AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $360 Calls at the Ask: 242 vs 1021 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $360 Calls at the Ask: 242 @ $37.5 vs 1021 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$337.58

AppLovin Option Alert: Jun 20 $300 Puts at the Bid: 300 vs 427 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: Jun 20 $300 Puts at the Bid: 300 @ $33.5 vs 427 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$335.6

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $300 Calls Sweep (3) near the Ask: 103 vs 5204 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $300 Calls Sweep (3) near the Ask: 103 @ $68.34 vs 5204 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$340.255

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $280 Puts at the Bid: 800 vs 1091 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $280 Puts at the Bid: 800 @ $20.3 vs 1091 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$333.0

AppLovin Option Alert: Apr 17 $300 Puts Sweep (3) near the midpoint: 1000 vs 2510 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: Apr 17 $300 Puts Sweep (3) near the midpoint: 1000 @ $11.9 vs 2510 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$327.93

AppLovin Option Alert: Fri $250 Calls Sweep (4) near the Bid: 100 vs 393 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: Fri $250 Calls Sweep (4) near the Bid: 100 @ $64.0 vs 393 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$313.9

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $280 Puts at the Bid: 600 vs 487 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $280 Puts at the Bid: 600 @ $27.35 vs 487 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$310.945

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $350 Calls at the Bid: 650 vs 1489 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $350 Calls at the Bid: 650 @ $28.75 vs 1489 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$310.6099

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $360 Puts at the Ask: 350 vs 351 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $360 Puts at the Ask: 350 @ $76.6 vs 351 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$305.5172

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $350 Puts Sweep (14) near the Bid: 100 vs 568 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $350 Puts Sweep (14) near the Bid: 100 @ $73.4 vs 568 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$298.74

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $270 Puts at the Ask: 400 vs 524 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $270 Puts at the Ask: 400 @ $25.3 vs 524 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$305.46

AppLovin Option Alert: Jun, 2026 $280 Puts Sweep (4) near the Ask: 75 vs 115 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: Jun, 2026 $280 Puts Sweep (4) near the Ask: 75 @ $79.9 vs 115 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$290.575

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $440 Calls at the Ask: 833 vs 1838 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $440 Calls at the Ask: 833 @ $7.6 vs 1838 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$293.6478

AppLovin Option Alert: Apr 11 $300 Puts Sweep (37) near the Bid: 385 vs 86 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: Apr 11 $300 Puts Sweep (37) near the Bid: 385 @ $27.901 vs 86 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$288.35

AppLovin Option Alert: Fri $330 Puts at the Ask: 155 vs 553 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: Fri $330 Puts at the Ask: 155 @ $53.0 vs 553 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$278.99

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $330 Puts at the Ask: 180 vs 599 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $330 Puts at the Ask: 180 @ $69.6 vs 599 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$283.31

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $330 Puts at the Bid: 180 vs 599 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: May 16 $330 Puts at the Bid: 180 @ $70.2 vs 599 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$282.2243

AppLovin Option Alert: Jan 16 $600 Calls at the Bid: 550 vs 2796 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: Jan 16 $600 Calls at the Bid: 550 @ $17.0 vs 2796 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$288.79

AppLovin Option Alert: Jun 20 $310 Calls Sweep (10) near the Ask: 100 vs 650 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: Jun 20 $310 Calls Sweep (10) near the Ask: 100 @ $52.8 vs 650 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$312.0

AppLovin Option Alert: Nov 21 $500 Calls Sweep (21) near the midpoint: 522 vs 168 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: Nov 21 $500 Calls Sweep (21) near the midpoint: 522 @ $28.996 vs 168 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$307.59

AppLovin Option Alert: Nov 21 $400 Calls Sweep (21) near the Bid: 261 vs 107 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: Nov 21 $400 Calls Sweep (21) near the Bid: 261 @ $49.939 vs 107 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$307.59

AppLovin Option Alert: Nov 21 $400 Calls Sweep (5) near the midpoint: 116 vs 107 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: Nov 21 $400 Calls Sweep (5) near the midpoint: 116 @ $50.209 vs 107 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$307.9089

AppLovin Option Alert: Nov 21 $500 Calls Sweep (5) near the Bid: 232 vs 168 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: Nov 21 $500 Calls Sweep (5) near the Bid: 232 @ $29.304 vs 168 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$307.9089

AppLovin Option Alert: Apr 11 $290 Calls at the Bid: 200 vs 27 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] 

AppLovin Option Alert: Apr 11 $290 Calls at the Bid: 200 @ $28.5 vs 27 OI; Earnings 5/7 After Close [est] Ref=$298.0753

AppLovin (NASDAQ:APP) Stock

AppLovin

AppLovin is a vertically integrated advertising technology company that acts as a demand-side platform for advertisers, a supply-side platform for publishers, and an exchange facilitating transactions between the two. About 80% of AppLovin's revenue comes from the DSP, AppDiscovery, while the remainder comes from the SSP, Max, and gaming studios, which develop mobile games. AppLovin announced in February 2025 its plans to divest from the lower-margin gaming studios to focus exclusively on the ad tech platform. AppLovin's primary tool for future growth is Axon 2, which is an ad optimizer operating within the DSP that allows advertisers to place ads according to specified return thresholds.

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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 will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated 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>NVDA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/25/25</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$108.3K</td>
<td>31.0K</td>
<td>57.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AAPL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/25/25</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
<td>$28.6K</td>
<td>8.9K</td>
<td>15.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APLD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$5.00</td>
<td>$60.6K</td>
<td>18.4K</td>
<td>7.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CTSH</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$30.0K</td>
<td>5.9K</td>
<td>2.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CLSK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/21/25</td>
<td>$10.00</td>
<td>$29.0K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$209.0K</td>
<td>11.1K</td>
<td>955</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ORCL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$224.2K</td>
<td>3.6K</td>
<td>913</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MU</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/25/25</td>
<td>$63.00</td>
<td>$59.3K</td>
<td>74</td>
<td>822</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ON</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/25/25</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
<td>$47.4K</td>
<td>613</td>
<td>543</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/09/25</td>
<td>$350.00</td>
<td>$57.0K</td>
<td>361</td>
<td>466</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding NVDA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 8 day(s) on April 25, 2025. Parties traded 401 contract(s) at a $100.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $108.3K, with a price of $270.0 per contract. There were 31057 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 57602 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding AAPL (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 8 day(s) on April 25, 2025. Parties traded 200 contract(s) at a $205.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 12 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $28.6K, with a price of $143.0 per contract. There were 8906 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 15874 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For APLD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APLD#NASDAQ">APLD</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be neutral, expiring in 638 day(s) on January 15, 2027. This event was a transfer of 213 contract(s) at a $5.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $60.6K, with a price of $284.0 per contract. There were 18428 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 7513 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For CTSH (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTSH#NASDAQ">CTSH</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, is expiring today. Parties traded 500 contract(s) at a $70.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 13 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $30.0K, with a price of $60.0 per contract. There were 5917 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2142 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For CLSK (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLSK#NASDAQ">CLSK</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 218 day(s) on November 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 200 contract(s) at a $10.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 18 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.0K, with a price of $145.0 per contract. There were 2694 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1254 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AMD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be neutral, expiring in 155 day(s) on September 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 200 contract(s) at a $85.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 12 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $209.0K, with a price of $1045.0 per contract. There were 11139 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 955 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ORCL (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 64 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 750 contract(s) at a $150.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $224.2K, with a price of $299.0 per contract. There were 3654 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 913 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MU (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 8 day(s) on April 25, 2025. Parties traded 100 contract(s) at a $63.00 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 $59.3K, with a price of $593.0 per contract. There were 74 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 822 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding ON (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ON#NASDAQ">ON</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 8 day(s) on April 25, 2025. Parties traded 500 contract(s) at a $33.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 18 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $47.4K, with a price of $96.0 per contract. There were 613 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 543 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding APP (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 22 day(s) on May 9, 2025. Parties traded 200 contract(s) at a $350.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $57.0K, with a price of $285.0 per contract. There were 361 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 466 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

AAPL

APLD

CLSK

CTSH

NVDA

ORCL

10 Information Technology Stocks Whale Activity In Today's Session

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on AppLovin.
Looking at options history for AppLovin (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>) we detected 28 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 28% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 50% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 12 are puts, for a total amount of $1,469,533 and 16, calls, for a total amount of $1,009,249.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $190.0 to $480.0 for AppLovin over the recent three months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of AppLovin stands at 573.05, with a total volume reaching 6,143.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in AppLovin, situated within the strike price corridor from $190.0 to $480.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>AppLovin 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1744905649_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</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>APP</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$136.8</td>
<td>$133.9</td>
<td>$136.8</td>
<td>$370.00</td>
<td>$574.5K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td align="right">42</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APP</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$51.8</td>
<td>$50.7</td>
<td>$50.9</td>
<td>$230.00</td>
<td>$279.9K</td>
<td>129</td>
<td align="right">75</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/25/25</td>
<td>$15.9</td>
<td>$11.6</td>
<td>$15.0</td>
<td>$230.00</td>
<td>$150.0K</td>
<td>377</td>
<td align="right">113</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APP</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/25/25</td>
<td>$13.0</td>
<td>$12.2</td>
<td>$12.99</td>
<td>$227.50</td>
<td>$129.9K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td align="right">245</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APP</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/25/25</td>
<td>$12.5</td>
<td>$12.0</td>
<td>$12.5</td>
<td>$227.50</td>
<td>$125.0K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td align="right">145</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About AppLovin</h3>
AppLovin is a vertically integrated advertising technology company that acts as a demand-side platform for advertisers, a supply-side platform for publishers, and an exchange facilitating transactions between the two. About 80% of AppLovin's revenue comes from the DSP, AppDiscovery, while the remainder comes from the SSP, Max, and gaming studios, which develop mobile games. AppLovin announced in February 2025 its plans to divest from the lower-margin gaming studios to focus exclusively on the ad tech platform. AppLovin's primary tool for future growth is Axon 2, which is an ad optimizer operating within the DSP that allows advertisers to place ads according to specified return thresholds.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding AppLovin, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>AppLovin's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 1,964,625, with APP's price up by 0.75%, positioned at $231.53.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 20 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About AppLovin</h3>
Over the past month, 5 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $389.2.
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&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from UBS continues to hold a Buy rating for AppLovin, targeting a price of $450. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Morgan Stanley upgraded its action to Overweight with a price target of $350. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Wells Fargo keeps a Overweight rating on AppLovin with a target price of $386. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Piper Sandler keeps a Overweight rating on AppLovin with a target price of $425. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Goldman Sachs keeps a Neutral rating on AppLovin with a target price of $335. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest AppLovin options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Markets

Market Whales and Their Recent Bets on APP Options

TikTok&#8216;s U.S. public policy chief, Michael Beckerman, is leaving his Washington-based role to transition to a global advisory position.
The departure comes as President Donald Trump recently <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44655624/trumps-tariff-hike-pushes-back-tiktok-us-deal-as-china-opposes-the-sale-extending-the-deadline-for-bytedances-divestment">extended the deadline for ByteDance&#8216;s sale</a> of TikTok&#8217;s U.S. assets by 75 days, The Information <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/tiktok-policy-chief-fought-ban-leave-job">reported</a> on Wednesday, citing a staff memo.
ByteDance did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga</a>'s request for comment.
Meanwhile, competition to acquire TikTok&#8217;s international operations intensifies, with AppLovin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NYSE">APP</a>) confirming a preliminary bid in an exchange filing. Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) and a group led by OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44645102/applovin-wants-tiktok-but-can-it-beat-amazon-and-onlyfans-to-the-punch">reportedly exploring potential bids</a>.
Beijing&#8217;s resistance complicates the sale, which affects over 170 million American users. The White House has taken an active role in negotiations, with Vice President JD Vance expressing optimism that terms will be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43604572/jd-vance-quarterbacking-tiktok-deal-will-his-venture-capital-experience-secure-a-win?tblci=GiAShVRBa42nCBtWlx7IMC67Vo2BcWpr85L5I7snseW6sCCN1VcolqTZ7-yIiJzNATDviEo&amp;_gl=1&#x2A;uzxmwu&#x2A;_gcl_au&#x2A;MTUxNzE3MzM4LjE3Mzc1OTI3Mzc.&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;R1MxLjIuMTczNTg4MjcyMS4xLjEuMTczNTg4Mjg5Ny42MC4wLjA.&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTc0NDg2NDM0Mi4xLjAuMTc0NDg2NDU5MC4wLjAuMA..">finalized by the deadline</a> that was set on April 5.
This forced divestiture occurs amid broader tech industry scrutiny, as Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) simultaneously fights a Federal Trade Commission antitrust case seeking divestiture of Instagram and WhatsApp. Prosecutors allege Meta employed an illegal &#8220;buy or bury&#8221; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44821791/meta-platforms-used-buy-or-bury-strategy-to-monopolize-social-media-ftc-says">strategy to dominate social networking</a>.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/04/44854372/gold-hits-new-record-highs-as-safe-haven-demand-climbs-2-ways-to-invest#google_vignette">Gold Hits New Record Highs As Safe-Haven Demand Climbs: 2 Ways To Invest</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: XanderSt / Shutterstock.com

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TikTok's US Policy Chief Steps Down As Bidding War Heats Up After Trump Extends Deadline: Report

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Shares of companies within the broader tech sector are trading lower after Fed Chair Powell made remarks at the Economic Club. Also, the broader tech industry may be weighed down by NVIDIA after the United States informed the company that it may require a license to export chips to China

Applovin shares are trading lower after Goldman Sachs cut its price target from $500 to $335.

Goldman Sachs analyst Eric Sheridan maintains AppLovin (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $500 to $335.

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

Goldman Sachs Maintains Neutral on AppLovin, Lowers Price Target to $335

Applovin shares are trading lower after UBS cut its price target on the stock from $630 to $450.

UBS analyst John Hodulik maintains AppLovin (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $630 to $450.

UBS Maintains Buy on AppLovin, Lowers Price Target to $450

Ratings for AppLovin (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>) were provided by 14 analysts in the past three months, showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Providing deeper insights, analysts have established 12-month price targets, indicating an average target of $492.64, along with a high estimate of $650.00 and a low estimate of $335.00. This current average has increased by 19.26% from the previous average price target of $413.07. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1744311660_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Investigating Analyst Ratings: An Elaborate Study</h2>
The standing of AppLovin among financial experts is revealed through an in-depth exploration of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
&#x7C; Analyst &#x7C; Analyst Firm &#x7C; Action Taken &#x7C; Rating &#x7C;Current Price Target&#x7C; Prior Price Target &#x7C; 
&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C; 
&#x7C;James Callahan &#x7C;Piper Sandler &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $425.00&#x7C;$575.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Matthew Cost &#x7C;Morgan Stanley &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $350.00&#x7C;$470.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Alec Brondolo &#x7C;Wells Fargo &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $386.00&#x7C;$538.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Rob Sanderson &#x7C;Loop Capital &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $650.00&#x7C;$450.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Jason Bazinet &#x7C;Citigroup &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $600.00&#x7C;$460.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Martin Yang &#x7C;Oppenheimer &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $560.00&#x7C;$480.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Mike Hickey &#x7C;Benchmark &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $525.00&#x7C;$375.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Cory Carpenter &#x7C;JP Morgan &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Neutral &#x7C; $475.00&#x7C;$325.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;James Callahan &#x7C;Piper Sandler &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $575.00&#x7C;$400.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;John Hodulik &#x7C;UBS &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $630.00&#x7C;$440.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Omar Dessouky &#x7C;B of A Securities &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $580.00&#x7C;$375.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Eric Sheridan &#x7C;Goldman Sachs &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Neutral &#x7C; $335.00&#x7C;$220.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;John Hodulik &#x7C;UBS &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $440.00&#x7C;$315.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Alec Brondolo &#x7C;Wells Fargo &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $366.00&#x7C;$360.00 &#x7C;
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to AppLovin. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of AppLovin compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts explore the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of AppLovin's stock. This examination reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Analyzing these analyst evaluations alongside relevant financial metrics can provide a comprehensive view of AppLovin's market position. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/APP/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on AppLovin analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Delving into AppLovin's Background</h2>
AppLovin is a vertically integrated advertising technology company that acts as a demand-side platform for advertisers, a supply-side platform for publishers, and an exchange facilitating transactions between the two. About 80% of AppLovin's revenue comes from the DSP, AppDiscovery, while the remainder comes from the SSP, Max, and gaming studios, which develop mobile games. AppLovin announced in February 2025 its plans to divest from the lower-margin gaming studios to focus exclusively on the ad tech platform. AppLovin's primary tool for future growth is Axon 2, which is an ad optimizer operating within the DSP that allows advertisers to place ads according to specified return thresholds.
<h3>Key Indicators: AppLovin's Financial Health</h3>
Market Capitalization Highlights: Above the industry average, the company's market capitalization signifies a significant scale, indicating strong confidence and market prominence.
Revenue Growth: Over the 3M period, AppLovin showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 44.01% as of 31 December, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the company achieved a growth rate higher than the average among peers in Information Technology sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 43.61%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): AppLovin's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 59.04%, the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): AppLovin's ROA stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 10.58%, the company demonstrates effective utilization of assets and strong financial performance.
Debt Management: AppLovin's debt-to-equity ratio surpasses industry norms, standing at 3.26. This suggests the company carries a substantial amount of debt, posing potential financial challenges.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

14 Analysts Assess AppLovin: What You Need To Know

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Shares of software and IT stocks are trading lower as stocks pull back after surging Wednesday following President Trump's tariff pause announcement.

Piper Sandler analyst James Callahan maintains AppLovin (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $575 to $425.

Piper Sandler Maintains Overweight on AppLovin, Lowers Price Target to $425

Morgan Stanley analyst Matthew Cost upgrades AppLovin (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>) from Equal-Weight to Overweight and lowers the price target from $470 to $350.

Upgrades

Morgan Stanley Upgrades AppLovin to Overweight, Lowers Price Target to $350

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Shares of software companies are trading higher following President Trump's decision to implement a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for all countries except China.

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>NVDA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/11/25</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$27.5K</td>
<td>45.2K</td>
<td>84.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AAPL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$170.00</td>
<td>$45.5K</td>
<td>12.7K</td>
<td>10.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSTR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>04/11/25</td>
<td>$220.00</td>
<td>$33.8K</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
<td>5.7K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MU</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/11/25</td>
<td>$67.00</td>
<td>$30.0K</td>
<td>3.0K</td>
<td>2.7K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QCOM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$25.2K</td>
<td>286</td>
<td>2.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PLTR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$78.00</td>
<td>$50.0K</td>
<td>2.1K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSFT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$430.00</td>
<td>$63.4K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td>301</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AVGO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$185.00</td>
<td>$62.0K</td>
<td>887</td>
<td>282</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APP</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/11/25</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$140.5K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td>280</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ADI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$48.5K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>115</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding NVDA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 2 day(s) on April 11, 2025. Parties traded 37 contract(s) at a $100.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 10 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $27.5K, with a price of $745.0 per contract. There were 45277 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 84353 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AAPL (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 8 day(s) on April 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $170.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $45.5K, with a price of $455.0 per contract. There were 12791 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 10600 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MSTR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>), we observe a put option sweep with neutral sentiment. It expires in 2 day(s) on April 11, 2025. Parties traded 101 contract(s) at a $220.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 7 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $33.8K, with a price of $335.0 per contract. There were 4006 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 5727 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MU (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 2 day(s) on April 11, 2025. This event was a transfer of 160 contract(s) at a $67.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $30.0K, with a price of $188.0 per contract. There were 3087 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2716 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding QCOM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>), we observe a call option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 8 day(s) on April 17, 2025. Parties traded 55 contract(s) at a $130.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.2K, with a price of $459.0 per contract. There were 286 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2188 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For PLTR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be neutral, expiring in 8 day(s) on April 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $78.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $50.0K, with a price of $500.0 per contract. There were 2187 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1020 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MSFT (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 254 day(s) on December 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 38 contract(s) at a $430.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $63.4K, with a price of $1670.0 per contract. There were 1039 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 301 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AVGO (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 163 day(s) on September 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 40 contract(s) at a $185.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $62.0K, with a price of $1550.0 per contract. There were 887 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 282 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding APP (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 2 day(s) on April 11, 2025. Parties traded 50 contract(s) at a $250.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $140.5K, with a price of $2810.0 per contract. There were 1315 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 280 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding ADI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADI#NASDAQ">ADI</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 100 day(s) on July 18, 2025. Parties traded 113 contract(s) at a $210.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 15 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $48.5K, with a price of $430.0 per contract. There were 0 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 115 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 news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

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QCOM

10 Information Technology Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

Ray Dalio may no longer be steering the investment ship at Bridgewater Associates, but his recent warning on X has left little doubt about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/ray-dalio">where he thinks</a> the world is headed. 
"We're witnessing a classic breakdown of the major monetary, political, and geopolitical orders," Dalio wrote, calling it a "once in a lifetime" phenomenon, the kind that "has happened many times in history, when similarly unsustainable conditions were in place."
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">At the moment, a huge amount of attention is rightly being paid to the newly announced tariffs and their significant impacts on markets and economies. But very little attention is being paid to the circumstances that caused them—and to the even bigger disruptions likely still… <a href="https://t.co/wPIgzDscbk">https://t.co/wPIgzDscbk</a>
&mdash; Ray Dalio (@RayDalio) <a href="https://twitter.com/RayDalio/status/1909296359955460347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
The spark? Tariffs. But the fire, Dalio says, runs deeper.
&#8220;These tariff announcements are important developments. But most people are overlooking the much larger forces that are driving just about everything," Dalio said.
While he's not actively managing the fund, Bridgewater's latest 13F filing offers a glimpse into how the firm is positioning itself in the face of this macro upheaval.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44707736/expert-warns-of-perfect-storm-as-trump-tariffs-slam-global-stock-markets-advises-investors-to-seek-safety-in-gold-and-fixed-income-instruments">Expert Warns Of &#8216;Perfect Storm&#8217; As Trump Tariffs Slam Global Stock Markets — Advises Investors To Seek Safety In Gold And Fixed-Income Instruments</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tariffs, Turmoil And A Bet On The Index</h2>
Despite Dalio's big-picture warning, Bridgewater's top holding as of the fourth quarter of 2024 was the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)—now a whopping 22.1% of the portfolio. Add iShares Core S&amp;P 500 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVV#NYSE">IVV</a>) and iShares Emerging Markets (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IEMG#NYSE">IEMG</a>) and nearly half the firm's equity book is riding broad indices.
That's a defensive play wrapped in passive exposure, especially as markets wobble under new trade war concerns.
The fund didn't stop there. Among its top new buys were AT&amp;T Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/T#NYSE">T</a>), eBay Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EBAY#NASDAQ">EBAY</a>) and PayPal Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PYPL#NASDAQ">PYPL</a>) &#8211; low-multiple names that look like classic recession hedges.
Applovin Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>) also made the list, a curious pick that may reflect a contrarian bet on adtech amid volatility.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From Tech Titans To Utility Muscle</h2>
Bridgewater has trimmed back tech allocations to the sector, which fell from 19.8% to 16.3% quarter over quarter. Still, it holds heavyweights like Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>), Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), albeit at lower portfolio weights than before.
Meanwhile, two quiet climbers in the portfolio are worth noting: Constellation Energy Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CEG#NASDAQ">CEG</a>) and Vistra Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>), both utility players sitting comfortably in the top 10 holdings. In a world Dalio sees veering toward chaos, old-school stability may be back in fashion.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Macro Chaos, Micro Calculations</h2>
Dalio's post paints a stark picture of structural breakdown—"unsustainable conditions" colliding with a new era of tariffs and geopolitical chess. While Bridgewater's allocations don't scream panic, the tilt toward broad ETFs, dividend-value names and utilities suggests the firm is bracing for bumps ahead.
Whether or not the VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) world Dalio describes becomes a reality, Bridgewater seems to be preparing for the long game &#8211; passive on the surface but deeply macro-aware under the hood.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/04/44705344/ray-dalio-says-dont-make-the-mistake-of-thinking-whats-happening-now-is-due-to-trump-tariffs">Ray Dalio Says Don&#8217;t Make The Mistake Of Thinking What&#8217;s Happening Now Is Due To Trump Tariffs</a></li>
</ul>
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Date	Put/Call	Strike Price	Exp Date	DTE	Trade Vol	Day Vol	Vol / OI	OI	Trade Type	Sentiment
02:51 PMMar 24, 2025	CALL	$360.00	May 16, 2025	27	510	242	50	1021	TRADE	BULLISH
01:58 PMMar 24, 2025	PUT	$300.00	Jun 20, 2025	62	304	300	71	427	TRADE	BULLISH
12:17 PMMar 24, 2025	CALL	$300.00	May 16, 2025	27	3763	103	72	5204	SWEEP	BULLISH
09:59 AMMar 24, 2025	PUT	$280.00	May 16, 2025	27	801	800	73	1091	TRADE	BULLISH
09:30 AMMar 24, 2025	PUT	$300.00	Apr 17, 2025	-2	1011	1000	40	2510	SWEEP	NEUTRAL
03:58 PMMar 21, 2025	CALL	$250.00	Mar 21, 2025	-29	102	100	26	393	SWEEP	BEARISH
03:25 PMMar 21, 2025	PUT	$280.00	May 16, 2025	27	646	600	133	487	TRADE	BULLISH
12:26 PMMar 21, 2025	CALL	$350.00	May 16, 2025	27	661	650	44	1489	TRADE	NEUTRAL
09:55 AMMar 21, 2025	PUT	$360.00	May 16, 2025	27	350	350	100	351	TRADE	BEARISH
09:37 AMMar 21, 2025	PUT	$350.00	May 16, 2025	27	19	100	3	568	SWEEP	BULLISH
02:55 PMMar 20, 2025	PUT	$270.00	May 16, 2025	27	411	400	78	524	TRADE	BEARISH
01:34 PMMar 19, 2025	PUT	$280.00	Jun 18, 2026	425	79	75	69	115	SWEEP	BEARISH
11:58 AMMar 19, 2025	CALL	$440.00	May 16, 2025	27	833	833	45	1838	TRADE	BULLISH
10:11 AMMar 19, 2025	PUT	$300.00	Apr 11, 2025	-8	385	385	448	86	SWEEP	BULLISH
09:37 AMMar 19, 2025	PUT	$330.00	Mar 21, 2025	-29	156	155	28	553	TRADE	BEARISH
12:32 PMMar 18, 2025	PUT	$330.00	May 16, 2025	27	185	180	31	599	TRADE	BEARISH
11:32 AMMar 18, 2025	PUT	$330.00	May 16, 2025	27	182	180	30	599	TRADE	BULLISH
10:20 AMMar 18, 2025	CALL	$600.00	Jan 16, 2026	272	550	550	20	2796	TRADE	NEUTRAL
03:36 PMMar 17, 2025	CALL	$310.00	Jun 20, 2025	62	106	100	16	650	SWEEP	BULLISH
02:02 PMMar 17, 2025	CALL	$500.00	Nov 21, 2025	216	1162	522	692	168	SWEEP	NEUTRAL
02:02 PMMar 17, 2025	CALL	$400.00	Nov 21, 2025	216	584	261	546	107	SWEEP	BEARISH
02:02 PMMar 17, 2025	CALL	$400.00	Nov 21, 2025	216	322	116	301	107	SWEEP	NEUTRAL
02:02 PMMar 17, 2025	CALL	$500.00	Nov 21, 2025	216	638	232	380	168	SWEEP	BEARISH
10:31 AMMar 17, 2025	CALL	$290.00	Apr 11, 2025	-8	405	200	1500	27	TRADE	BEARISH