Wells Fargo Option Alert: Jan, 2027 $60 Puts at the Bid: 2000 vs 659 OI; Earnings 4/11 Before Open 

Wells Fargo Option Alert: Jan, 2027 $60 Puts at the Bid: 2000 @ $3.35 vs 659 OI; Earnings 4/11 Before Open Ref=$80.115

Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) 주식

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo is one of the largest banks in the United States, with approximately $1.9 trillion in balance sheet assets. The company has four primary segments: consumer banking, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management. It is almost entirely focused on the US.

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소비자금융보호국(CFPB)은 불공정 금융 관행으로부터 국민을 보호하기 위해 만들어진 정부 기관이며, 현재 임시 국장인 러셀 보우트(Russell Vought)이 대부분의 기능을 중단시켰다. 코인베이스 글로벌(COIN) CEO인 브라이언 암스트롱과 암호화폐 거래소 제미니(Gemini) CEO인 타일러 윙클보스 등 많은 암호화폐 업계 리더들은 이러한 결정에 매우 만족하고 있다. 

암호화폐 업계 리더들, CFPB 폐쇄에 환호 &#34;그간 미국에 엄청난 피해 입혀&#34;

Fintech news covering the emerging Financial Technology services sector

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스콧 베센트 미국 재무장관은 도널드 트럼프 대통령이 소비자금융보호국(CFPB) 임시 국장으로 임명한 이후 월요일(3일) CFPB 대부분의 업무를 중단하라고 명령했다.

베센트 美 재무장관, CFPB 업무 중지시켜 JP모건 등 기업 관련 소송 불확실

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투자자들이 경제 낙관론, 기업 실적 호조, 트럼프 행정부의 주요 정책 변화 등을 소화하면서 S&amp;P 500 지수는 1월 마지막 주에 6,100포인트를 돌파하며 사상 최고치를 경신하고 있다.

1월 마지막 주에 상승할 수 있는 S&amp;P 500 주식 5종목은?

Wells Fargo & Co

Where Food Comes From, Inc. - Common Stock

Where Food Comes From Inc

1867 WESTN FINL CORP by 1867 Western Financial Corp

1867 Western Financial Corp

WELLS FARGO & CO D/E PFD by Wells Fargo & Co.

Wells Fargo & Company Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class A Preferred Stock, Series AA

Wells Fargo & Company Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class A Preferred Stock, Series CC

Wells Fargo & Company Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class A Preferred Stock, Series DD

Wells Fargo & Company 7.50% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Class A Preferred Stock, Series L

Wells Fargo & Company Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class A Preferred Stock, Series Y

Wells Fargo & Company Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class A Preferred Stock, Series Z

Editor&#8217;s Note: This article has been updated to include a statement from Zelle.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42687945/zelle-became-a-gold-mine-for-fraudsters-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-lawsuit">dropped its lawsuit</a> against JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Wells Fargo &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) and Bank of America Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) on Tuesday concerning the banks&#8217; alleged failure to prevent fraud on Zelle. The Trump Administration has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/44028664/trump-says-he-shut-down-the-ultra-left-cfpb-after-bankers-and-loan-officers-called-him-almost-crying">wound down CFPB cases</a> in recent weeks.
What Happened: The agency dismissed its case against the banks and Early Warning Services, Zelle&#8217;s parent company, CNBC <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/04/cfpb-drops-jpmorgan-bank-of-america-wells-fargo-lawsuit.html">reports</a>. The lawsuit was originally brought in December during the Biden Administration.
The lawsuit alleged that banks did not do enough to protect and reimburse consumers from fraud on Zelle. The defendants allegedly rushed to launch Zelle without implementing sufficient anti-fraud protections. Because the cases were dismissed with prejudice, the agency will not bring similar charges against the banks again.
A Zelle spokesperson said, "We welcome the CFPB's decision to drop its lawsuit against the Zelle network. As we've said before, this lawsuit was without merit and legally and factually flawed. We look forward to continuing to provide Zelle, a trusted service, to 151 million enrolled American consumer and small business accounts."
The CFPB&#8217;s December <a href="https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_Zelle-Complaint_2024-12.pdf">filing</a> said that 210,000 Bank of America customers experienced over $290 million in collective losses, 420,000 Chase customers lost over $360 million and 280,000 Wells Fargo customers were defrauded of over $220 million since 2017.
Reactions: The Trump administration has ended several consumer protection cases in recent weeks. Elon Musk, senior advisor to Trump, previously <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1861644897490751865">said</a> he&#8217;d like to &#8220;delete&#8221; the CFPB.
The CFPB&#8217;s <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/the-bureau/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mission</a> is to &#8220;protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices and take action against companies that break the law.&#8221;
Political figures reacted to the cases dropped by the agency.
&#8220;The CFPB makes up just 0.01% of the federal budget, yet it has returned $21 BILLION to American taxpayers,&#8221; Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) <a href="https://x.com/RepBillFoster/status/1896672481190023622">said</a>. &#8220;Still, Trump &amp; Musk want to shut it down and make it easier for scammers to rip you off.&#8221;
Also Read:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/03/44110273/trump-tariffs-will-raise-prices-within-days-target-ceo-says">Trump Tariffs Will Raise Prices &#8216;Within Days,&#8217; Target CEO Says</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

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CFPB Drops Zelle Fraud Reimbursement Case Against JPMorgan, Wells Fargo (UPDATED)

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Shares of banking and financial services stocks are trading lower amid overall market weakness on rising yields and trade uncertainty.

Wells Fargo &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) shares fell 4.8% to $73.30 on Tuesday as investor anxiety over U.S. tariffs on Mexico and Canada <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44118620/whats-driving-markets-tuesday">rattled financial markets</a>.
What To Know: With President Donald Trump ruling out further trade negotiations, concerns over economic growth and interest rate stability <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/03/44114754/stock-market-sell-off-history-shows-sp-500-rebounds-after-big-drops">weighed heavily</a> on banking stocks, including Wells Fargo. 
As a bank with a strong focus on traditional lending, Wells Fargo is particularly vulnerable to falling interest rates. The 10-year Treasury yield <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UTEN">dropped to 4.16%</a>, threatening the bank's net interest income, which accounts for nearly half of its total revenue.
Lower yields could compress net interest margins, reducing profitability on mortgages, auto loans and business lending—key segments for Wells Fargo. Additionally, trade-related economic slowdowns could dampen consumer confidence, leading to weaker demand for new loans. 
If credit conditions deteriorate, Wells Fargo may also need to increase its loan loss provisions, putting further strain on its bottom line.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/03/44116610/investors-shouldnt-run-to-the-hills-over-tariffs-dan-ives-points-to-8-ai-stocks-to-own">Investors Shouldn&#8217;t &#8216;Run To The Hills&#8217; Over Tariffs: Dan Ives Points To 8 AI Stocks &#8216;To Own&#8217;</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How To Buy WFC Stock</h2>
Besides going to a brokerage platform to purchase a share &#8211; or fractional share &#8211; of stock, you can also gain access to shares either by buying an exchange traded fund (ETF) that holds the stock itself, or by allocating yourself to a strategy in your 401(k) that would seek to acquire shares in a mutual fund or other instrument. 
For example, in Wells Fargo&#8217;s case, it is in the Financials sector. An ETF will likely hold shares in many liquid and large companies that help track that sector, allowing an investor to gain exposure to the trends within that segment.
According to data from&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>, WFC has a 52-week high of $81.50 and a 52-week low of $50.15.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/restaurants/25/03/44097795/chipotle-ready-to-eat-tariff-costs-wont-charge-customers-more-we-dont-think-its-fair-to-the-consumer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chipotle Ready To Eat Tariff Costs, Won't Charge Customers More: ‘We Don't Think It's Fair To The Consumer'</a></li>
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Photo: Shutterstock

What's Going On With Wells Fargo (WFC) Stock?

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Shares of banking companies are trading lower amid President Trump's decision to implement tariffs.

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CNBC Halftime Report Final Trades: McDonald's, On Holding AG, Charter Communications, Wells Fargo & Company

Us Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Drops 'Zelle' Case Against JP Morgan, Wells Fargo And Bank Of America

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>SOFI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$16.00</td>
<td>$53.8K</td>
<td>3.3K</td>
<td>6.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PYPL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/07/25</td>
<td>$71.00</td>
<td>$26.8K</td>
<td>5.3K</td>
<td>2.7K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$329.2K</td>
<td>46.8K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBKR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$46.3K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td>300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>COIN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$2.50</td>
<td>$109.6K</td>
<td>249</td>
<td>227</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>JPM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$360.00</td>
<td>$35.7K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td>150</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$38.7K</td>
<td>11.6K</td>
<td>143</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$400.00</td>
<td>$72.8K</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$87.50</td>
<td>$49.6K</td>
<td>41</td>
<td>32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AXP</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$270.00</td>
<td>$42.8K</td>
<td>381</td>
<td>31</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• For SOFI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOFI#NASDAQ">SOFI</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 74 day(s) on May 16, 2025. This event was a transfer of 448 contract(s) at a $16.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $53.8K, with a price of $120.0 per contract. There were 3331 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 6230 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding PYPL (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PYPL#NASDAQ">PYPL</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 4 day(s) on March 7, 2025. Parties traded 200 contract(s) at a $71.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $26.8K, with a price of $134.0 per contract. There were 5322 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2757 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For C (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 74 day(s) on May 16, 2025. This event was a transfer of 823 contract(s) at a $80.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 5 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $329.2K, with a price of $400.0 per contract. There were 46813 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1233 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding IBKR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBKR#NASDAQ">IBKR</a>), we observe a put option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 18 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 61 contract(s) at a $210.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $46.3K, with a price of $760.0 per contract. There were 1117 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 300 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For COIN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 291 day(s) on December 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 5 contract(s) at a $2.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $109.6K, with a price of $21930.0 per contract. There were 249 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 227 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding JPM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 319 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 150 contract(s) at a $360.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 5 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $35.7K, with a price of $238.0 per contract. There were 1509 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 150 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding WFC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 109 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 87 contract(s) at a $80.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $38.7K, with a price of $445.0 per contract. There were 11662 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 143 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>), we observe a put option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 683 day(s) on January 15, 2027. Parties traded 70 contract(s) at a $400.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $72.8K, with a price of $1040.0 per contract. There were 16 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 70 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For BK (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BK#NYSE">BK</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 683 day(s) on January 15, 2027. This event was a transfer of 32 contract(s) at a $87.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 20 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $49.6K, with a price of $1550.0 per contract. There were 41 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 32 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AXP (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 319 day(s) on January 16, 2026. This event was a transfer of 30 contract(s) at a $270.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 8 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $42.8K, with a price of $1428.0 per contract. There were 381 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 31 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

COIN

PYPL

SOFI

10 Financials Stocks Whale Activity In Today's Session

Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich has called out the tax reduction plans of the Donald Trump-led administration in an X post, terming them as an &#8220;absolutely shameless giveaway,&#8221; that could shoot up the deficit by $4.6 trillion.
What Happened: The possible tax cuts for rich individuals and lower corporate tax rates are likely to widen the U.S. trade deficit, which the Trump 2.0 administration would most likely fund from the tariffs imposed on its trading partners.
<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">Trump wants to extend his tax cuts for rich individuals, which would add $4.6T to the deficit. But he wants to go even further, cutting the corporate tax rate to 15%. It&#39;s yet another absolutely shameless giveaway. <a href="https://t.co/mkAWOFkkUd">pic.twitter.com/mkAWOFkkUd</a>
&mdash; Robert Reich (@RBReich) <a href="https://twitter.com/RBReich/status/1891623719304339516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The data from the Center For American Progress Action Fund or CAPAF shows that cutting the corporate tax rate down to 15% would save all sectors and companies billions of dollars in tax.
<ul>
<li>Top 100 U.S. Companies: Can expect a total annual tax cut of $48 billion despite reporting $1.1 trillion in profits in their 2023 annual report.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Top 10 U.S. Companies: Reported more than $520 billion in profits according to their 2023 annual report can expect an annual tax cut of $23 billion. These include firms like Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>), and JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Oil: The five largest U.S. oil companies, including Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>), Chevron Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>), Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>), Phillips 66 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSX#NYSE">PSX</a>), and Valero Energy Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VLO#NYSE">VLO</a>) will receive an estimated $2.2 billion annual tax cut, despite over $80 billion in profits.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Pharma: The five largest U.S. drug makers, Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), Merck &amp; Co Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>), AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>) will receive an estimated $3.1 billion annual tax cut, despite over $50 billion in profits.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Banking: The five largest Wall Street banks, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>), Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) will receive an estimated $4.1 billion annual tax cut, despite nearly $113 billion in profits.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Grocery: The five largest grocery companies, Kroger Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>), Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>), Albertsons Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACI#NYSE">ACI</a>), Target Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) and Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) will receive an estimated $1.7 billion annual tax cut, despite over $29 billion in profits.</li>
</ul>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/43763438/trump-acting-like-a-mafia-don-says-this-economist-as-uncertainty-mounts-businesses-hold-back-in-fear-of-unforeseen-economic-shifts">Trump &#8216;Acting Like A Mafia Don,&#8217; Says This Economist As Uncertainty Mounts, Businesses Hold Back In Fear Of Unforeseen Economic Shifts</a>
Why It Matters: Trump has threatened all its trading partners with &#8220;reciprocal tariffs,&#8221; while already having implemented 25% on steel and aluminum imports.
According to economists like Craig Shapiro, who is a macro strategist at the Bear Traps Report, tariffs are the "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43587245/tariffs-are-the-only-way-to-fund-tax-cuts-without-deficit-expansion-argues-expert-as-it-takes-center-stage-in-donald-trumps-economic-plan">only way</a>" to fund tax cuts without expanding the federal deficit. 
Shapiro likened Trump&#8217;s governance to that of a &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/43763438/trump-acting-like-a-mafia-don-says-this-economist-as-uncertainty-mounts-businesses-hold-back-in-fear-of-unforeseen-economic-shifts">Mafia Don</a>,&#8221; saying businesses are now uncertain about the economy&#8217;s direction. He noted fading &#8220;initial euphoria&#8221; and a &#8220;wait-and-see&#8221; approach from business leaders due to unclear policies, tariffs, trade agreement uncertainty, and fluctuating government spending. &#8211;
Price Action: On Friday, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) which track the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices, closed mixed. SPY fell 0.0049% to a value of $609.7, and QQQ was up by 0.42% to end at a value of $538.15, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Macro Notification

Economics

Markets

ABBV

CMCSA

COST

Trump's Tax Cut Could Add $4.6 Trillion To Deficit, With $48 Billion Tax Relief For Top 100 Firms: Robert Reich

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a government agency created to protect people from unfair financial practices, has been largely shut down by acting chief Russell Vought. Many crypto leaders, like Coinbase Global (COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong and Gemini CEO Tyler Winklevoss, are very happy about this decision.
Armstrong <a href="https://x.com/brian_armstrong/status/1888385895163953554">called</a> the shutdown "100% the right call," labeling the CFPB an "activist organization that has done enormous harm to the country." He argued that fraud prevention should be handled by the Department of Justice and other financial regulators, not the CFPB. Winklevoss <a href="https://x.com/tyler/status/1888461425703555209">posted</a> "CFPB Unplugged" alongside an image of a 404 error page from the agency's website.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">100% the right call The CFPB is unconstitutional on the face of it. And even if it wasn't, it should be deleted as we already have DOJ to prosecute fraud, and (many) other financial services regulators. It's an activist organization that has done enormous harm to the country. <a href="https://t.co/GlbETlnsZt">https://t.co/GlbETlnsZt</a>
&mdash; Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) <a href="https://twitter.com/brian_armstrong/status/1888385895163953554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The shutdown comes after years of tension between the CFPB and financial institutions, including crypto exchanges. Coinbase, for example, has faced more CFPB complaints than any other U.S. crypto platform, with more than&nbsp; <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints/search/?chartType=line&amp;dateInterval=Month&amp;dateRange=All&amp;date_received_max=2025-02-11&amp;date_received_min=2011-12-01&amp;lens=Product&amp;searchField=all&amp;searchText=coinbase&amp;subLens=sub_product&amp;tab=Trends">7,747 grievances</a> related to poor customer service, restricted accounts, and lost funds.
Vought, who also leads the Office of Management and Budget, told CFPB workers to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/02/43637114/regulatory-freeze-at-cfpb-these-etfs-could-gain-as-oversight-weakens">stop all investigations</a>. He also <a href="https://x.com/russvought/status/1888423503537360986">said</a> the agency wouldn't ask for more funding because it already had $711.6 million, as Musk <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1889005419273638392">called</a> for the return of that money to taxpayers.
While tech and crypto leaders are happy, others are upset. Some say shutting down the CFPB helps billionaires and leaves regular people at risk. BuccoCapital Bloke, a finance commentator, accused billionaires of dismantling the agency for personal gain, arguing that &#8220;It is not a coincidence that every single one of the tech billionaires trying to destroy the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a lot to gain from a less informed, less protected consumer,&#8221; he wrote on X.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">It is not a coincidence that every single one of the tech billionaires trying to destroy the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a lot to gain from a less informed, less protected consumer <a href="https://t.co/RL3u9nXfVg">pic.twitter.com/RL3u9nXfVg</a>
&mdash; BuccoCapital Bloke (@buccocapital) <a href="https://twitter.com/buccocapital/status/1888622663037317603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) <a href="https://x.com/ChrisVanHollen/status/1888358187503661399">vowed</a> to fight the shutdown, emphasizing the agency's role in returning billions to consumers. The CFPB has recovered $21 billion for Americans over the years, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43586493/jpmorgan-bofa-equifax-honda-block-and-many-more-may-get-relief-after-cfpb-dissolution-as-director-vought-halts-activities-maryland-senator-says-will-ensure-the-body-continues-to-fight-for-consumers">addressing misconduct by major companies</a> like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43060668/equifax-fined-15m-for-consumer-dispute-failures">Equifax</a> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EFX#NYSE">EFX</a>), Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/42981370/cfpb-sues-capital-one-over-alleged-2-billion-in-lost-interest-for-consumers">Capital One</a> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COF#NYSE">COF</a>).
The shutdown also benefits companies facing ongoing investigations, such as JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) and Wells Fargo (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), which were recently accused of failing to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42687945/zelle-became-a-gold-mine-for-fraudsters-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-lawsuit">protect Zelle users from fraud</a>. Other firms like Honda Finance and Jack Dorsey's Block (Cash App) were also under scrutiny for misleading practices.
Elon Musk, who has been at the forefrunt of cutting regulatory agencies since President Donald Trump took office again, celebrated the shutdown with a simple <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1887979940269666769">post</a>: "CFPB RIP." Musk, who is developing a digital wallet through X, has a vested interest in reducing financial oversight. Economist Paul Krugman criticized the move, saying that the government now serves "financial predators."
See Also: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
Critics like Salon&#8217;s Amanda Marcotte highlighted the cultural angle, accusing Musk and other tech billionaires of using sexism to undermine the CFPB by associating it with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), its key architect. She warned that without the CFPB, scams will continue, and companies will be free to cheat people.
Former CFPB director Rohit Chopra said in an <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/former-cfpb-director-says-trump-begging-for-another-financial-crisis-by-closing-agency">interview</a> with PBS News Hour that &#8220;defunding this type of oversight is just begging for another financial crisis, and it&#8217;s a complete giveaway to many of these big tech companies who increasingly want to become a bank.&#8221;
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'It Has Done Enormous Harm To The Country'—Crypto Leaders Celebrate As CFPB Is Shut Down

Charlie Scharf, Wells Fargo's CEO, said of today's news:
"We are pleased that the OCC has validated the work required in the 2018 compliance consent order and has terminated the enforcement action."

Wells Fargo Says OCC Terminated Its 2018 Consent Order Related To he Company's Compliance Risk Management Program

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/02/43466203/warren-buffetts-127-billion-stock-sell-off-sends-wall-street-a-stark-warning-for-2025-below-average-returns-ahead">Warren Buffett</a> may be a financial mastermind, but when it comes to self-control, even he needs a little extra motivation.&nbsp;
The billionaire investor, known for his sharp decision-making and long-term strategy, had one particular weakness: junk food. Despite living off a diet that would make most nutritionists cringe—McDonald's breakfasts, Dairy Queen sundaes, and an alarming amount of Coca-Cola—Buffett feared gaining too much weight. And in true Buffett fashion, he didn't just set a goal. He made a bet.
In his official 2008 biography "The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life" by Alice Schroeder, Buffett understood his own tendencies all too well. To keep himself accountable, Buffett handed his children unsigned checks for $10,000 each, promising to sign them if he exceeded a certain weight.&nbsp;
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The plan seemed foolproof—until his kids saw an opportunity. Instead of cheering him on, they went full Wall Street and tried to game the system. Donuts, pizza and fried food mysteriously appeared around the house, conveniently placed within Buffett's reach. His children, eager to cash in on their father's notorious frugality, became his biggest saboteurs.
For someone who <a href="https://fortune.com/well/article/warren-buffett-birthday-longevity-habits/">once told Fortune</a>, "I eat like a 6-year-old," this was no easy challenge. His daily routine included five 12-ounce Coca-Colas—"If I eat 2,700 calories a day, a quarter of that is Coca-Cola. I do it every day," he said.&nbsp;
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His mornings started with a McDonald's drive-thru stop, where he picked from one of three breakfast options based on how the market was performing. If Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>, BRK.B)) was up, he'd <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41230382/warren-buffett-lets-the-stock-market-decide-his-mcdonalds-breakfast-order-when-its-up-he-spends-">splurge on a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit</a>. If it was down, two sausage patties would do. Lunch often meant a Dairy Queen chili cheese dog and an ice cream sundae topped with cherry syrup and chopped nuts. And then there were the snacks: Utz potato sticks, See's Candies, and a salt intake so excessive that former Wells Fargo (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) CEO John Stumpf once compared it to a "snowstorm."
Despite this, Buffett had a trick up his sleeve. His $10,000 bet wasn't just a quirky wager—it was a classic example of a commitment device, a concept in behavioral economics where people create consequences to hold themselves accountable for their actions. A <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/predictably-irrational/200903/warren-buffett-and-his-attempts-self-control">2009 Psychology Today</a> article referencing the same weight-bet anecdote highlighted Buffett as a textbook example of a "sophisticate." Unlike "naifs," who think they'll start their diet tomorrow but never do, or "rational" thinkers, who always make optimal choices, a "sophisticate" understands their own irrationality and sets up systems to counteract it. Buffett knew that, left unchecked, he'd happily eat himself into a sugar coma. So, he made sure that failing his weight goal came at a real cost—$10,000 to his kids.
See Also: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.
Of course, his children didn't make it easy. Instead of letting Buffett quietly stick to his goal, they turned it into an opportunity for financial gain. Junk food started appearing around the house, placed strategically to tempt him. But even against their best efforts, Buffett prevailed. The checks went unsigned, proving that even the Oracle of Omaha can outmaneuver his own cravings.
Buffett's bet was a perfect example of how he applies his investing principles to everyday life. Just like in the stock market, where he stays disciplined and avoids emotional decisions, he managed to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">outwit his biggest opponents</a>—his own kids and his love for junk food. Turns out, nothing tests willpower quite like a financial incentive, especially when there's $10,000 at stake. If every failed diet came with that kind of price tag, there'd probably be a lot fewer broken New Year's resolutions.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gbr-savings-by-age">If You're Age 35, 50, or 60: Here&#8217;s How Much You Should Have Saved Vs. Invested By Now</a></li>
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Image Via Shutterstock

Billionaire Warren Buffett Bet His Kids $10,000 He Wouldn't Gain Weight —And They Tried To Cash In By Sabotaging Him With Donuts

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has been put on ice. Staffers have been told to halt all work, and the agency's Washington headquarters has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/cfpb">reportedly been shut down</a>. 
While this unprecedented move raises serious concerns about consumer rights, it also presents a potential opportunity for investors. ETFs with significant exposure to banks, payday lenders, and credit reporting agencies may benefit if looser regulations translate into higher profit margins.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43451675/bessent-freezes-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-work-leaving-lawsuits-against-jpmorgan-bank-of-america-capital-one-in-limbo">Bessent Freezes Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Work Leaving Lawsuits Against JPMorgan, Bank Of America, Capital One In Limbo</a>
Banking &amp; Financial Sector ETFs: The Biggest Beneficiaries?
Big banks have frequently clashed with the CFPB over issues ranging from overdraft fees to consumer lending practices. With the watchdog out of commission, major financial institutions could see reduced compliance costs and potentially higher profits. 
Investors looking to capitalize on this regulatory shift might consider ETFs with heavy bank exposure, such as:
<ul>
<li>Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NYSE">XLF</a>): This fund tracks large U.S. financial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), and Citigroup (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>). </li>
<li>Invesco KBW Bank ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KBWB#NASDAQ">KBWB</a>): This ETF could benefit if regulatory rollbacks allow banks to expand lending operations with fewer restrictions. Goldman Sachs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>), JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>), Bank Of America and Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) are among the top holdings of the ETF.</li>
<li>iShares U.S. Financials ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IYF#NYSE">IYF</a>): Another broad financial sector play, IYF provides exposure to insurance firms, banks, and capital markets. Among its top holdings are S&amp;P Global (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPGI#NYSE">SPGI</a>), BlackRock Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLK#NYSE">BLK</a>) and Wells Fargo.</li>
</ul>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42479974/us-lenders-file-joint-lawsuit-against-consumer-finance-watchdog-for-capping-overdraft-fees-wells-fargo-jpmorgan-citigroup-stocks-in-focus">US Lenders File Joint Lawsuit Against Consumer Finance Watchdog For Capping Overdraft Fees</a>
FinTech &amp; Alternative Lending: Risky Yet Promising
The CFPB has been a thorn in the side of payday lenders and fintech firms, often cracking down on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42836870/warren-buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-subsidiary-sued-over-unaffordable-loans-2008-style-predatory-loan-approval-tactics">predatory lending practices</a>. With enforcement on hold, companies like LendingClub (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LC#NYSE">LC</a>) may operate with fewer regulatory headaches. That makes fintech-focused ETFs worth watching, such as:
<ul>
<li>Global X FinTech ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FINX#NASDAQ">FINX</a>): This fund invests in innovative financial technology firms that could benefit from a more relaxed regulatory environment. Fidelity National Info (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIS#NYSE">FIS</a>) and Fiserv (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FI#NYSE">FI</a>) sit at the top of the portfolio distribution.</li>
<li>iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SVAL#BATS">SVAL</a>): It is an equal-weighted equity index tracking the Russell 2000 Focused Value Select Index which measures the performance of small-cap U.S. companies&nbsp;including LendingClub.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Background</h3>
The CFPB, created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, has been — according to advocates — a necessary watchdog keeping financial institutions in check. 
For example, the CFPB has <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/twelve-years-of-protecting-consumers-and-honest-businesses/#:~:text=Here%27s%20a%20look%20at%20some,CFPB%20enforcement%20and%20supervision%20work">recovered</a> over $17.5 billion for consumers affected by fraudulent or predatory practices.
It has also <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/consumer-protection/how-cfpb-changes-could-impact-consumers-a2527371632/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">established</a> rules to limit overdraft fees and reduce credit card late fees, aiming to protect consumers from excessive charges.
Meanwhile, critics — especially from the banking industry (i.e., JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon) — argue <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/11/42024453/if-youre-in-a-knife-fight-you-better-damn-well-bring-a-knife-jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-calls-for-a-stand-against-regulation">it&#8217;s a regulatory burden</a>.
Now, with an abrupt directive for staff to ‘stand down' and stop all work, the agency's future is uncertain.
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Photo: Shutterstock

Sector ETFs

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

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iShares Dow Jones US Financial Sector Index Fund

KBWB

SPGI

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Regulatory Freeze At CFPB: These ETFs Could Gain As Oversight Weakens

Over the weekend, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau&#8217;s (CFPB) operations were unexpectedly suspended. This followed DOGE lead Elon Musk&#8217;s apparent call for the agency&#8217;s dissolution in an X post on Saturday, where he wrote &#8220;CFPB RIP.&#8221; The decision is expected to benefit financial firms facing ongoing enforcement actions.
What Happened: Shortly after Musk&#8217;s post, the CFPB&#8217;s acting director, Russell Vought, who also recently became the Director of the United States Office of Management and Budget, took action.
Vought halted all pending CFPB investigations and supervisory activities. He then informed the Federal Reserve that the CFPB would not be requesting its next round of funding, citing the agency&#8217;s current $711.6 million balance as &#8220;excessive in the current fiscal environment.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Pursuant to the Consumer Financial Protection Act, I have notified the Federal Reserve that CFPB will not be taking its next draw of unappropriated funding because it is not &quot;reasonably necessary&quot; to carry out its duties. The Bureau&#39;s current balance of $711.6 million is in fact…
&mdash; Russ Vought (@russvought) <a href="https://twitter.com/russvought/status/1888423503537360986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Companies With Recent Enforcement Actions By CFPB</h3>
According to the CFPB <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/actions/#:~:text=Early%20Warning%20Services%2C%20LLC;%20Bank,of%20dollars%20in%20consumer%20losses.">website</a>, it took recent actions on some listed companies like Equifax Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EFX#NYSE">EFX</a>), Honda Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HMC#NYSE">HMC</a>), Block Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYZ#NYSE">XYZ</a>), and others.
<ul>
<li>The Bureau, in a release dated Jan. 17, said that Equifax violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Honda Motor&#8217;s American Honda Finance Corporation furnished inaccurate consumer reporting information. In a release dated Jan. 16, CFPB issued an order against Jack Dorsey&#8217;s Block for failing to provide effective customer service for Cash App, citing the failure to provide live telephone agents.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Capital One Financial Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COF#NYSE">COF</a>): The Bureau alleged that the firm&#8217;s representations for its 360 Savings account were false or misleading for a period ranging from December 2020 to at least August 2024.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>): CFPB alleged that Walmart and Branch Messenger Inc. engaged in unfair, abusive, and deceptive practices by requiring Walmart Spark drivers to use Branch accounts for payment, often without consent, and misrepresenting the Branch account&#8217;s features.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Rocket Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RKT#NYSE">RKT</a>): The company allegedly violated the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act by giving things of value to real estate brokerages, including referrals, in exchange for referrals of real estate settlement business to Rocket Mortgage and Amrock.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The Bureau also filed a lawsuit on Dec. 20, 2024, against Early Warning Services LLC., Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), and Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), alleging their failure to adequately protect the Zelle network from fraud and other vulnerabilities, leading to consumer losses totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.</li>
</ul>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42479974/us-lenders-file-joint-lawsuit-against-consumer-finance-watchdog-for-capping-overdraft-fees-wells-fargo-jpmorgan-citigroup-stocks-in-focus">US Lenders File Joint Lawsuit Against Consumer Finance Watchdog For Capping Overdraft Fees: Wells Fargo, JPMorgan, Citigroup Stocks In Focus</a>
Why It Matters: Tesla Inc&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO, Musk, who is charged with cutting wasteful federal spending via the Department of Government Efficiency, in an X <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1861644897490751865">post</a> dated Nov. 27, 2024 had said, &#8220;Delete CFPB. There are too many duplicative regulatory agencies.&#8221; 
The co-founder and CEO of Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) Brian Armstrong supported Musk and said &#8220;CFPB is unconstitutional&#8221; and the U.S. already has Department of Justice to prosecute fraud.
<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">100% the right call The CFPB is unconstitutional on the face of it. And even if it wasn't, it should be deleted as we already have DOJ to prosecute fraud, and (many) other financial services regulators. It's an activist organization that has done enormous harm to the country. <a href="https://t.co/GlbETlnsZt">https://t.co/GlbETlnsZt</a>
&mdash; Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) <a href="https://twitter.com/brian_armstrong/status/1888385895163953554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
However, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in an X post said &#8220;The CFPB is protected by law and we will fight to ensure it can continue to fight for consumers.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">This is the richest man on earth bragging about destroying an agency that's returned BILLIONS of dollars to working Americans who were cheated by big corporations. Well guess what &#8211; the CFPB is protected by law and we will fight to ensure it can continue to fight for consumers. <a href="https://t.co/TDoof9dtGd">pic.twitter.com/TDoof9dtGd</a>
&mdash; Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisVanHollen/status/1888358187503661399?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Also, Eric Feigl-Ding, the chairman of the Department of Public Health at New England Complex Systems Institute said that CFPB was &#8220;murdered by the richest man on Earth and his oligarchs.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">CFPB, the agency to help the poor fight corrupt banks and bad corporations, is dead (website and X account at least)… murdered by the richest man on Earth and his oligarchs. <a href="https://t.co/uruaia9wkX">pic.twitter.com/uruaia9wkX</a>
&mdash; Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrEricDing/status/1888780098058457180?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
In December 2024, financial industry groups, including American Credit Unions, the Consumer Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association, and the Mississippi Bankers Association filed a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42479974/us-lenders-file-joint-lawsuit-against-consumer-finance-watchdog-for-capping-overdraft-fees-wells-fargo-jpmorgan-citigroup-stocks-in-focus">joint lawsuit</a> against the CFPB over its new rule capping overdraft fees. The CFPB estimated the cap will save consumers up to $5 billion annually, or $225 per household.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43521806/deepseeks-hedge-fund-owner-had-multiple-top-projects-before-creating-the-firm-that-fueled-1-trillion-market-cap-erosion-of-ai-stocks">DeepSeek&#8217;s Hedge Fund Owner Had Multiple Top Projects Before Creating The Firm That Fueled $1 Trillion Market Cap Erosion Of AI Stocks</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

TSLA

JPMorgan, BofA, Equifax, And Others May Get Relief After CFPB Dissolution: Maryland Senator Says He Will Ensure It Continues To 'Fight For Consumers'

General

QTWO

Q2 And Wells Fargo Partner On Wells Fargo Commercial Banking Platform

It's a mixed session on Wall Street, with major indices struggling for direction as investors hold their breath ahead of a key jobs report <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">set for Friday morning.</a>
The S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 edged up 0.3%, while the Dow Jones slipped 0.1% and small caps held steady.
Among the leading sectors, financial stocks outperformed after the Fed released the framework for 2025 bank stress test. The big six banks — JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>), Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>), and Citigroup (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>) — all climbed more than 1%, with Citigroup surging 2.9%.
Eli Lilly Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) jumped 3.2% after topping earnings estimates, while Tapestry Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TPR#NYSE">TPR</a>) surged 12% and Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PM#NYSE">PM</a>) skyrocketed nearly 10% on strong revenue figures. In contrast, Qualcomm (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) slid 4.3% on concerns over slowing smartphone demand.
Shares of Palantir Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) surged 6.5%, extending its weekly gains to 30.8%, the stock's best weekly rally since early November.
Oil prices had a volatile session. Crude initially dipped as speculation mounted over a potential Trump-Putin meeting as early as this month or next, raising hopes for possible peace talks in Ukraine. Prices rebounded after the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Iran's oil network.
Gold softened, dropping 0.6% from record highs and snapping a five-session winning streak.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) remained stable, hovering just below $97,000.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>21,742.18</td>
<td>0.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,082.15</td>
<td>0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,316.14</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>44,811.50</td>
<td>-0.1%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 1:00 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent020325&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;rose 0.3% to $605.83.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) eased 0.2% to $447.73.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;inched 0.3% up to $528.47.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) flattened at $229.55.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLRE#NYSE">XLRE</a>) outperformed, up 1.6%; the&nbsp;Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) lagged, down 1.7%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
Stocks reacting to corporate earnings, ordered by market capitalization, are:
<ul>
<li>Eli Lilly &amp; Co.: up 3.11%</li>
<li>Linde Plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LIN#NYSE">LIN</a>): up 0.34%</li>
<li>Philip Morris International Inc.: up 9.97%</li>
<li>Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HON#NASDAQ">HON</a>): down 5.33%</li>
<li>ConocoPhillips (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COP#NYSE">COP</a>): down 0.71%</li>
<li>Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HLT#NYSE">HLT</a>): up 4.65%</li>
<li>Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>): down 2.04%</li>
<li>Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ICE#NYSE">ICE</a>): up 4.95%</li>
<li>IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IQV#NYSE">IQV</a>): up 2.95%</li>
<li>Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>): up 8.49%</li>
<li>Hershey Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>): up 5.16%</li>
<li>McKesson Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCK#NYSE">MCK</a>): down 2.56%</li>
<li>Qualcomm Inc.: down 4.41%</li>
<li>Molina Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MOH#NYSE">MOH</a>): down 8.68%</li>
<li>O&#8217;Reilly Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORLY#NASDAQ">ORLY</a>): down 1.87%</li>
<li>MetLife Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MET#NYSE">MET</a>): down 1.39%</li>
<li>Cognizant Technology Solutions (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTSH#NASDAQ">CTSH</a>): up 3.64%</li>
<li>Corteva Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTVA#NYSE">CTVA</a>): down 3.92%</li>
<li>Allstate Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALL#NYSE">ALL</a>): down 0.07%</li>
<li>Skyworks Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SWKS#NASDAQ">SWKS</a>): down 23.74%</li>
<li>Aflac Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>): down 3.64%</li>
<li>Align Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALGN#NASDAQ">ALGN</a>): down 0.66%</li>
<li>Equifax Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EFX#NYSE">EFX</a>): down 6.24%</li>
<li>Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZBH#NYSE">ZBH</a>): down 3.02%</li>
<li>Aptiv Plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APTV#NYSE">APTV</a>): up 4.18%</li>
<li>Air Products &amp; Chemicals Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APD#NYSE">APD</a>): down 1.75%</li>
<li>Kellanova (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>): up 0.12%</li>
<li>Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>): down 6.74%</li>
</ul>
Stocks reporting after the close include: 
<ul>
<li>Amazon.com Inc. </li>
<li>Illumina Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ILMN#NASDAQ">ILMN</a>)</li>
<li>Fortinet Inc.</li>
<li>Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXPE#NASDAQ">EXPE</a>)</li>
<li>Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TTWO#NASDAQ">TTWO</a>)</li>
<li>Monolithic Power Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPWR#NASDAQ">MPWR</a>)</li>
<li>Pinterest Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PINS#NYSE">PINS</a>)</li>
<li>SS&amp;C Technologies Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNC#NASDAQ">SSNC</a>)</li>
<li>Principal Financial Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFG#NASDAQ">PFG</a>)</li>
<li>Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTD#NYSE">MTD</a>)</li>
<li>AptarGroup Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ATR#NYSE">ATR</a>)</li>
<li>Post Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/POST#NYSE">POST</a>)</li>
<li>Mohawk Industries Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MHK#NYSE">MHK</a>)</li>
<li>Boyd Gaming Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYD#NYSE">BYD</a>)</li>
<li>Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EHC#NYSE">EHC</a>)</li>
<li>VeriSign Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRSN#NASDAQ">VRSN</a>)</li>
<li>Cloudflare Inc. </li>
<li>Skechers USA Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SKX#NYSE">SKX</a>)</li>
<li>Affirm Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFRM#NASDAQ">AFRM</a>)</li>
<li>Elf Beauty Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELF#NYSE">ELF</a>)</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43534297/january-jobs-report-preview-speculators-bet-on-strong-payroll-surge-yet-economists-predict-a-different-picture">January Jobs Report Preview: Speculators Bet On Strong Payroll Surge, Yet Economists Predict A Different Picture</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock.

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

Commodities

Econ #s

$BTC

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CTVA

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

EXPE

ILMN

MPWR

ORLY

PINS

PLTR

POST

QCOM

SSNC

SWKS

TTWO

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XLRE

Stocks Edge Higher, Bank Giants Rally, Palantir Skyrockets: What's Driving Markets Thursday?

<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-06/fed-tells-banks-they-won-t-need-to-do-climate-stress-tests?srnd=phx-fixed-income" title="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-06/fed-tells-banks-they-won-t-need-to-do-climate-stress-tests?srnd=phx-fixed-income">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-06/fed-tells-banks-they-won-t-need-to-do-climate-stress-tests?srnd=phx-fixed-income</a>

Macro Economic Events

Federal Reserve

"Fed Tells Banks They Won't Need to Do Climate Stress Tests; US central bank initiated the pilot program two years ago; Decision impacts lenders, including JPMorgan and Citigroup" - Bloomberg News

High-rolling investors have positioned themselves bearish on Wells Fargo (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), and it's important for retail traders to take note. 
\This activity came to our attention today through Benzinga's tracking of publicly available options data. The identities of these investors are uncertain, but such a significant move in WFC often signals that someone has privileged information.
Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 10 options trades for Wells Fargo. This is not a typical pattern.
The sentiment among these major traders is split, with 10% bullish and 50% bearish. Among all the options we identified, there was one put, amounting to $75,840, and 9 calls, totaling $380,690.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $70.0 and $80.0 for Wells Fargo, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Wells Fargo stands at 2733.67, with a total volume reaching 2,035.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Wells Fargo, situated within the strike price corridor from $70.0 to $80.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Wells Fargo Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738857637_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/20/26</td>
<td>$8.0</td>
<td>$7.8</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$75.8K</td>
<td>2</td>
<td align="right">96</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/07/25</td>
<td>$2.32</td>
<td>$2.2</td>
<td>$2.3</td>
<td>$78.00</td>
<td>$69.0K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
<td align="right">303</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$16.0</td>
<td>$15.95</td>
<td>$15.95</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$66.9K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$5.3</td>
<td>$5.15</td>
<td>$5.19</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$51.9K</td>
<td>5.6K</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$5.2</td>
<td>$5.05</td>
<td>$5.05</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$50.5K</td>
<td>5.6K</td>
<td align="right">401</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Wells Fargo</h3>
Wells Fargo is one of the largest banks in the United States, with approximately $1.9 trillion in balance sheet assets. The company has four primary segments: consumer banking, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management. It is almost entirely focused on the US
In light of the recent options history for Wells Fargo, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Wells Fargo</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 2,397,349, the WFC's price is up by 0.47%, now at $80.43. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be overbought.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 64 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Wells Fargo</h3>
4 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $87.75.
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&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Truist Securities keeps a Buy rating on Wells Fargo with a target price of $85. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Barclays persists with their Overweight rating on Wells Fargo, maintaining a target price of $92. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods persists with their Market Perform rating on Wells Fargo, maintaining a target price of $86. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Morgan Stanley continues to hold a Overweight rating for Wells Fargo, targeting a price of $88. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Wells Fargo, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Wells Fargo Unusual Options Activity For February 06

Wells Fargo's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) short percent of float has risen 14.77% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 33.21 million shares sold short, which is 1.01% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.08 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Wells Fargo Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738780212_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Wells Fargo has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Wells Fargo's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Wells Fargo's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 1.09%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

(WFC) - Analyzing Wells Fargo's Short Interest

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>COIN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/07/25</td>
<td>$285.00</td>
<td>$242.4K</td>
<td>2.8K</td>
<td>5.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OSCR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$10.00</td>
<td>$560.0K</td>
<td>296</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KKR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
<td>$176.4K</td>
<td>4.2K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/07/25</td>
<td>$77.00</td>
<td>$85.0K</td>
<td>910</td>
<td>579</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$29.7K</td>
<td>2.1K</td>
<td>174</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TOST</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$25.9K</td>
<td>932</td>
<td>130</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PRU</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$28.8K</td>
<td>737</td>
<td>126</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AJG</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$310.00</td>
<td>$34.0K</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>99</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CME</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/20/26</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$98.5K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>JPM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$215.00</td>
<td>$32.3K</td>
<td>221</td>
<td>38</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• For COIN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 2 day(s) on February 7, 2025. This event was a transfer of 449 contract(s) at a $285.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $242.4K, with a price of $540.0 per contract. There were 2863 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 5242 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding OSCR (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OSCR#NYSE">OSCR</a>), we observe a put option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 345 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 4000 contract(s) at a $10.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $560.0K, with a price of $140.0 per contract. There were 296 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4032 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For KKR (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KKR#NYSE">KKR</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 44 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 120 contract(s) at a $165.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 5 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $176.4K, with a price of $1470.0 per contract. There were 4287 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1258 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding WFC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 2 day(s) on February 7, 2025. Parties traded 250 contract(s) at a $77.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $85.0K, with a price of $340.0 per contract. There were 910 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 579 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MC#NYSE">MC</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be neutral, expiring in 16 day(s) on February 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 99 contract(s) at a $80.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.7K, with a price of $300.0 per contract. There were 2162 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 174 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For TOST (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TOST#NYSE">TOST</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 135 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 30 contract(s) at a $35.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.9K, with a price of $866.0 per contract. There were 932 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 130 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For PRU (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PRU#NYSE">PRU</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 44 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 96 contract(s) at a $110.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $28.8K, with a price of $300.0 per contract. There were 737 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 126 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding AJG (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AJG#NYSE">AJG</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 16 day(s) on February 21, 2025. Parties traded 99 contract(s) at a $310.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $34.0K, with a price of $344.0 per contract. There were 7 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 99 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For CME (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CME#NASDAQ">CME</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 408 day(s) on March 20, 2026. This event was a transfer of 50 contract(s) at a $250.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $98.5K, with a price of $1970.0 per contract. There were 0 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 50 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding JPM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 498 day(s) on June 18, 2026. Parties traded 37 contract(s) at a $215.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.3K, with a price of $875.0 per contract. There were 221 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 38 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

OSCR

TOST

10 Financials Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

Wells Fargo Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) shares are trading higher Tuesday after the Federal Reserve Board terminated two longstanding enforcement <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/b43468685/wells-fargo-confirms-termination-of-two-longstanding-federal-reserve-consent-orders">actions against the company</a>.
What To Know: The terminated consent orders date back to 2011 and were related to Wells Fargo's legacy mortgage servicing activities and its former Wells Fargo Financial business. These regulatory actions were among several tied to past issues within the bank and their removal reflects Wells Fargo's progress in addressing compliance concerns.
CEO Charlie Scharf acknowledged the significance of the decision, stating that it marks another step in the company's effort to resolve historical regulatory matters. He noted that since 2019, Wells Fargo has now closed nine consent orders and remains focused on addressing remaining regulatory requirements.
The termination of these enforcement actions follows the recent closure of a 2022 consent order from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 
WFC Price Action: Wells Fargo shares were up 1.95% at $79.66 at the time of writing, according to<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?new_user=False&amp;backend=google-oauth2"> Benzinga pro.</a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent020425&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="530" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/04143212/Screenshot-2025-02-04-at-14.31.15-1024x530.png" alt="" class="wp-image-765573" style="width:456px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/04143212/Screenshot-2025-02-04-at-14.31.15-1024x530.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/04143212/Screenshot-2025-02-04-at-14.31.15-300x155.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/04143212/Screenshot-2025-02-04-at-14.31.15-768x397.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/04143212/Screenshot-2025-02-04-at-14.31.15.png 1533w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/02/43475330/warren-buffetts-1962-signed-stock-certificate-sells-at-auction-heres-what-it-fetched">Warren Buffett&#8217;s 1962 Signed Stock Certificate Sells At Auction: Here&#8217;s What It Fetched</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock.

Movers

Wells Fargo Shares Are Up Today: What's Going On?

Press Releases

Jon Weiss, Co-CEO of Corporate & Investment Banking, to Retire from Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Survey: Commercial Business Sentiment Reaches its Highest Level in Four Years, Following the Election

Wells Fargo to Present at the UBS Financial Services Conference

Wells Fargo Confirms Termination of Two Longstanding Federal Reserve Consent Orders

Overland Advantage and Wells Fargo Lead Senior Secured Credit Facilities to FFF Enterprises, Inc.

Wells Fargo Expands Its Commercial Banking Transformation with Q2 to Drive Collaboration Across Commercial Banking Teams

Wells Fargo Confirms Termination of 2018 OCC Compliance Consent Order

Wells Fargo & Company Declares Cash Dividends on Preferred Stock

Consumers Continue to Navigate Persistent Inflation by Changing Life Plans; Say They Want to Learn New Money Behaviors, According to Second Annual Wells Fargo Money Study

Wells Fargo Joins Operation HOPE's Project Restore HOPE Los Angeles Initiative to Provide Financial Relief & Recovery Services for Residents & Businesses Impacted by LA Wildfires

Bank of America

Banco Bradesco Sa American Depositary Shares

Bank Bradesco

Banco Bradesco Sa American Depositary Shares (each representing one Common Share)

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Common Stock

BBVA

Barclays

Banco Santander Brasil SA American Depositary Shares, each representing one unit

Banco Santander

Citigroup

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. - Class A Common Stock

First Citizens BancShares

Fifth Third Bancorp

HDFC Bank

HSBC Holdings

ICICI Bank

ING Groep

Itau Unibanco Banco Holding SA American Depositary Shares (Each repstg 500 Preferred shares)

Itau Unibanco Holding

JPMorgan Chase

KB Financial Group

Lloyds Banking Group Plc American Depositary Shares

Lloyds Banking Group

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. Sponosred ADR (Japan)

Mizuho Financial Gr

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. Common Stock

Mitsubishi UFJ Finl Gr

Nu Holdings

NatWest Group plc American Depositary Shares, (each representing two (2) Ordinary Shares)

NatWest Group

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) Common Stock

PNC Financial Services Gr

Banco Santander, S.A. Sponsored ADR (Spain)

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc Unsponsored American Depositary Shares (Japan)

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