Dernières nouvelles pour Gritstone Bio (OTC:GRTSQ) Stock

Gritstone Bio

Gritstone Bio Inc is a biotechnology company. The company is engaged in developing personalized cancer immunotherapies to fight multiple cancer types and infectious diseases. It is building a pipeline of Immunotherapies product candidates for patients with solid tumors, which includes GRANITE, SLATE, and CORAL, among others.

Gritstone Bio Inc

Several high-profile X users found that their visibility on the platform had plummeted after they publicly sparred with owner Elon Musk, raising new questions about how power is exercised on the platform once known for its pro-free speech stance.
What Happened: Many far-right influencers reported a drastic and continued decline in their reach on X after openly criticizing Musk in December. Among them were Anastasia Maria Loupis, Laura Loomer, and Owen Shroyer. All three had participated in online feuds with Musk over his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42779624/bernie-sanders-says-elon-musk-wrong-on-tech-guest-worker-program-h1-b-visa-purpose-is-to-replace-good-paying-american-jobs">backing of U.S. visa programs.</a>
Only Days later, the reach of their posts dropped sharply, according to data verified <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/04/23/business/elon-musk-x-suppression-laura-loomer.html">by</a> The New York Times. Before the feuds, their accounts were viewed hundreds of thousands of times every day.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/04/44824966/sam-altmans-openai-explores-creating-social-media-competitor-to-elon-musks-x">Sam Altman&#8217;s OpenAI Explores Creating Social Media Competitor To Elon Musk&#8217;s X</a>
Why It Matters: The decline in visibility has generated doubts about whether Musk, who owns X and labels himself a "free speech absolutist," is silently implementing the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/03/26006727/elon-musk-says-he-is-a-free-speech-absolutist-after-refusing-to-block-russian-new-sources-on-starlin">platform's tools to hit back at critics</a>. 
Ari Cohn, a lawyer at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said "Don't sit here and cloak yourself in the First Amendment and free speech, and then do things like that."  
While X has previously declared that it does not curtail <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41242624/elon-musk-vows-to-defend-freedom-of-speech-but-within-the-boundaries-of-the-law-as-x-gets-brazil-gre">users on the basis of opinion</a>, Musk has admitted that blocking or muting an account can dramatically decrease its visibility. 
Musk also indicated that users struck off from X's premium program—such as Loomer and Shroyer—would no longer have algorithmic advantages, making it more difficult for their <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42805588/elon-musk-announces-changes-to-x-over-negativity-concerns-too-much-negativity-is-being-pushed">content to be seen or monetized</a>.
In an interview reflecting on her experience, Loupis said, "It has turned out to be all lies from him," citing Musk's earlier promises to champion open discourse.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44940871/elon-musk-led-tesla-reports-125-million-in-unrealized-losses-on-bitcoin-after-top-crypto-drops-12-in-q1">Elon Musk-Led Tesla Reports $125 Million In Unrealized Losses On Bitcoin After Top Crypto Drops 12% In Q1</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock

News

Social Media

General

Elon Musk's Critics On X See Sudden Drop In Visibility, Raising Questions About Platform's Free Speech Commitments

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="600" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24062841/Jianxi-Bio.png" alt="" class="wp-image-11456" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24062841/Jianxi-Bio.png 900w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24062841/Jianxi-Bio-300x200.png 300w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24062841/Jianxi-Bio-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>
The company enjoys a big share of China's anti-tetanus market but is looking to diversify into antidotes for rabies and snake bites to drive future growth&nbsp;
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Key Takeaways:</h4>
<ul>
<li>The company relies on human tetanus jabs for more than 90% of its revenue, but immunization programs have left little room for the Chinese market to grow</li>
<li>The majority shareholders who own nearly 77% of the company's equity have received more than 100 million yuan in dividends over the last few years</li>
</ul>
Chinese biopharma companies are beating a path to the Hong Kong equity market after an IPO upswing, with a leading provider of anti-tetanus injections among the latest applicants.
Jiangxi Institute of Biological Products Inc., China's biggest supplier of tetanus anti-toxin for human use, filed to&nbsp;<a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/app/sehk/2025/107292/documents/sehk25041101820.pdf">list</a>&nbsp;its shares on the Hong Kong exchange within months of &nbsp;paying out a big dividend to its close family circle of majority owners.
The company, which relies heavily on the tetanus market for its income, said the IPO proceeds would be used to build its capacity and develop other products such as snake anti-venoms and rabies vaccines for animals.
Jiangxi Institute will be hoping for a stellar debut in a recovering Hong Kong market, after shares in immunotherapy specialist Duality Biotherapeutics Inc. (9606.HK) more than doubled on their first day of trading earlier this month.
The latest IPO candidate from the biopharma industry specializes in immunization agents and treatments targeting dangerous toxins, gaining more than 90% of its revenue from tetanus-related sales. &nbsp;Its market share for human tetanus products last year was 65.8% in China and 36.6% globally, according to a Frost &amp; Sullivan report cited in the IPO filing.
In the three financial years through 2024, Jiangxi Institute reported revenues of 142 million yuan ($19.45 million), 198 million yuan and 221 million yuan. The amount derived from tetanus anti-toxin rose from 133 million yuan in 2022 to 184 million yuan the following year and 206 million yuan in 2024.
Profits increased from 26.47 million yuan to 55.48 million yuan and 75.14 million over the same timeframe. However, the room for further market growth is limited as developed countries have almost eradicated tetanus from the human population through immunization campaigns. More than 90% of the Chinese population has been vaccinated since an anti-tetanus program was launched in 1979. Besides anti-toxins for human use, the company also sells veterinary tetanus supplies and provides tech services, although these non-core activities together contributed less than 7% of total revenue last year.
Meanwhile, the company is also working on snake bite anti-venoms and immunoglobulins for equine rabies, while also licensing-in some other veterinary drugs. Its self-developed drug candidates are still at early pre-clinical stages, while the company expects the veterinary drugs obtained on license to be certified later this year.
Judging from a breakdown of company spending, R&amp;D investment is modest at 13.68 million yuan in 2024, far less than distribution expenses of 26.86 million yuan and administrative expenses of 32.35 million yuan in the same year.
The company traces its roots to 1969, when the Jiangxi branch of the Shanghai Institute of Biological Products was established. The firm came under the control of majority shareholder Jing Yue and her family in 2022 after several rounds of restructuring. Jing, 32, joined the company a year after obtaining a bachelor's degree from New York University in 2016. She now serves as executive director and chairman of the board, while her younger sister, Jing Ruihua, works as executive director responsible for personnel matters. According to the listing documents, the family controls a stake of 76.64% in Jiangxi Institute through two companies.
The proposed Hong Kong IPO is not the company's first listing attempt. In June last year the firm filed to join the over-the-counter NEEQ market, a forum for companies that do not meet the criteria for the main board. The application was withdrawn in August last year after no reply was sent to a regulatory questionnaire about shareholding arrangements and agreements over share buybacks or preferred stock purchases.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Pre-IPO payout</h4>
The company does not spend much on R&amp;D and its reserve of cash and cash equivalents had fallen to just 54.67 million yuan by the end of December 2024, after big dividend payouts in the past two years. In May and October of 2023 and in September 2024, the company paid out 10 million yuan, 76 million yuan and 40.10 million yuan in cash dividends totaling 126 million yuan. The sum exceeds the company's combined net profit for 2022 and 2023 at 81.95 million yuan. The Jing family pocketed more than 100 million yuan from the three dividend tranches based on the size of its stake.
The company raised 90 million yuan in earlier rounds of financing in 2020 and 2022, drawing investment from family networks and business contacts. After the latest investment round in March 2025, its shares were valued at 8.1 yuan, generating a market cap of around 2.2 billion yuan on 272 million issued shares.
The funds generated by the IPO, which is co-sponsored by CICC and CMS, will be invested in developing a range of products, expanding production facilities and optimizing technologies, according to the listing documents.
At the latest market valuation of 2.2 billion yuan, the stock is trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 29 times, compared with 27 times for&nbsp;Hualan Biological Engineering&nbsp;(002007.SZ) , the industry leader for blood-based products and vaccines. But Hualan is way ahead in earnings, with a net profit exceeding 1 billion yuan in 2024. That means Jiangxi Institute may struggle to persuade investors to buy into a high valuation.

Asia

Equities

IPOs

Opinion

Trading Ideas

Chinese Biopharma Firms Chase Hong Kong IPO, After Duality's Sizzling Debut

Real Estate

NMRK

Newmark Group Has Arranged A £153M Loan To Refinance A Portfolio Of Four Prime UK Logistics Assets On Behalf Of Brookfield And Copley Point Capital, A Leading Asset Manager And Principal Investor

Group 1 Automotive (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPI#NYSE">GPI</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $10.17 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $9.75 by 4.31 percent. This is a 7.17 percent increase over earnings of $9.49 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $5.50 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $5.43 billion by 1.42 percent. This is a 23.13 percent increase over sales of $4.47 billion the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Beats

Group 1 Automotive Q1 Adj. EPS $10.17 Beats $9.75 Estimate, Sales $5.50B Beat $5.43B Estimate

TAL Education (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TAL#NYSE">TAL</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.01 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.09 by 88.89 percent. This is a 87.5 percent decrease over earnings of $0.08 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $610.24 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $637.19 million by 4.23 percent. This is a 42.06 percent increase over sales of $429.56 million the same period last year.

Earnings Misses

TAL Education Q4 Adj. EPS $0.01 Misses $0.09 Estimate, Sales $610.24M Miss $637.19M Estimate

President Donald Trump has hinted at increasing the 25% tariff on Canadian automobile imports on Thursday, suggesting the U.S. auto industry would be better off without Canadian involvement.
What Happened: &#8220;I really don't want cars from Canada. So, when I put tariffs on Canada, they're paying 25%, but that could go up in terms of cars. When we put tariffs on, all we're doing is saying, ‘We don't want your cars, with all due respect.' We really want to make our own cars — which is what we're doing, in record numbers,&#8221; Trump said from the Oval Office. 
The comments come amid ongoing trade tensions after the Trump administration <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44506345/trump-imposes-25-tariffs-on-auto-imports-says-this-will-continue-to-spur-growth-canada-eu-slam-the-move">imposed sweeping 25% tariffs</a> on all automobile imports earlier this month, with partial exemptions for vehicles produced under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement.
&#8220;We don&#8217;t need anything from Canada,&#8221; said Trump, who previously suggested the country should become a U.S. state. He mentioned having constructive discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney but did not comment on Canada&#8217;s upcoming election.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44937440/tesla-q1-misses-estimates-as-tariff-pressures-weigh-on-outlook-lower-cost-evs-still-on-track" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Q1 Misses Estimates As Tariff Pressures Weigh On Outlook, Lower-Cost EVs Still On Track</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/go/worthy-bonds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/go/worthy-bonds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>Why It Matters: The tariffs are already causing significant disruption across the automotive sector. Goldman Sachs estimates they could reduce Canada&#8217;s GDP by 1-4% while adding <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43398182/trumps-25-tariffs-could-slaughter-canada-mexico-economies-hit-us-auto-industry-analysts-warn">inflationary pressure of up to 2%</a>.
For U.S. automakers like General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) and Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>), which rely heavily on cross-border supply chains, the tariffs represent billions in potential added costs. The Center for Automotive Research recently projected the auto industry could face <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44756759/new-research-shows-donald-trumps-25-tariffs-could-cost-auto-companies-108billion-report">costs exceeding $108 billion from the tariffs</a>.
The measures are part of Trump&#8217;s broader trade strategy that has also targeted Mexico and China, where tensions continue to escalate after recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44942449/trump-pledges-substantial-cut-in-china-tariffs-but-refuses-to-make-it-zero-if-they-dont-make-a-deal-we-will-set-the-deal">implementation of 125% tariffs on Chinese imports</a>.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44889632/warren-buffetts-son-cashed-in-90k-instead-of-waiting-on-500-million-now-hes-using-buffett-bucks-to-build-his-own-dream-town-in-new-york" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Son Cashed In $90K Instead of Waiting on $500 Million — Now He&#8217;s Using ‘Buffett Bucks&#8217; to Build His Own Dream Town in New York</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Regulations

Politics

Economics

Markets

Trump Says US Doesn't Need Canadian Cars — Hints Tariffs Could Rise: 'We Don't Want Your Cars, With All Due Respect'

Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) is expanding its FedStart platform through a new partnership with 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>) subsidiary Google Public Sector, enabling U.S. government agencies to access software applications on Google Cloud&#8217;s accredited infrastructure with enhanced security compliance.
What Happened: The collaboration merges Google&#8217;s global-scale infrastructure with Palantir&#8217;s compliance solutions to accelerate innovation across federal agencies. Government customers will now be able to utilize certified solutions across multiple cloud platforms while maintaining high security standards.
The authorization covers all of Palantir&#8217;s product offerings, including AIP, Apollo, Foundry, FedStart, and Mission Manager.
&#8220;With the addition of the PFCS-SS FedRAMP High offering, Palantir is excited to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44866378/whats-going-on-with-palantir-stock-today?utm_source=chatgpt.com">accelerate our work with other technology </a>partners to enable their technology to be securely operated on behalf of USG missions,&#8221; said Akash Jain, CTO and President of Palantir USG. See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44275158/palantir-ceo-becomes-top-earning-tech-boss-as-ai-stock-soars-216-report">Palantir CEO Becomes Top-Earning Tech Boss As AI Stock Soars 216%: Report</a>
Why It Matters: The Google partnership follows Palantir&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44866378/whats-going-on-with-palantir-stock-today?utm_source=chatgpt.com">recent collaboration with AI company</a> Anthropic to deliver its Claude enterprise-grade AI application to government agencies via the FedStart platform. 
The deployment will take place on Google Cloud, with support for other platforms, including Amazon.com Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) Bedrock and Google&#8217;s Vertex AI.
Karen Dahut, CEO of Google Public Sector, emphasized the company&#8217;s commitment to helping government clients access next-generation AI solutions within secure environments. 
The FedStart platform <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44960295/palantir-shares-climb-after-northrop-grumman-collab-teased-on-x">assists federal agencies in achieving compliance</a>, scaling operations, and accessing innovative solutions from independent software vendors built natively on Google Cloud.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44947085/analyst-expects-googles-ad-revenue-to-pick-up-in-q1-google-normally-beats-heres-what-alphabets-chart-shows-ahead-of-earnings">&#8216;Google Normally Beats,&#8217; Says Analyst Expecting Sundar Pichai-Led Company&#8217;s Ad Revenue To &#8216;Pick Up&#8217; In Q1: Here&#8217;s What Alphabet&#8217;s Chart Shows Ahead Of Earnings</a> </li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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Tech

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GOOG

GOOGL

PLTR

Palantir Teams Up With Google To Supercharge FedStart, Bringing AI Tools To US Government Agencies On Secure Cloud

MCK moves higher through the session after Alert
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/23211045/Screenshot-2025-04-23-at-5.02.42%E2%80%AFPM-1024x773.png" alt="" class="wp-image-11447" style="width:920px;height:auto" /></figure>
McKesson, Inc. (MCK) today experienced a Power Inflow, a significant event for those who follow where smart money goes and value order flow analytics in their trading decisions.&nbsp;
Today, at 10:25 AM on April 23rd, a significant trading signal occurred for McKesson, Inc. (MCK) as it demonstrated a Power Inflow at a price of $687.38. This indicator is crucial for traders who want to know directionally where institutions and so-called "smart money" moves in the market. They see the value of utilizing order flow analytics to guide their trading decisions. The Power Inflow points to a possible uptrend in Mckessons stock, marking a potential entry point for traders looking to capitalize on the expected upward movement. Traders with this signal closely watch for sustained momentum in McKesson&#8217;s stock price, interpreting this event as a bullish sign.
Signal description
Order flow analytics, aka transaction or market flow analysis, separate and study both the retail and institutional volume rate of orders (flow). It involves analyzing the flow of buy and sell orders, along with size, timing, and other associated characteristics and patterns, to gain insights and make more informed trading decisions. This particular indicator is interpreted as a bullish signal by active traders.&nbsp;
The Power Inflow occurs within the first two hours of the market open and generally signals the trend that helps gauge the stock&#8217;s overall direction, powered by institutional activity in the stock, for the remainder of the day.&nbsp;
By incorporating order flow analytics into their trading strategies, market participants can better interpret market conditions, identify trading opportunities, and potentially improve their trading performance. But let's not forget that while watching smart money flow can provide valuable insights, it is crucial to incorporate effective risk management strategies to protect capital and mitigate potential losses. Employing a consistent and effective risk management plan helps traders navigate the uncertainties of the market in a more controlled and calculated manner, increasing the likelihood of long-term success
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for MCK, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.&nbsp;
<a href="https://benzinga.com/apis?_gl=1&#x2A;1hlgn5i&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTY1NjE2NTYxMi4xNzE0NzQ4MTAy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDc0ODEwMi4xLjEuMTcxNDc0ODQyOC4wLjAuMA..">Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs</a> and include firms, like <a href="https://tradepulse.net/?utm_source=benzinga&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=brand_awareness_apr2025">https://tradepulse.net/?utm_source=benzinga&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=brand_awareness_apr2025</a>, which are responsible for parts of the data within this article. 
&#xA9; 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
After Market Close UPDATE:
The price at the time of the Power Inflow was $687.38. The returns on the High price ($693.03) and Close price ($691.92) after the Power Inflow are respectively 0.8% and 0.6%. The result underlines the importance of a trading plan that includes Profit Targets and Stop Losses that reflect your risk appetite.
Results are not indicative of future results

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McKesson Shares Rise Nearly 1% After Key Signal

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Earnings Scheduled For April 24, 2025

Elon Musk's BCI (Brain-Chip Interface) company Neuralink is reportedly eyeing an $8.5 billion pre-money valuation amid talks with potential investors.
What Happened: The company plans to raise over $500 million in the latest funding round, which could translate to a $9 billion post-money valuation for the company, Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-23/musk-s-neuralink-said-to-eye-fundraise-at-8-5-billion-valuation">noted</a> in a report on Wednesday.
Sources familiar with the matter say that the company has already begun talks with investors as it looks to set up another funding round, though nothing is set in stone as of yet, the report suggests. Neuralink was previously valued at $3.5 billion in the last funding round.
Neuralink did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga&#8217;s</a> request for comment. 
Why It Matters: The report comes in as Elon Musk is touting Neuralink's capabilities. In a post on social media platform X, the billionaire shared how Neuralink will help <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44892867/elon-musk-says-neuralink-will-help-blind-people-see-again-will-exceed-the-best-human-eyes">"completely blind" people see</a> again.
Neuralink's technology has shown signs of success, with Noland Arbaugh, a 30-year-old man suffering from paralysis, demonstrating how he could <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44358022/paralyzed-man-moves-objects-with-his-mind-thanks-to-elon-musks-brain-chip">control electronic devices</a> with his thoughts.
However, Neuralink also has its share of critics. Former White House Strategist <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44891849/steve-bannon-says-elon-musk-is-evil-blasts-his-brain-chip-ambitions-as-technofeudalist-plot-to-hijack-humanitys-future">Steve Bannon criticized </a>Musk for his Neuralink ambitions. "Musk is attempting to disrupt humanity itself," he'd said.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42523165/elon-musks-neuralink-faces-fierce-competition-as-precision-neuroscience-raises-102-million-to-advance-thought-controlled-devices">Elon Musk&#8217;s Neuralink Faces Fierce Competition As Precision Neuroscience Raises $102 Million To Advance Thought-Controlled Devices</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: rafapress / Shutterstock.com

Biotech

Elon Musk's Neuralink Eyes $8.5 Billion Pre-Money Valuation In Latest Funding Round: Report

The European Union&#8217;s first major <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44952117/apple-and-meta-fined-nearly-800-million-for-violating-european-unions-digital-markets-act">enforcement of its sweeping</a> Digital Markets Act has sparked political backlash in Washington — and could ignite a new front in U.S.-EU trade tensions.
What Happened: On Wednesday, the European Commission fined Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) €500 million (approximately $540 million) and Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) €200 million (about $216 million), accusing the tech giants of violating the bloc's new antitrust regulations aimed at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44534573/eu-to-issue-minimal-fines-to-apple-and-meta-to-avoid-retaliation-from-trump-administration">curbing digital dominance</a>.
In a statement first <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/23/european-fines-big-tech-trump-00306670">spotted</a> by Politico, Meta's global affairs chief Joel Kaplan argued the fine and the mandated changes to Meta's ad model "effectively impose a multi-billion-dollar tariff on Meta while requiring us to offer an inferior service."
In a statement to the publication, Apple called the decision "bad for the privacy and security of our users," adding that the DMA forces it to "give away our technology for free."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44832468/snapchat-rejection-resurfaces-as-mark-zuckerberg-defends-meta-in-ftc-trial-and-the-tech-mogul-still-thinks-he-couldve-done-it-better-we-would-have-accelerated-their-growth">Mark Zuckerberg Defends Meta In FTC Trial Over $6 Billion Offer To Acquire Snapchat: &#8216;We Would Have Accelerated Their Growth&#8217;</a>
Kay Hazemi-Jebelli, senior director for Europe at the Chamber of Progress, said that the fines against Apple and Meta should serve to draw the U.S. administration's attention squarely to the Digital Markets Act.
Just hours after the fines were announced, the National Security Council under President Donald Trump responded forcefully, the report noted.
Spokesperson Brian Hughes labeled the EU's move "a novel form of economic extortion," adding, "Extraterritorial regulations that specifically target and undermine American companies&#8230; will not be tolerated by the United States."
Katie Harbath, a former public policy director at Meta, told the publication that Kaplan's reference to "tariffs" was a clear attempt to link the EU's tech regulations to Trump's broader 2025 trade agenda.
She added that the White House is unlikely to take serious action unless the EU expands its enforcement to include more tech companies like Elon Musk's X, which notably avoided penalties on Wednesday.
Why It's Important: The penalties are the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/02/43917713/us-lawmakers-demand-eu-clarify-big-tech-regulations-that-may-target-american-companies">first issued under the DMA</a>, a 2022 law that took effect in March 2024, targeting so-called "gatekeepers" like Apple, Meta, and other large platforms accused of unfair business practices in Europe.
Apple and Meta now have 60 days to comply with the EU's decisions and modify their business practices, or they risk facing further recurring fines.
Price Action: On Wednesday, Meta shares rose 4%, closing at $520.27, while Apple stock climbed 2.43% to $204.60, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Meta currently holds a momentum rating of 46.05% and a growth rating of 74.99%, based on Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here to see how it stacks up against</a> Apple and other leading companies.
Read More:
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44735140/most-people-dont-have-the-balls-to-do-it-says-mark-cuban-praising-musk-for-going-all-in-with-his-own-money-f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Most People Don't Have The Balls To Do It,' Says Mark Cuban, Praising Musk For Going ‘All In' With His Own Money For His Startups</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock 
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Media

AAPL

Trump's Team Blasts EU's Nearly $800 Million Fine On Apple And Meta As 'Extortion' — Could US Retaliate Against The Digital Markets Act?

Macro Economic Events

Econ #s

Germany Ifo Business Climate Index For April 86.9 Vs. 85.1 Est.; 86.7 Prior

With U.S. stock futures trading lower this morning on Thursday, some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Wall Street expects Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>) to report quarterly earnings at $1.49 per share on revenue of $10.70 billion before the opening bell, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>. Bristol-Myers Squibb shares fell 0.2% to $48.43 in after-hours trading.</li>
<li>Nokia Oyj (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOK#NYSE">NOK</a>) posted weaker-than-expected earnings for its first quarter and confirmed its guidance for the rest of the year. Nokia shares gained 0.8% to $5.35 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
<li>Analysts are expecting PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) to post quarterly earnings at $1.49 per share on revenue of $17.77 billion. The company will release earnings before the markets open. PepsiCo shares slipped 0.3% to $141.90 in after-hours trading.</li>
</ul>
Check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/">premarket coverage here</a>
<ul>
<li>Before the markets open, The Procter &amp; Gamble Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PG#NYSE">PG</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $1.53 per share on revenue of $20.11 billion. Procter &amp; Gamble shares fell 0.6% to $164.75 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
<li>Analysts expect Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) to post quarterly earnings at $2.02 per share on revenue of $88.87 billion after the closing bell. Alphabet shares gained 0.4% to $155.89 in after-hours trading.</li>
</ul>
Check This Out: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/short-ideas/25/04/44948767/top-2-consumer-stocks-that-may-implode-this-month">Top 2 Consumer Stocks That May Implode This Month</a> </li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Pre-Market Outlook

PepsiCo, Alphabet And 3 Stocks To Watch Heading Into Thursday

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index some improvement in market sentiment, with the index in the &#8220;Fear&#8221; zone on Wednesday.
U.S. stocks settled higher on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones index jumping more than 400 points during the session. However, all three major indices closed the session well off their highs as the Dow jumped over 1,100 points at one point during morning session.
On the trade front, tensions with China appeared to thaw, with reports suggesting the White House is considering reducing tariffs on certain categories of goods.
Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PM#NYSE">PM</a>) reported better-than-expected first-quarter financial results and raised its FY25 adjusted EPS guidance above estimates. Shares of Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) gained more than 5% on Wednesday after the company released earnings results for its first quarter.
On the economic data front, sales of new single-family homes in the U.S. jumped by 7.4% to an annualized rate of 724,000. The S&amp;P Global services PMI dipped to 51.4 in April from 54.4 in the prior month. The S&amp;P Global manufacturing PMI climbed to 50.7 in April from 50.2 in the previous month.
Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a positive note, with information technology, consumer discretionary and communication services stocks recording biggest gains on Wednesday. However, consumer staples and energy stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session lower.
The Dow Jones closed higher by around 420 points to 39,606.57 on Wednesday. The S&amp;P 500 jumped 1.67% to 5,375.86, while the Nasdaq Composite surged 2.50% at 16,708.05 during Wednesday's session.
Investors are awaiting earnings results from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>), PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) and Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) today.
At a current reading of 27.3, the index remained in the &#8220;Fear&#8221; zone on Wednesday, versus a prior reading of 26.2.
What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?
The Fear &amp; Greed Index is a measure of the current market sentiment. It is based
&nbsp;on the premise that higher fear exerts pressure on stock prices, while higher greed has the opposite effect. The index is calculated based on seven equal-weighted indicators. The index ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents maximum fear and 100 signals maximum greediness.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/short-ideas/25/04/44948767/top-2-consumer-stocks-that-may-implode-this-month">Top 2 Consumer Stocks That May Implode This Month</a> </li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

TSLA

Dow Jumps Over 400 Points Amid China Tariff Hopes, Investor Fear Eases: Greed Index Remains In 'Fear' Zone

Germany Current Assessment For April 86.4 Vs. 85.5 Est.; 85.7 Prior

Germany Business Expectations For April 87.4 Vs. 85.0 Est.; 87.7 Prior

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) has forecasted a &#8220;minimal&#8221; tariff impact on its business while acknowledging not being &#8220;immune&#8221; to the Department of Government Efficiency-related initiatives during its first quarter earnings call.
What Happened: IBM&#8217;s CFO and Senior Vice President, James Kavanaugh, said that the company was exploring alternatives to mitigate any indirect effects because the direct tariff impact was &#8220;minimal.&#8221;
&#8220;Goods imported to the U.S. represent less than 5% of our overall spend, and under current U.S. tariff policy, the impact to IBM is minimal. While we have limited direct exposure outside the United States, we are tactically evaluating alternative sources and other strategy to mitigate tariffs,&#8221; he said.
Talking about the impact of DOGE-related initiatives, its Chairman, President, and CEO, Arvind Krishna, highlighted that its consulting business was &#8220;susceptible to discretionary pullbacks and DOGE-related initiatives.&#8221;
&#8220;We are not immune from all those activities just like everybody else,&#8221; he said, adding that few of IBM&#8217;s contracts were impacted in the first quarter. &#8220;You expect U.S. AID, where we did some work, was impacted, but not really in most other cases,&#8221; he added.
Additionally, CFO Kavanaugh clarified, &#8220;But our U.S. federal business is less than 5% of IBM&#8217;s total annual revenue. About 60% of that is Consulting, which is more susceptible to discretionary efficiency-type programs.&#8221;
&#8220;So while no one&#8217;s immune, we are absolutely focused on monitoring the dynamic process,&#8221; said the CFO.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44947085/analyst-expects-googles-ad-revenue-to-pick-up-in-q1-google-normally-beats-heres-what-alphabets-chart-shows-ahead-of-earnings">&#8216;Google Normally Beats,&#8217; Says Analyst Expecting Sundar Pichai-Led Company&#8217;s Ad Revenue To &#8216;Pick Up&#8217; In Q1: Here&#8217;s What Alphabet&#8217;s Chart Shows Ahead Of Earnings</a>
Why It Matters: IBM <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44966124/ibm-shares-slide-despite-better-than-expected-q1-details">reported quarterly earnings</a> of $1.60 per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.40. Quarterly revenue of $14.54 billion beat the analyst consensus estimate of $14.4 billion.
The company also reported its highest first-quarter free cash flow in many years at $2 billion, driven by revenue growth and productivity initiatives.
IBM sees second-quarter revenue in a range of $16.4 billion to $16.75 billion, versus the $16.33 billion estimate.
Price Action: IBM closed 1.89% higher on Wednesday and slipped 6.96% in after-hours. It has gained 11.61% on a year-to-date basis, whereas it was up 33.34% over a year.
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, rose on Wednesday. The SPY was up 1.55% to $535.42, while the QQQ advanced 2.27% to $454.561, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows that IBM had a weaker price trend over the short term, but a stronger price trend over the medium and long term. Its momentum ranking was solid at 87.57th percentile, whereas its value ranking was poor; the details of other metrics are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here</a>. 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/report/IBM"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="148" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24025446/IBM-EDGE-1024x148.png" alt="" class="wp-image-885758" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24025446/IBM-EDGE-1024x148.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24025446/IBM-EDGE-300x43.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24025446/IBM-EDGE-768x111.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24025446/IBM-EDGE.png 1213w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44945402/wedbushs-dan-ives-raises-teslas-price-target-to-350-as-musk-promises-to-significantly-reduce-doge-time">Wedbush&#8217;s Dan Ives Raises Tesla&#8217;s Price Target To $350 As Elon Musk Promises To &#8216;Significantly&#8217; Reduce DOGE Time</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock

IBM Plays Down Trump Tariff Concerns: DOGE Could Affect Consulting Business, But Its 'US Federal Business Is Less Than 5%,' Says CEO

After a series of destructive tornadoes in Arkansas, residents seeking federal disaster relief were turned down by the President Donald Trump administration. The denial comes in the wake of a larger redirection in disaster recovery policy, with more responsibility being pushed onto states.
What Happened: In March, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/25/03/44359238/severe-storm-system-brings-devastation-at-least-42-dead-power-outages-widespread-damage-reported" target="_blank" rel="noopener">severa</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/25/03/44359238/severe-storm-system-brings-devastation-at-least-42-dead-power-outages-widespread-damage-reported">l tornadoes devastated Arkansas</a>, leading to more than 40 deaths in several states. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders requested a major disaster declaration for individual and public assistance in the aftermath. 
However, on April 11, the Trump administration rejected the request, referring to its executive orders that shifted the onus of disaster recovery from the federal government to state and local bodies.
The denial, quoted <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/23/weather/trump-denied-disaster-aid-arkansas-tornadoes/index.html">by</a> CNN, stated that "the damage from this event was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44916659/harvard-sues-trump-administration-for-attempting-to-withhold-billions-in-federal-grants-over-alleged-antisem">Harvard Sues Trump Administration For Attempting To Withhold Billions In Federal Grants</a>
Why It Matters: This decision signals a major shift in how disaster recovery is managed, as states are now expected to endure more of the financial burden. 
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders <a href="https://governor.arkansas.gov/request-for-presidential-major-disaster-declaration-and-appeal-to-major-disaster-declaration-denial/">appealed the denial</a> on April 18, stressing that in the absence of federal assistance, "Arkansas will face significant challenges in assuming full responsibility and achieving an effective recovery from this event."
Both Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43203763/trump-wants-to-get-rid-of-federal-emergency-agency-its-not-good-he-says-while-visiting-disasters-in-california-north-carolina">stated their intention</a> to abolish FEMA, the agency tasked with allocating billions each year to provide provisional housing and disaster management assistance.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/04/44971154/trump-fails-to-impress-americas-young-shows-poll-as-they-still-favor-biden-only-15-think-us-on-right-track">Trump Fails To Impress America&#8217;s Young, Shows Poll As They Still Favor Biden — Only 15% Think US On Right Track</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock

Trump Administration Denies Federal Disaster Aid To Tornado-Stricken Arkansas, Pushing Responsibility To States

Ken Griffin, founder of Citadel hedge fund, has expressed concern over the swift contraction of the market and the deterioration of the U.S.&#8217;s global financial standing, attributing these issues to the <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44913962/donald-trumps-trade-war-jpmorgan-predicts-deals-higher-taxes-and-potential-recession-avoidance">ongoing trade war.</a>
What Happened: Griffin, who is at the helm of the $65 billion hedge fund Citadel LLC, voiced his apprehensions about the current market conditions at the Semafor&#8217;s World Economic Summit on Wednesday. He indicated that the market is shrinking too rapidly to generate substantial returns, stating, &#8220;There are no great opportunities,&#8221; <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ken-griffin-citadel-current-market-advice-tariffs-2025-4">reported </a>Business Insider.
Griffin also underscored the adverse effects of the trade war on the U.S.&#8217;s image as a global financial safe haven. He cautioned that the country&#8217;s brand is in jeopardy, asserting, &#8220;We&#8217;re eroding that brand right now.&#8221; He further lambasted the government&#8217;s trade policies, characterizing them as having &#8220;devolved into a nonsensical place.&#8221;
The billionaire called on the administration, including President Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, to act judiciously, reported Fortune. &#8220;When&nbsp;you have a brand, you&nbsp;need to behave in a&nbsp;way that respects that brand,&#8221; he counseled.
Griffin contextualized the recent economic chaos instigated by the White House in terms of consumers who purchase a product because they trust the brand. &#8220;On the financial markets, no brand can compare to the brand of the U.S. Treasuries…we put that brand at risk,&#8221; he said. 
Against the backdrop of existing uncertainty, Griffin told investors, &#8220;All you&#8217;re trying to do is tread water and not drown.&#8221; The Miami-based hedge-fund founder, a Trump voter and a GOP megadonor, also urged business leaders to engage &#8220;calmly, [respectfully,] and collectively&#8221; with the President, the House of Representatives, and the Senate about these policies.
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/events/25/04/44971154/trump-fails-to-impress-americas-young-shows-poll-as-they-still-favor-biden-only-15-think-us-on-right-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Fails To Impress America&#8217;s Young, Shows Poll As They Still Favor Biden — Only 15% Think US On Right Track</a>
Why It Matters: Griffin&#8217;s comments come amid the impact of President Trump&#8217;s sweeping tariffs announced on April 2, which triggered a market downturn. These policies have caused turmoil in global equity and bond markets, depreciated the U.S. dollar against other currencies, and led investors to turn to safe-haven assets like gold.
Although Trump later eased some measures with a 90-day pause on specific tariffs, a 10% tariff on most global imports and a 25% tariff on imported cars and some auto parts remain in effect. On Tuesday, Trump also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44942449/trump-pledges-substantial-cut-in-china-tariffs-but-refuses-to-make-it-zero-if-they-dont-make-a-deal-we-will-set-the-deal">softened </a>his stance on tariffs on China in anticipation of a trade deal.
Griffin, a notable backer of Trump, is among a number of affluent individuals who have expressed doubts about the reasoning and execution of the recent tariffs. Even Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk stated in the company&#8217;s Q1 earnings call that &#8216;lower tariffs&#8217; are good for &#8216;prosperity&#8217;, but leaves the ultimate decision to the U.S. President.
Citadel largely avoided market turmoil, with its flagship fund down just 0.9% in Q1, compared to the S&amp;P 500's decline of over 4%. 
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) declined 7.7% over the past month while SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) fell 6.7% during the same period.
<ul>
<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44969594/jeff-bezos-final-ceo-letter-isnt-just-about-amazon-it-was-a-clarion-call-for-resisting-normality-the-world-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jeff Bezos&#8217; Final CEO Letter Isn&#8217;t Just About Amazon — It Is A Clarion Call For Resisting Normality: &#8216;The World Wants You To Be Typical&#8230;Don&#8217;t Let It Happen&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

GOP Megadonor Ken Griffin Urges Investors To 'Tread Water And Not Drown' Amid 'Nonsensical' Trade Policies: 'We Put That Brand At Risk'

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