Elon Musk has drawn criticism for attributing the murder of a Minnesota lawmaker to the &#8220;far left,&#8221; a claim that was even refuted by his own AI chatbot, Grok.



What Happened: Musk faced a backlash on social media after he shared a user&#8217;s claim that the assassination of Democratic State Rep. Melissa Hortman and other recent political attacks were committed by &#8220;the left.&#8221;



Contrary to Musk&#8217;s claim, preliminary evidence indicates that the alleged shooter, Vance Luther Boelter, was targeting individuals frequently characterized as &#8220;far left&#8221; by critics.



<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 far left is murderously violent <a href="https://t.co/P9rVtCtdBv">https://t.co/P9rVtCtdBv</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1933950533813068181?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



A list of targets was reportedly found in his car, comprising top Minnesota Democrats and abortion providers and advocates.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/entertainment/25/06/45939469/elon-musks-x-to-shake-up-financial-media-with-reality-tv-show">Elon Musk&#8217;s X to Shake Up Financial Media With Reality TV Show</a>



Musk&#8217;s post was met with widespread derision. Neera Tanden, a former senior aide in the Biden administration, echoed President Donald Trump&#8216;s sentiment that Musk had &#8220;just went CRAZY.&#8221;



Interestingly, Musk&#8217;s AI bot Grok, a product of his company xAI, contradicted his claim, stating, &#8220;The claim that &#8216;the left&#8217;&nbsp;is murderously violent isn&#8217;t backed&nbsp;by evidence. No&nbsp;side is inherently violent; generalizations&nbsp;oversimplify a complex issue.&#8221;



Social media users found amusement in Musk&#8217;s own AI debunking his statement. &#8220;Watching Grok&nbsp;debunk lies in real time&nbsp;is&nbsp;the only thing that keeps&nbsp;me on this app,&#8221; one user remarked.



Why It Matters: This incident underscores the influence and responsibility of high-profile figures like Musk in shaping public discourse. 



It also highlights the potential of AI technology, such as Grok, in fact-checking and combating misinformation in real time. 



The irony of Musk&#8217;s own AI refuting his claim has not been lost on observers, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing debate about the role of AI in moderating online content.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45829875/elon-musk-reportedly-slammed-into-scott-bessent-like-a-rugby-player-after-being-called-a-fraud-trump-said-this-is-too-much" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Reportedly Slammed Into Scott Bessent ‘Like A Rugby Player' After Being Called a ‘Fraud', Trump Said ‘This Is Too Much'</a>



Image: Shutterstock

News

Elon Musk Criticized for Linking Minnesota Assassination to 'Far Left'

Among the top mid-cap stocks that gained last week, most were energy stocks, driven by a spike in oil prices fueled by the Middle East conflict.



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Oklo Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OKLO#NYSE">OKLO</a>) stock rose 26.59% after the company was issued a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45909275">Notice of Intent</a> to Award by the Defense Logistics Agency Energy to provide clean power through its Aurora powerhouse for a U.S. Air Force site. It also raised $400 million via an equity offering, and several analysts increased their <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/OKLO/analyst-ratings">price forecasts on the stock</a>.</li>



<li>Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BHC#NYSE">BHC</a>) stock increased 25.63% last week.</li>



<li>Quantum Computing, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QUBT#NASDAQ">QUBT</a>) stock climbed 21.75% last week after Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) CEO Jensen Huang <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45889749">commented that quantum computers</a> will soon solve real-world problems beyond classical computing, boosting interest in quantum-linked stocks.</li>



<li>Transocean Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIG#NYSE">RIG</a>) stock gained 20.29% last week due to rising oil prices amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.</li>



<li>MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MP#NYSE">MP</a>) stock rose 18.87% last week after reports that the Trump administration <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45846703">plans to invoke Cold War-era</a> powers to accelerate rare earth projects.</li>



<li>Sasol Limited (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSL#NYSE">SSL</a>) stock increased 18.48% last week.</li>



<li>Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAR#NYSE">DAR</a>) gained rose 17.11% last week.</li>



<li>Civitas Resources, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CIVI#NYSE">CIVI</a>) stock increased 16.77% last week following energy sector momentum driven by surging oil prices and Middle East instability.</li>



<li>PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PBF#NYSE">PBF</a>) stock rose 15.41% last week after energy stocks rallied amid rising crude prices and geopolitical conflict.</li>



<li>CVR Energy, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVI#NYSE">CVI</a>) stock gained 14.83% last week after the strength of the oil market lifted energy shares broadly.</li>
</ol>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/45940507/oracle-ast-spacemobile-and-halliburton-are-among-top-10-large-cap-gainers-last-week-june-9-13-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oracle, AST SpaceMobile And Halliburton Are Among Top 10 Large Cap Gainers Last Week (June 9-13): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/45940506/applovin-chewy-and-carvana-are-among-top-11-large-cap-losers-last-week-june-9-13-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AppLovin, Chewy And Carvana Are Among Top 11 Large Cap Losers Last Week (June 9-13): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
</ul>



Photo via Shutterstock

Mid Cap

Movers

Trading Ideas

CIVI

NVDA

OKLO

QUBT

Oklo, Quantum Computing And Transocean Are Among Top 10 Mid Cap Gainers Last Week (June 9-13): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride for the crypto industry, with Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) making headlines, the SEC appointing a crypto insider, and the Coinbase CEO predicting the end of the fiat era. Here&#8217;s a recap of the top stories:



Coinbase&#8217;s S&amp;P 500 Debut: Coinbase made history in May by becoming the first cryptocurrency exchange to be included in the S&amp;P 500 index. This significant milestone signals a growing acceptance of the crypto industry in mainstream markets and positions Coinbase among America&#8217;s largest and most influential companies.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/45932447/coinbase-sp-500-debut-new-products-offset-pressure">Read the full article here.</a>



SEC&#8217;s Crypto-Savvy Leadership: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Jamie Selway as its new Director of the Division of Trading and Markets. Selway, a recognized figure in market structure and digital assets, will assume his new position on June 17, 2025. This move signals a significant shift towards engaging crypto-savvy leadership at the regulatory helm.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45932185/sec-crypto-jamie-selway-head-division-trading-markets">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45925124/ripple-ceo-projects-xrp-could-handle-14-of-swifts-cross-border-payment-volume-within-five-years" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ripple CEO Projects XRP Could Handle 14% Of SWIFT&#8217;s Cross-Border Payment Volume Within Five Years &#8211; Benzinga</a>



End of Fiat Era: Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong predicted that Bitcoin may emerge as the world&#8217;s new reserve currency. He cited mounting global deficits and rising economic uncertainty as catalysts for a shift away from fiat systems.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45926431/people-will-flee-to-bitcoin-coinbase-ceo-sees-end-of-fiat-era-coming">Read the full article here.</a>



Warren&#8217;s Warning to Zuckerberg: Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal raised concerns over Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) CEO Mark Zuckerberg&#8217;s potential stablecoin revival plans, citing them as a &#8220;national security threat&#8221;.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45923283/elizabeth-warren-slams-mark-zuckerberg-over-reported-stablecoin-ambitions-citing-national-security-threat-meta-says-no-such-plans">Read the full article here.</a>



Crypto Credit Card: Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong unveiled a cryptocurrency credit card that offers cashback rewards in Bitcoin. The card, powered by American Express Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>), offers users up to 4% in Bitcoin rewards for every purchase.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45919626/coinbase-ceo-brian-armstrong-teases-crypto-credit-card-powered-by-american-express-bitcoin-cashbacks-offered-but-heres-the-catch">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45933322/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-weekend-rally-100k-lows" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Drop Further — Traders Eye Weekend Rally Before Retest Of $100K Lows &#8211; Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) Common units of fractional undivided beneficial interest (A</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/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency

COIN

Coinbase's S&P 500 Debut, SEC's Crypto-Savvy Leadership And More: This Week In Crypto

As we wrap up another eventful week, let&#8217;s take a look at the top stories that made headlines. From Mark Cuban endorsing a progressive deficit reduction plan to the World Economic Forum&#8217;s sobering gender equality forecast, there&#8217;s a lot to unpack. We also saw President Trump green-lighting a major steel merger and Elon Musk predicting a future without jobs. Here&#8217;s a quick rundown of these stories.



Mark Cuban Backs Ro Khanna&#8217;s Deficit Reduction Plan



Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has shown support for Rep. Ro Khanna&#8217;s (D-Calif.) &#8220;Progressive Deficit Reduction Plan.&#8221; The plan aims to cut the U.S. deficit by $12 trillion over the next decade, with a significant portion of the cuts coming from spending reductions. The plan was unveiled on June 10, 2025, and seeks to lower the deficit-to-GDP ratio to 3% by 2034, a figure well below the historical average of 3.8%.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/45900891/mark-cuban-backs-ro-khannas-12-trillion-progressive-deficit-reduction-plan-targeting-medicare-fraud-and-military-spending">Read the full article here.</a>



Gender Equality 123 Years Away, Says World Economic Forum



The World Economic Forum&#8217;s 2025 Global Gender Gap Index indicates that achieving global gender parity is still a distant goal. The report shows that only 68.8% of the gender gap has been closed across 148 economies, a mere 0.3 percentage point improvement from last year. At the current rate, it will take 123 years to reach full gender equality.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/45922274/world-economic-forum-says-gender-equality-is-123-years-away-un-projects-7-trillion-boost-to-global-economy-if-gap-closes">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/45919422/trumps-one-big-beautiful-bill-is-the-largest-redistribution-from-poor-to-rich-in-american-history-says-economist-justin-wolfers-amid-tax-cuts-spending-s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s &#8216;One Big, Beautiful Bill&#8217; Is &#8216;The Largest Redistribution From Poor To Rich In American History,&#8217; Says Economist Justin Wolfers Amid Tax Cuts, Spending Slashes And Tariffs &#8211; Benzinga</a>



Trump Approves Nippon Steel&#8217;s Acquisition of US Steel



President Donald Trump has approved Nippon Steel&#8217;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NPSCY#OTC">NPSCY</a>) $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/X#NYSE">X</a>). The approval comes after an 18-month process marked by union resistance and dual national security assessments. The merger is contingent upon an agreement with the Treasury Department to address national security concerns.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45938248/trump-approves-nippon-steels-14-9-billion-bid-for-us-steel">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump&#8217;s Tax Plan Could Threaten Rural Healthcare



Health advocates and rural hospitals warn that President Trump&#8217;s proposed tax cuts and spending bill could jeopardize critical medical services in small towns across the country. The legislation, which seeks to extend the 2017 tax cuts, could result in a significant reduction in Medicaid funding and impose stricter requirements for recipients.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/health-care/25/06/45930856/trumps-tax-plan-could-leave-millions-uninsured-hit-rural-america-hard">Read the full article here.</a>



Elon Musk Predicts A Future Without Jobs



Elon Musk, at the Viva Technology Conference in Paris, predicted a future where artificial intelligence could eliminate the need for most human jobs. He gave an 80% probability that AI advances will lead to a situation where humans will not need to work and will have all they need.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/06/45930142/there-will-be-universal-high-income-elon-musk-predicts-with-80-certainty-that-none-of-us-will-have-jobs-but-bill-gates-says-its-too-soon">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/45922984/trump-numbskull-fed-powell-inflation-interest-rates-israel-iran-oil" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Numbskull&#8217; Insult Comes Back To Bite—In Record Time</a>



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>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Economics

NPSCY

Mark Cuban Backs Ro Khanna's Fiscal Plan, Gender Equality Forecasts, And Musk's Jobless Future Prediction: This Week In Economics

U.S. markets ended a choppy week on a cautious note, as modest gains through Thursday reversed sharply on Friday after escalating tensions between Israel and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45922022/trump-issues-stark-warning-to-iran-to-make-a-deal-after-israels-strikes-on-nuclear-sites-just-do-it-before-its-too-late">Iran rattled investor sentiment.</a>



Major equity indices, which had been hovering near all-time highs, pulled back as geopolitical risks surged back to the forefront.



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>) – ended 1.1% lower for the week, falling below the 6,000-point threshold. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Oil's Back In Focus—And Gold Is Eyeing New Highs</h3>



Late Thursday, Israel launched &#8220;Operation Rising Lion,&#8221; a sweeping aerial campaign targeting approximately 100 Iranian nuclear and military installations, reportedly killing several high-ranking officials. Iran responded by launching over 100 drones toward Israeli territory and vowed severe retaliation, raising fears of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/45933856/iran-fires-ballistic-missiles-at-israel-tel-aviv-struck">broader regional escalation.</a>



Oil markets reacted swiftly: West Texas Intermediate crude surged past $70 a barrel, capping a double-digit percentage gain for the week — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/06/45924154/the-120-oil-shock-just-became-a-real-risk-are-we-back-in-2022">its strongest in years.</a>



On the economic front, the much-feared tariff-driven inflation failed to materialize in May, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/45881899/inflation-resumes-climb-in-may-but-tariffs-have-yet-to-hit-consumers">consumer</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/45902987/producer-inflation-rises-less-than-forecasts-in-may-jobless-claims-signal-labor-market-cracks">producer</a> price reports generally coming in broadly below expectations.



Under normal circumstances, such data would have bolstered hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts and likely sparked a rally on Wall Street. But the rally failed to materialize as soaring energy prices clouded the disinflation narrative.



Sector-wise, energy stocks led the weekly gains, buoyed by the oil rally, while financials underperformed. Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/price-target/25/06/45924707/oracle-to-rally-around-11-here-are-10-top-analyst-forecasts-for-friday">delivered a standout performance</a> – climbing by over 20% on its best weekly return since 2001 – following stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings and upbeat guidance.



Currency markets were also in motion. The U.S. dollar came under renewed pressure, with a key index tracking the greenback falling to its lowest level <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/45906982/dollar-hits-27-month-lows-the-fed-should-cut-next-week-economist-says">in over three years.</a> 



Investors appeared increasingly uneasy about the long-term trajectory of U.S. fiscal policy, particularly as President Donald Trump's sweeping "One Big, Beautiful Bill" heads to the Senate.



Safe-haven demand for precious metals remained robust. Gold extended its powerful 2025 rally, supported by both geopolitical instability and persistent worries over the U.S. debt burden. The precious metal is on track to deliver its strongest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/guidance/25/06/45928561/gold-biggest-boom-in-decades-and-investors-are-still-missing-out">first-half performance since 1982.</a>



Silver also inched higher, hitting the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/06/45847216/silver-supercycle-you-never-have-enough-of-it-hedge-fund-analyst-says-as-50-level-looms">highest levels since 2012</a>.&nbsp;



All eyes now turn to the Federal Reserve's policy meeting next week. While no change to interest rates is expected, markets will scrutinize any shifts in the Fed's economic projections. In March, policymakers forecast 2025 GDP growth at 1.7% — down from 2.1% in December — and a 2.7% average inflation rate, revised upward from 2.5%.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/06/45922827/the-dollar-is-crumbling-and-hedge-fund-analyst-says-a-new-global-trade-is-brewing">The Dollar Is Crumbling, And Hedge Fund Analyst Says A New Global Trade Is Brewing </a></li>
</ul>



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Equities

Large Cap

Macro Economic Events

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Commodities

Global

Econ #s

ETFs

ORCL

Soft Inflation Data Meets Middle East Turmoil: This Week In Markets

As the week wraps up, the political landscape has been buzzing with noteworthy stories. From President Donald Trump&#8217;s ongoing feud with Federal Reserve Chief Jerome Powell to the unprecedented involvement of U.S. Marines in civilian detainment in Los Angeles, the week has been anything but quiet. Adding to the mix, big tech companies are reportedly funding Trump&#8217;s military parade, while his approval ratings hit a second-term low. Lastly, the much-anticipated &#8216;Trump Card&#8217; visa program has started accepting applications. Let&#8217;s dive into the details.



Trump&#8217;s War Of Words With Jerome Powell Continues



President Trump has once again voiced his dissatisfaction with Federal Reserve Chief Jerome Powell&#8217;s stance on rates, blaming him for increased U.S. debt costs. Trump referred to Powell as &#8220;one numbskull&#8221; and expressed his frustration over Powell&#8217;s refusal to lower rates. Despite the criticism, Trump stated he has no plans to fire Powell.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45913481/trump-rips-jerome-powell-over-rates-but-supreme-court-shields-fed-from-firing">Read the full article here.</a>



Unprecedented Military Involvement In Civilian Detainment



In a first-of-its-kind incident, U.S. Marines detained a civilian in Los Angeles amidst ongoing immigration protests. The incident, which took place at the Wilshire Federal Building, marks the first known instance of active-duty troops, deployed by President Trump, detaining a civilian in the city.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45938132/us-marines-detain-civilian-in-los-angeles-amid-immigration-protests-first-known-incident-of-its-kind-report">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45922410/trump-extends-50-steel-tariffs-to-home-appliances-like-fridges-dishwashers-starting-june-23" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Extends 50% Steel Tariffs To Home Appliances Like Fridges, Dishwashers Starting June 23</a>



Big Tech Companies Funding Trump&#8217;s Military Parade



President Trump&#8217;s upcoming military parade, set to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, may be receiving financial support from big tech companies. This event, coinciding with Trump&#8217;s birthday, comes a year before the planned semiquincentennial celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45934225/big-tech-companies-helped-fund-trumps-inauguration-now-they-could-be-funding-his-military-birthday-parade">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump&#8217;s Approval Rating Hits Second-Term Low



A recent poll from Quinnipiac University reveals a significant drop in President Trump&#8217;s approval rating, with only 38% of respondents expressing approval of his performance. This marks the lowest point of his second term, with a sustained decline from 46% in January.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45920411/trumps-approval-rating-hits-second-term-low-amid-ukraine-and-israel-conflicts">Read the full article here.</a>



The &#8216;Trump Card&#8217; Visa Program Now Open for Applications



President Trump&#8217;s new visa program, offering a pathway to U.S. citizenship for foreign nationals ready to pay $5 million, has officially opened for applications. The program, showcased on the newly launched TrumpCard.gov website, has already seen a flurry of global investors signing up.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45898900/pay-5-million-get-the-trump-card-new-visa-program-now-accepting-applications">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/45922984/trump-numbskull-fed-powell-inflation-interest-rates-israel-iran-oil" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Numbskull&#8217; Insult Comes Back To Bite—In Record Time</a>



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>



Photo courtesy: Joey Sussman / Shutterstock.com

Politics

Trump's Tussle With Powell, Big Tech's Parade Funding, Trump Card Visa And More: This Week In Politics

This week was a rollercoaster ride in the tech world, with significant developments from industry giants Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>). From strategic investments and leadership changes to financial strategy revisions and potential acquisitions, the tech titans have been busy. Let&#8217;s dive into the details.



Meta&#8217;s $29 Billion AI Investment



Meta has strategically invested in Scale AI, pushing the company&#8217;s valuation to over $29 billion. This move is part of a broader partnership aimed at accelerating AI development. Scale AI&#8217;s founder and CEO, Alexandr Wang, will join Meta to support its internal AI initiatives while continuing to serve on Scale&#8217;s board.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45919069/meta-invests-in-scale-ai-at-29-billion-valuation-taps-ceo-alexandr-wang-to-drive-internal-ai-push-as-part-of-deepening-partnership">Read the full article here.</a>



Nvidia&#8217;s China Conundrum



Nvidia has revised its financial strategy following a $2.5 billion revenue shortfall in Q1 2025, attributed to U.S. export controls blocking AI chip sales to China. CEO Jensen Huang stated that the company would no longer include China in its revenue or profit forecasts due to the ongoing U.S. export restrictions.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45918580/nvidia-drops-china-from-guidance-after-2-5-billion-q1-revenue-hit-ceo-jensen-huang-says-hes-not-counting-on-us-lifting-export-controls-but-if-it-happens-it-will-be-a-great-bonus">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/06/g45937091/in-ncla-amicus-win-supreme-court-revives-innocent-familys-suit-over-fbis-wrong-house-raid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In NCLA Amicus Win, Supreme Court Revives Innocent Family&#8217;s Suit over FBI&#8217;s Wrong-House Raid &#8211; Benzinga</a>



Nvidia CEO Disagrees With AI Job Wipeout Predictions



In a rebuttal to Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei&#8217;s warnings about AI wiping out entry-level white-collar jobs, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang expressed his disagreement, stating that open development would create new work rather than trigger a wipeout.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45905624/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-claps-back-at-anthropics-dario-amodei-says-i-pretty-much-disagree-with-almost-everything-he-said-about-ai-wiping-out-jobs">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple&#8217;s Potential AI Acquisition



Following Apple&#8217;s WWDC 2025, Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities suggested that Apple might need to pursue a merger or acquisition with an AI platform like Perplexity to remain competitive in AI and meet growing consumer demands. This move would be similar to Apple&#8217;s 2014 acquisition of Beats.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45899111/apple-may-end-up-acquiring-perplexity-like-it-did-with-beats-in-2014-says-dan-ives-consumers-need-reasons-to-upgrade-as-iphone-maker-falls-way-behind-in-ai-race">Read the full article here.</a>



Wikipedia Pauses AI Experiment



Wikipedia has halted its AI-generated summaries experiment following backlash from its editor community, who argued that the feature would harm the platform&#8217;s credibility. The Wikimedia Foundation had planned to test AI-generated summaries on Wikipedia articles to make content more accessible.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45897696/wikipedia-halts-ai-summaries-after-editors-warn-of-irreversible-harm-say-no-need-to-one-up-with-google">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/45919422/trumps-one-big-beautiful-bill-is-the-largest-redistribution-from-poor-to-rich-in-american-h" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s &#8216;One Big, Beautiful Bill&#8217; Is &#8216;The Largest Redistribution From Poor To Rich In American History,&#8217; Says Economist Justin Wolfers Amid Tax Cuts, Spending Slashes And Tariffs</a>



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>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Tech

AAPL

Meta's AI Push, Nvidia's China Woes, And Apple's AI Race: This Week In AI

The tech world was abuzz this past week with a flurry of news from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>). The company made headlines with significant supply chain shifts, a focus on product reliability, and a slew of new features announced at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Here&#8217;s a recap of the top stories that kept Apple in the limelight.



Apple&#8217;s Supply Chain Pivot Amid Tariff Threats



In response to escalating tariffs on China-made goods, Apple has reportedly redirected a significant portion of its iPhone exports from India to the U.S. Between March and May, 97% of iPhones exported by Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HNHAF#OTC">HNHAF</a>), from India were sent to the U.S., a sharp increase from the 2024 average of just over 50%. This move signals a major supply chain realignment in the wake of President Donald Trump&#8217;s push for protectionist trade measures.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45919887/apple-reroutes-97-of-foxconn-iphone-exports-from-india-to-us-between-march-and-may-as-trump-threatens-25-tariff-on-non-us-made-iphones-report">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple Executives Prioritize Reliability Over Deadlines



Apple executives addressed the delay of the promised Siri upgrade, stating that the company prioritized reliability over meeting the initial deadline. The upgraded Siri, revealed at last year&#8217;s WWDC, was expected to have context awareness and the ability to take actions within apps.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45876850/apple-executives-say-reliability-took-priority-over-deadline-amid-siri-delay-it-wouldve-been-more-disappointing-to-ship-something-that-didnt-hit-our-quality-standard">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45919887/apple-reroutes-97-of-foxconn-iphone-exports-from-india-to-us-between-march-and-may-as-trump-threaten" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Reroutes 97% Of Foxconn iPhone Exports From India To US Between March And May As Trump Threatens 25% Tariff On Non-US-Made iPhones: Report</a>



Apple Announces Major Design Overhaul at WWDC 2025



At its annual developer conference, Apple announced a major design overhaul and new Apple Intelligence features with iOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, and more. The company unveiled Liquid Glass, its new material design, and revealed significant updates to its applications, CarPlay, and more.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45844424/apple-wwdc-2025-ios-26-announced-with-liquid-glass-design-new-apple-intelligence-features-and-more">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple Criticized for Dismissing AI Revolution



Pierre Ferragu, an analyst at New Street Research, took Apple to task for its approach to the AI revolution. Ferragu criticized Apple&#8217;s research paper on Large Reasoning Models (LRMs), stating, &#8220;Apple has its head in the sand. Instead of embracing the revolution, they deny its very existence.&#8221;



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45830549/pierre-ferragu-takes-apple-to-task-for-dismissing-the-ai-revolution-has-its-head-in-the-sand">Read the full article here.</a>



New Apple Intelligence Features Unveiled at WWDC 2025



At the WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple announced a range of new Apple Intelligence features. From granting third-party developers access to powerful on-device models to launching real-time translations and expanding visual AI tools, Apple has positioned itself as a major contender in the AI race, while keeping privacy at the forefront.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45846510/apple-wwdc-2025-from-live-translation-to-genmoji-visual-ai-and-chatgpt-integration-here-are-the-new-apple-intelligence-features">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/pressreleases/23/06/ab32978332/writer-blogger-and-entrepreneur-stanislav-kondrashov-discusses-comfort-to-growth-in-his-latest-mo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Writer, Blogger, and Entrepreneur Stanislav Kondrashov Discusses Comfort to Growth in His Latest Motivational Piece &#8211; Benzinga</a>



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>



Photo courtesy: jamesteohart / Shutterstock.com

HNHAF

Apple's Supply Chain Realignments, AI Features At WWDC 2025 And More: This Week In Appleverse

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



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SJM#NYSE">SJM</a>) stock fell 13.67% last week after reporting mixed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45862389" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fourth-quarter financial results</a> and issuing fiscal year 2026 EPS guidance below expectations. Multiple analysts also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SJM/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lowered their price forecasts</a>.</li>



<li>Chewy, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHWY#NYSE">CHWY</a>) stock fell 13.57% last week after the company issued a lower-than-expected <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45885618" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fiscal year 2025 sales outlook</a> despite strong first-quarter earnings. Analysts responded by revising <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CHWY/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">their forecasts downward</a>.</li>



<li>Samsara Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IOT#NYSE">IOT</a>) stock declined 13.06% after reporting its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45803479" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-quarter financial results</a>.</li>



<li>United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTHR#NASDAQ">UTHR</a>) stock dropped 13.03% last week. The stock reacted negatively to positive trial results from rival Insmed. BofA Securities also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UTHR/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lowered its price forecast</a> to $315 while maintaining a Neutral rating.</li>



<li>Carvana Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVNA#NYSE">CVNA</a>) stock plunged 13.01% last week following bearish options activity and a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45932268" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">notable insider sale</a>.</li>



<li>AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>) stock sank 12.78% last week. The decline followed a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45910389" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">short report</a> issued by Culper Research.</li>



<li>United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UAL#NASDAQ">UAL</a>) stock lost 12.15% last week. Rising fuel prices after Israel's strikes on Iran pressured airline stocks, and a recent Air India crash may have also weighed on sector sentiment.</li>



<li>Grab Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GRAB#NASDAQ">GRAB</a>) stock fell 11.61% last week.</li>



<li>Edison International (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EIX#NYSE">EIX</a>) stock fell 10.12% after Wolfe Research <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/EIX/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">downgraded the stock</a> from Outperform to Peer Perform.</li>



<li>Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LULU#NASDAQ">LULU</a>) stock fell 9.86% last week. The company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45899298" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">continued its decline</a> after its first-quarter earnings, as several analysts downgraded the stock and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LULU/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">revised their price forecast</a>.</li>



<li>Mobileye Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MBLY#NASDAQ">MBLY</a>) shares fell 9.72% last week after Goldman Sachs <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MBLY/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">downgraded its rating</a> on the stock from Buy to Neutral.</li>
</ol>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/45940507/oracle-ast-spacemobile-and-halliburton-are-among-top-10-large-cap-gainers-last-week-june-9-13-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio">Oracle, AST SpaceMobile And Halliburton Are Among Top 10 Large Cap Gainers Last Week (June 9-13): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
</ul>



Photo via Shutterstock

CHWY

CVNA

GRAB

LULU

MBLY

UTHR

AppLovin, Chewy And Carvana Are Among Top 11 Large Cap Losers Last Week (June 9-13): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

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



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Insmed Incorporated (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INSM#NASDAQ">INSM</a>) stock jumped 34.11% last week after announcing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45856129">positive topline results</a> from a Phase 2b study on treprostinil palmitil inhalation powder, which met all primary and secondary endpoints. Multiple firms also raised their <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/insm/analyst-ratings">price forecasts on the stock</a>.</li>



<li>Circle Star Energy Corp.'s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRCL#NYSE">CRCL</a>) stock jumped 24.01% last week following continued market strength <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45874849">following its IPO launch</a>.</li>



<li>Oracle Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) stock jumped 23.68% last week after the company reported better-than-expected <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45893773">Q4 financials</a> and issued upbeat guidance. Several analysts raised <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ORCL/analyst-ratings">their price forecasts</a>.</li>



<li>AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASTS#NASDAQ">ASTS</a>) stock jumped 23.02% last week after the company announced a settlement enabling access to 45 MHz of spectrum in North America and that it is set to join the Russell 1000 Index on June 27.</li>



<li>SailPoint Technologies Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAIL#NYSE">SAIL</a>) stock jumped 18.56% last week after the company posted strong <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45882090">first-quarter EPS</a>, issued bullish second-quarter and fiscal year 2026 guidance, and received <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SAIL/analyst-ratings">multiple analyst upgrades</a>.</li>



<li>Vonage Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VG#NASDAQ">VG</a>) stock jumped 15.90% last week after UBS downgraded it to Neutral but raised its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/VG/analyst-ratings">price forecast to $18</a>.</li>



<li>Telefonica Servicios Moviles S.A. ADS (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEM#NASDAQ">TEM</a>) stock jumped 14.84% last week after Cathie Wood's ARK Invest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45831272">purchased large quantities of stock</a> in its (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKG#NYSE">ARKG</a>) and (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#NYSE">ARKK</a>) ETFs.</li>



<li>Casey's General Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CASY#NASDAQ">CASY</a>) stock jumped 13.99% last week on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45849848">strong Q4 results</a> and a dividend hike, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CASY/analyst-ratings">prompting analyst upgrades</a>.</li>



<li>Equinor ASA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQNR#NYSE">EQNR</a>) stock jumped 13.17% last week as energy sector stocks rallied on Middle East tensions that spiked oil prices.</li>



<li>Halliburton Company's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HAL#NYSE">HAL</a>) stock jumped 13.01% last week, fueled by rising oil prices and geopolitical conflict in the Middle East.</li>
</ol>



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/45940506/applovin-chewy-and-carvana-are-among-top-11-large-cap-losers-last-week-june-9-13-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio">AppLovin, Chewy And Carvana Are Among Top 11 Large Cap Losers Last Week (June 9-13): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
</ul>



Photo by Sundry Photography via Shutterstock

ARKG

ARKK

ASTS

CASY

CRCL

EQNR

INSM

SAIL

Oracle, AST SpaceMobile And Halliburton Are Among Top 10 Large Cap Gainers Last Week (June 9-13): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

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



Escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East — especially the Israel‑Iran conflict — and unexpectedly soft U.S. inflation data produced choppy market action this week. The S&amp;P 500 pulled back from all‑time highs as oil jumped above $70, marking its largest weekly gain in years.



Energy stocks led sector gains amid rising oil, while gold and silver rallied on demand for havens. Oracle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) stood out, climbing 20% after strong earnings. The U.S. dollar dipped to a three-year low against major currencies.



Looking ahead, investors are watching the Federal Reserve's upcoming meeting and U.S.–China trade discussions. Any change in rate guidance or geopolitical escalation could significantly sway market sentiment in the near term.



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







The Bulls



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/health-care/25/06/45927918/zepbound-put-eli-lilly-on-top-now-its-next-big-move-could-supercharge-the-stock">"Zepbound put Eli Lilly on top — now its next big move could supercharge the stock"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, reports that JPMorgan sees continued upside for Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) as strong Zepbound prescription growth positions the company for even greater gains from upcoming Orforglipron data, with the franchise projected to generate $79 billion in sales by 2030.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/45909275/trumps-nuclear-play-fuels-oklos-stock-boom-and-the-ride">"Trump's nuclear play fuels Oklo's 566% stock boom — and the ride may be far from over"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, reports that Oklo Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OKLO#NYSE">OKLO</a>) shares surged 566% over the past year, fueled by Donald Trump's executive order accelerating nuclear development and a Pentagon microreactor contract, while bullish technicals suggest momentum may continue despite overbought signals.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45885805/nvidias-jensen-huang-sparks-quantum-stock-frenzy">"Nvidia's Jensen Huang sparks quantum stock frenzy"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) CEO Jensen Huang declared quantum computing has reached an "inflection point," sparking sharp rallies in quantum stocks like Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QUBT#NASDAQ">QUBT</a>) and Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGTI#NASDAQ">RGTI</a>).



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/06/45893773/oracle-q4-earnings-revenue-eps-beat-estimates-cloud-infrastructure-growth-expected-to-accelerate-with-demand-skyrocketing">Oracle Q4 Earnings: Revenue, EPS Beat Estimates, Cloud Infrastructure Growth Expected To Accelerate With Demand ‘Skyrocketing'</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/45915485/rh-stock-surges-on-q1-earnings-beat-despite-worst-housing-market-in-50-years">RH Stock Surges On Q1 Earnings Beat Despite ‘Worst Housing Market' In 50 Years</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/45902627/us-listed-chinese-tech-and-ev-stocks-slide-as-trump-confirms-china-trade-deal">US Listed Chinese Tech And EV Stocks Slide As Trump Confirms China Trade Deal</a>







The Bears



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/06/45888833/mcdonalds-just-got-hammered-by-weight-loss-drugs-twice">"McDonald's just got hammered by weight‑loss drugs — twice"</a>, by Piero Cingari, reports that McDonald's Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) could lose as much as 28 million annual visits — equal to $481.5 million in revenue — due to appetite‑suppressing GLP‑1 drugs, prompting a rare double downgrade to Sell as analysts warn of a potentially cumulative 10% hit to sales.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/06/45888497/bitcoin-probably-wont-fix-gamestops-troubles">"Bitcoin probably won't fix GameStop's troubles"</a>, by Chris Katje, reports that Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter maintains an Underperform rating on GameStop Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>), warning that its Bitcoin investment could add valuation volatility while its core video game business shows "no potential for a rebound."



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/short-ideas/25/06/45910389/short-seller-says-applovin-is-desperate-and-doomed-shares-slide">"Short seller says AppLovin is ‘desperate and doomed,' shares slide"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, reports that a noted short seller labeled AppLovin Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>) "desperate and doomed" — citing inflated marketing costs and slowing user growth — prompting a sharp share price decline.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/06/45872191/gitlab-stock-drops-after-q1-report-q2-revenue-guidance-below-estimate">GitLab Stock Drops After Q1 Report, Q2 Revenue Guidance Below Estimate</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/45873964/steel-stocks-slide-on-potential-us-mexico-tariff-deal-report">Steel Stocks Slide On Potential US-Mexico Tariff Deal: Report</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/06/45893129/stock-of-the-day-is-nrg-energy-losing-steam-chart-pattern-signals-trouble-ahead">Stock Of The Day: Is NRG Energy Losing Steam? Chart Pattern Signals Trouble Ahead</a>







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



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Markets

GTLB

RGTI

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Eli Lilly, Okto, McDonalds — And Israel-Iran Conflict Sparks Oil Surge

Each week,&nbsp;Benzinga&#8217;s Stock Whisper Index&nbsp;uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/stock-whisper-index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface and deserve attention</a>.



Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.



Read Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/45750724/exclusive-mays-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-where-do-apple-palantir-coreweave-nvidia-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: May's 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do Apple, Palantir, CoreWeave, Nvidia Rank?</a>



Here's a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending June 13:



Intuit Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTU#NASDAQ">INTU</a>): The owner of TurboTax and other financial products saw strong interest from investors during the week. The company saw Wells Fargo maintain an Overweight rating and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/INTU/analyst-ratings">raise the price target</a> from $825 to $880. Intuit stock trades near all-time highs and has been gaining momentum since third-quarter results in May. The company beat analyst estimates for both revenue and earnings per share in the quarter. Analysts raised their price targets back in May with Wells Fargo latest note signaling more confidence in the company. Intuit's Mailchimp also <a href="https://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1257/intuit-mailchimp-unveils-powerful-new-suite-of-tools-at-fwd-london-to-help-businesses-unlock-their-customer-data">unveiled </a>a new set of tools at FWD: London during the week, which may create optimism for the potential of this segment.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0613"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="501" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180145/Screenshot-450.png" alt="" class="wp-image-949714" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180145/Screenshot-450.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180145/Screenshot-450-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180145/Screenshot-450-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>



Casella Waste Systems (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CWST#NASDAQ">CWST</a>): The solid waste removal company returns to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/04/45029510/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-62">Stock Whisper Index</a> with shares near all-time highs. Casella previously appeared on the list in April ahead of first-quarter financial results. A stock like Casella could be attracting investors given the mostly recession proof element of the sector and as part of an industry that could avoid tariffs. The company recently announced it will ring the Opening Bell at the Nasdaq on Tuesday, June 17, which could keep the stock in the spotlight next week.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0613"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="993" height="494" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180159/Screenshot-451.png" alt="" class="wp-image-949715" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180159/Screenshot-451.png 993w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180159/Screenshot-451-300x149.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180159/Screenshot-451-768x382.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 993px) 100vw, 993px" /></a></figure>



Carpenter Technology Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRS#NYSE">CRS</a>): The specialty metals company saw increased interest from readers during the week. The company reported third-quarter results in April with earnings per share beating estimates for a fifth straight quarter, while revenue came in shy of analyst estimates. Shares near all-time highs and are up over 45% year-to-date. The company received <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CRS/analyst-ratings">several analyst notes</a> in recent weeks with BTIG maintaining a Buy rating and raising the price target from $255 to $275 and Benchmark maintaining a Buy rating and raising the price target from $250 to $300.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0613"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="499" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180213/Screenshot-452.png" alt="" class="wp-image-949716" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180213/Screenshot-452.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180213/Screenshot-452-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180213/Screenshot-452-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



Wheaton Precious Metals Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WPM#NYSE">WPM</a>): Gold mining stocks have dominated the Stock Whisper Index in recent weeks and this week its Wheaton Precious Metals seeing strong interest from readers as the stock trades near all-time highs. The price of gold has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/05/45484902/gold-mining-stocks-were-among-top-10-large-cap-losers-last-week-may-12-may-16-are-these-in-your-portfolio">soared in recent weeks </a>and silver <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/06/45792880/silver-hits-12-year-high-peter-schiff-says-rallys-just-starting">hit a new 12-year high. </a>In May, Wheaton Precious Metals beat earnings per share and revenue estimates from analysts. Gold and silver related stocks are likely to see continued strong interest going forward even ones like Wheaton that are near all-time highs.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0613"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="501" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180231/Screenshot-454.png" alt="" class="wp-image-949717" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180231/Screenshot-454.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180231/Screenshot-454-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180231/Screenshot-454-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



Applovin Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>): The mobile technology company saw increased interest thanks to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/APP/analyst-ratings">analyst investor notes</a> and a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/short-ideas/25/06/45910389/short-seller-says-applovin-is-desperate-and-doomed-shares-slide">new short report</a>. Applovin has been the subject of multiple short reports in recent years and this time around it was Culper Research alleging the company poses national security risks due to ties to China. Culper said Applovin CEO Adam Foroughi has denied the company has Chinese ownership or operational ties to China, but the short seller is skeptical and said Chinese national Hao Tang has backed the company since at least 2017. Culper put out a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43981217/applovin-stock-drops-on-multiple-short-reports-allegations-of-copying-meta-creating-smoke-an" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">short report</a> on AppLovin in February previously Muddy Waters and Fuzzy Panda Research are other companies with short reports on the company. The company recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45269045/applovin-stock-shakes-off-short-seller-report-shares-surge-on-q1-earnings-beat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beat analyst estimates</a> for revenue and earnings per share in the first quarter. Despite the short reports, analysts have remained mostly in support of the company. JPMorgan recently maintained a Neutral rating on the stock, but raised the price target from $355 to $400. Morgan Stanley maintained an Overweight rating on the stock and raised the price target from $420 to $460. Applovin shares were down 9% during the week, but the stock remains up over 12% year-to-date and up over 300% in the last year.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0613"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="500" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180244/Screenshot-455.png" alt="" class="wp-image-949718" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180244/Screenshot-455.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180244/Screenshot-455-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/13180244/Screenshot-455-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



Stay tuned for next week&#8217;s report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0613" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>



Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/05/45482435/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-65" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May 16</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/05/45600269/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-66" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May 23</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/05/45710022/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-67">May 30</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/45827517/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-68">June 6</a></li>
</ul>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/45932660/exclusive-sp-500-new-all-time-highs-again-2025">EXCLUSIVE: S&amp;P 500 To Hit New All-Time Highs Again In 2025? Majority Say Yes, 27% Predict This Range</a></li>
</ul>

Short Sellers

Exclusives

CWST

INTU

Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Secretly Monitor But Don't Talk About Yet

Despite President Donald Trump&#8217;s frequent promises to boost manufacturing in America, recent job figures show troubling declines.&nbsp;



In a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRdQiOLmWBQ">Fox Business</a> segment, host Stuart Varney pressed Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer over the loss of 8,000 manufacturing jobs in May, asking directly, &#8220;How come we&#8217;re losing 8,000 manufacturing jobs in May when there&#8217;s a big push to bring manufacturing jobs back to America?&#8221;



Don't Miss:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<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-scaling-fast-from-spacex-orders-to-600-homes-built-this-60k-foldable-home-may-be-the-future-of-housing">this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share.</a></li>



<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – Many are rushing to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.30/share!</a></li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mixed Messages On Manufacturing</h2>



Chavez-DeRemer pointed out general improvements in the economy, saying, &#8220;We're certainly holding steady, and under the Trump administration, manufacturing jobs are still up over what the last administration, under Biden, had.&#8221; She emphasized ongoing efforts to expand the sector through construction and healthcare employment, alongside new manufacturing plants. Yet, she admitted, &#8220;It will take some time.&#8221;



Varney challenged Chavez-DeRemer repeatedly, pointing out the contradiction between the administration&#8217;s push to revive manufacturing and the actual job losses reported. Chavez-DeRemer attributed the setbacks partially to the transitional effects of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/45877836/world-bank-slashes-global-growth-forecast-to-lowest-since-1960s-amid-trump-tariffs-if-the-right-policy-actions-are-taken">Trump&#8217;s tariff policies</a> aimed at leveling the playing field internationally.



&#8220;The president has done a wonderful job in negotiating the level playing field,&#8221; Chavez-DeRemer argued. &#8220;We're seeing tens of trillions of dollars being reinvested here in the United States, and I'll continue to focus on that skilled workforce as those manufacturing jobs continue to grow.&#8221;



Trending: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/a-cure-for-osteoarthritis-powered-by-everyday-investors-cytonics-is-looking-to-beat-big-pharma-and-disrupt-a-390-billion-market"> Invest in Cytonics and help disrupt a $390B Big Pharma stronghold</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic Realities And Sector Concerns</h2>



Despite Chavez-DeRemer&#8217;s assurances, industry figures reflect broader concerns. <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf">According</a> to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/45812372/us-labor-markets-defies-tariff-concerns-as-nonfarm-payrolls-wages-top-expectations-in-may">added only 139,000 jobs</a> overall in May, marking a noticeable slowdown. Factory managers have expressed unease about Trump&#8217;s tariffs in the Institute for Supply Management&#8217;s May <a href="https://www.ismworld.org/supply-management-news-and-reports/reports/ism-report-on-business/pmi/may/">survey</a>, describing them as a significant burden for manufacturing businesses, with one manager noting that the current &#8220;chaos does not bode well for anyone.&#8221;



Recent economic reports support this caution, highlighting the significant role manufacturing plays in the U.S. economy. As of late 2024, manufacturing contributed almost $3 trillion to the economy and supported millions of jobs directly and indirectly. Yet, despite these promising figures, the manufacturing sector continues to shed positions.



See Also: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wideradvisor-retirement-planning">Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation</a>



With automation and artificial intelligence rapidly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45613320/ai-is-gutting-entry-level-jobs-and-gen-z-is-paying-the-price-warns-linkedins-aneesh-raman">transforming the job landscape</a>, Varney asked Chavez-DeRemer about predictions that AI could eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs within five years. Chavez-DeRemer downplayed the threat, saying, &#8220;I believe that we're going to streamline and we're going to assist the American worker. Things are changing at a rapid pace, but AI is not going anywhere.&#8221;



She added that the administration is proactively training workers for this shift, dedicating 10% of apprenticeship grants to AI training.



For now, manufacturing in the U.S. faces significant headwinds, caught between political promises, economic pressures, and a rapidly evolving workforce landscape.



Read Next:



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



<li>Peter Thiel turned $1,700 into $5 billion—now accredited investors are eyeing this software company with similar breakout potential. Learn how you can <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-peter-thiel-turned-his-roth-ira-into-5-billion-and-why-accredited-investors-are-now-eyeing-this-smartphone-disruptor">invest with $1,000 at just $0.30/share.</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Midjourney

Fox Business Host Presses Trump's Labor Secretary: How Come We're Losing Manufacturing Jobs When There's A Big Push To Bring Them To The U.S.

U.S. Marines have detained a civilian in Los Angeles, marking the first known instance of active-duty military involvement in such actions within the city. This comes amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement and ongoing protests.



What Happened: According to a Reuters report, U.S. Marines temporarily detained a civilian in Los Angeles on Friday. This marks the first known instance of active-duty troops, deployed by President Donald Trump, detaining a civilian in the city.



The incident occurred at the Wilshire Federal Building, where Marines were tasked with safeguarding the premises amidst ongoing protests over immigration raids.



Images captured by Reuters depicted Marines restraining the individual, identified as Marcos Leao, with zip ties before transferring him to the Department of Homeland Security.



Leao, an Army veteran and U.S. citizen, stated he was treated fairly after inadvertently crossing a restricted area while heading to a Department of Veterans Affairs office.



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45919604/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-pulls-1600-from-poorest-adds-12000-for-richest-annually-shows-cbo-analysi">Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Big, Beautiful Bill&#8217; Pulls $1,600 From Poorest, Adds $12,000 For Richest Annually, Shows CBO Analysis</a>



The U.S. military&#8217;s Northern Command spokesperson clarified that active-duty forces can temporarily detain individuals under specific conditions, ensuring the transfer to civilian law enforcement is immediate.



Currently, 200 Marines and over 2,000 National Guard members are stationed in Los Angeles to protect federal assets and personnel. An additional 500 Marines and 2,000 National Guard troops are expected to join, accompanying ICE agents on raids.



While troops can detain threats temporarily, they are not authorized to make arrests, adhering to the Posse Comitatus Act. However, invoking the Insurrection Act could expand military involvement in civilian law enforcement.



Why It Matters: The deployment of Marines to Los Angeles streets, authorized by President Donald Trump, has escalated federal-state tensions, particularly as California has challenged this military involvement in immigration enforcement.



California Governor Gavin<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45900294/trump-deploys-marines-to-la-with-authority-to-detain-civilians-california-challenges-military-involvement-in-immigration-enforcement"> Newsom has opposed the deployment</a>, marking the first federal activation of the National Guard without gubernatorial consent since 1965.



A federal appeals court recently allowed Trump to maintain control over California&#8217;s National Guard, temporarily blocking a lower court ruling that would have<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45919950/appeals-court-allows-trump-to-keep-national-guard-in-california-for-now"> returned control to Governor Newsom</a>.



The ongoing protests have also led to curfews and mass arrests in Los Angeles, with 197 arrests reported in a single day, highlighting the intensity of the situation.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45938055/marco-rubios-we-are-not-involved-to-trumps-we-knew-everything-about-israels-strikes-on-iran">Marco Rubio&#8217;s &#8216;We Are Not Involved&#8217; To Trump&#8217;s &#8216;We Knew Everything&#8217; About Israel&#8217;s Strikes On Iran</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: Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com

US Marines Detain Civilian In Los Angeles Amid Immigration Protests, First Known Incident of Its Kind: Report

There's never a dull moment in the Elon Musk Cinematic Universe. Still, the story took an even more dramatic turn last week when the Tesla CEO engaged in a high-profile <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45807968/trump-signals-truce-with-elon-musk-after-online-feud-its-going-very-well-never-done-better">social media spat</a> with the President of the United States.



While Trump and Musk&#8217;s relationship always seemed destined for a turbulent end, both men took to their respective social media networks to burn bridges and reduce them to smoldering embers.



Lots was said, and many threats were made. Musk has since deleted his most inflammatory accusations, but Trump has shown no sign of wanting to forgive and forget.



We won't get into the personal attacks except to say that during the peak of the fight, Trump threatened to cut funding to SpaceX and Musk's other companies. At the same time, Musk threatened to decommission the vital Dragon spacecraft. Musk has ramped up attacks on Trump's signature tax bill, which is currently floating through Congress, calling it (amongst other things) bloated and pork-riddled for adding more than $2 trillion to the deficit. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Summer "Power Patterns" About to Trigger (One With 90% Win Rate)</h2>



For the last decade, these 3 "Power Patterns" have delivered winning trades during the summer &#8211; one an astonishing 90% of the time. Now, they're firing up again over the next 75 days. Want a 30-year veteran trader to show you how to play them? See <a href="https://events2.benzinga.com/power-pattern-profits-live/?utm_campaign=power-pattern-registration&amp;utm_adType=sponsorad&amp;utm_ad=RD061425&amp;he={{email}}&amp;adt_ei={{email}}&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;el=ResearchDaily">HERE</a> How a Master Trader Plays These "Power Patterns"



Caught in the middle of this high-profile feud are thousands of employees and investors who now have no idea which way the wind is blowing. How legitimate are the threats to cut Musk's funding? How many of the unfriendly clean energy provisions in the new tax bill will make it into the final version? With the broader market strong, plenty of stocks are not at risk of losing 10% on a social media post, so there's no need to pick a side in this fight. Here are two securities with ties to Elon Musk to avoid until this grudge blows over.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tesla Inc.&nbsp;</h2>



Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) is finally moving forward with the release of its RoboTaxi. Still, despite the hype surrounding this, Tesla will be playing catch-up to Google's Waymo for the foreseeable future. In the here and now, TSLA stock faces significant headwinds from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Trump is eager to get through Congress. The bill would significantly alter the EV landscape by adding or eliminating the following:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The $7,500 tax credit for new EVs under Internal Revenue Code Section 30D would be phased out, as would the $4,000 tax credit for used EVs under Section 25E. The phaseout could begin as early as next year.</li>



<li>A new annual registration tax of $250 on EVs and $100 on hybrids for the Highway Trust Fund. This provision is seen as making EV owners pay their fair share for road use as they use less gas and, therefore, pay less in taxes for highway maintenance.</li>



<li>Cancellation of provisions in the Zero-Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) program allowing the sale or transfer of clean energy tax credits. Tesla earns approximately $2 billion annually from selling tax credits and has generated revenue from clean energy tax credit transfers since 2014.</li>



<li>Repeal of Section 30C tax credits for charging and alternative fuel infrastructure. This provision could significantly hinder the rollout of Tesla charging stations, which enable the company to generate revenue from non-Tesla electric vehicles.</li>



<li>Repeal of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) subsidies for battery production and clean energy infrastructure, which could affect Tesla products like the Powerwall and Megapack batteries, as well as its solar panels</li>
</ul>



Musk is right to be concerned about the bill's additions to the deficit, but dismantling EV incentives likely rankles him the most. Tesla sales have been plummeting across Europe due to Musk's political meddling. Chinese automakers like BYD have now eclipsed Tesla's EV market share in China. The daily stock chart doesn't look too enticing either.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcSW5P2_Pvw6ONOBFvU42FVj38ez-zCcdd4nNPe-5y5qGNHEUZjb9Mznky386Za8aQk8EDjbL1KccePR7MYKJLmmOwbVZ3kpCclLcC3YJ_fnKUUJ_CACV0tHiNjmcUnY9AKO1perQ?key=fL2L8pcvc-LUhE7EbVcTrw" alt=""/></figure>



The stock's May rally appeared to be hitting a wall in June before the jousting with Trump entered the public eye as shares declined for eight consecutive sessions before breaking the streak on Monday. However, Monday's close puts the stock at the 200-day moving average, which could serve as resistance, given that the 50-day is still trading below the 200-day. The MACD also shows crumbling momentum, indicating that traders are starting to look for greener pastures. A successful RoboTaxi rollout (or the survival of some EV tax credits) could trigger another round of upward momentum. Still, the short-term prognosis for TSLA shares doesn't look promising.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Destiny Tech 100 ETF&nbsp;</h2>



The Destiny Tech 100 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DYYZ#NASDAQ">DYYZ</a>) sounds like an Elon Musk venture, but he has no hand in running this one. Instead, the Destiny Tech 100 is an innovative new closed-end ETF that seeks to provide private startup access to non-accredited investors. Usually, to invest in pre-IPO firms (like Musk's SpaceX), you need to be an accredited investor. This leaves private shares primarily in the hands of venture capital firms and high-net-worth individuals. The DXYZ fund allows anyone with a brokerage account to gain exposure to private startups like SpaceX, OpenAI, Stripe, Klarna, Discord, and more. The fund aims to hold shares in 100 private companies eventually but currently owns shares in just 22. As of this writing, over 54% of the fund's assets are tied up in SpaceX shares, including Class A, Class C, and Preferred Stock share classes. The fund being heavily invested in SpaceX presents a significant risk to investors, as Trump threatens the $15 billion in federal contracts currently on the books with Musk's space exploration firm.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXci6C-nGZLbr4piPPSkqraXBHnR9zmVMENoSmWzRsbVBMw8hVPHZVYCLsZs4qxuRfI14E5Xfj5_2A3bUoYFhhVtbs_C4l1R3D7VKuOxcs2pZ-ERMguI19QTQf_BGjlQgaBXiS6HDw?key=fL2L8pcvc-LUhE7EbVcTrw" alt=""/></figure>



DYXZ has a market cap of just over $465 million and trades about 700,000 shares daily on average. It also charges a 2.5% management fee, which reduces investors&#8217; profits more than a typical thematic ETF. The fund debuted on the New York Stock Exchange in March 2024 at $25 per share and quickly reached $60 before plummeting to under $10 by October. Volatility has been the name of the game since, with shares rallying to new all-time highs and then taking a 50% haircut within the span of a few months. The current trend appears to be breaking down, as the price took out a multi-week support level the day Trump and Musk began fighting; the MACD shows momentum continuing to erode. 



Another potential headwind here is the revival of the IPO market, as one of the key appeals of DXYZ is its ability to provide access to companies that are not available to retail investors. That advantage could fade if more exciting private firms begin to move forward with public offerings.



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

TSLA

DYYZ

2 Stocks To Avoid With Musk Out Of Trump's Favor

Analyst Color

Analyst Ratings

A Thin Strip Of Water Keeps The World Economy On Edge: Will It Trigger A $100 Oil Shock?

analyst ratings image

Deep Dive Into Williams Companies Stock: Analyst Perspectives (6 Ratings)

Demystifying WESCO Intl: Insights From 5 Analyst Reviews

NICE

A Glimpse Into The Expert Outlook On NICE Through 12 Analysts

The Symbol SQ was not found. Here are some similar symbols and popular symbols to consider.

SQ Page Not Found - Benzinga

Symbol Similar to: SQ

Top Gaining Stocks

뉴스

파트너 / 기고자

벤징가 글로벌