Foot traffic at retailers soared on Dec. 21, the Saturday before Christmas. Here's a look at the potential winners from the last week <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42273676/walmart-target-bath-body-works-stand-out-as-black-friday-winners-analysts">of holiday shopping.</a>



What Happened: Foot traffic at retailers was up an average of 58% compared to daily averages in 2024, a trend that could see retail stocks benefit for the 2024 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/42247997/walmart-shoppers-shun-electronics-for-black-friday-deals-on-eggs-bread-slippers">holiday shopping season.</a>



The 58% gain to the daily average, <a href="https://www.placer.ai/blog/super-saturday-2024-recap">reported </a>by Placer.ai, is higher than the 51.1% gain over the daily average seen on Black Friday. Sunday, Dec. 22, also saw retail foot traffic up 38.2% to the daily average.



While foot traffic was up compared to the daily average for the year, the 58% gain was smaller than last year's Super Saturday, which saw a 74.4% increase from the daily average. The caveat with last year's data is that Super Saturday was Dec. 23, one of the last remaining shopping days before Christmas.



Among the potential biggest winners for this year's Christmas shopping season could be department stores, based on the report.



Overall foot traffic to department stores was up 128.7% compared to the Saturday 2024 daily average, surpassing last year&#8217;s 119.4% increase over the 2023 Saturday average.



Among the department stores tracked by Placer.ai, these were the year-over-year visit growth:



<ul>
<li>Nordstrom (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JWN#NYSE">JWN</a>): +8.8%</li>



<li>Bloomingdale's, a unit of Macy's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/M#NYSE">M</a>): +4.7%</li>



<li>JCPenney: +1.3%</li>
</ul>



The report also found that recreational and sporting goods stores, beauty and self-care stores and other specialty categories saw strong traffic gains. Here's a look at some of the retailers tracked and the foot traffic gains on a year-over-year basis to last year's Super Saturday:



<ul>
<li>Ollie's Bargain Outlet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OLLI#NASDAQ">OLLI</a>): +7.3%</li>



<li>T.J. Maxx, a unit of TJX Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TJX#NYSE">TJX</a>): +4.6%</li>



<li>Five Below (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIVE#NASDAQ">FIVE</a>): +4.2%</li>
</ul>



The report found that superstores, grocery stores, and discount retailers saw lower year-over-year growth due to last year's timing of Super Saturday being so close to Christmas.



Indoor shopping malls like those owned by Simon Property Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPG#NYSE">SPG</a>) may have also benefitted from Super Saturday. Placer.ai data shows that foot traffic to indoor malls was up 177.1% on Super Saturday compared to the 2024 daily average.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/12/42678116/if-you-gifted-your-family-100-in-bitcoin-dogecoin-and-ethereum-last-christmas-heres-how-much-they-would-have-this-christmas-2">If You Gifted Your Family $100 In Bitcoin, Dogecoin And Ethereum Last Christmas, Here&#8217;s How Much They Would Have This Christmas</a>



Why It's Important: Ahead of Super Saturday, the National Retail Foundation <a href="https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/157-million-consumers-to-shop-on-super-saturday">estimated </a>that 157.2 million consumers would shop on the shopping holiday based on an annual survey.



The figure comes in higher than the 141.9 million Super Saturday shoppers in 2024 and is the second highest figure over the last nine years, trailing only 158.5 million in 2022.



"Super Saturday is one of the last opportunities during the holiday season for consumers to get the remaining items on their shopping list," NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen said.



Cullen cited the shortened holiday shopping season, due to Thanksgiving falling late in November, boosting the odds of last-minute shoppers.



The survey found that 69.5 million people plan to shop both in-store and online, up from 58.3 million in 2023. The amount of people exclusively shopping in-store was down in the survey from 37% to 31%, while the percentage of people who said they would shop exclusively online increased from 22% to 24%.



Similar to the results above, the NRF survey highlighted department stores as potential winners on Super Saturday, with 37% of shoppers saying they planned to finish their holiday shopping there.



Finishing shopping online was the most popular response at 49%, with discount stores named by 27% of consumers and clothing and accessory stores named by 25% of consumers.



The NRF survey found the most popular gift purchases were clothing and accessories (50%), toys (32%), gift cards (26%) and books, video games and other media (24%).



The shortened holiday shopping season could have been good for retailers with more foot traffic each day and especially on the weekends. The key will be if the daily increase is enough to offset the lower number of total shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.



The post-Christmas shopping time could also see a boost, with 71% of consumers in the survey saying they planned to shop after Christmas, similar to last year's survey.



NRF estimates that the entire holiday shopping season of Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 is expected to be up 2.5% to 3% from 2024, hitting a record range of $979.5 billion to $989 billion.



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Photo: Shutterstock

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Super Saturday Foot Traffic Surges, Sales Hit $157 Million: Potential Winners Emerge

Streaming giant Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) aired its first NFL games on Christmas Day with two games featuring four of the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/12/42354185/nfl-games-set-thanksgiving-day-records-why-this-is-good-and-bad-news-for-streaming-giant-netflix"> top teams in the league.</a>



Here's a look at what happened and a poll that shows the holiday may have hurt viewership.



What Happened: Netflix <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/12/42512587/netflix-analyst-say-its-only-investable-media-stock-projects-150-million-nfl-christmas-day-boost">spent an estimated</a> $150 million on the rights to two 2024 NFL games on Christmas Day. Strong advertising demand may help the streaming giant recoup the fees and turn the events into free marketing plays.



The big question will be how many viewers tuned in to the NFL games as they were Netflix exclusives and also competed against NBA games, which have traditionally been a staple on Christmas. Family gatherings and events also likely took top billing on Christmas, leaving investors and analysts to eagerly await official viewership data.



Using Benzinga's own methods of polling, the data doesn't suggest that viewership will be as strong for the NFL games as some may be expecting.



"Did you watch Netflix football games?" Benzinga asked during its <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgZkTiF6WnU">morning YouTube show </a>"Benzinga's Market Edge Live."



The results from the show&#8217;s YouTube viewership were:



<ul>
<li>Yes: 27%</li>



<li>No: 72%</li>
</ul>



Benzinga also<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42653325/exclusive-netflix-to-have-merry-christmas-with-nfl-games-will-viewers-tune-in-60-say"> recently polled readers</a> and asked if they would be watching ahead of the Christmas Day games.



&#8220;Will you watch Christmas NFL games on Netflix?&#8221; Benzinga asked.



Here were the results:



<ul>
<li>Yes, I already have Netflix: 39%</li>



<li>No, I don&#8217;t have Netflix and won&#8217;t watch: 30%</li>



<li>No, even though I have Netflix: 30%</li>



<li>Yes, I plan to subscribe to Netflix to watch: 1%</li>
</ul>



The largest percentage of readers said they are subscribers and will be watching, getting 39% of the vote. Thirty percent of Netflix subscribers said they won&#8217;t be watching despite being able to watch the games for free with their subscription. Thirty percent said they do not have Netflix and won&#8217;t subscribe just to gain access to the NFL games.



In total, the poll found that 60% of readers don&#8217;t plan on watching the NFL games on Christmas Day.



Why It's Important: NFL viewership has been strong during the 2024 season, with the Chiefs being one of the most popular teams. The official Netflix viewership figure could show what the appetite is like for more holiday NFL games and more streaming exclusives.



In the first Christmas Day game this year, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-10 to take their record to 15-1 on the season. The Steelers dropped to 10-6 on the season, with both teams already having NFL Playoffs spots clinched.



Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce led the way with eight catches for 84 yards and a receiving touchdown, which set the record for the most receiving touchdowns by a Chiefs player all time with 76.



In the second Christmas Day game on Netflix, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Houston Texans 31-2 to improve their record to 11-5. The Texans fell to 9-7 on the season. Both these teams have also clinched spots in the 2024 NFL Playoffs.



In the Ravens dominant win, quarterback Lamar Jackson rushed for 87 yards and a rushing touchdown. Jackson now has 6,110 career rushing yards, breaking a record previously held by Michael Vick.



With the win and dominant performance, Jackson remains a favorite to win a second-straight NFL MVP. Jackson, who won MVPs for the 2019 and 2023 seasons, ranks second in the betting odds at sportsbook DraftKings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DKNG#NASDAQ">DKNG</a>) with odds of +170. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is the current favorite at -225.



Here are the current Super Bowl LIX betting odds from DraftKings:



<ul>
<li>Kansas City Chiefs: +360</li>



<li>Detroit Lions: +390</li>



<li>Buffalo Bills: +600</li>



<li>Philadelphia Eagles: +650</li>



<li>Baltimore Ravens: +650</li>



<li>Minnesota Vikings: +1,100</li>



<li>Green Bay Packers: +1,300</li>



<li>Los Angeles Rams: +3,000</li>



<li>Washington Commanders: +5,000</li>



<li>Pittsburgh Steelers: +5,000</li>



<li>Los Angeles Chargers: +5,000</li>



<li>Houston Texans: +5,000</li>



<li>Denver Broncos: +5,000</li>
</ul>



The Chiefs are back to being the betting favorite as they try to win three straight Super Bowls, which would be a first for any NFL team.



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Photo courtesy of Netflix.

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Netflix NFL Games Show Off Super Bowl Contenders, MVP Frontrunner: Benzinga Poll Says 27% Watched

China revealed additional economic stimulus measures on Tuesday in an effort to revive its struggling economy. Some hedge fund managers anticipated the move and have been buying up shares of Chinese tech companies that could benefit as Beijing unleashes more <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42671739/chinese-stocks-surge-on-stimulus-plans-to-counter-us-tariff-risks">fiscal support.&nbsp;</a>



The Details: China's Ministry of Finance on Tuesday pledged to boost domestic demand, increase government spending through pension and medical insurance subsidies and support a consumer goods trade-in program.&nbsp;



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According to a Reuters report, Beijing is also planning to increase special government bond issuance to 3 trillion yuan in 2025, up from 1 trillion yuan in 2024, to spur growth.&nbsp;



The People's Bank of China held rates steady this week, but investors anticipate more rate cuts next year, possibly in response to U.S. tariffs which may come with the Trump administration. 



Expert Traders: Hedge funds led by seasoned investors Michael Burry and John Tepper made <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/11/42000692/david-teppers-appaloosa-trims-alibaba-stake-by-476-in-q3-2024-doubles-down-on-pdd-holdings-and-jd.com">significant investments</a> in Chinese stocks that may react to China's ongoing economic stimulus efforts.&nbsp;



‘Big Short': Burry's Scion Asset Management fund is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/42002224/big-short-investor-michael-burry-doubles-down-on-chinese-tech-stocks-while-adding-protective-hedges">heavily invested</a> in Chinese companies and added to its sizable positions in the third quarter, according to the latest 13F filing. 



Scion holds 200,000 shares of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), representing its top holding and 16.36% of the fund's total investments. Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JD#NASDAQ">JD</a>) is the firm's second-largest holding, with 500,000 shares, representing 15.41% of its portfolio. 



John Tepper: Appaloosa Management's Tepper <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/09/41050711/stocks-rise-as-china-signals-more-stimulus-billionaire-david-tepper-bets-big-on-everythi">recently told</a> CNBC that he was bullish on "everything" China-related due to the government's stimulus efforts and the firm's most recent SEC filings shows the investor put his money where his mouth is. 



"I didn't know that they were going to bring out the big guns," Tepper <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/03/hedge-funds-pile-into-chinese-stocks-as-stimulus-sparks-enthusiasm-.html">said</a> on CNBC's Squawk Box. "They kind of blew away expectations on the fiscal stimulus &#8230; And I think there's a whole shift."



Alibaba and PDD Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDD#NASDAQ">PDD</a>) are the top holdings in Appaloosa's fund, which also holds smaller positions in JD.com, Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>), and the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>). 



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Image: Shutterstock&nbsp;

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Billionaire Investors Michael Burry, David Tepper Could Benefit From China's Stimulus Measures

GameStop Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>) shares are trading higher Thursday following a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42679610/roaring-kittys-christmas-post-has-gamestop-rallying-7-in-overnight-trading-memecoin-connected-to-trader-also-surge">social media post by Keith Gill</a>, known as &#8220;Roaring Kitty,&#8221; a prominent figure in the 2021 GameStop short squeeze.



What To Know: On Dec. 25, Gill shared an image of a wrapped gift on X, formerly Twitter. The post sparked speculation among retail traders, driving increased interest in GameStop shares during overnight trading. Shares rose 7.68% in after-hours trading on Robinhood, reaching $33.50 at one point.



Cryptocurrencies tied to Gill's online persona also reacted. The meme coin GmeStop (GME) rose 5%, with its market capitalization reaching $31.26 million, while Kitty Inu (KITTY) surged by 17.96%.



The movement in GameStop's stock could reflect continued volatility driven by retail trader enthusiasm rather than changes in the company's fundamentals. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Should You Buy GME?</h3>



An investor can make a few decisions when deciding whether a stock is a good buy. In addition to valuation metrics and price action which you can find on Benzinga's quote pages &#8211; like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GME">GameStop</a>&#8216;s page for example &#8211; there are factors like whether or not a company pays a dividend or buys a large portion of its stock each quarter.



These are known as capital allocation programs. GameStop (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>) does pay a dividend, which yields 10.93% per year as of the closing price on Dec. 26, 2024. Feel free to search Benzinga's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/dividends">dividend calendar</a> for the next company that is due to pay a dividend and determine what kind of yield you can earn for holding a share of the company.



For example, if you're looking to earn an annualized return of 17.75%, you'll need to buy a share of PermRock Royalty Trust by the Dec. 31, 2024. Once done, you can expect to receive a nominal payout of $0.05 on Jan. 15, 2025.



Buyback programs are obviously different and highly variable. A company can approve a buyback program and purchase shares as it sees fit over the course of time in which the buyback was authorized. Looking through the latest news on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GME">GameStop</a> will often yield whether or not the company has approved a buyback program recently. Buyback programs usually serve as a support for share prices, serving as a backstop for demand.



GME Price Action: GameStop shares were up 5.43% at $32.82 at the time of writing, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">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=BZprocontent122624&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="526" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26101721/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-10.16.43-1024x526.png" alt="" class="wp-image-707802" style="width:541px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26101721/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-10.16.43-1024x526.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26101721/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-10.16.43-300x154.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26101721/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-10.16.43-768x394.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26101721/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-10.16.43-1536x789.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26101721/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-10.16.43.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



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Image via Shutterstock.

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GameStop Shares Are On The Rise Today: What's Going On?

Fans of global superstar Beyoncé who missed her Christmas Day NFL halftime performance, or want to relive the moment, are in for a treat. Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) is set to feature one of the standout moments from its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/12/42512587/netflix-analyst-say-its-only-investable-media-stock-projects-150-million-nfl-christmas-day-boost">debut NFL game streams.</a>



What Happened: For the first time ever, Netflix <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42653325/exclusive-netflix-to-have-merry-christmas-with-nfl-games-will-viewers-tune-in-60-say">streamed two live</a> NFL games on Christmas Day. The games, which are part of a three-year deal, saw Netflix as the exclusive home of the Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans matchups on Wednesday.



Beyoncé <a href="https://about.netflix.com/en/news/beyonce-delivers-epic-gift-of-a-halftime-performance-beyonce-bowl-is-coming">performed </a>a 12-minute set during halftime of the Ravens and Texans game, which took place in her hometown of Houston.



Being labeled the "Beyoncé Bowl" by Netflix, the halftime performance featured the first-ever live performances of songs from the singer's "Cowboy Carter" album.



The performance featured guest appearances by Shaboozey, Post Malone and Beyoncé's daughter Blue Ivy Carter.



Netflix announced that "Beyoncé Bowl" will be released as a standalone special on the streaming platform later this week.



The streaming company did not provide an exact date or additional details on whether the special would just be the halftime performance or include behind-the-scenes or additional footage.



Read Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/12/42563662/streamers-max-paramount-won-november-heres-why-analyst-expects-netflix-amazon-to-win-december"> Streamers Max, Paramount+ Won November: Here&#8217;s Why Analyst Expects Netflix, Amazon To Win December</a>



Why It's Important: Netflix appears poised to leverage the star power of one of the world's most popular singers, featured during halftime of its inaugural Christmas Day NFL games.



Beyoncé previously performed at halftime of Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, a performance that featured her Destiny's Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, and in 2016 with Coldplay and Bruno Mars at Super Bowl 50. Both halftime performances rank among the most watched in NFL history. &nbsp;



The singer teased that there is more coming from her next month. An Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEBPJl1yvvp/">post </a>featured Beyoncé on a horse with an American flag and ends with the screen showing the date of Jan. 14, 2025.



While the teaser post may not be in relation to Netflix, the streaming company has more coming from Beyoncé.



The singer and streamer signed a $60 million <a href="https://variety.com/2019/music/news/beyonce-netflix-deal-1203193729/">deal </a>in 2019, which included "Homecoming," a documentary concert film about the singer's 2018 Coachella performance.



Several reports suggest that the NFL Christmas Day performance and subsequent "Beyoncé Bowl" release are the second of the three projects, leaving one more Netflix special coming from the global superstar.



NFLX Price Action: Netflix stock is down 1.2% to $920.78 on Monday versus a 52-week trading range of $461.86 to $941.75. Netflix stock is up 97% year-to-date in 2024.



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Photo: Shutterstock

Netflix To Release 'Beyoncé Bowl' NFL Halftime Performance As Standalone Special

The automotive industry could be one of the American sectors hit hardest by President-elect Donald Trump's announced tariff plans on<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42402629/trump-to-change-dollar-stores-for-good-dollar-tree-exec-says-prepared-to-act"> Canada and Mexico.</a>



What Happened: The incoming White House administration could significantly impact various industries and influence pricing for everyday goods and less frequently purchased items, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/42247850/gm-other-us-automakers-brace-for-sharp-profit-squeeze-from-trump-tariffs-analysts-warn">such as automobiles.</a>



Several popular vehicles that sell for under $30,000 in the U.S. are currently built in Mexico. A proposed 25% tariff on automobiles imported into the U.S. from Mexico could take these vehicles over this pricing level quickly.



In fact, around one-third of all vehicles below $30,000 in the U.S. are currently built in Mexico, according to data from Edmunds, as <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/trump-tariff-plan-affordable-car-price-increase-1f3d4687?mod=hp_lead_pos2">reported </a>by the Wall Street Journal. This figure has risen from around one-fifth of all vehicles under the affordable auto price point around 10 years ago.



Popular models like the Ford Maverick from Ford Motor Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) and Nissan Sentra from Nissan were named in the report.



Ford recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42660866/trump-gets-ford-vehicles-1m-for-inauguration-will-musk-respond-or-could-he-ride-in-rival-vehicle">announced a $1 million </a>donation to Trump's inauguration and the donation of several fleet vehicles.



The Honda Civic from Honda Motor Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HMC#NYSE">HMC</a>) is made at several manufacturing plants, including one in Canada. Import tariffs on Canada could impact the price of this top-selling sedan model.



Kia is another automotive company that could be highly impacted by Trump's tariff plans. The company has several models, including the Forte and K4, which were made in Mexico before being imported into the United States.



The Forte and K4 sedans make up around 18% of Kia's U.S. sales according to the report.



"Everyone's got a pretty big case of anxiety here," Kia America Chief Operating Officer Steven Center said. "In two words: Please don't. Punch me in the arm. Smack me in the head. But please don't put a tariff on."



General Motors Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>), which also donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration, has several assembly factories in Mexico. The automotive company sources approximately one-third of its U.S. vehicle sales from plants in Mexico.



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Why It's Important: Trump's current plan is for 25% tariffs on items imported from Mexico, which could change a free-trade negotiation the president-elect worked on during his previous White House term.



Mexico has often been a place for manufacturing American automobiles that are known for their cheaper price points to help offset some of the costs of production. Around four million vehicles are made in Mexico annually according to the report, with close to 70% imported to the United States.



The signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement, also known as NAFTA, saw American companies turn to Mexico for cheaper labor rates for workers and ample land to build large manufacturing facilities.



Small sedans and SUVs, some of the most affordable options for consumers, are often manufactured in Mexico. The lower production costs help automotive companies turn a modest profit on these vehicles, which would likely result in losses if produced in the United States.



Tariffs on automobiles made in Mexico could change the sector, with auto companies deciding to move manufacturing to the United States or keep it in Mexico with the import tariffs. Either way, American consumers may face higher costs, whether from tariffs or increased expenses tied to U.S. manufacturing, potentially leading to the disappearance of many sub-$30,000 vehicle models.



A Wolfe Research estimate said $3,000 could be added to the cost of the average car sold in America, the report said.



This could be bad news for American consumers already facing higher costs on other items and comes after automotive prices soared during the COVID-19 pandemic due to supply shortages.



American consumers are paying an average of $700 monthly for loans on new automobiles, compared to an average of $500 back in 2016. Around 20% of American consumers are paying an average of $1,000 monthly for their auto loan payment, according to data from Edmunds.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/24/12/42536470/costco-warns-that-tariffs-raise-prices-trump-team-says-trade-policies-will-make-life-affordable">Costco Warns That Tariffs Raise Prices, Trump Team Says Trade Policies Will &#8216;Make Life Affordable&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

Government

Regulations

Politics

Global

Are Sub-$30,000 Cars Disappearing? Trump's Tariff Plans Could Reshape US Auto Market

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) could ride the artificial intelligence boom, with its crown jewel iPhone expected to witness a "multi-year" upgrade cycle, according to an analyst.



What Happened: Tech bull and Wedbush analyst Dan Ives believes that Apple's iPhone sales could witness a boost thanks to AI.



"Raising price target on Apple to $325 as a golden era of growth for Cupertino is now on the horizon into 2025," said Ives in a post on X.



Apple stock closed at $258.20 on Tuesday, up 1.2% for the day. Year-to-date, Apple shares have gained 39%, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>. Ives&#8217; $325 price target implies a 26% upside.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AAPL/analyst-ratings"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26081608/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-6.46.00%E2%80%AFPM-1024x385.png" alt="" class="wp-image-707606"/></a></figure>



While Apple has been a little late to the AI game, having been beaten by its rivals Alphabet Inc.'s Google, and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40780100/apple-intelligence-ready-iphone-16-with-faster-processor-dedicated-camera-button-announced-check-pri">the Cupertino-based company unveiled</a> the Apple Intelligence suite of AI features with the iPhone 16 series in September.



Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.



Ives expects Apple to benefit significantly from the consumer AI revolution, positioning it for substantial growth through 2025.



"We believe Apple is heading into a multi-year AI driven iPhone upgrade cycle still being underestimated by the Street."



<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">Raising price target on Apple to $325 as a golden era of growth for Cupertino is now on the horizon into 2025. We believe Apple is heading into a multi-year AI driven iPhone upgrade cycle still being underestimated by the Street. The consumer AI Revolution goes thru &#x1f34e; &#x1f525;&#x1f402;&#x1f34e;&#x1f34f;&mdash; Dan Ives (@DivesTech) <a href="https://twitter.com/DivesTech/status/1872250576370913362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42641667/is-this-nancy-pelosis-stock-pick-set-to-overtake-nvidia-ai-chip-race-to-heat-up-by-2025-as-meta-and-microsoft-look-beyond-jensen-huangs-chip-maker-says-expert?itm_source=parsely-api">Is This Nancy Pelosi&#8217;s Stock Pick Set To Overtake Nvidia?</a>



Why It Matters: The recent price target hike aligns with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42664887/apples-near-term-success-will-be-driven-by-strong-holiday-season-iphone-16-says-dan-ives-analyst-sees-stock-hitting-300-cupertino-hitting-4-trillion-marketcap">Ives' previous predictions</a>, which foresees Apple reaching a $4 trillion market capitalization by early 2025. This projection is driven by strong iPhone sales and AI innovations.



Recent supply chain checks in Asia indicate robust iPhone 16 upgrade trends, particularly during the holiday season. Ives believes that the success of the iPhone 16 will serve as a launchpad for a renaissance of growth in Cupertino over the next 12 to 18 months.



Furthermore, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42477035/dan-ives-predicts-apple-to-ship-record-240-million-iphones-in-2025-sparking-multi-year-supercycle-as-ai-integration-drives-growth">Ives predicts</a> that Apple will ship a record 240 million iPhones in 2025, setting a new annual record as AI features in the iPhone 16 spark a &#8220;multi-year supercycle.&#8221; This projection underscores the significance of AI integration in consumer devices, with Apple Inc. leading the charge.



Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42642020/steve-ballmers-bold-investment-strategy-80-of-his-portfolio-is-in-microsoft-stock-heres-why-his-keep-it-simple-approach-is-winning-big?itm_source=parsely-api">Steve Ballmer&#8217;s Winning Investment Strategy: Billionaire Says &#8216;Keep It Simple&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Pexels

Analyst Color

Equities

Price Target

AAPL

Tech Bull Predicts 26% Upside For Apple Stock, Sees 'Golden Era Of Growth' For Cupertino With AI-Driven iPhone Upgrade Cycle

A plane <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/kazakhstan">crash in Kazakhstan</a> has prompted Azerbaijan to mourn the loss of 38 lives on Thursday while questions swirl around the cause.



What Happened: The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, en route from Baku to Grozny, Russia, diverted due to adverse weather conditions and crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, approximately 3 kilometers from the airport on Wednesday, according to The Associated Press. The AP <a href="https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-airliner-crash-aktau-kazakstan-embraer-872800d95273ee96e0950192a32e5228">reports </a>that speculation has risen about the circumstances leading to the crash, which injured all 29 survivors.



Initial reports indicate a bird strike forced the pilots to change course. Theories also emerged that the aircraft may have been unintentionally targeted by Russian air defense systems amid ongoing drone attacks in the North Caucasus.



Osprey Flight Solutions, a United Kingdom-based aviation security firm, suggested this incident could reflect broader risks tied to Russia's heightened military activity during its conflict with Ukraine, according to the AP. &#8220;It's painful to know that despite our efforts, lives were lost in a way that could have been avoided,&#8221; Osprey CEO Andrew Nicholson wrote.



The crash has left Azerbaijan and neighboring nations grieving. Flags across Azerbaijan were lowered, and a moment of silence was observed nationwide. Survivors included citizens of Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, with nine Russian nationals flown to Moscow for medical treatment. 



Kazakhstan's parliamentary speaker cautioned against premature conclusions, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42356227/spacexs-22488-satellite-expansion-challenged-over-elon-musks-russian-connections-and-environmental-risks">SpaceX&#8217;s Satellite Expansion Challenged: Ukrainian-Americans Allege Elon Musk&#8217;s Russian Ties And Environmental Risks In FCC Petition</a>



Why It Matters: The tragedy underscores the volatile environment surrounding Russia's military operations. While Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov urged restraint in speculation, recent drone attacks in the region have intensified scrutiny.



The AP reports that Ukrainian drone attacks in the North Caucasus and unverified claims of another on Wednesday have fueled speculation that Russian air defenses may have mistakenly targeted the plane.



In related geopolitical developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42575876/russian-president-says-hes-willing-to-meet-trump-at-any-time-for-dialogue">openness to dialogue</a> with President-elect Donald Trump, potentially setting the stage for discussions that might address broader regional instability. 



Trump, who assumes office in January, has expressed a desire to mediate the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-19/putin-says-he-s-ready-to-meet-trump-hasn-t-seen-syria-s-assad">reports </a>that Putin is prepared for talks "at any time" to resolve pressing issues.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42677932/russian-firms-adopt-bitcoin-for-global-trade-in-response-to-western-sanctions-should-be-expanded-and-developed-further">Russian Firms Adopt Bitcoin For Global Trade In Response To Western Sanctions: &#8216;Should Be Expanded And Developed Further&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: EvrenKalinbacak/Shutterstock.com.

Azerbaijan Airliner Crash Kills 38: Weather, Russia Under Scrutiny

Shares of&nbsp;MicroStrategy Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) dropped by 4.08% following the company&#8217;s announcement to issue more shares to finance additional Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) acquisitions. This move aligns with MicroStrategy&#8217;s ongoing strategy to bolster its Bitcoin reserves.



What Happened: MicroStrategy&#8217;s recent filing&nbsp;with the U.S. Securities and&nbsp;Exchange Commission (SEC) aims to expand&nbsp;the authorized number of Class&nbsp;A&nbsp;common stock from 330 million&nbsp;to 10.33 billion units and&nbsp;preferred stock from 5 million&nbsp;to over 1 billion units.&nbsp;This move underscores the company&#8217;s transition from a software enterprise&nbsp;to a major Bitcoin investor.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42664692/bitcoin-flat-ethereum-dogecoin-spike-ahead-of-christmas-analyst-says-decline-in-btc-dominance-leaves-room-for-altcoins-to-pick-up?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Flat, Ethereum, Dogecoin Spike Ahead Of Christmas: Analyst Says Decline In BTC Dominance Leaves &#8216;Room For Altcoins To Pick Up&#8217;</a>



The company recently acquired&nbsp;$561 million worth of Bitcoin,&nbsp;marking its seventh consecutive week&nbsp;of purchases, with total holdings now estimated at $40 billion. Despite Bitcoin&#8217;s 135% increase this year, market volatility is expected as $43 billion in&nbsp;Bitcoin and Ether derivatives are&nbsp;due to expire on Friday.



Meanwhile, Bitcoin Thursday during pre-market hours was trading at $95,621.41. The cryptocurrency briefly hit an intraday peak of $99,876.70. A broader cryptocurrency index, which includes tokens such as Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>), and Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>), also experienced a minor recovery, rising by 0.2%.



Why It Matters: MicroStrategy&#8217;s decision to issue more shares comes on the heels of its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42660092/microstrategy-sinks-after-nasdaq-100-inclusion-bitcoin-bet-under-fire">recent inclusion in the Nasdaq 100</a>, which has not been without challenges. The company&#8217;s stock fell over 8.5% on its debut in the index, marking a difficult start to its tenure. Over the past month, MicroStrategy&#8217;s stock has plunged more than 37% from its all-time high, reflecting investor concerns over its aggressive Bitcoin strategy. The company&#8217;s recent sale of $561 million in common stock to purchase an additional 5,262 Bitcoins at an average price of $106,662 per coin has further intensified scrutiny.



The latest analyst ratings for MicroStrategy Inc were issued by Bernstein on Dec.12, and by both TD Cowen and Barclays on Nov. 25. These analysts, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSTR/analyst-ratings">tracked by Benzinga</a>, have set an average price target of $546.67, suggesting a potential upside of 58.01% for the stock.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26062848/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-4.58.41%E2%80%AFPM-1024x364.png" alt="" class="wp-image-707471"/></figure>



Read Next:&nbsp;



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42673114/bitcoins-outperformance-could-leave-dogecoin-shiba-inu-sidelined-but-propel-pepe-dogwifhat-bonk-to-new-highs?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin&#8217;s Outperformance Could Leave Dogecoin, Shiba Inu Sidelined, But Propel Pepe, Dogwifhat, Bonk To New Highs</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Image via Shutterstock

Pre-Market Outlook

General

$BTC

$DOGE

$ETH

$SOL

MSTR

MicroStrategy Stock Tumbles Over 4% In Thursday Premarket: What's Going On?

In the face of global and national political upheavals, the U.S. economy is projected to maintain its exceptional performance, surpassing other major economies in 2025, as per economist Mohamed El Erian.



What Happened: El Erian attributes the strength of the U.S. economy to its significant foreign capital attraction and large-scale investment in future productivity drivers, competitiveness, and growth, according to a Project Syndicate report shared by the economist on X Wednesday.



The former PIMCO CEO said the U.S. economy is &#8220;likely to continue outperforming other major economies in 2025."



<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">Given the amount of foreign capital the US is attracting, and the scale of its investment in the future drivers of productivity, competitiveness, and growth, it is likely to continue outperforming other major economies in 2025, predicts <a href="https://twitter.com/elerianm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elerianm</a>. <a href="https://t.co/tDJsIUHvXS">https://t.co/tDJsIUHvXS</a>&mdash; Project Syndicate (@ProSyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProSyn/status/1871722539795505625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Despite political turmoil in many countries, including the collapse of governments in France and Germany and the political transition in the U.S. following Donald Trump&#8217;s victory, the economy has remained resilient. This resilience is also evident in the face of geopolitical challenges, such as the &#8220;axis of convenience&#8221; comprising China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, seeking to challenge the Western-dominated international order.



On the other hand, Europe and China are grappling with significant economic weaknesses, with Europe struggling&nbsp;with low growth and large&nbsp;budget deficits, and China facing the threat of &#8220;Japanification.&#8221;



Despite these challenges, the U.S. economy has not only remained stable but has also pulled further ahead. This trend is expected to continue in 2025, with the U.S. likely to continue outperforming other major economies.



However, El Erian warns that political and geopolitical upheaval poses a risk to the endurance of U.S. economic exceptionalism.



&#8220;My baseline scenario for the [U.S.] includes a somewhat lower immediate growth rate, even as the economy outperforms its peers, and sticky inflation,&#8221; wrote El Erian.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42635836/warren-buffetts-sons-90k-inheritance-would-be-worth-more-than-400-million-today-but-he-sold-his-berkshire-stock-47-years-ago-to-buy-something-infinitely-more-valuable?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Son&#8217;s $90K Inheritance Would Be Worth More Than $400 Million Today, But He Sold His Berk</a>



Why It Matters: The US economy&#8217;s performance in 2025 has been a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/42137929/2025-us-economy-outlook-cloudier-than-normal-jpmorgan-says-boom-bust-scenarios">topic of discussion</a> among experts. JPMorgan&#8217;s chief economist, Michael Feroli, previously outlined a divided economic outlook for 2025, influenced by the 2024 elections and the early policy indications from the incoming Trump administration.



The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41461338/imf-upwardly-revises-us-economic-growth-but-warns-under-current-policies-the-us-public-debt-is-not-s">revised its forecast</a> for U.S. growth in 2025, projecting a 2.2% growth, which is 0.3 percentage point higher than previous estimates.



Moreover,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/42024472/goldman-sachs-us-to-dominate-2025-growth-with-2-5-gdp-boost-euro-area-will-struggle">Goldman Sachs Research</a>&nbsp;predicts a strong year for global economic growth in 2025, with the US expected to lead the way, significantly surpassing the consensus of 1.9%.



However, El Erian&#8217;s prediction of the US economy outperforming other major economies aligns with his earlier warning about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/24/12/42677086/treasury-yields-could-hit-5-in-2025-mohamed-el-erian-warns-will-next-year-bring-head-winds-for-surging-markets">U.S. Treasury yields potentially hitting 5% in 2025</a>, as markets digest the Federal Reserve's revised rate outlook and end-of-year dynamics.



Photo by International Monetary Fund on Flickr



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42666220/hertz-sells-used-evs-including-chevrolet-bolt-tesla-model-3-for-whopping-discounts-in-bid-to-reduce-evs-in-fleet?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hertz Sells Used EVs Including Chevrolet Bolt, Tesla Model 3 For As Low As $12,000 As It Looks To Trim Its Fleet</a></li>
</ul>



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

Economics

El Erian Explains Why US Economy Is 'Likely To Continue Outperforming Other Major Economies In 2025'

U.S. stock futures declined on Thursday after a break for Christmas on Wednesday. All four index futures slipped in early trade.



The S&amp;P 500 index is on its way to registering a robust 20% plus return for the second consecutive year in 2024, as most analysts expect a Santa Rally.



The 10-year and two-year Treasury notes yielded 4.62% and 4.35%, respectively. The probability of having no change in the interest rates for the upcoming Jan. 31, 2025 decision was at 91.4%, according to CME Group&#8217;s FedWatch <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">tool</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>Futures</td><td>Change (+/-)</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq 100</td><td>-0.42%</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>-0.43%</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>-0.41%</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>-0.43%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



In premarket trading on Thursday, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) was down 0.49% to $598.36&nbsp; and the Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) fell 0.47% to $527.45, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



Cues From The Last Session



Wall Street closed higher on Tuesday, kicking off the traditional <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/treasuries/24/12/42674886/santa-rally-kicks-off-on-wall-street-stocks-gain-tesla-soars-bitcoin-hits-98000">Santa Rally</a>. All major indices and sectors finished the shortened pre-Christmas trading session in the green.



The S&amp;P 500 climbed 1.1%, extending its winning streak to three consecutive days following the volatile Federal Reserve meeting last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.91%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 gained 1.37%, nearly recouping last week&#8217;s losses.



Consumer discretionary stocks, the top-performing sector this year, led the rally. Trading volumes were light but Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) surged 7.35%, its strongest single-day gain since November. Other notable performers in the S&amp;P 500 included Walmart Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) up 2.5%, Starbucks Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NYSE">SBUX</a>) up 2.8%, and Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) up 2.27%. 



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>Index</td><td>Performance (+/-)</td><td>Value</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq Composite</td><td>1.35%</td><td>20,031.13</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>1.10%</td><td>6,040.04</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>0.91%</td><td>43,297.03</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>1.00%</td><td>2,259.85</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Insights From Analysts



Louis Navellier of Navellier &amp; Associates had said that Jerome Powell's hawkish stance did not inspire confidence. However, he believes that &#8220;A Santa Claus rally was subsequently sparked by the November PCE report, so the stock market is rallying into Christmas and should also rally into the New Year.&#8221;



&#8220;There is not a lot of economic news this week, but the good news is non-defense capital goods orders rose by 0.7% and have risen 2.1%, so there is a &#8216;green shoot&#8217; in the durable goods report. The Commerce Department reported that durable goods declined 1.1% in November due largely to a 12% decline in defense orders. Excluding transportation, durable goods orders declined by a more modest 0.1%,&#8221; he added.



According to Bespoke Investment Group &#8220;The S&amp;P has traded above its 200-DMA all year. This has happened 11 other times since 1952, and the next-year move has been about half the average. The last time this happened was in 2021, and before that, 2017.&#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">The S&amp;P has traded above its 200-DMA all year. This has happened 11 other times since 1952, and the next-year move has been about half the average. Last time this happened was in 2021, and before that, 2017. <a href="https://t.co/LBmXRZ4OSC">pic.twitter.com/LBmXRZ4OSC</a>&mdash; Bespoke (@bespokeinvest) <a href="https://twitter.com/bespokeinvest/status/1871580687595454732?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



According to Wells Fargo, &#8220;The outlook for 2025 is riddled with uncertainty.&#8221; The note also added that &#8220;Ascertaining what level of policy restraint achieves the careful balance of keeping inflation in check and easing stress on interest-rate sensitive sectors will dominate the monetary policy discussion come 2025.&#8221;



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



Upcoming Economic Data



A few important data points remain to be released in this truncated week that will help investors determine the future course of action.



<ul>
<li>On Thursday, initial jobless claims data till Dec. 21 will announced at 8:30 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>On Friday, November&#8217;s data for the advanced U.S. trade balance in goods, advanced retail inventories, and advanced wholesale inventories will be announced at 8:30 a.m., ET.</li>
</ul>



Stocks In Focus:



<ul>
<li>Color Star Technology Co Ltd (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADD#NASDAQ">ADD</a>) was up 103.70% in premarket after it announced that a prominent member of the UAE's royal family, has joined the company as an independent director.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Amplitech Group Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMPG#NASDAQ">AMPG</a>) was up 15.35% and has risen by 81.17% over the last five sessions after it entered into agreements with institutional investors for a registered direct offering, raising $3.1 million before fees and expenses.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Rigetti Computing, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGTI#NASDAQ">RGTI</a>) was up 1.5% after the launch of its 84-qubit Ankaa-3 system, a quantum computer featuring an extensive hardware redesign that enables superior performance.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Zoomcar Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZCAR#NASDAQ">ZCAR</a>) was up 102.09% after it reported a 43% year-on-year growth in bookings for November 2024, primarily driven by increased wedding season demand.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Hour Loop Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOUR#NASDAQ">HOUR</a>) was down 36.36%, Direct Digital Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DRCT#NASDAQ">DRCT</a>) was down 31.27% and Baosheng Media Group Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAOS#NASDAQ">BAOS</a>) was down 28.87%.</li>
</ul>



Commodities, Gold And Global Equity Markets:



Crude oil futures were higher in the early New York session by 0.61% to hover around $70.53 per barrel.



The gold spot index was up by 0.36% to $2,645.11 per ounce. The Dollar Index was down 0.09% to 108.155 level.



Most Asian Markets ended Thursday on a Mixed note.



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42678014/top-7-blue-chip-stocks-with-the-best-return-potential-going-into-2025">S&amp;P 500 Hits 57 All-Time Highs In Record-Breaking 2024: Magnificent 7 Drive 30% Of Nasdaq&#8217;s Surge</a> 



Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

Futures

Federal Reserve

ETFs

AMPG

BAOS

DRCT

HOUR

RGTI

SBUX

TSLA

ZCAR

US Stocks Likely To Open In Red After Christmas Break But Analysts Still Expect A Santa Rally Into The New Year

Leading cryptocurrencies remained rock steady on Christmas day, retaining advances made the day before.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>+1.08%</td><td>$99,024.30</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+0.06%</td><td>$3,474.92</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>-1.67%</td><td>$0.332</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



What Happened: Bitcoin sailed to a one-week high of $99,800 during overnight trading, narrowly missing the crucial $100,000 milestone. The leading cryptocurrency hit $98,000 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/treasuries/24/12/42674886/santa-rally-kicks-off-on-wall-street-stocks-gain-tesla-soars-bitcoin-hits-98000">just a day earlier on Christmas Eve</a>, defying days of downward price action.&nbsp;



Ethereum witnessed a bumpy trajectory, wobbling between $3,440 and $3,510.&nbsp;Trading volumes for both blue-chip currencies were down significantly.



Over $200 million was liquidated from the market in the last 24 hours, with long liquidations accounting for $115 million.



Bitcoin's Open Interest rose marginally by 0.24% in the last 24 hours. The number of traders placing upside bets on the cryptocurrency declined vis-à-vis those betting against it, according to the Long/Short Ratio.



Funding rates rose on top exchanges, indicating that traders expected Bitcoin's price to rise.



Top Gainers (24-Hours)



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Movement (MOVE)</td><td>+21.65%</td><td>$1.15</td></tr><tr><td>Bitget Token (BGB)</td><td>+15.37%</td><td>$5.77</td></tr><tr><td>GateToken (GT)</td><td>+7.25%</td><td>$14.72</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.43 trillion, following a decrease of 0.11% in the last 24 hours.



Stock futures were broadly unchanged on Wednesday overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures was down or 0.06%, as of 8:30 p.m. ET.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 gained 0.01%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures added 0.15%.



The stock market was closed for the Christmas holiday. The Japanese market opened higher, with the Nikkei 225 index gaining 0.44%, a day after a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/japan/japan-government-plans-record-730-bln-budget-next-fiscal-year-jiji-reports-2024-12-25/">report </a>said the country was compiling a record $735 billion budget for the next fiscal year.



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



Analyst Notes: Well-known cryptocurrency analyst and trader Ali Martinez deemed $97,300 the "most significant support" for Bitcoin, with over 1.5 million wallets accumulating 1.49 million BTCs around the level.



<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 most significant support level for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> is at $97,300, where 1.51 million wallets bought around 1.49 million <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a>. <a href="https://t.co/hDnBnhwMZw">pic.twitter.com/hDnBnhwMZw</a>&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1872029000929047035?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Popular on-chain analytics firm Santiment revealed a positive crowd sentiment after Bitcoin's bullish Christmas rally, with many anticipating the asset to hit $110,000 next.



"Historically, we will see $110,000 Bitcoin only after the crowd doesn&#8217;t expect it," Santiment cautioned.



<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">&#x1f9d1;&#x200d;&#x1f384;&#x1f4c8; Bitcoin has jumped to as high as $99.8K on a bullish Christmas crypto performance. Traders are now swinging bullish once again, with speculation of $110K getting rampant. Historically, we will see $110K Bitcoin only after the crowd doesn&#39;t expect it, as this image shows. <a href="https://t.co/j4w3VQ4Zio">pic.twitter.com/j4w3VQ4Zio</a>&mdash; Santiment (@santimentfeed) <a href="https://twitter.com/santimentfeed/status/1872090202673742217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Photo by SvetlanaParnikova on Shutterstock



Read Next:    



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42677932/russian-firms-adopt-bitcoin-for-global-trade-in-response-to-western-sanctions-should-be-expanded-and-developed-further">Russian Firms Adopt Bitcoin For Global Trade In Response To Western Sanctions: &#8216;Should Be Expanded And Developed Further&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin, Ethereum Rise, Dogecoin Slides Amid Positive Christmas Sentiment: Analyst Cautions $110K Target For BTC Possible Only When...

Elon Musk has shared a preview of the collaboration between McDonald&#8217;s Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) Japan and the iconic anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion.



What Happened: This partnership was first announced on Dec. 19, 2024. On Wednesday, McDonald Japan's official X, formerly Twitter, page posted a follow-up preview video featuring original voice actors.



<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">運命に導かれた3つのバーガーが マクドナルドに集結。 エヴァンゲリオンバーガー 1/6(月)発売 <a href="https://t.co/6S5JO3Mpi7">pic.twitter.com/6S5JO3Mpi7</a>&mdash; マクドナルド (@McDonaldsJapan) <a href="https://twitter.com/McDonaldsJapan/status/1872047167419920837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42666738/how-apples-upcoming-smart-doorbell-compares-to-amazons-ring?itm_source=parsely-api">How Apple&#8217;s Upcoming Smart Doorbell Compares To Amazon&#8217;s Ring</a>



The collaboration&#8217;s highlight is the McDonald&#8217;s Evangelion Value Set, offering three unique transforming figurines.



These figures morph from McDonald&#8217;s items—a Big Mac, French fries, and McShake—into EVA units. The set is priced at 3,900 yen (about $24) and requires a lottery registration via the McDonald&#8217;s Japan app, running until Jan. 10.



Winners will be notified on Jan. 16, with collection available from Jan. 20 to 26.&nbsp;



Why It Matters: McDonald&#8217;s Japan is renowned for its anime-themed promotions. Considering Evangelion, which debuted nearly 30 years ago, remains a cultural phenomenon, this latest venture has captured massive attention.



Previously, Guillaume Huin, senior marketing director at McDonald's U.S., said on X that he was eagerly attempting to get his hands on a set.



<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">man I am trying to help myself already. Literally emailed the entire company to try to get a set.&mdash; Guillaume Huin (@HuinGuillaume) <a href="https://twitter.com/HuinGuillaume/status/1869802393887748457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Musk has previously also interacted with McDonald&#8217;s. He once famously <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41148843/much-wow-how-elon-musk-went-from-promising-to-eat-a-happy-meal-if-mcdonalds-adopts-dogecoi">promised to eat a Happy Meal</a> on live television if the fast-food chain adopted Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) as a payment method.



This <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/01/25206297/elon-musk-says-hell-eat-a-happy-meal-on-tv-if-mcdonalds-accepts-dogecoin-is-there-somethin">playful challenge</a> sparked significant interest within the Dogecoin community.



Rumors of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/restaurants/24/10/41198120/elon-musk-vs-mcdonalds-tesla-fans-wanted-collaboration-instead-they-get-new-product-launch-co">potential collaboration</a> between McDonald&#8217;s and Tesla Inc. had circulated earlier in 2024, coinciding with the Robotaxi Day. However, these rumors did not materialize.



Price Action: McDonald&#8217;s stock has fallen 1.03% year-to-date, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">according to Benzinga Pro data</a>. However, analyst reports from BofA Securities, Truist Securities, and BMO Capital have set an average price target of $333.67 for MCD, indicating a potential upside of 13.60%.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MCD/analyst-ratings"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/25210218/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-7.32.09%E2%80%AFAM-1024x376.png" alt="" class="wp-image-706941"/></a></figure>



Image via Shutterstock



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42642020/steve-ballmers-bold-investment-strategy-80-of-his-portfolio-is-in-microsoft-stock-heres-why-his-keep-it-simple-approach-is-winning-big?itm_source=parsely-api">Steve Ballmer&#8217;s Winning Investment Strategy: Billionaire Says &#8216;Keep It Simple&#8217; As His Microsoft Bet Pays Off Thanks To AI Boom</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Restaurants

McDonald's Evangelion Collaboration Advert Catches Elon Musk's Eye. Here's What The Techno King Shared

Iran&#8217;s reformist government has lifted the ban on Meta Platforms, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) WhatsApp, and Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google Play.



What Happened: Iran&#8217;s reformist government, led by Masoud Pezeshkian, has lifted this ban, marking a significant move towards reducing internet restrictions, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/bb68c686-89d2-4305-bd1e-94452795809c">reported</a> the Financial Times.



This decision was made during a high-level meeting on Tuesday, overcoming resistance from hardline factions within the Islamic regime, the report noted, citing Iranian media.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42664762/after-investing-nearly-14-billion-in-openai-microsoft-reportedly-moves-to-reduce-its-dependence-on-chatgpt-parent?itm_source=parsely-api">Microsoft Invested Nearly $14 Billion In OpenAI But Now Its Reducing Its Dependence On The ChatGPT-Parent</a>



The move is part of a broader effort by Pezeshkian&#8217;s administration to ease pressures on civil society.



Sattar Hashemi, Iran's telecommunications minister, stated on X, &#8220;Today, we took the first step towards lifting internet restrictions by demonstrating unity,&#8221; adding, &#8220;This path will continue&#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">امروز گام اول رفع محدودیت از اینترنت را با همدلی و وفاق برداشتیم. از پیگیری رییس‌جمهور و همراهی رسانه‌ها و فعالان ممنونم و بیش از پیش به این همراهی و همدلی نیازمندیم. این مسیر ادامه دارد…&mdash; Sattar Hashemi (@HashemiSattar) <a href="https://twitter.com/HashemiSattar/status/1871552451247251913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Why It Matters: Despite restrictions, Iranians have accessed platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram through widely available VPNs.



Reformists accuse hardliners of hypocrisy, alleging they profit from VPN sales. They also argue that easing restrictions could alleviate public discontent.



Hardliners view the internet as a tool for adversaries like the U.S. and Israel to wage a &#8220;soft war&#8221; against Iran.



Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.



According to Iranian Students Polling Agency surveys, WhatsApp usage rose steadily from 16.6% in December 2015 to 25% after Telegram&#8217;s ban, reaching 71.4% by August 2021.



Instagram usage grew from 25.5% in December 2015 to 53.1% by August 2021, establishing it as the second-most popular platform in the country.



The lifting of the ban also comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. Last month, Iran&#8217;s foreign ministry <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41869511/iran-calls-trump-assassination-plot-claims-completely-baseless">dismissed accusations</a> by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding an alleged plot to assassinate Donald Trump.



Image via Shutterstock



Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.&nbsp;



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42666738/how-apples-upcoming-smart-doorbell-compares-to-amazons-ring?itm_source=parsely-api">How Apple&#8217;s Upcoming Smart Doorbell Compares To Amazon&#8217;s Ring</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Media

GOOG

GOOGL

Iran Turning Soft? Reformist Government Lifts WhatsApp, Google Play Ban — Promises 'This Path Will Continue'

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk has raised fresh concerns about MacKenzie Scott&#8216;s charitable donations, highlighting growing tensions over billionaire philanthropy and its societal impact.



What Happened: Responding to a social media post about Scott&#8217;s donations to liberal nonprofits, Musk offered a one-word critique: &#8220;Concerning.&#8221; The comment came after author John LeFevre highlighted Scott&#8217;s contributions to organizations focused on racial equity, social justice, and LGBTQ+ rights.



Scott, who received Amazon.com Inc. shares worth billions in her 2019 divorce from Jeff Bezos, has emerged as one of America&#8217;s most prolific philanthropists. Through her Yield Giving organization, she has donated over $19 billion to more than 2,450 nonprofits since 2019, while maintaining a net worth above $30 billion due to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42568686/mackenzie-scotts-mission-driven-investing-pushes-back-against-wealth-concentration-amazon-stock-rich-philanthropist-pledges-2-billion-in-donations">Amazon&#8217;s stock performance</a>.



<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">Concerning <a href="https://t.co/C11Lnm8XeH">https://t.co/C11Lnm8XeH</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1871163247593996349?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



This marks Musk&#8217;s latest criticism of Scott&#8217;s giving. In March, he suggested in a now-deleted post that &#8220;super rich ex-wives who hate their former spouse&#8221; could contribute to the decline of Western civilization. Shortly after his comment, Scott announced an additional $640 million in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37839087/shrugging-off-elon-musks-western-civilization-jab-jeff-bezoss-ex-wife-doubles-her-donation-efforts-t">donations to 361 organizations</a>.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42676821/how-to-stream-the-nfl-christmas-gameday-live-on-netflix">How To Watch NFL Christmas Gameday Live On Netflix With Mariah Carey, Beyoncé And Epic Football Matchups</a>



Why It Matters: Scott recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/11/42009316/jeff-bezos-ex-wife-mackenzie-scott-sells-more-amazon-shares">sold 11% of her Amazon holdings</a>, valued at over $8 billion, signaling a shift toward mission-aligned investments rather than traditional portfolio management.



The debate over billionaire philanthropy has drawn in other prominent voices, including Melinda French Gates, who has publicly supported Scott&#8217;s rapid-giving approach while criticizing other tech billionaires, including Musk, for prioritizing public influence over charitable giving. 



In a recent New York Times interview, French Gates questioned whether certain tech leaders should even be called philanthropists, suggesting they use their platforms primarily to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/08/40231450/melinda-french-gates-questions-philanthropy-of-musk-thiel-i-would-not-call-those-men-philanthrop">shape public opinion rather than contribute</a> meaningfully to charitable causes.



Her giving strategy contrasts sharply with other tech billionaires, including Musk, who has focused his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42640044/trump-fires-back-at-critics-and-denies-ceding-presidency-to-elon-musk-and-im-safe-he-wasnt-born-in-this-country">recent attention on political causes</a>, including substantial support for President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s campaign.



Scott&#8217;s donations for 2024 include significant support for economic security initiatives and repeat grants to organizations like CAMFED, which supports girls&#8217; education in Africa, demonstrating her continued commitment to addressing systemic inequalities despite <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42568686/mackenzie-scotts-mission-driven-investing-pushes-back-against-wealth-concentration-amazon-stock-rich-philanthropist-pledges-2-billion-in-donations">criticism from fellow billionaires</a>.



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</ul>



Image via Flickr



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

Social Media

Elon Musk Calls Jeff Bezos' Ex-Wife MacKenzie Scott's $19 Billion Charitable Donations 'Concerning'

Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? You can&#8217;t go wrong with tech.



The Magnificent 7 companies—Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), and Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)—offer some of the best gadgets, accessories, and experiences.



So, this Christmas, whether you&#8217;re shopping for a techie, a gamer, or someone who just loves convenience, there's something for everyone.



Apple



Apple Watch Strap: Add some flair to an Apple Watch with a durable, comfy band. Available in multiple colors. The starting price is $49.



AirTag: Perfect for tracking keys, bags, or anything else you misplace. Compact and easy to use. Price: $29.



Amazon



Echo Dot (5th Gen): A smart speaker with Alexa to control devices, play music, and more. Compact and stylish. Price starting at $22.99.



Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K: Stream your favorite shows in 4K resolution. Supports 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos. Easy to set up and use.&nbsp;



See Also:&nbsp;<a data-google-interstitial="false" style="white-space: normal; box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); color: rgb(44, 162, 209); text-decoration: inherit; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, OpenSans, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42378596/openais-chatgpt-makes-headway-in-search-threatening-googles-reign" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); --tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-pan-x: ; --tw-pan-y: ; --tw-pinch-zoom: ; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-gradient-from-position: ; --tw-gradient-via-position: ; --tw-gradient-to-position: ; --tw-ordinal: ; --tw-slashed-zero: ; --tw-numeric-figure: ; --tw-numeric-spacing: ; --tw-numeric-fraction: ; --tw-ring-inset: ; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-blur: ; --tw-brightness: ; --tw-contrast: ; --tw-grayscale: ; --tw-hue-rotate: ; --tw-invert: ; --tw-saturate: ; --tw-sepia: ; --tw-drop-shadow: ; --tw-backdrop-blur: ; --tw-backdrop-brightness: ; --tw-backdrop-contrast: ; --tw-backdrop-grayscale: ; --tw-backdrop-hue-rotate: ; --tw-backdrop-invert: ; --tw-backdrop-opacity: ; --tw-backdrop-saturate: ; --tw-backdrop-sepia: ; --tw-contain-size: ; --tw-contain-layout: ; --tw-contain-paint: ; --tw-contain-style: ;">OpenAI&#8217;s ChatGPT Makes Headway In Search, Threatening Google&#8217;s Reign</a>



Alphabet



Chromecast with Google TV: A versatile streaming device that integrates various streaming services into a single user-friendly interface. Features a compact design that connects directly to the HDMI port of your TV and comes with a voice remote equipped with Google Assistant.&nbsp;



YouTube Premium Subscription: Enjoy ad-free videos, background play, and YouTube Music access. Priced at $13.99 per month.



Meta



Meta Quest 3 Elite Strap: For those who like to extend their virtual reality experience, this is a perfect gift. Addresses common discomfort issues by redistributing weight more evenly across the head, reducing pressure on the face and neck. Priced at $69.99.



Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.



Microsoft



Xbox Wireless Controller: The controller features a sleek, updated design with improved ergonomics, textured grips, and a hybrid D-pad for superior comfort and precision during gameplay. It offers compatibility with both Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth.



Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse: A simple, modern mouse that works with Windows and Mac can boost your productivity infinitely. Great for daily use.



Nvidia



GeForce NOW Priority Membership (One year): Stream top games with priority access and extended sessions. Users can stream games in up to 1440p resolution—an improvement from the previous 1080p—and enjoy support for ultrawide resolutions. A gamer's dream. Price: $9.99/month or $99.99/ year.



Tesla



Tesla Key Card: A handy backup or replacement key for Tesla owners. Makes life easier. Price: $40.



Tesla Wireless Portable Charger: A sleek, fast charger compatible with most smartphones. It offers magnetic, wireless charging and boasts a robust 5000mAh battery capacity. Perfect for on-the-go charging. Price: $95.



From sleek devices to powerful experiences, these gifts from the Magnificent 7 companies are sure to impress anyone on your list.



The best part? You can't go wrong with these trusted brands.



Happy shopping!



Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.



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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

AMZN

MSFT

NVDA

Tech, Toys, And Tesla: The Ultimate Santa Tech Wishlist From Magnificent 7 Companies

U.S. financial markets will observe the Christmas holiday with modified trading hours, marking a brief pause in what has been an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42665923/is-stock-market-open-on-christmas-eve-2024-a-quick-guide-for-market-hours-banks-and-whats-closed-for-santa-claus">eventful year for Wall Street</a>.



The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will remain fully closed on Wednesday, Dec. 25, for Christmas Day. The bond market will follow a similar schedule, with the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association <a href="https://www.sifma.org/resources/general/holiday-schedule/">announcing</a> a 2 p.m. ET close on Christmas Eve.



The adjusted schedule affects a broad range of market participants, from institutional investors to retail traders. Regular trading will resume on Thursday, Dec. 26, giving market participants time to position themselves before the year&#8217;s final trading week.



Meanwhile, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) which tracks the S&amp;P 500 saw its year-to-date returns climb by 27.35%, while that of the Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which represents the Nasdaq composite, rose by 29.41%.



While traditional markets pause, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>), and other cryptocurrencies will continue trading non-stop on global exchanges, demonstrating the digital asset market&#8217;s unique 24/7 accessibility.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42676790/mega-millions-jackpot-hits-1-billion-on-christmas-eve-amid-year-of-rare-wins">Christmas Eve Mega Millions: Jackpot Soars To Record $1 Billion In Year Of Rare Wins</a>



Looking ahead, investors should note that while stock markets will maintain regular hours on New Year&#8217;s Eve, the bond market will close early at 2 p.m. ET on Dec 31. All U.S. markets will be closed on Jan. 1, 2025, for New Year&#8217;s Day.



The holiday closures come as Asian markets maintain varying schedules. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange will operate abbreviated sessions around Christmas, while the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Tokyo Stock Exchange will continue normal operations during this period.



Major U.S. financial institutions, including Bank of America Corp, JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co, and Citigroup Inc., will close their branches on Christmas Day, aligning with the market holiday schedule.



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42676444/biden-harris-and-pope-francis-deliver-messages-of-hope-and-inclusion-on-christmas-eve-trump-promotes-his-new-book-as-hottest-gift">Biden, Harris, And Pope Francis Deliver Messages Of Hope And Inclusion On Christmas Eve, Trump Promotes His New Book As &#8216;Hottest Gift&#8217;</a></li>
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Image via Shutterstock



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

Is Stock Market Open Or Closed On Christmas Day 2024? Here Is What You Can Trade Today

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that it will issue automatic payments this month to approximately 1 million <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-special-payments-going-this-month-to-1-million-taxpayers-who-did-not-claim-2021-recovery-rebate-credit-encourages-non-filers-about-approaching-deadline-to-claim-credits">taxpayers</a> who did not claim the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2021 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>.



The total amount of payments is expected to be around $2.4 billion, with individual payments potentially reaching up to $1,400.



The payments, which are part of ongoing efforts to assist taxpayers, will be sent to individuals who were eligible for the Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) but did not claim them on their 2021 tax returns.



The Recovery Rebate Credit is a refundable credit for those who missed out on one or more of the stimulus payments.



These payments will be issued automatically, meaning no additional action is required from eligible taxpayers. The funds will be either direct deposited or sent as paper checks, with most payments arriving by late January 2025.



Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42677188/elon-musk-calls-jeff-bezos-ex-wife-mackenzie-scotts-charitable-donations-concerning" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Calls Jeff Bezos&#8217; Ex-Wife MacKenzie Scott&#8217;s $19 Billion Charitable Donations &#8216;Concerning&#8217;</a>



Eligible taxpayers will also receive a separate notification letter from the IRS confirming the payment.



The IRS also reminded taxpayers who haven't yet filed their 2021 tax returns that they may still be eligible for the credit if they file by the April 15, 2025, deadline.



The payments will go to those who filed a 2021 tax return but left the Recovery Rebate Credit field blank or entered $0 when they were actually qualified.



These automatic payments aim to simplify the process for eligible taxpayers, saving them from filing an amended return. Additionally, the IRS assured that the payments would not count as income when determining eligibility for federal benefits such as SSI, SNAP, and WIC. The IRS said it continues its efforts to help taxpayers access credits and deductions, including other coronavirus tax relief measures.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42676608/will-amazon-dethrone-walmart-this-holiday-season-here-is-what-you-should-know" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Will Amazon Dethrone Walmart This Holiday Season? Here Is What You Should Know</a></li>
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Payments of Up to $1,400 Coming for 1 Million Eligible Taxpayers, IRS Confirms

Taiwan&#8217;s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has reportedly blocked Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>) $950 million acquisition of Delivery Hero&#8217;s Foodpanda <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/05/38809280/uber-spices-up-taiwans-food-delivery-scene-with-950m-foodpanda-deal-whats-on-the-menu">business due to anti-competitive concerns.</a>



The merger, which was initially announced in May 2023, would have significantly increased Uber Eats&#8217; dominance in Taiwan&#8217;s food delivery market, giving the combined company over 90% of the market share, Reuters reports.



The FTC cited concerns that the merger would eliminate Foodpanda as Uber Eats&#8217; main competitor, reducing market pressure on the combined entity.



The commission argued that without this competition, Uber would have less incentive to keep prices low for consumers or commissions reasonable for restaurant partners.



With a huge market share, the merger could have led to higher prices and less choice for consumers, undermining the competitive landscape of Taiwan&#8217;s food delivery sector.



The deal was scrutinized by the FTC after Uber filed the application in November 2023. The commission stated that the merger&#8217;s negative effects would outweigh any economic benefits.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42677188/elon-musk-calls-jeff-bezos-ex-wife-mackenzie-scotts-charitable-donations-concerning">Elon Musk Calls Jeff Bezos&#8217; Ex-Wife MacKenzie Scott&#8217;s $19 Billion Charitable Donations &#8216;Concerning&#8217;</a>



The FTC also noted that corrective measures would not be sufficient to address these concerns.



In response, Uber and Delivery Hero said they might appeal the decision or consider terminating the acquisition.



Uber was optimistic about the deal, as it had hoped the merger would help boost its delivery business by contributing $150 million annually to its adjusted core profit.



While online food delivery platforms in Taiwan account for a small fraction of the broader food delivery market, Foodpanda&#8217;s operations had reached breakeven in adjusted core earnings by March 2024.



The proposed merger was expected to be finalized in the first half of 2025, but now faces significant regulatory hurdles in Taiwan.



This decision highlights ongoing scrutiny of mergers in the tech and delivery sectors, as regulators assess their long-term impact on competition and consumers.



Price Action: UBER shares 0.26% to $61.71 on Tuesday, while shares fell by 0.07% after hours.



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UBER

Uber's Foodpanda Acquisition Blocked in Taiwan Due to Competition Concerns

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