cautioning that excessively stringent monetary policies could jeopardize the US economy&#8217;s resilience.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42738682/mohamed-el-erian-warns-federal-reserve-needs-to-refrain-from-being-overly-restrictive-in-2025">Read the full article here.</a>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42779711/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-lift-as-traders-anticipate-golden-crypto-era-under-trump-top-analyst-says-2025-will-see-bull-market-peak?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Lift As Traders Anticipate &#8216;Golden Crypto Era&#8217; Under Trump</a></li>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



 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/anan-ashraf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anan Ashraf.</a>

Economics

TSLA

Elon Musk's German Election 'Meddling,' Natural Gas Price Surge, And More: This Week In Economics

As we usher in the new year, the mobility sector has been buzzing with noteworthy developments. From&nbsp;Lucid Group Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LCID#NASDAQ">LCID</a>) rolling out its Gravity SUV to&nbsp;Elon Musk&#8216;s clarification on the Cybertruck incident, the weekend was anything but quiet. Let&#8217;s dive into the top stories.



Lucid Motors Begins Deliveries of Gravity SUV



Over the last weekend, Lucid Motors began delivering its latest electric vehicle, the Gravity SUV. The first customers received their vehicles and left the factory in a convoy from the company&#8217;s Casa Grande, Arizona facility.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42736433/lucid-starts-deliveries-of-tesla-model-x-competitor-gravity-suv">Read the full article here.</a>



Musk Sheds Light on Cybertruck Incident



Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Musk took to social media to clarify the recent explosion involving a Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel on New Year's Day. According to Musk, the explosion was caused by large fireworks or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented vehicle, not a design or functionality issue of the vehicle itself.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42757901/elon-musk-fireworks-or-explosive-device-caused-fatal-cybertruck-incident-at-las-vegas-trump-hotel-vehicle-was-rented">Read the full article here.</a>



MKBHD Sells Cybertruck, Endorses Rivian



Popular YouTuber and tech reviewer MKBHD, also known as Marques Brownlee, announced he has sold his Tesla Cybertruck and is now supporting rival automaker&nbsp;Rivian Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>).



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42731115/tesla-vs-rivian-mkbhd-sells-cybertruck-tells-elon-musk-tesla-could-crush-with-this-ev">Read the full article here.</a>



Tesla&#8217;s Sales Drop Divides Wall Street



After Tesla&#8217;s fourth-quarter delivery figures fell short of analyst consensus estimates, Wall Street is divided on the company&#8217;s outlook for 2025. Some analysts believe this could be a make-or-break year for the EV giant.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/42777950/teslas-first-sales-drop-splits-wall-street-2025-will-be-the-prove-it-year">Read the full article here.</a>



Musk Envisions Reusable Heat Shield for SpaceX&#8217;s Starship



SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is confident about developing a fully reusable heat shield for the Starship next year. He also envisions uncrewed Starships landing on Mars in about 2 years and crewed Starships heading there in about 4 years.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42718758/elon-musk-says-starship-will-get-fully-reusable-heat-shield-in-2025-i-am-confident">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42763048/powering-up-charging-tesla-to-deploy-first-v4-superchargers-in-china-by-2025?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla To Deploy First V4 Superchargers In China By 2025: Report</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Tesla



 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/anan-ashraf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anan Ashraf.</a>

LCID

RIVN

Lucid's Gravity SUV Rolls Out, Elon Musk On Tesla Cybertruck Blast Incident, And More: This Week In Mobility

The past week has been a whirlwind of political news. From Senator Bernie Sanders backing President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s proposal for a credit card interest rate cap to the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, the news cycle has been nothing short of eventful. Let&#8217;s delve into the top stories of the week.



Bernie Sanders Supports Trump&#8217;s Credit Cap Proposal



Senator Bernie Sanders announced his intention to introduce legislation supporting President-elect Trump&#8217;s proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10%. This comes as credit card defaults hit their highest levels since the 2008 financial crisis. Major credit card companies such as Visa Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>), Mastercard Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>), and American Express Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>) saw their stocks decline.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42737402/bernie-sanders-supports-trumps-credit-card-interest-rate-cap-at-10-amid-highest-defaults-since-2008-visa-and-mastercard-trade-in-the-red">Read the full article here.</a>



Jimmy Carter&#8217;s Passing Mourned by Biden and Trump



President Joe Biden and President-elect Trump expressed their condolences over the passing of former President Jimmy Carter. Biden paid tribute to Carter&#8217;s extraordinary contributions over six decades, referring to him as a dear friend of the nation and the world.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42716729/jimmy-carter-to-receive-state-funeral-trump-calls-him-truly-a-good-man-biden-mourns-loss-of-extraordinary-leader">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump Accuses Black Celebrities of Paid Endorsements



Trump accused several Black celebrities of receiving payments for endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris earlier this year. Trump voiced his allegations on Truth Social, claiming that Democrats paid significant sums to secure endorsements from celebrities such as Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Al Sharpton.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42716303/donald-trump-claims-black-celebrities-were-paid-for-kamala-harris-endorsements">Read the full article here.</a>



Billionaires&#8217; Influence in Trump&#8217;s White House Warned by Robert Reich



Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich warned of a network of powerful billionaires, including venture capitalist Peter Thiel and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, exerting unparalleled influence over the U.S. government in Trump&#8217;s second term. Reich refers to this as a "billionaire brain trust" poised to shape key aspects of policy and governance.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42722137/elon-musk-peter-thiel-and-billionaires-influence-in-trumps-white-house-former-labor-secretary-robert-reichs-warning">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump&#8217;s Response to NOLA Attack



Trump used the deadly New Orleans attack to call for a crackdown on immigration and to criticize the FBI, the Department of Justice, and other agencies. Despite the attacker being born and raised in the U.S., Trump referred to the incident as a good reason to tighten immigration policies.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42776979/trump-calls-fbi-doj-incompetent-and-corrupt-us-a-laughing-stock-biden-calls-nola-attack-despicable-expresses-sympathy-for-victims-families">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42779624/bernie-sanders-says-elon-musk-wrong-on-tech-guest-worker-program-h1-b-visa-purpose-is-to-replace-good-paying-american-jobs?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bernie Sanders Says Elon Musk Wrong On Tech Guest Worker Program: H1-B Visa Purpose Is To &#8216;Replace Good-Paying American Jobs&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Flickr



 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/anan-ashraf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anan Ashraf.</a>

Politics

Sanders Backs Trump's Credit Cap, Carter's Passing, Trump's Response To NOLA Attack And More: This Week In Politics

These ten large-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?



<ol>
<li>Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>) shares escalated 17.45% after the company disclosed its production and delivery figures for the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42786671" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fourth quarter and full-year 2024</a>.</li>



<li>FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTAI#NASDAQ">FTAI</a>) stock surged 16.59% after the company launched a strategic capital initiative in partnership <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42739532" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">with institutional investors</a>.</li>



<li>Vistra Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>) shares jumped 12.66% after UBS raised its price forecast on<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/vst/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> the stock from $161 to $174</a>.</li>



<li>Mobileye Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MBLY#NASDAQ">MBLY</a>) shares rose 11.45%.</li>



<li>Equinor ASA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQNR#NYSE">EQNR</a>) stock surged 11.06% after the company announced it had received $3B in financing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42766874" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for its U.S. Empire Wind 1 project</a>.</li>



<li>Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CEG#NASDAQ">CEG</a>) shares increased 10.39% after the company announced it won $1 billion in combined contracts from the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42770600" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. General Services Administration</a>.</li>



<li>Ecopetrol S.A. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EC#NYSE">EC</a>) stock was up 9.40% after the company confirmed an agreement with Repsol to purchase its interest in the Exploration and Production Contract <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42750775" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(E&amp;P Contract) for Block CPO-09</a>.</li>



<li>Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PR#NYSE">PR</a>) shares upped 9.16%.</li>



<li>Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DVN#NYSE">DVN</a>) stock increased 9.06%.</li>



<li>Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>) stock gained 8.78% last week, continuing the momentum of 2024&#8217;s rally.</li>
</ol>



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Rivian, Mobileye And Arm Are Among Top Large Cap Gainers Last Week (Dec 30-Jan 3): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

These nine large-cap stocks were the worst performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?



<ol>
<li>Carvana Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVNA#NYSE">CVNA</a>) stock plummeted 20.93%. Short-seller Hindenburg Research&#8216;s critical report intensified bearish sentiment, describing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42784518" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carvana&#8217;s turnaround as a &#8220;mirage.</a>&#8221; </li>



<li>SoFi Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOFI#NASDAQ">SOFI</a>) shares declined 10.60% after Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods downgraded the stock from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SOfi/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Market Perform to Underperform</a>.</li>



<li>Yum China Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUMC#NYSE">YUMC</a>) shares fell 10.40%.</li>



<li>Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) shares tumbled 9.62% after the company disclosed fourth-quarter <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42766117" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">production and delivery figures</a>. Analysts revised the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42786667" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>



<li>Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KNSL#NYSE">KNSL</a>) shares dipped 9.45% after JP Morgan cut its price forecast <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/knsl/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on the stock from $415 to $412</a>.</li>



<li>Brown Forman Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BF#NYSE">BF</a>) shares decreased 8.20% last week after U.S. Surgeon General Murthy issued an advisory warning alcohol consumption could raise cancer risk.</li>



<li>Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCOM#NASDAQ">TCOM</a>) stock was down 7.47%. Citigroup raised its price forecast <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/tcom/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on the stock from $73 to $78</a>.</li>



<li>Fomento Economico Mexicano S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FMX#NYSE">FMX</a>) stock lost 7.47% last week after U.S. Surgeon General Murthy issued an advisory warning alcohol consumption could raise cancer risk.</li>



<li>Aurora Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AUR#NASDAQ">AUR</a>) stock fell 9.47%.</li>
</ol>



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Tesla, SoFi Technologies And Alcohol Stocks Were Among Top Large Cap Losers Last Week (Dec 30-Jan 3): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

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



The Nasdaq and S&amp;P 500 ended a five-day losing streak on Friday, but the week closed with the S&amp;P down 0.48%, the Dow losing 0.60%, and the Nasdaq dropping 0.51%.



Rising Treasury yields, including a 30-year high of 4.8%, raised borrowing cost concerns and drove record December outflows from the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>), as markets carried weak momentum <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42796485/goodbye-santa-rally-tesla-falters-on-deliveries-investors-flee-bonds-ahead-of-trumps-second-term-this-week-in-the-market">into the new year.</a>



Meanwhile, the U.S. manufacturing sector showed signs of stabilization in December, with the ISM Manufacturing PMI climbing to 49.3%, its highest since April 2024, though still marking the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/42790042/us-manufacturing-activity-tops-expectations-in-december-rises-to-9-month-highs">ninth consecutive month of contraction.</a>



Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week&#8217;s most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Bulls</h3>



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42751367/netflix-posts-record-debut-with-squid-game-season-2-heres-how-many-people-watched-show">Netflix Posts Record Debut With &#8216;Squid Game&#8217; Season 2: Here&#8217;s How Many People Watched Show</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, highlights Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) achieving 68 million views for &#8220;Squid Game&#8221; Season 2 in its first week, setting a company record, alongside NFL Christmas Day games driving additional subscriber engagement.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42758813/shytoshi-kusama-clears-the-air-on-shiba-inu-role-memecoin-rivalry-our-drive-was-to-overtake-dogecoin">Shytoshi Kusama Clears The Air On Shiba Inu Role, Memecoin Rivalry: &#8216;Our Drive Was To Overtake Dogecoin&#8217;</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, features Shytoshi Kusama clarifying that Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>) was founded by Ryoshi, not him, and sharing the project's early vision to surpass Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>).



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42734220/bill-ackman-sends-fannie-mae-freddie-mac-stocks-soaring-trump-likes-big-deals">Bill Ackman Sends Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Stocks Soaring: &#8216;Trump Likes Big Deals&#8217;</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/erica-kollmann">Erica Kollmann</a>, discusses Bill Ackman's bullish view on Fannie Mae (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FNMA#OTC">FNMA</a>) and Freddie Mac (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FMCC#OTC">FMCC</a>) stocks, citing their potential for large gains as conservatorship could end under Donald Trump's administration, with Ackman highlighting asymmetric upside for investors.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42709387/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">Benzinga&#8217;s &#8216;Stock Whisper&#8217; Index: 5 Stocks Investors Secretly Monitor But Don&#8217;t Talk About Yet</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/25/01/42769181/natural-gas-prices-surge-as-arctic-blast-freezes-us-3-stocks-on-the-move">Natural Gas Prices Surge As Arctic Blast Freezes US: 3 Stocks On The Move</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/42777529/goldman-sachs-adds-3-stocks-to-conviction-list-flags-5-market-trends-to-monitor-in-2025">Goldman Sachs Adds 3 Stocks To &#8216;Conviction List,&#8217; Flags 5 Market Trends To Monitor In 2025</a>



The Bears



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/42777950/teslas-first-sales-drop-splits-wall-street-2025-will-be-the-prove-it-year">Tesla&#8217;s First Sales Drop Splits Wall Street: &#8216;2025 Will Be The Prove It Year&#8217;</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, highlights Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) facing mixed analyst reactions after missing Q4 delivery estimates, with Wedbush's Daniel Ives forecasting a 20%-30% growth rebound in 2025, while Ross Gerber criticized reliance on discounts to boost sales.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading">Pharma Bro Martin Shkreli Predicts Liquidation Doom For MicroStrategy Amid Fall Below $300, Says Bitcoin Will Hit $250K Without Michael Saylor</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, features Martin Shkreli's warning of potential liquidation for MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) as its stock fell below $300, predicting Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) could hit $250,000 without the influence of its co-founder Michael Saylor.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42699274/boeing-engineers-leave-struggling-planemaker-for-space-companies-report">Boeing Engineers Leave Struggling Planemaker For Space Companies: Report</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anan-ashraf">Anan Ashraf</a>, highlights talent migration from Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) to firms like SpaceX and Blue Origin as engineer tenures drop, potentially delaying new aircraft development, though Boeing says its voluntary attrition rate remains low with competitive pay and benefits.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/42790373/apple-iphones-lose-ground-in-china-as-subsidies-boost-huawei-domestic-rivals">Apple iPhones Lose Ground In China As Subsidies Boost Huawei, Domestic Rivals</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/25/01/42791291/jetblue-fined-2-million-for-chronic-flight-delays-delta-united-rank-among-most-on-time-airlines">JetBlue Fined $2 Million For &#8216;Chronic Flight Delays&#8217;: Delta, United Rank Among Most On-Time Airlines</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/short-ideas/22/10/29205954/paul-tudor-jones-correctly-predicted-the-1987-stock-market-crash-heres-what-the-billion">Paul Tudor Jones Correctly Predicted The 1987 Stock Market Crash: Here&#8217;s What The Billionaire Hedge Fund Manager Says Is Coming Next</a>



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



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Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Tesla, Netflix, MicroStrategy — And Shiba Inu Strives To Outpace Dogecoin In Crypto

As we step into the new year, the tech world continues to be abuzz with artificial intelligence (AI) developments. From&nbsp;Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)&nbsp;announcing a whopping $80 billion investment in AI data centers to the ongoing legal tussle between Elon Musk and OpenAI, the past week has been nothing short of eventful. Here&#8217;s a quick roundup of the top stories you might have missed.



Microsoft&#8217;s $80 Billion AI Investment



Microsoft is set to pump approximately $80 billion into the development of AI data centers in fiscal 2025. This move comes in the wake of the launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI in 2022, which has spurred companies to integrate AI into their offerings. The increasing demand for AI&#8217;s computing power necessitates specialized data centers, allowing tech firms to connect thousands of chips in clusters.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42801720/microsoft-to-invest-80-billion-in-ai-data-centers-for-fiscal-2025">Read the full article here.</a>



Microsoft&#8217;s Copilot Plus Targets Mini PCs



In another Microsoft-related development, the tech giant is expanding its AI hardware strategy with a new wave of compact desktop computers featuring dedicated Copilot capabilities. Asus has emerged as the first major manufacturer to unveil a Copilot Plus-compatible mini PC, signaling Microsoft&#8217;s push to expand its AI features beyond laptops.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42781607/microsofts-copilot-plus-set-to-expand-to-mini-pcs-at-ces-as-windows-maker-looks-to-take-on-apples-mac-mini">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42779998/6th-circuit-strikes-down-fcc-net-neutrality-rules-in-blow-to-biden-administrations-internet-regulation-agenda?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biden-Era Net Neutrality Rules Overturned By Federal Appeals Court: What It Means For Net Freedom</a>



Musk vs OpenAI: Geoffrey Hinton Weighs In



The ongoing battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman over the new course of OpenAI has seen Geoffrey Hinton, the &#8220;Godfather of AI,&#8221; taking sides. Musk&#8217;s legal attempt to block OpenAI&#8217;s transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit structure is far from over.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/01/42778778/elon-musk-gets-support-from-godfather-of-ai-geoffrey-hinton-in-battle-against-openai">Read the full article here.</a>



Nvidia&#8217;s Billion-Dollar Investment Spree



NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) invested $1 billion across 50 startup funding rounds in 2024, consolidating its position in the AI segment. The company&#8217;s investment surge represents a 15% increase from its $872 million spending in 2023.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42758502/nvidias-investments-in-elon-musks-xai-perplexity-openai-and-other-startups-crossed-1-billion-mark-in-2024">Read the full article here.</a>



Nvidia Supplier Considers Expansion Amid AI Demand



Ibiden Co., a significant supplier for Nvidia, is contemplating accelerating its production capacity expansion to meet the growing demand for AI chip package substrates. The company is currently building a new substrate factory in Gifu, Japan, which is expected to commence operations at 25% capacity by late 2025.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42718022/days-after-key-nvidia-supplier-warned-of-ai-spending-slowdown-another-nvda-partner-considers-accelerating-expansion-to-meet-growing-demand">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42779753/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-replaces-global-affairs-chief-nick-clegg-with-republican-joel-kaplan-ahead-of-trump-inauguration?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Zuckerberg&#8217;s Meta Replaces Global Affairs Chief Nick Clegg With Republican Joel Kaplan Ahead Of Trump Inauguration</a></li>
</ul>



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

Microsoft's $80 Billion Investment Outlay, Musk's Battle With OpenAI, And Nvidia's Billion-Dollar Bet: This Week In Artificial Intelligence

The first weekend of 2025 has been a whirlwind in the world of finance, with cryptocurrencies making significant strides. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) is inching closer to the $100,000 mark, while Dogecoin has seen a surge, possibly due to Elon Musk&#8217;s influence. Meanwhile, Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest has been making strategic trades. Let&#8217;s dive into the details.



Bitcoin Nears $100,000, Dogecoin Soars



The cryptocurrency market has started the year on a high note, with Bitcoin prices nearing the $100,000 mark despite record ETF outflows. Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) has also seen a significant increase in value.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42795194/bitcoin-reclaims-98000-dogecoin-explodes-xrp-ethereum-surge-nothing-more-bullish-than-btc-prices-going-up-trader-says">Read the full article here.</a>



Bitcoin Could Reach $1 Million, Says Arthur Hayes



BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes has suggested that a change in US banking regulations could propel Bitcoin to a $1 million valuation. Hayes believes that if US banks receive an exemption from the supplementary leverage ratio (SLR) rule, it could lead to increased market liquidity, significantly boosting Bitcoin's value.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42802338/bitcoin-to-hit-1-million-arthur-hayes-says-another-signpost-has-appeared-amid-us-debt-concerns">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42758665/peter-thiels-bubble-theory-gains-relevance-as-bitcoin-hovers-around-95k-extremely-hard-to-define?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peter Thiel&#8217;s Bubble Theory Gains Relevance As Bitcoin Hovers Around $95K: &#8216;Extremely Hard To Define&#8217;</a>



Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest Makes Strategic Trades



Ark Invest, led by Cathie Wood, made significant trades involving Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>), Ark 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKB#BATS">ARKB</a>), and Quantum-Si Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QSI#NASDAQ">QSI</a>). Ark Invest sold 20,332 shares of Palantir, aligning with Ark's recent trend of reducing its position in the hot AI stock.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42801940/cathie-woods-ark-invest-books-profits-on-hot-ai-stock-palantir-sells-bitcoin-etf-shares-as-btc-starts-2025-on-a-positive-note">Read the full article here.</a>



Elon Musk&#8217;s Influence on Dogecoin



The price of Dogecoin has increased, possibly due to social media platform X getting closer to launching payments in 2025. Elon Musk, who acquired the platform (formerly known as Twitter) for $44 billion in 2022, could be a significant factor in this surge.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/01/42794433/if-you-invested-1000-in-dogecoin-when-elon-musk-acquired-twitter-heres-how-much-youd-have-now">Read the full article here.</a>



Bitcoin Discussion at Mar-a-Lago



Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor met with Eric Trump at Mar-a-Lago, sparking speculation that Bitcoin could have been a topic of discussion between the two influential figures. Saylor shared a photo of the meeting with the caption, &#8220;Bitcoin is on the menu at Mar-a-Lago.&#8221;



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42785039/michael-saylor-meets-eric-trump-says-bitcoin-is-on-the-menu-at-mar-a-lago">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/12/42749281/if-you-invested-1000-in-pepe-coin-when-elon-musk-shared-a-meme-earlier-this-year-heres-how-much-youd-have-today?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">If You Invested $1,000 In Pepe Coin When Elon Musk Shared A Meme Earlier This Year, Here&#8217;s How Much You&#8217;d Have</a></li>
</ul>



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

Markets

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PLTR

Bitcoin's Bullish Run, Cathie Wood's Trades, And Elon Musk's Dogecoin Influence: This Week In Crypto

These eight mid-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?



<ol>
<li>Rigetti Computing, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGTI#NASDAQ">RGTI</a>) shares escalated 23.19% as the quantum computing sector saw increased interest.</li>



<li>VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VEON#NASDAQ">VEON</a>) stock surged 17.03%. The company announced that Kyivstar inked an agreement with Starlink to introduce groundbreaking direct-to-cell <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42717832" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellite connectivity in Ukraine</a>.</li>



<li>NextDecade Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEXT#NASDAQ">NEXT</a>) stock jumped 16.90% on gains in crude oil and natural gas prices.</li>



<li>GDS Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GDS#NASDAQ">GDS</a>) stock increased 16.05% amid continued interest sparked by reports that the company is evaluating an initial public offering (IPO) for<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42710683" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> its data center assets in China</a>.</li>



<li>Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACHC#NASDAQ">ACHC</a>) shares rose 14.79% on U.S. healthcare executives&#8217; bullish outlook for 2025.</li>



<li>Intuitive Machines, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUNR#NASDAQ">LUNR</a>) shares were up 13.89% last week. The stock was on the top ten trending list on WallStreetBets.</li>



<li>Banco BBVA Argentina (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBAR#NYSE">BBAR</a>) shares increased 11.81%, joining the ride in Argentina stocks.</li>



<li>Transportadora de Gas del Sur SA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGS#NYSE">TGS</a>) stock grew 11.93%, joining the ride in Argentina stocks.</li>
</ol>



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Rigetti Computing, VEON And Intuitive Machines Are Among Top Mid-Cap Gainers Last Week (Dec 30-Jan 3): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

The past week was a rollercoaster ride for&nbsp;Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>). From leaks about the iPhone 17&#8217;s display upgrade to CEO Tim Cook&#8217;s hefty donation to Trump&#8217;s inauguration, the tech giant was in the limelight for various reasons. China&#8217;s decision to subsidize smartphones could pose a new challenge, while the halt of iPhone 14 and iPhone SE sales in the EU raised eyebrows. However, a bullish prediction for Apple&#8217;s stock offered a silver lining. Let&#8217;s delve into these stories.



iPhone 17 Display Upgrade



A new leak suggests that Apple is set to enhance the display technology in its upcoming iPhone 17 series. The Weibo-based Chinese leaker, Digital Chat Station, stated that supply chain materials support the rumors of a higher refresh rate for the standard iPhone 17. While the exact refresh rate wasn&#8217;t specified, earlier reports hint at a 120Hz ProMotion rate, previously exclusive to Pro models, being implemented.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42736353/iphone-17-to-get-display-upgrade-as-apple-finally-ditches-60hz-technology-new-leak-reiterates-possibility">Read the full article here.</a>



Tim Cook&#8217;s $1 Million Donation



Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural committee, joining the ranks of other major tech leaders like Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman. Cook&#8217;s donation follows several meetings between him and Trump during the latter&#8217;s first term and a recent dinner at Mar-a-Lago. Cook views the inauguration as an important American tradition and is contributing to the spirit of unity.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42801809/apple-ceo-tim-cook-reportedly-donates-1-million-to-trump-inauguration-joins-ranks-of-mark-zuckerberg-jeff-bezos-and-sam-altman">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/42759975/squid-game-season-3-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-thrilling-finale-coming-in-2025?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Squid Game Season 3: Everything You Need To Know About The Thrilling Finale Coming In 2025</a>



China&#8217;s Smartphone Subsidies



China is extending consumption subsidies to include smartphones and other electronics, potentially giving companies like Huawei an upper hand. The national trade-in program, which currently covers home appliances and vehicles, will now extend to personal devices such as phones, tablets, and smartwatches. This announcement was made during a briefing on Friday.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42780776/is-apple-ready-for-a-new-challenge-chinas-smartphone-subsidies-aim-to-boost-domestic-demand-giving-companies-like-huawei-the-upper-hand">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple Halts Sales in EU



Apple has stopped selling its iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and third-generation iPhone SE models across most European Union countries. This decision is a response to new EU regulations requiring USB-C ports for smartphones with wired charging capabilities. The affected iPhone models have been removed from Apple's online store in several countries.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42712752/apple-halts-iphone-14-iphone-se-sales-in-eu-heres-why">Read the full article here.</a>



Bullish Prediction for Apple Stock



Wedbush analyst Dan Ives predicts a 26% upside for Apple stock, foreseeing a &#8220;golden era of growth&#8221; for Cupertino with an AI-driven iPhone upgrade cycle. Ives believes that Apple&#8217;s iPhone sales could witness a boost thanks to AI and has raised the price target on Apple to $325.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42682230/tech-bull-predicts-26-upside-for-apple-stock-sees-golden-era-of-growth-for-cupertino-due-to-multi-year-ai-driven-iphone-upgrade-cycle">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42775636/ces-2025-preview-nvidia-amd-in-spotlight-other-trends-and-stocks-to-watch?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CES 2025 Preview: Nvidia And AMD Grab Spotlight, Other Trends And Stocks To Watch</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



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/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

iPhone 17 Leak, Tim Cook's Donation To Trump Inauguration, And China's Subsidies To Homegrown Players: This Week In Appleverse

The New Year&#8217;s Day Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas has put the spotlight on the data collection capabilities of Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/42757028/tesla-cybertruck-ignites-outside-trump-international-hotel-in-las-vegas">spurring a discussion on privacy rights</a>.



What Happened: The explosion took place&nbsp;in front of the Trump&nbsp;International Hotel. The data gathered by Tesla played a crucial role in aiding the police to trace the driver&#8217;s movements, thereby establishing that the explosion resulted from explosives in the truck, and not a vehicle malfunction.



However, this incident has prompted concerns about the extent of surveillance by automobile companies. Jodi Daniels, CEO of Red Clover Advisors, questioned the boundaries of such data accessibility, asking, &#8220;Where is the line?&#8221;



According to the report <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-las-vegas-explosion-cybertruck-elon-musk-789dc864a0c138fd7c36ca8c94b0fbfd">by</a> The Associated Press, modern vehicles not only track locations but also have access to sensitive information like contacts, call logs, and texts due to cell phone syncing.



"You might want law enforcement to have the data to crack down on criminals, but can anyone have access to it?" said Daniels.



This extensive data collection has drawn criticism from privacy experts like David Choffnes, Executive Director&nbsp;of the Cybersecurity and Privacy&nbsp;Institute at Northeastern University, who cautioned about potential data misuse by companies.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42803560/trump-hotel-bombers-chilling-messages-unearthed-time-to-wake-up-fight-to-get-dems-out-of-fed-government-and-military-by-any-means">Trump Hotel Bomber&#8217;s Chilling Messages Unearthed: &#8216;TIME TO WAKE UP, Fight To Get Dems Out of Fed Government and Military by Any Means&#8217;</a>



"It reveals the kind of sweeping surveillance going on. When something bad happens, it's helpful, but it's a double edged sword. Companies that collect this data can abuse it," Choffnes told the outlet. 



Despite the privacy concerns,&nbsp;Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department&nbsp;Sheriff Kevin McMahill expressed appreciation to Elon Musk for the valuable information provided.



"I have to thank Elon Musk, specifically. He gave us quite a bit of additional information," he said. 



Sam Abuelsamid, an auto analyst at Telemetry Insight, voiced concerns over data handling by auto companies, stressing the importance of consumers having control over their data.



While Tesla&#8217;s privacy policy asserts that it adheres to strict rules for maintaining the privacy and security of names and information, the recent incident has ignited a discussion about the necessity for new national laws regulating car data.



Why It Matters: This incident underscores the dual-edged nature of data collection by auto companies. On one hand, it can aid in investigations and enhance safety measures. 



On the other, it raises serious privacy concerns. The debate over data privacy is not new, but incidents like these bring it to the forefront, highlighting the need for clear regulations and consumer control over personal data. 



As technology continues to evolve, so too must the laws that govern its use.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42714387/tech-titans-warm-up-to-donald-trump-who-says-everybody-wants-to-be-my-friend-claims-bill-gates-asked-to-come-to-mar-a-lago" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tech Titans Warm Up To Donald Trump, Who Says ‘Everybody Wants To Be My Friend,' Claims Bill Gates Asked To Come To Mar-a-Lago</a>

Tesla's Data Collection Proves Crucial in Cybertruck Explosion Probe, but Raises Privacy Questions: Is Your Car Spying on You?

A recent forecast by Galaxy Research concludes that Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) will reach a significant milestone in 2025. The cryptocurrency is expected to surge by over 170% from its current value.



What Happened: Galaxy Research&#8217;s Alex Thorn predicts that Dogecoin, the world&#8217;s largest and oldest memecoin, will hit $1&nbsp;for the first time in&nbsp;its history. 



&#8220;Dogecoin&nbsp;will finally hit $1, with&nbsp;the world&#8217;s&nbsp;largest and oldest memecoin touching&nbsp;a $100 billion market cap,&#8221; Thorn stated 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">Dogecoin will finally hit $1, with the world's largest and oldest memecoin touching a $100bn market cap. However, the Dogecoin market cap will be eclipsed by the Department of Government Efficiency, which will identify and successfully enact cuts in amounts exceeding Dogecoin's… <a href="https://t.co/xcwRHhpMTn">pic.twitter.com/xcwRHhpMTn</a>&mdash; Galaxy (@galaxyhq) <a href="https://twitter.com/galaxyhq/status/1874843548585005177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



At the time of the report, DOGE was trading at $0.37, marking an 11.7% increase&nbsp;in the last 24 hours.&nbsp;With a market cap of&nbsp;$55.47 billion, DOGE ranks as the seventh-largest crypto project.



On a related note, Charles Yu, another analyst at Galaxy Research, anticipates a decrease in market dominance by Tether&#8217;s stablecoin USDT. Yu expects other stablecoins, such as Circle's USDC, to&nbsp;gain more market share due&nbsp;to their attractive yields. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/08/40429878/dogecoins-active-users-on-the-rise-will-this-impact-doge-price">Dogecoin&#8217;s Active Users On The Rise, Will This Impact DOGE Price?</a>



He suggests that the revenue from USDT reserves will be used to fund portfolio investments and marketing spend by stablecoin issuers, leading to a shift away from Tether and towards yield-bearing solutions.



Why It Matters: The predicted surge in Dogecoin&#8217;s value signifies a potential shift in the cryptocurrency market. If Dogecoin reaches the $1 mark, it could influence the dynamics of the cryptocurrency market, possibly leading to increased interest and investment in memecoins. 



Additionally, the forecasted decrease in Tether&#8217;s market dominance could lead to a more diversified stablecoin market, with other stablecoins like Circle's USDC gaining more traction due to their attractive yields. 



This could potentially reshape the stablecoin landscape, with more investors turning towards yield-bearing solutions.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42497156/dogecoin-poised-for-85-surge-as-whales-accumulate-130-billion-doge">Dogecoin Poised For 85% Surge As Whales Accumulate 130 Billion DOGE</a>

Dogecoin To Hit One Dollar Milestone This Year, Says This Analyst

The man responsible for the detonation of a Tesla Cybertruck in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning had previously <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/42757028/tesla-cybertruck-ignites-outside-trump-international-hotel-in-las-vegas">called for a violent purge of Democrats</a>.



What Happened: 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger carried out the attack, injuring seven people before taking his own life. According to a report <a href="https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/police-to-release-more-details-at-in-las-vegas-new-years-day-explosion/">by</a> KLAS, the Las Vegas CBS affiliate, Livelsberger left behind notes on his phones and laptop found in the burned-out vehicle.



These notes revealed the Green Beret&#8217;s call to fellow service members and others dissatisfied with the country&#8217;s direction to instigate a &#8220;purge&#8221; of Washington, with Democrats as the primary target.



The note confirmed by the police <a href="https://www.8newsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/2025/01/PO-003a-01-03-25-Livelsbergers-Letters-1.pdf">read</a>, &#8220;TIME TO WAKE UP! We are being led by weak and feckless leadership who only serve to enrich themselves. Military and vets move on DC starting now. Militias facilitate and augment this activity. Occupy every major road along fed buildings and the campus of fed buildings by the hundreds of thousands. Lock the highways around down with semis right after everybody gets in. Hold until the purge is complete. Try peaceful means first, but be prepared to fight to get the Dems out of the fed government and military by any means necessary. They all must go and a hard reset must occur for our country to avoid collapse.&#8221;



In another note, Livelsberger expressed his resentment towards the country&#8217;s&nbsp;wealthy and the direction of&nbsp;its culture. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42635605/exclusive-eric-trump-predicts-inflation-drop-through-energy-policies-and-spending-cuts">EXCLUSIVE: Eric Trump Predicts Inflation Drop Through Energy Policies And Spending Cuts</a>



He&nbsp;praised President-elect Donald Trump and&nbsp;Trump allies Robert F. Kennedy&nbsp;Jr. and Elon Musk, while criticizing&nbsp;President Joe Biden, Vice President&nbsp;Kamala Harris, and diversity, equity,&nbsp;and inclusion initiatives.



&#8220;Consider this last sunset of ‘24 and my actions the end of our sickness and a new chapter of health for our people. Rally around the Trump, Musk, Kennedy, and ride this wave to the highest hegemony for all Americans! We are second to no one,&#8221; he wrote.



Why It Matters: Livelsberger&#8217;s actions and messages highlight a deeply troubled individual, who resorted to violence to express his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in the country. 



His call for a &#8220;purge&#8221; of Democrats and his praise for certain political figures underscore the deep political divides and heightened tensions within the nation. 



This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential for violence that can stem from such extreme ideologies.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42714387/tech-titans-warm-up-to-donald-trump-who-says-everybody-wants-to-be-my-friend-claims-bill-gates-asked-to-come-to-mar-a-lago">Tech Titans Warm Up To Donald Trump, Who Says &#8216;Everybody Wants To Be My Friend,&#8217; Claims Bill Gates Asked To Come To Mar-a-Lago</a>

Trump Hotel Bomber's Chilling Messages Unearthed: 'TIME TO WAKE UP, Fight To Get Dems Out of Fed Government and Military by Any Means'

Each trading day features hundreds of headlines and press releases on Benzinga Pro, a source for traders to see the latest news on the overall market <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent010325&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">and individual tickers.</a>



Here is a look at the most-searched stocks on Benzinga Pro for 2024. Current prices and year-to-date performance are based on Dec. 31 and do not include dividends. Data for the month of November was not tracked.



1. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)



<ul>
<li>Current Price: $134.29</li>



<li>52-Week Range: $47.32 to $152.89</li>



<li>2024 Return: +178.8%</li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/10/41150827/exclusive-top-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-in-september-2024-where-do-tesla-nvidia-apple">September</a>/<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/11/41718416/exclusive-top-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-in-october-2024-where-do-tesla-nvidia-apple-d">October</a>/<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/01/42755273/exclusive-top-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-in-december-2024-where-do-tesla-nvidia-quantum-computing-stock-rank">December </a>Ranks: 1st/2nd/3rd</li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/exclusives/24/07/39603613/exclusive-top-10-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-in-first-half-2024-where-do-nvidia-tesla-pala">First Half 2024 Rank</a>: 1st</li>
</ul>



2. Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)



<ul>
<li>Current Price: $403.84</li>



<li>52-Week Range: $138.80 to $488.54</li>



<li>2024 Return: +62.5%</li>



<li>September/October/December Ranks: 3rd/1st/1st</li>



<li>First Half 2024 Rank: 3rd</li>
</ul>



3. SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)



<ul>
<li>Current Price: $586.08</li>



<li>52-Week Range: $466.44 to $609.07</li>



<li>2024 Return: +24.0%</li>



<li>September/October/December Ranks: 2nd/4th/4th</li>



<li>First Half 2024 Rank: 2nd</li>
</ul>



4. Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>)



<ul>
<li>Current Price: $30.48</li>



<li>52-Week Range: $17.25 to $122.90</li>



<li>2024 Return: +6.8%</li>



<li>September/October/December Ranks: 7th/5th/2nd</li>



<li>First Half 2024 Rank: 5th</li>
</ul>



5. Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>)



<ul>
<li>Current Price: $250.42</li>



<li>52-Week Range: $164.08 to $260.09</li>



<li>2024 Return: +34.9%</li>



<li>September/October/December Ranks: 4th/8th/Not in Top 20</li>



<li>First Half 2024 Rank: 4th</li>
</ul>



6. Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>)



<ul>
<li>Current Price: $120.79</li>



<li>52-Week Range: $117.91 to $227.30</li>



<li>2024 Return: -12.8%</li>



<li>September/October/December Ranks: Not in Top 20/7th/13th</li>



<li>First Half 2024 Rank: 6th</li>
</ul>



7. Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>)



<ul>
<li>Current Price: $75.63</li>



<li>52-Week Range: $15.67 to $77.98</li>



<li>2024 Return: +356.2%</li>



<li>September/October/December Ranks: 12th/14th/6th</li>



<li>First Half 2024 Rank: 10th</li>
</ul>



8. Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)



<ul>
<li>Current Price: $511.23</li>



<li>52-Week Range: $395.35 to $539.15</li>



<li>2024 Return: +27.0%</li>



<li>September/October/December Ranks: 6th/15th/20th</li>



<li>First Half 2024 Rank: 9th</li>
</ul>



9. Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)



<ul>
<li>Current Price: $219.39</li>



<li>52-Week Range: $144.05 to $233.00</li>



<li>2024 Return: +46.3%</li>



<li>September/October/December Ranks: Not in Top 20/11th/Not in Top 20</li>



<li>First Half 2024 Rank: 12th</li>
</ul>



10. GameStop Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>)



<ul>
<li>Current Price: $31.34</li>



<li>52-Week Range: $9.95 to $64.83</li>



<li>2024 Return: +88.0%</li>



<li>September/October/December Ranks: Not in Top 20/Not in Top 20/Not in Top 20</li>



<li>First Half 2024 Rank: 7th</li>
</ul>



Did You Know?



Congress Is Making Huge Investments. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/?utm_source=BZprocontent010325">Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool</a>



Honorable Mentions:&nbsp;The following stocks were the 11th&nbsp;to 20th&nbsp;most-searched tickers on&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent090324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;in 2024 and their ranking in the first half of 2024.



11. Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>): 11th



12. MARA Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARA#NASDAQ">MARA</a>): 8th



13. Trump Media &amp; Technology Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>): Not in Top 20



14. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>): 14th



15. SoundHound AI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOUN#NASDAQ">SOUN</a>): 13th



16. Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>): 17th



17. Boeing Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>): 18th



18. Micron Technology (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>): Not in Top 20



19. MicroStrategy Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>): Not in Top 20



20. Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>): Not in Top 20



Why It's Important: Nvidia takes the crown as the most-searched ticker on Benzinga Pro in 2024, which comes as the stock often ranked in the top three on a monthly basis. With a gain of over 170% in 2024, Nvidia was one of the top performing S&amp;P 500 stocks. Nvidia also briefly became the most valuable company in the world multiple times in 2024.



Tesla ranked second for searches, which isn't a huge surprise given the company's loyal fan base and the stock ranking among the top three most months, including multiple months in first month.



The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust, which is the largest ETF, ranked third for the year, which comes after the ETF ranked second in the first half of 2024 and was passed by Tesla to end the year. The ETF has often been a top performer on Benzinga Pro searches over the years.



Super Micro Computer ranked fourth for the year as it was one of the most widely followed stories of a soaring stock that later attracted short reports and concerns for fraud and accounting irregularities.



Apple ranked fifth, but the stock could move down the list in 2025 if trends hold. Apple was ranked outside of the top 20 in the month of December, which is rather unusual for the world's most valuable company.



Palantir rose in the second half of 2024 for Benzinga Pro searches going from 10th in the first half of the year to end the year ranked seventh. A huge gain in the company's share price likely contributed.



Another top storyline in 2024 was the return of Roaring Kitty, aka Keith Gill, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/05/38793704/who-is-roaring-kitty-why-does-his-return-to-social-media-matter-for-gamestop-stock">to social media</a>, which sent shares of GameStop soaring in several months of 2024. The stock ranked seventh for searches in the first half. While the stock has not been as popular in the later months of 2024, GameStop ended the year as the 10th most-searched ticker and shares were up 88%.



A soaring price of Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) in 2024 helped lead to several crypto related stocks soar in interest in the later half of 2024 and overall on the year. Bitcoin hit new all-time highs after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41778425/bitcoins-all-time-high-a-groundbreaking-milestone-and-strong-post-election-rally-coming-ex">the 2024 election </a>and hit the $100,000 milestone in December 2024. MARA Holdings, Coinbase and MicroStrategy all ranked among the top 20 searched tickers for the year.



Trump Media &amp; Technology, which is a media company co-founded by President-elect Donald Trump, ranked 13th on the year. The stock saw a surge in price and huge interest as the 2024 election neared before shares fell and interest minimized after his win.



Overall, the 2024 year saw nine of the top 10 most-searched tickers in the first six months of 2024 remain the most-searched tickers for the year with Amazon.com moving into the top 10 and MARA moving down to 12th place.



Of the top 20 most-searched tickers for the full year, 16 were among the 20 most-searched tickers for the first half of the year.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/10/41584466/these-10-stocks-were-the-best-s-p-500-performers-in-2017-when-trump-was-president-will-history-r" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">These 10 Stocks Were The Best S&amp;P 500 Performers In 2017 When Trump Was President: Will History Repeat Itself?</a></li>
</ul>

Exclusives

AMZN

COIN

INTC

MARA

SMCI

SOUN

EXCLUSIVE: Top 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro In 2024 — Where Do Tesla, Nvidia, GameStop, Trump Media Stocks Rank?

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