Novo Nordisk Option Alert: Jun 20 $75 Puts at the Bid: 1350 vs 4725 OI; Earnings 5/7 Before Open 

Novo Nordisk Option Alert: Jun 20 $75 Puts at the Bid: 1350 @ $6.26 vs 4725 OI; Earnings 5/7 Before Open Ref=$75.26

Novo Nordisk Option Alert: Jan 16 $70 Puts at the Bid: 1800 vs 1380 OI; Earnings 5/7 Before Open 

Novo Nordisk Option Alert: Jan 16 $70 Puts at the Bid: 1800 @ $7.41 vs 1380 OI; Earnings 5/7 Before Open Ref=$76.865

Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) Stock

NOVO-NORDISK A/S-SPONS ADR

Novo Nordisk

With roughly one third of the global branded diabetes treatment market, Novo Nordisk is the leading provider of diabetes-care products in the world. Based in Denmark, the company manufactures and markets a variety of human and modern insulins, injectable diabetes treatments such as GLP-1 therapy, oral antidiabetic agents, and obesity treatments. Novo also has a biopharmaceutical segment (constituting less than 10% of revenue) that specializes in protein therapies for hemophilia and other disorders.

Novo Nordisk AS

Precidian ETFs Trust Novo Nordisk A/S B Shares ADRhedged

Novo Resources Corp Warrants (27/08/2023)

NOVO INTEGRATED SCIENCES by Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc.

Novo Integrated Sciences Inc

Tidal Trust II Defiance Daily Target 2X Long NVO ETF

Novo Holdings, the controlling shareholder of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weight loss drugmaker</a> Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>), reported Wednesday income and investment returns of 60 billion Danish kroner (around $8.68 billion) for 2024.
Novo Holdings <a target="_blank" href="https://assets.novoholdings.dk/novo-holdings-2024-performance-report.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener">owns</a> 28.1% shares in Novo Nordisk.
Dividends and the share repurchase programs of the Novo Group companies (Novo Nordisk and Novonesis) totaled 23 billion Danish kroner, and Returns from the Investment Portfolio generated an income of 37 billion Danish kroner.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Ozempic sales increased 12% to 33.85 billion Danish kroner, and Wegovy sales more than doubled <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43491991/novo-nordisk-records-more-than-double-wegovy-sales-in-q4-seeks-regulatory-approval-for-hybrid-weight-loss-drug-in" rel="noreferrer noopener">to 19.87 billion Danish kroner</a>.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44561208/novo-nordisk-shares-detailed-data-from-injectable-and-oral-weight-loss-drug-in-bid-for-expanded-labels-for-use-in-heart-diseases" rel="noreferrer noopener">Novo Nordisk Shares Data From Injectable Ozempic, Oral Weight Loss Drug</a>
Novo Holdings CEO Kasim Kutay <a href="https://novoholdings.dk/news/novo-holdings-posts-record-total-income-and-investment-returns-of-dkk-60-billion-euro8-0-billion-in-2024-with-the-investment-portfolio-delivering-above-benchmark-returns-alongside-strong-growth-at-the-novo-group-companies">called</a> 2024 &#8220;a very strong year&#8221; since the portfolio generated returns of 18%. That&#8217;s up from 9.4% in 2023.
This year, Novo Holdings will focus on Asia and establish an office in India, Kutay added.
In 2024, Life Science Investments closed the year with 134 billion Danish kroner of Investment Assets and generated profits of 24 billion Danish kroner.
The Life Science Investments teams invested in a range of biotechnologies to advance new treatments for conditions such as cancer, cardiometabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, among other areas.
In 2024, Novo Holdings deployed 34 billion Danish kroner into the life sciences.
In total, 43 new companies were added to the Investment Portfolio in 2024, and multiple follow-on investments were made. By year-end, Novo Holdings had exited 27 companies, and the Investment Portfolio comprised 181 companies.
Total assets under management dropped slightly to 142 billion euros in 2024, from 149 billion in 2023. This is due to a decline in Novo Nordisk&#8217;s market value.
Novo Nordisk&#8217;s stock price has fallen almost 21% YTD. The stock declined around 24% in March, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Disappointing trial results for Novo Nordisk's next-generation weight-loss drug has exacerbated investor concerns about its competitiveness.
In December 2024, the company announced phase 3 trial results for its cocktail obesity drug, CagriSema. Results showed a weight loss of 22.7% after 68 weeks—short of 25% expectations. In March, the company released another trial data showing that CagriSema only achieved a 15.7% weight <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/03/44244966/novo-nordisks-combo-drug-cagrisema-shows-16-weight-reduction-in-second-phase-3-trial-stock-falls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reduction over 68 weeks.</a>
Price Action: NVO stock is down 0.64% at $67.87 during the premarket session at the last check Wednesday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44597633/taiwan-semiconductors-stock-slides-18-amid-concerns-over-us-expansion-and-intel-rivalry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taiwan Semiconductor Is Down 15% Year-To-Date And Investors Are Concerned About Its Expansion Plans</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Earnings

Large Cap

News

Health Care

General

Novo Nordisk Stakeholder Reports $9 Billion In Income Due To Robust Weight Loss Drug Sales

Hims &amp; Hers Health Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIMS#NYSE">HIMS</a>) shares spiked higher in afternoon trading Tuesday after the company said it will offer Eli Lilly And Co&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) Zepbound <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HIMS">through its Telehealth platform</a>.
What To Know: In a blog post released Tuesday afternoon, Hims &amp; Hers Health announced that it&#8217;s expanding access to personalized weight loss care.
&#8220;We're committed to bringing our customers more treatment options that best suit their needs, and we've now expanded that choice even further by adding access to generic liraglutide and branded tirzepatide through our platform,&#8221; the company said.
Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in Eli Lilly&#8217;s diabetes and weight-loss drugs. Hims &amp; Hers said it will offer both Lilly&#8217;s Zepbound and Mounjaro on its platform, as well as generic versions of Novo Nordisk&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) liraglutide, per Reuters.
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44588076/us-manufacturing-slips-into-contraction-as-tariff-driven-costs-hit-near-3-year-high">US Manufacturing Slips Into Contraction As Tariff-Driven Costs Hit Near 3-Year High</a>
&#8220;Medication helps the body manage the biological factors that affect weight. Nutrition fuels the body. Physical activity builds strength and resilience. And behavioral support helps form lasting habits that create real, lifelong change,&#8221; the company said.
&#8220;Through our platform, we're weaving all of these tools together to provide access to a truly comprehensive care experience to deliver the best solution for every individual.&#8221;
Hims &amp; Hers joins competitors Teladoc and LifeMD in offering Lilly&#8217;s Zepbound on its platform. The move comes after a U.S. judge shut down an injunction earlier this month that would have allowed companies to continue making compounded drugs. Regulators allow compounded versions of drugs to enter the market to meet demand when there is a shortage.
HIMS Price Action: <a href="http://benzinga.com/quote/hims">Hims &amp; Hers Health shares</a> were up 6.01% at $31.27 at the time of publication Tuesday afternoon, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Photo: Shutterstock.

Movers

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. Class A Common Stock

HIMS

Hims & Hers Health Stock Jumped Tuesday Afternoon: What Happened?

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>IRON</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$160.0K</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VRNA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$55.4K</td>
<td>372</td>
<td>500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRNA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
<td>$28.3K</td>
<td>6.7K</td>
<td>302</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HUM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$310.00</td>
<td>$25.5K</td>
<td>8.7K</td>
<td>173</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AKRO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$25.8K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>150</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HIMS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$37.00</td>
<td>$47.8K</td>
<td>839</td>
<td>114</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LLY</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$690.00</td>
<td>$37.0K</td>
<td>212</td>
<td>33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NVO</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$77.50</td>
<td>$36.0K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TMO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$470.00</td>
<td>$32.8K</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$680.00</td>
<td>$124.6K</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding IRON (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IRON#NASDAQ">IRON</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 16 day(s) on April 17, 2025. Parties traded 2000 contract(s) at a $50.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $160.0K, with a price of $80.0 per contract. There were 4 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2000 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For VRNA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRNA#NASDAQ">VRNA</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 45 day(s) on May 16, 2025. This event was a transfer of 241 contract(s) at a $70.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 19 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $55.4K, with a price of $230.0 per contract. There were 372 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 500 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MRNA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 290 day(s) on January 16, 2026. This event was a transfer of 59 contract(s) at a $25.00 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 $28.3K, with a price of $480.0 per contract. There were 6708 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 302 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding HUM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HUM#NYSE">HUM</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 16 day(s) on April 17, 2025. Parties traded 37 contract(s) at a $310.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.5K, with a price of $690.0 per contract. There were 8768 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 173 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AKRO (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AKRO#NASDAQ">AKRO</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 16 day(s) on April 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 150 contract(s) at a $40.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 5 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.8K, with a price of $170.0 per contract. There were 0 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 150 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For HIMS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIMS#NYSE">HIMS</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 108 day(s) on July 18, 2025. This event was a transfer of 90 contract(s) at a $37.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 5 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $47.8K, with a price of $532.0 per contract. There were 839 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 114 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding LLY (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>), we observe a put option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 45 day(s) on May 16, 2025. Parties traded 30 contract(s) at a $690.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $37.0K, with a price of $1236.0 per contract. There were 212 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 33 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding NVO (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 290 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 24 contract(s) at a $77.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $36.0K, with a price of $1500.0 per contract. There were 1454 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 26 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For TMO (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMO#NYSE">TMO</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 45 day(s) on May 16, 2025. This event was a transfer of 10 contract(s) at a $470.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.8K, with a price of $3280.0 per contract. There were 2 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 11 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MCK (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCK#NYSE">MCK</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 654 day(s) on January 15, 2027. Parties traded 11 contract(s) at a $680.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $124.6K, with a price of $11330.0 per contract. There were 10 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 11 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

AKRO

IRON

MRNA

VRNA

10 Health Care Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) on Saturday presented the full results from the Phase 3b STRIDE peripheral artery disease (PAD) outcomes trial.
The study evaluated the once-weekly injectable Ozempic (semaglutide 1.0 mg) in adults with type 2 diabetes and PAD, at the American College of Cardiology&#8217;s (ACC) Annual <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Session and Expo</a>.
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.novonordisk.com/content/nncorp/global/en/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=915965" rel="noreferrer noopener">trial</a> achieved its primary endpoint, with semaglutide 1.0 mg demonstrating a superior and clinically meaningful improvement of 13% in maximum walking distance and a mean treatment difference of 39.9 meters on a steep incline, compared to placebo at week 52.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/03/44459637/novo-nordisk-to-pay-around-2-billion-for-obesity-drug-from-china-based-biotech" rel="noreferrer noopener">Novo Nordisk To Pay Around $2 Billion For Obesity Drug From China-Based Biotech</a>
The trial also demonstrated superiority to placebo for all confirmatory secondary outcomes assessed, including pain-free walking distance at week 52, health-related quality of life at week 52, and maximum walking distance at week 571.
The safety results from the STRIDE trial are consistent with the well-established safety and tolerability profile of once-weekly semaglutide, supported by long-term safety data with more than 33 million patient years of exposure.
Novo Nordisk submitted a label extension application for Ozempic&nbsp;to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A decision is anticipated in 2025.
Novo Nordisk also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.novonordisk.com/content/nncorp/global/en/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=915967" rel="noreferrer noopener">presented</a> the full results from the SOUL cardiovascular outcomes trial, demonstrating that Rybelsus&nbsp;(oral semaglutide) significantly reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The SOUL trial achieved its primary endpoint, demonstrating a 14% reduction in risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with type 2 diabetes and CVD and/or CKD when treated with Rybelsus&nbsp;compared to placebo.
Each component of MACE, CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke contributed to the risk reduction.
The overall safety profile of oral semaglutide in SOUL was consistent with that seen in previous semaglutide trials, and no new safety signals were observed.
In a key secondary analysis from SOUL published simultaneously, oral semaglutide reduced the risk of MACE independently of baseline use of SGLT2i and suggests similar benefits in participants with and without concomitant SGLT2i use during the trial.
Novo Nordisk submitted a label extension application for Rybelsus, which has been accepted for review by the EMA and the FDA. A decision is anticipated in 2025.
Price Action: Novo Nordisk stock is down 2.06% at $67.87 during the premarket session at the last check Monday.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/03/44544720/fda-oks-novartis-prostate-cancer-treatment-triples-eligible-patient-pool" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FDA OKs Novartis Prostate Cancer Treatment, Triples Eligible Patient Pool</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Biotech

Novo Nordisk Shares Data From Injectable Ozempic, Oral Weight Loss Drug

U.S. stock futures fell on Monday after three consecutive days of decline on Friday. Futures of major benchmark indices were lower in premarket trading.
Stocks decline as investors await the day of incoming reciprocal tariffs on April 2nd. This is termed &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Goldman Sachs, in its recent note, predicted a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44554304/goldman-sachs-raises-us-recession-risk-to-35-expects-inflation-at-3-5-in-2025-amid-tariff-uncertainties-economist-mohamed-el-erian-highlights-stagflationary-twist">35% recession risk</a> and reciprocal tariffs that average 15% across all U.S. trading partners, although product and country exclusions could whittle the addition to the average U.S. tariff rate down to 9 percentage points.
The stock market ended the month of March and the first quarter on a rough note. As of Friday, the Nasdaq 100 index was 13.24% from its previous high. The S&amp;P 500 was 9.22% lower from its record level, and the Dow Jones was down 7.74% from its 52-week high.
With the 10-year Treasury yield at 4.63% and the 2-year at 3.88%, the CME Group's FedWatch <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">tool</a> shows markets pricing in an 82.1% likelihood of the Federal Reserve maintaining current interest rates through its May meeting. 
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Futures</td>
<td>Change (+/-)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>-1.24%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>-0.85%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>-0.57%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>-1.08%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
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, dropped in premarket on Friday. The SPY was down 0.71% to $551.70, while the QQQ declined 1.16% to $463.49, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Cues From Last Session:
Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 ended Friday in the red, with consumer discretionary, communication services, and information technology stocks posting the steepest losses. In contrast, utilities outperformed, closing the session higher despite broader market weakness.
Adding to market jitters, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, the core Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, rose 2.8% year-over-year in February, exceeding expectations of 2.7%.
Investor anxiety was further fueled by the University of Michigan Survey of Consumers, which revealed a jump in 5-year forward inflation expectations to 4.1%, marking the highest level since February 1993.
In corporate earnings, AAR Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIR#NYSE">AIR</a>) shares plunged more than 16% after the company reported a third-quarter sales miss.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Index</td>
<td>Performance (+/-)</td>
<td>Value</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq Composite</td>
<td>-2.70%</td>
<td>17,322.99</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>-1.97%</td>
<td>5,580.94</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>-1.69%</td>
<td>41,583.90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>-2.05%</td>
<td>2,023.27</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Insights From Analysts:
As the date for &#8220;reciprocal tariffs&#8221; or "Liberation Day," as termed by President Trump, gets closer, Louis Navellier of Navellier &amp; Associates says that there is a lot for investors to be excited about in April.
&#8220;Overall, despite continued tariff distractions, after &#8216;Liberation Day,&#8217; I am expecting economic optimism to rise steadily in the upcoming months. Continued strong corporate earnings and lower interest rates are a powerful one-two punch that is expected to drop kick and propel economic growth dramatically higher,&#8221; he said.
However, Goldman Sachs has increased its U.S. recession probability from 20% to 35% in its recent note.
Christian Mueller-Glissmann, the leading asset allocation researcher at Goldman Sachs, has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44554923/goldman-sachs-warns-us-stocks-are-at-risk-of-further-declines-but-policy-pivot-from-trump-or-fed-could-stoke-reco">warned that the risk of further market correction</a> is still looming in the U.S. &#8220;The equity drawdown probability hasn&#8217;t peaked yet,&#8221; he said.
The factors supporting Goldman Sachs Research's view that the market correction has further to go include:
<ul>
<li>Its model's forecast has signaled heightened risk since January and has yet to indicate a peak in the likelihood of continued declines.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>A weakening macroeconomic backdrop, combined with the equity drawdown, suggests that the market has not yet found a bottom.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The risk appetite indicator, which measures investor sentiment, remains above the ‘-2' threshold that historically signals a potential market reversal absent policy or economic shifts, indicating that a strong buying opportunity has not yet emerged.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The Magnificent Seven tech stocks, which play a key role in retail investor confidence, have experienced notable declines, and further weakness in these stocks could weigh on sentiment.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>European and Chinese equities, which are currently outperforming the U.S., have historically led initially but ultimately followed the U.S. during broader market corrections, suggesting that a deeper U.S. downturn could pull global markets lower.</li>
</ul>
Mueller-Glissmann notes a key limitation of his equity drawdown model: it doesn't factor in policy shifts. "If President Trump or the Federal Reserve makes a major policy pivot, markets could recover much faster," he said.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-trade-futures">How to Trade Futures</a>
Upcoming Economic Data
Here&#8217;s what investors will keep an eye on this week:
<ul>
<li>On Monday, March&#8217;s Chicago Business Barometer (PMI) will be released by 9:45 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>On Tuesday, Richmond Federal Reserve President Thomas Barkin will speak at 9:00 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>March&#8217;s S&amp;P final U.S. manufacturing PMI will be out by 9:45 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>February&#8217;s construction spending, job openings, and March&#8217;s ISM manufacturing data will be released by 10:00 a.m. ET and the time for auto sales data is yet to be determined.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>On Wednesday, March&#8217;s ADP employment data will be out by 8:15 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>February&#8217;s factory orders data will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Fed Governor Adriana Kugler will speak at 4:30 p.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>On Thursday, the initial jobless claims data for the week ending March 29 and February&#8217;s U.S. trade deficit data will be released by 8:30 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>March&#8217;s S&amp;P final U.S. services PMI and ISM services will be announced between 9:45 and 10:00 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Fed Vice Chairman Philip Jefferson will speak at 12:30 p.m., and Fed Governor Lisa Cook will speak at 2:30 p.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>On Friday, March&#8217;s U.S. employment report, unemployment rate, and hourly wages data will be out by 8:30 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Fed Chairman Jerome Powell will speak at 11:25 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Fed Governor Michael Barr will speak at noon, and Fed Governor Christopher Waller will speak at 12:45 p.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
Stocks In Focus:
<ul>
<li>PVH Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PVH#NYSE">PVH</a>) fell 0.66% in premarket on Monday ahead of its earnings after the closing bell. Analysts expect a quarterly earnings of $3.22 per share on revenue of $2.34 million.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Progress Software Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PRGS#NASDAQ">PRGS</a>) tumbled 0.31% as Wall Street expects it to report a quarterly earnings of $1.06 per share on revenue of $235.63 million after the closing bell.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Loar Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LOAR#NYSE">LOAR</a>) declined 1.64% ahead of its earnings before the opening bell. Analysts expect a quarterly earnings of 10 cents per share on revenue of $102.54 million.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Babcock &amp; Wilcox Enterprises Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BW#NYSE">BW</a>) was up 1.27% as Wall Street expects it to report a quarterly loss of 1 cent per share on revenue of $213.07 million after the closing bell.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Xos Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOS#NASDAQ">XOS</a>) jumped 9.01% as its 2024 revenue surged to $56 million, compared to $44.5 million in 2023. The company delivered 297 units in 2024, up from 283 units in the previous year.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Acuren Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TIC#NYSE">TIC</a>) slumped 37.78% after a revenue miss and reported a $105.5 million Successor Net Loss for 2024, mainly due to one-time transaction costs. Combined Adjusted EBITDA rose 11.5% to $186.7 million, with margins improved to 17.0% from 15.9% in 2023.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Treasure Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGL#NASDAQ">TGL</a>) surged 47.50% as it announced plans to develop and deploy an advanced AI cloud infrastructure in Malaysia capable of supporting trillion-parameter models, last week.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LXRX#NASDAQ">LXRX</a>) was up 1.38% as it signed an exclusive global license deal with Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) for a first-in-class oral non-incretin drug for obesity and metabolic disorders. The agreement includes up to $1 billion in potential payments, with $75 million upfront and in near-term milestones</li>
</ul>
Commodities, Gold, And Global Equity Markets:
Crude oil futures were trading higher in the early New York session by 0.74% to hover around $69.87 per barrel.
Gold Spot US Dollar advanced 1.24% to hover around $3,122.41 per ounce. Its fresh record high stood at $3,127.88 per ounce. The U.S. Dollar Index spot was lower by 0.05% at the 103.997 level.
Asian markets closed on a lower note on Monday. China&#8217;s CSI 300, India's S&amp;P BSE Sensex, Hong Kong's Hang Seng, South Korea's Kospi, Japan's Nikkei 225, and Australia's ASX 200 index declined. European markets were also lower in early trade.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44554923/goldman-sachs-warns-us-stocks-are-at-risk-of-further-declines-but-policy-pivot-from-trump-or-fed-could-stoke-reco">Goldman Sachs Warns US Stocks &#8216;Are At Risk Of Further Declines,&#8217; But Policy Pivot From Trump Or Fed Could Stoke Recovery</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Asia

Earnings Beats

Earnings Misses

Equities

Government

Macro Economic Events

Macro Notification

Market Summary

Regulations

Bonds

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Guidance

Emerging Markets

Eurozone

Futures

Commodities

Forex

Treasuries

Economics

Federal Reserve

Pre-Market Outlook

Markets

Analyst Ratings

ETFs

LOAR

LXRX

PRGS

US Stocks Likely To Open Lower After 3-Day Fall: 'Equity Drawdown Probability Hasn't Peaked Yet,' Says Goldman Sachs Analyst

As uncertainties surrounding trade policies, fresh recession fears, and persistent inflation kept the markets on tenterhooks throughout the past week, a handful of small-caps defied the odds by posting significant gains. 
These stocks, all part of the Russell 2000 index, have market caps lower than $2 billion and have rallied between 11% and 60% over the past week, while the broader index witnessed a pullback of 2.5%. Let us explore these stocks and the various factors contributing to their resilience.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Lexicon Pharmaceuticals</h2>
The three-decades-old Lexicon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LXRX#NASDAQ">LXRX</a>) posted a phenomenal 58% rally last week, after announcing that it was entering into an exclusive licensing agreement with Danish pharma giant, Novo Nordisk (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>). 
The agreement pertains to Lexicon&#8217;s LX9851, an oral non-incretin development candidate for treating obesity and other metabolic disorders. It provides Novo with exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the drug worldwide.
The deal is set to generate Lexicon up to $1 billion in milestone and royalty payments over the coming years, prompting a quick &#8216;Buy&#8217; rating from Joseph Pantginis of H.C. Wainwright, alongside <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/analyst-ratings/25/03/44542815/what-6-analyst-ratings-have-to-say-about-lexicon-pharmaceuticals">several other analysts</a>. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44554008/wall-street-on-edge-futures-slide-ahead-of-trumps-liberation-day-tariff-shock">Wall Street On Edge: Futures Slide Ahead of Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Liberation Day&#8217; Tariff Shock</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. LightWave Logic </h2>
LightWave Logic (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LWLG#NASDAQ">LWLG</a>) develops photonic devices and electro-optic polymer materials for fiber-optic communications, all of which play a critical role in semiconductor foundries and AI data centers. 
Last week, the company announced its Process Design Kit (PDK) which is now commercially available after already being implemented at two major foundries. This <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/movers/25/03/44547240/12-information-technology-stocks-moving-in-fridays-after-market-session">led the stock to pop 19% on Friday</a>, ending the week up by 10%. A picks-and-shovels play, the stock is expected to maintain momentum as the AI race heats up.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Argan Inc</h2>
Argan Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AGX#NYSE">AGX</a>), a Maryland-based engineering, procurement, and construction company that&#8217;s been around since the early-60s. The stock popped nearly 20% on Friday, ending the week up by 11%, following its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44536628/argan-posts-upbeat-results-joins-kulr-technology-abacus-global-management-w-r-berkley-and-other-big-stocks-moving-higher-on-friday">spectacular fourth-quarter earnings performance</a>.
The company reported $232 million in revenue during the fourth quarter, up 40% year-over-year, and a profit of $31.4 million, or $2.22 per share, up 150% year-over-year, while handily beating analyst estimates.
Argan&#8217;s performance is largely owing to its power industry services business, with revenues growing 65% to $196 million, and contributing to its massive order backlog at $1.4 billion, up 80% from the prior year. The company is riding the demand for natural gas-fired power plants to fuel the endless new AI data centers.
Benzinga's Edge Rankings highlight strong momentum and growth ranking For Argan in the 97th and 85th percentile, respectively. Curious how Lexicon Pharmaceuticals stacks up? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AGX">Click here</a> to uncover its growth and momentum scores
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AGX"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="178" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31010543/Screenshot-2025-03-31-at-10.35.05-AM-1024x178.png" alt="" class="wp-image-848423" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31010543/Screenshot-2025-03-31-at-10.35.05-AM-1024x178.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31010543/Screenshot-2025-03-31-at-10.35.05-AM-300x52.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31010543/Screenshot-2025-03-31-at-10.35.05-AM-768x134.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31010543/Screenshot-2025-03-31-at-10.35.05-AM.png 1436w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Image via Shutterstock
Read More:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44552954/inside-apples-silent-revolution-ai-doctors-nutrition-tech-and-a-new-retail-boss">Inside Apple&#8217;s Silent Revolution—AI Doctors, Nutrition Tech, And A New Retail Boss</a></li>
</ul>

Small Cap

LWLG

While Wall Street Panicked, These 3 Hidden Small-Caps Exploded Last Week — One Surging A Jaw-Dropping 60%

Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> many investors' favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here's a look at some of our top stories.
U.S. stock markets declined this week amid escalating trade tensions and inflation concerns. The S&amp;P 500 fell 2%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.7%, and the Nasdaq Composite decreased by 2.7%, marking one of the worst weeks in recent years.
President Donald Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on imported automobiles and parts contributed to market volatility. Automotive stocks were notably impacted; General Motors (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) tumbled over 7%, and Ford (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) slid 3.9%. Conversely, electric vehicle manufacturers like Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) edged up 0.4%, as their U.S.-based production is less affected by the tariffs.
Beyond the auto sector, economic indicators added to investor unease. The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, the core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, rose 0.4% in February, bringing the annual rate to 2.8%, above the Fed's 2% target. Additionally, consumer spending data fell short of expectations, exacerbating fears of economic slowdown amid President Trump's tariff policies.
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week's most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.

The Bulls
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/03/44512999/chevron-hits-52-week-high-warren-buffetts-5th-largest-holding-is-on-fire-but-should-you-buy">"Chevron Hits 52-Week High: Warren Buffett's 5th Largest Holding Is On Fire — But Should You Buy?"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, reports that Chevron Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>) hit a 52-week high as rising oil prices and Warren Buffett's ongoing support strengthened investor confidence.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44515782/microsoft-halts-expansion-plans-yet-analysts-still-rank-it-among-top-investment-picks">"Microsoft Halts Expansion Plans, Yet Analysts Still Rank It Among Top Investment Picks"</a>, by Anusuya Lahiri, explains why analysts remain bullish on Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) despite the tech giant pausing major data center expansions amid concerns of AI overcapacity.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/upgrades/25/03/44477982/carvana-analyst-says-its-time-to-buy-the-potential-amazon-of-auto-retail">"Carvana Analyst Says It's Time To Buy The Potential ‘Amazon Of Auto Retail'"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas upgraded Carvana Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVNA#NYSE">CVNA</a>) from Equal-Weight to Overweight, raising the price target from $260 to $280, citing the company's potential to dominate auto retail akin to Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>).
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/03/44504468/concentrix-shares-pop-on-strong-q1-results-raised-revenue-guidance">Concentrix Shares Pop On Strong Q1 Results, Raised Revenue Guidance</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/03/44517249/stock-of-the-day-will-the-move-higher-in-sysco-continue">Stock Of The Day – Will The Move Higher In Sysco Continue?</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/03/44460563/tesla-jumps-10-on-china-fsd-optimism-tariff-easing-hopes">Tesla Jumps 10% On China FSD Optimism, Tariff Easing Hopes</a>

The Bears
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/03/44500068/novo-nordisk-stock-sinks-to-52-week-lows-weight-loss-boom-losing-steam">"Novo Nordisk Stock Sinks To 52-Week Lows: Weight Loss Boom Losing Steam?"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, reports that Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) shares have plunged 44% year-over-year, hitting a 52-week low amid investor concerns over competition from Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) and the company's recent $2 billion acquisition of rights to a Chinese obesity drug.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/03/44513787/nike-stock-hits-52-week-lows-is-the-sneaker-king-losing-its-step">"Nike Stock Hits 52-Week Lows: Is The Sneaker King Losing Its Step?"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, shows Nike Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) tumbling to a 52-week low as slowing sales in China and rising competition challenge the global sneaker giant's dominance.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44475805/homebuilders-kb-home-lennar-cut-prices-as-homebuyer-demand-has-slowed-materially">"Homebuilders KB Home, Lennar Cut Prices As Homebuyer Demand Has Slowed Materially"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that KB Home (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KBH#NYSE">KBH</a>) and Lennar Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LEN#NYSE">LEN</a>) are reducing home prices and offering incentives as elevated mortgage rates have significantly dampened buyer demand.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44517020/ev-maker-mullen-automotive-to-further-cut-costs-and-slash-workforce">EV Maker Mullen Automotive To Further Cut Costs And Slash Workforce: Details</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44465410/snow-white-disappoints-at-box-office-will-remake-hurt-disneys-marvel-magic-in-2025">‘Snow White' Disappoints At Box Office: Will Remake Hurt Disney's Marvel Magic In 2025?</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/offerings/25/03/44511664/why-is-teslas-chinese-rival-nio-stock-diving-today">Why Is Tesla's Chinese Rival NIO Stock Diving Today? (UPDATED)</a>

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

AMZN

CVNA

MSFT

TSLA

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Chevron, Microsoft, Nike — And Tariffs Have Automotive Sector Reeling

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bankruptcy Block</h2>
<ul>
<li>Plenty, a vertical farming company backed by billionaire Jeff Bezos, is <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/bezos-backed-vertical-farming-startup-plenty-files-for-bankruptcy-9049c694">wilting</a> in bankruptcy. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Bay Area startup joins the ranks of Bowery, AeroFarms and AppHarvest in the vertical farming graveyard. SoftBank was expected to take charge of Plenty's future, but instead, it's just tossed a $20.7 million DIP financing lifeline to <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44225948/larry-ellison-poured-500-million-into-high-tech-farming-and-its-struggling-to-take-root">keep the crops alive</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>According to the <a href="https://www.nrn.com/casual-dining/bar-louie-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-protection">Nation's Restaurant News</a>, Bar Louie filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday. The Texas-based chain operates 48 locations in the U.S. and has assets between $1 million and $10 million. Its liabilities are somewhere between $50 million and $100 million. The chain blamed rising food and labor costs as the chief reasons behind the financial issues. Bar Louie says it will restructure to reduce debt while keeping some restaurants open. Bar Louie is just the latest restaurant chain to go bankrupt. TGI Friday's, Red Lobster, Red Robin and On the Border are all burnt.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Hooters, which is on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/asset-sales/25/02/43897289/deal-dispatch-hooters-plans-restructuring-prada-in-talks-to-acquire-versace">verge</a> of bankruptcy, is trying to polish up its gimmick. The brand is parting ways with the decisions made by its private equity backers. Recall in 2021 when Hooters of America made waitresses wear underwear-like uniforms and participate in so-called &#8220;bikini&#8221; nights. "That's depressing to us,&#8221; Neil Kiefer, chief executive officer of HMC Hospitality Group, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-03-27/hooters-bankruptcy-founders-to-welcome-families-end-bikini-nights?sref=TBDibEcD">told</a> Bloomberg. &#8220;We want to change that."</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New On The Block</h2>
<ul>
<li>AT&amp;T (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/T#NYSE">T</a>) is pursuing Lumen Technologies&#8216; (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUMN#NYSE">LUMN</a>) consumer fiber business. According <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-25/at-t-said-in-talks-to-buy-lumen-s-consumer-fiber-unit?sref=TBDibEcD">to</a> Bloomberg, the price tag exceeds $5.5 billion. The talks come about two months after AT&amp;T completed a sale-leaseback deal for 74 of its properties, <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/asset-sales/25/01/43197188/att-nets-850-million-in-sale-leaseback-deal-as-part-of-copper-network-exit">generating $850 million in cash</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Searchlight Capital Partners <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-24/f-35-pilot-outfitter-survitec-weighs-unit-sale-in-defense-boom?sref=TBDibEcD">hired</a> investment bank Houlihan Lokey Inc. to run an auction for Survitec&#8216;s aerospace and defense business. The buyout firm unit acquired Survitec in 2019. The sale process is indicative of the heightened demand for defense assets. <a href="https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/industrial-products/library/aerospace-defense-deals-outlook.html">Per</a> PwC, there's been a &#8220;marked increase in portfolio reshaping&#8221; as aerospace and defense companies focus on core assets.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BX#NYSE">BX</a>) is <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-27/blackstone-backed-compliance-tech-firm-isn-mulls-6-billion-sale?srnd=phx-deals&amp;sref=TBDibEcD">reportedly</a> shopping around its ISN Software segment. The Dallas-based compliance software firm is said to be valued at over $6 billion. A bank hasn&#8217;t been hired yet, according to Bloomberg, but buyers are showing interest.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Private equity firm I Squared Capital is seeking to divest Irish power producer, Energia Group, which is valued at approximately 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion). Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-27/i-squared-said-to-start-2-billion-sale-of-utility-firm-energia?srnd=phx-deals&amp;sref=TBDibEcD">reports</a> that the sale could attract interest from other energy firms looking to expand in the European market.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) is planning to sell its 50.1% stake in Cuxhaven, Germany-based PNE. With a market cap exceeding 1 billion euros, PNE specializes in developing wind and solar energy projects. Reuters reports that the sale of this stake could bolster the firm&#8217;s focus on other renewable energy ventures across Europe.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Updates From The Block</h2>
<ul>
<li>Cintas (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTAS#NASDAQ">CTAS</a>) is no longer buying work uniform provider UniFirst (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNF#NYSE">UNF</a>). The proposed deal would have offered $275 per share in cash, a 46% premium over UniFirst's 90-day average closing price as of Jan. 6. Despite weeks of talking and little agreement, the parties have decided to call it quits. On the bright side, Cintas <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/03/44516589/cintas-analysts-boost-their-forecasts-after-upbeat-earnings">reported upbeat earnings</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>William Blair is advising CentralReach LLC, a portfolio company of Insight Partners, on its pending acquisition by Roper Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROP#NASDAQ">ROP</a>) for $1.85 billion. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>India wants to secure a stake in Chilean mining leader SQM's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SQM#NYSE">SQM</a>) projects in Australia. This deal would give India, a lithium importer, access to critical battery minerals to cater to its growing market. The Indian consortium, led by Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), is pursuing stakes in SQM's Mount Holland and Andover lithium projects in Western Australia. Per initial estimates, a 20% stake in these projects would be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44533351/india-targets-sqms-australian-lithium-to-diversify-its-imports">worth around $600 million</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Off The Block</h2>
<ul>
<li>Napster, the OG of digital music, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/napster-music-pioneer-service-sold-7c2541f805d8debf0433171696c54518">sold</a> for $207 million to tech startup Infinite Reality. The move signals Napster's evolution from its nostalgic roots into the world of AI and all things immersive. Napster CEO Jon Vlassopulos, who used to be Roblox's global head of music, is staying at the helm—though now he's also taking on a global role at iR. This acquisition comes hot on the heels of iR's massive $3 billion funding round, pushing the company's valuation to a cool $12.25 billion. Infinite Reality&#8217;s backers include Steve Aoki, Imagine Dragons, Rudy Gobert, and Taylor Fritz.</li>
</ul>
For last week&#8217;s edition of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/asset-sales/25/03/44443094/deal-dispatch-sandals-for-sale-chisholms-celtic-pride-matrix-producer-faces-bankrupt-reality">Deal Dispatch, click here</a>.
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</ul>

CTAS

LUMN

Deal Dispatch: Bezos-Backed Crop Company Wilts, Tech Startup Nabs Napster For $207 Million

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LXRX#NASDAQ">LXRX</a>) stock is trading higher on Friday.
Penny stock Lexicon Pharmaceuticals entered into an exclusive license agreement with Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) on Friday for LX9851, a first-in-class, oral non-incretin development candidate in obesity and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" rel="noreferrer noopener">associated metabolic disorders</a>.
Under the terms of the agreement, Novo Nordisk obtains an exclusive, worldwide license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize LX9851 in all indications.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44077892/lexicon-pharmaceuticals-lxrx-stock-is-down-whats-going-on" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lexicon Pharmaceuticals (LXRX) Stock Is Down: What&#8217;s Going On?</a>
Lexicon will be responsible for completing the agreed-upon Investigational New Drug (IND) application-enabling activities for LX9851.
Novo Nordisk will file the IND and all further development, manufacturing, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/g44533398/lexicon-pharmaceuticals-announces-exclusive-license-agreement-with-novo-nordisk-for-lx9851" rel="noreferrer noopener">commercialization of LX9851</a>.
Lexicon is eligible to receive upfront and near-term milestone payments of up to $75 million. In total, Lexicon will be eligible to receive $1 billion in upfront and potential development, regulatory and sales milestone payments. Lexicon is also entitled to tiered royalties on net sales of LX9851.
LX9851, discovered and developed by Lexicon, is a potent and selective oral small molecule inhibitor of Acyl-CoA Synthetase 5 (ACSL5)​.
ACSL5 plays a key role in the metabolic pathway, which regulates fat accumulation and energy balance.
Additionally, LX9851 may activate the ileal brake mechanism leading to increased satiety by delaying gastric emptying and suppressing appetite. Preclinical in vivo efficacy data presented at <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=OnqucjvUItjNyIg8Mt_EdS5E-HsBhpGCKna9AsgPMqz_3pXJBPSIDGMamdOk_9q0umGChZhm4tPcFJu2ihpA4sIxTNjAtT_aPDbbLe6FYHr-irCJNKUHmfOvId9qNdtIqFsqcc1AipR6qQqC_Mp7Y_eIYeJ-37LfxZC6JtS4lUTTW9qTCSPmdNXIVCrDkHED1yDRb3KggXMmyG6JL9t8Hi6-cRmOkiJGAcK0zGbUi-g=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Obesity Week 2024</a> show that LX9851, when combined with Novo Nordisk&#8217;s semaglutide, significantly reduced weight, food intake and fat mass compared to semaglutide alone.
Separately, LX9851 mitigated weight regain and had positive effects on liver steatosis when introduced after semaglutide discontinuation.
Price Action: LXRX stock is up 97.4% at $0.69 during the premarket session at the last check Friday.
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</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Contracts

Trading Ideas

Penny Stock Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Surges On Obesity Pact Worth $1 Billion With Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) has been on a tear in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss-drug">weight loss drug</a> race, but its stock is slimming down for all the wrong reasons.
Shares have plunged 44.14% over the past year, 17.4% year-to-date, and 19.27% in the last month.
The Novo Nordisk stock fell to a fresh 52-week low of $72.15 — a far cry from its peak of $148.15.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NVO Stock Chart: A Bearish Picture</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="631" height="489" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/26121310/Screenshot-2025-03-26-at-9.42.58-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-843028" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/26121310/Screenshot-2025-03-26-at-9.42.58-PM.png 631w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/26121310/Screenshot-2025-03-26-at-9.42.58-PM-300x232.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 631px) 100vw, 631px" /></a></figure>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>
The stock is firmly in bearish territory, trading below its eight, 20, and 50-day exponential moving averages. It&#8217;s a sign that selling pressure isn't letting up. 
The eight-day simple moving average (SMA) of $77.11, 20-day SMA of $81.23 and 50-day SMA of $82.94 all flash bearish signals, while the 200-day SMA of $111.72 highlights just how deep this decline has been.
Adding insult to injury, the MACD (moving average convergence/divergence) reading of a negative 3.04 and RSI (relative strength index) of 32.37 suggest further downside risk.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/news/25/03/44474102/if-you-invested-1000-in-this-stock-5-years-ago-you-would-have-this-much-today">If You Invested $1000 In This Stock 5 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A New Obesity Drug Bet: Too Little, Too Late?</h2>
While Novo Nordisk is busy betting on the future with its latest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/03/44459637/novo-nordisk-to-pay-around-2-billion-for-obesity-drug-from-china-based-biotech">$2 billion deal</a> to acquire rights to a Chinese obesity drug from United Laboratories International, investors remain unimpressed. 
The treatment, UBT251, is designed to challenge Eli Lilly &amp; Co's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) &#8216;Triple G&#8217; obesity drug, retatrutide, which has already shown promising weight loss results, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/25/healthy-returns-novo-nordisk-buys-united-laboratories-obesity-drug.html">reported</a> CNBC.
But with UBT251 still in early-stage trials, Lilly's blockbuster could hit the market first, leaving Novo Nordisk playing catch-up.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trouble Ahead?</h2>
Novo Nordisk's weight loss empire is facing pressure on multiple fronts—technical signals scream bearish, competition is heating up, and Wall Street is questioning whether the company can maintain its dominance. 
As investors digest the latest drug deal, Novo Nordisk stock bulls may need more than a new obesity treatment to revive the stock's momentum. For now, the trend remains sharply downward.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/03/44490348/exclusive-vivani-medical-subdermal-semaglutide-implant-shows-20-weight-loss-in-animal-study-with-potential-for-once-yearly-dosing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: Vivani Medical Subdermal Semaglutide Implant Shows 20% Weight Loss In Animal Study, With Potential For Once-Yearly Dosing</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Technicals

Signals

Novo Nordisk Stock Sinks To 52-Week Lows: Weight Loss Boom Losing Steam?

Vivani Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VANI#NASDAQ">VANI</a>), on Wednesday, released preclinical data for NPM-139, its subdermal semaglutide implant under development for chronic weight management in obese and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" rel="noreferrer noopener">overweight individuals</a>.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk A/S&#8217; (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) Ozempic and Wegovy, which are available for diabetes and weight loss.
In an ongoing study in healthy rats, a single administration of the semaglutide implant NPM-139 resulted in body weights nearly 20% lower than a sham implant control group throughout a 91-day treatment period.
NPM-139 treatment resulted in nearly 20% placebo-adjusted weight loss from a single administration with expected once or twice-yearly dosing.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/03/44273204/exclusive-vivani-medical-to-spin-off-cortigent-neurostimulation-business-to-create-better-focus-on-individual-entities-and-shareholder-value" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: Vivani Medical To Spin Off Cortigent Neurostimulation Business To Create Better Focus On Individual Entities And Shareholder Value</a>
Like NPM-119 and NPM-115, NPM-139 has demonstrated smooth, non-fluctuating in vivo release. The study demonstrated continuous and steady semaglutide exposure throughout the study period.
NPM-139 has previously demonstrated therapeutic semaglutide exposure levels in pharmacokinetic data over six months in healthy rats.
In-vitro chemical and physical stability measurements for durations exceeding one year indicate the potential for once-yearly administration of NPM-139.
The ongoing NPM-115 clinical study, LIBERATE-1, remains on track to produce top-line data by mid-2025.
Earlier this month,&nbsp;Vivani Medical announced the administration of its first GLP-1 (exenatide, NPM-115) implant in the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/03/44298354/exclusive-vivani-medical-announces-first-implant-in-early-stage-human-study-of-glp-1-implant-for-obesity" rel="noreferrer noopener">LIBERATE-1&nbsp;trial in Australia</a>.
Vivani&#8217;s lead program, NPM-115, utilizes a miniature, six-month, subdermal, GLP-1 (exenatide) implant under development for chronic weight management in obese or overweight individuals.
Last year, Vivani Medical released preclinical data on weight loss effects for NPM-115.
In a study in high-fat diet-induced obese mice, NPM-115 generated weight loss of approximately 20% compared to a sham implant control after a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/37361308/exclusive-vivani-medical-says-weight-lossdiabetes-implant-at-par-with-novo-nordisks-famed-injectable" rel="noreferrer noopener">28-day treatment duration</a>.
Price Action: VANI stock closed at $1.10 on Tuesday.
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</ul>

Market-Moving Exclusives

Exclusives

VANI

EXCLUSIVE: Vivani Medical Subdermal Semaglutide Implant Shows 20% Weight Loss In Animal Study, With Potential For Once-Yearly Dosing

Novo Nordisk (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 3.16% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 20.21%. Currently, Novo Nordisk has a market capitalization of $335.24 billion. 
Buying $1000 In NVO: If an investor had bought $1000 of NVO stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,662.44 today based on a price of $75.52 for NVO at the time of writing.
<h3>Novo Nordisk's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1742911211_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

If You Invested $1000 In This Stock 5 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

On Monday, The United Laboratories International Holdings Limited (TUL) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) entered into an exclusive license agreement for an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity drug</a>.
Under the license agreement, Novo Nordisk will <a target="_blank" href="https://www.novonordisk.com/content/nncorp/global/en/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=915958" rel="noreferrer noopener">obtain</a> exclusive worldwide rights (excluding Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) to develop, manufacture, and commercialize UBT251.
United Biotechnology will retain the rights for UBT251 in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44362710/uk-pharma-industry-trade-association-restores-wegovyozempic-maker-novo-nordisks-membership-after-two-years-of-suspension" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK Pharma Industry Trade Association Restores Wegovy/Ozempic Maker Novo Nordisk&#8217;s Membership After 2 Years Of Suspension</a>
United Biotechnology is eligible to receive an upfront payment of $200 million, potential milestone payments of up to $1.8 billion from Novo Nordisk, and tiered royalties on net sales outside the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
United Biotechnology recently completed a phase 1b trial in China designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of multiple subcutaneous injections of UBT251 in people with overweight or obesity.
36 patients were enrolled in three different dose groups (1mg, 1mg/3mg, 1mg/3mg/6mg).
In the highest dose group, the average weight of the people who completed the trial decreased by 15.1% from baseline. The average weight of people in the placebo group increased by 1.5%.
United Biotechnology recently initiated a phase 2 trial for UBT251 in people with overweight or obesity in China.
Earlier this month, Novo Nordisk announced headline results from the REDEFINE 2 phase 3 trial in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/03/44244966/novo-nordisks-combo-drug-cagrisema-shows-16-weight-reduction-in-second-phase-3-trial-stock-falls" rel="noreferrer noopener">global REDEFINE program</a>.
People treated with CagriSema achieved a weight loss of 15.7% after 68 weeks compared to 3.1% with placebo.
A co-primary endpoint was a weight loss of 5% or more after 68 weeks. This was achieved by 89.7% of patients on CagriSema, compared to 30.3% by placebo.
Price Action: NVO stock is down 2.54% at $74.91 at the last check Monday.
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</ul>

Novo Nordisk To Pay Around $2 Billion For Obesity Drug From China-Based Biotech

Under the license agreement, Novo Nordisk will obtain exclusive worldwide rights (excluding Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) to develop, manufacture, and commercialize UBT251.&nbsp;
United Biotechnology will retain the rights for UBT251 in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.&nbsp;
United Biotechnology is eligible to receive an upfront payment of 200 million US dollars and potential milestone payments of up to 1.8 billion dollars from Novo Nordisk, as well as tiered royalties on net sales outside of Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.&nbsp;

Novo Nordisk And TUL Subsidiary United Biotechnology Enter Exclusive License Agreement For UBT251; United Biotechnology Is Eligible To Receive Upfront Of $200M And Potential Milestone Payments Of Up To $1.8B

<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/21/zepbound-copycats-tirzepatide-compounding-online-fda-ban.html">https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/21/zepbound-copycats-tirzepatide-compounding-online-fda-ban.html</a>
<ul>
<li>Compounding pharmacies were largely supposed to stop making versions of tirzepatide this week, but it's still available on some popular websites like Amble, EllieMD, Willow and Mochi Health.</li>
<li>Pharmacies were able to make copycat versions of Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Mounjaro while the drugs were in shortage. But the FDA declared the shortage over late last year.</li>
<li>Mass compounding of Novo Nordisk's semaglutide — the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic — is supposed to stop by the end of May.</li>
</ul>
This week was supposed to mark the end of <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/24/fda-zepbound-shortage-impact-compounding-pharmacies-patients.html">compounding pharmacies</a> making copycat versions of <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/LLY/">Eli Lilly</a>'s weight-loss drug <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/04/eli-lilly-zepbound-causes-more-weight-loss-than-novo-nordisk-wegovy-trial.html">Zepbound</a> and its diabetes drug Mounjaro. Online, it doesn't look like much has changed.&nbsp;
Popular websites like Amble, EllieMD, Willow and Mochi Health are all still advertising versions of tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound. Some, like Ivim, have stopped taking new patients.
&nbsp;
Mochi Health has no plans to stop, and neither do the four pharmacies it uses to supply patients with the medications, said Mochi CEO Myra Ahmad. The company uses a network of about 500 providers to write prescriptions for weight-loss drugs, including compounded versions. It's betting that offering personalized versions of the drugs will keep the company out of the crosshairs.&nbsp;
"It can be different dosing schedules … some patients prefer to go up in dosage much more slowly," Ahmad said. "Some patients like to mix a number of other medications into their compounded formulations, depending on the side effects that they're having. Some patients have side effects with any additives and brand name formulations. Compounding really opens up the door for so much personalization."&nbsp;
Amble, EllieMD and Willow didn't respond to CNBC's request for comment.&nbsp;
Compounding is where pharmacies mix ingredients of a drug to create a specialized version for specific patients. Say someone is allergic to a dye in a branded medication or needs a liquid form and the main manufacturer only sells capsules. In that case, the patient can turn to a compounded version.
When drugs are in shortage, they can be compounded in larger quantities to help fill the gap.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Copycat versions of Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound and <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/NVO/">Novo Nordisk</a>'s Wegovy and Ozempic have been <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/21/fda-shortage-of-novo-nordisks-wegovy-and-ozempic-drugs-is-resolved.html">widely available</a> in recent years because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration listed the brand versions as being in short supply.&nbsp;
That created a booming business for pharmacies compounding the highly popular class of weight loss and diabetes medications called <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/14/healthy-returns-1-in-8-adults-have-taken-glp-1s-like-ozempic-survey.html">GLP-1s</a>.
But late last year, the FDA said all doses of Mounjaro and Zepbound were readily available and took the drug off its shortage list, spelling the end for mass compounding of the drug. After months of legal challenges, the FDA gave smaller pharmacies until early March to stop and larger pharmacies until this week before it started enforcing its rules.
The larger facilities aren't allowed to compound tirzepatide at all anymore. Smaller ones aren't supposed to make products that are essentially copies of a commercially available drug, a moniker with some wiggle room. The FDA sees essential copies as those that have a dosage within 10% of the commercially available drug or combine two or more commercially available drugs.
Mochi insists all of its prescriptions are personalized, including doses that differ from the standard Zepbound strengths. Other websites like EllieMD are advertising tirzepatide mixed with vitamin B12.&nbsp;
Scott Brunner, CEO of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding, said formulations or dosage strengths that aren't commercially available aren't considered a copy. However, combining two drugs into one — like adding vitamin B6 or B12 — would be considered a copy under a strict reading of FDA guidance.&nbsp;
"FDA guidance are pretty clear about what is and is not a copy," Brunner said. "And I would say any compounding pharmacy or outsourcing facility that continues to prepare copies of tirzepatide injection after today are putting themselves in a certain amount of legal risks."&nbsp;
John Herr, pharmacist and owner of Town &amp; Country Compounding Pharmacy, stopped compounding tirzepatide earlier this month. He didn't want to take the risk even though his 300 to 400 patients on it have been calling nonstop to complain about losing access.
Town &amp; Country, based in Ramsey, New Jersey, was charging patients about $200 a month — about one-fifth the list price for Zepbound and less than half the price Lilly charges self-paying patients.&nbsp;
What happens next is an open question. Enforcing the ban on mass compounding of tirzepatide mostly falls to the FDA. The agency didn't immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
Lilly can try to sue companies that continue, but it hasn't had much luck in the past. A Florida judge last year <a href="https://www.biospace.com/lilly-suffers-legal-loss-in-tirzepatide-case-against-compounding-pharmacy">dismissed</a> one of Lilly's cases, saying the company was trying to enforce a law that only the FDA can.&nbsp;
Ahmad, the CEO of Mochi, said she isn't worried about Lilly taking legal action against her providers. The way she sees it, they have established patient-physician relationships with the autonomy to decide how best to manage their patients.
The next two months will be informative. Mass compounding of <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/21/fda-shortage-of-novo-nordisks-wegovy-and-ozempic-drugs-is-resolved.html">semaglutide</a> — the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy — needs to stop by the end of May, according to the FDA.
<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/HIMS/">Hims &amp; Hers Health</a> has already <a href="https://x.com/AndrewDudum/status/1896339552127824255">said</a> it will stop selling commercially available doses of semaglutide when the time comes. Customers who have a personalized dosing regimen will be able to continue without any change, the company added.&nbsp;

'Zepbound Copycats Remain Online Despite FDA Ban' - CNBC

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/eli-lilly-launches-weight-loss-drug-mounjaro-india-after-drug-regulator-approval-2025-03-20/#:~:text=HYDERABAD%2C%20March%2020%20(Reuters),rates%20of%20obesity%20and%20diabetes.

Global

Reported Earlier: "Eli Lilly Launches Weight-Loss Drug Mounjaro In India At $50 For 5mg Vial, Beating Novo Nordisk" - Reuters News

On Monday, Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) returned to full membership of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) following extensive audits of the Wegovy maker's compliance procedures and governance by the Prescription Medicines Code <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" rel="noreferrer noopener">of Practice Authority (PMCPA)</a>.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry is the trade association for over 120 companies in the U.K.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/03/44244966/novo-nordisks-combo-drug-cagrisema-shows-16-weight-reduction-in-second-phase-3-trial-stock-falls" rel="noreferrer noopener">Novo Nordisk's Combo Drug CagriSema Shows 16% Weight Reduction In Second Phase 3 Trial</a>
In March 2023, the ABPI Board decided to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.abpi.org.uk/media/news/2023/march/novo-nordisk-is-suspended-from-abpi-membership/" rel="noreferrer noopener">suspend</a> Novo Nordisk from membership of the ABPI for two years following a complaint related to a LinkedIn post that did not make clear Novo Nordisk's involvement nor state whether it was a promotional or non-promotional meeting for its obesity drugs.
Given that the course was for a therapy area, Novo Nordisk was involved in and ended up giving a Patient Group Direction (PGD) to ensure that even non-prescribers could indirectly prescribe its product. This appeared to be promotional.
The complaint alleged that the PGD given was part of what Novo Nordisk offered individual health professionals. This had value and was given to individuals for their benefit to run private clinics, which was bribing health professionals with an inducement to prescribe.
"Over the past two years, Novo Nordisk has responded positively and actively to the requirements laid down by the ABPI Board, and I am pleased to welcome them back into full engagement as ABPI members," <a target="_blank" href="https://www.abpi.org.uk/media/news/2025/march/novo-nordisk-abpi-membership-restored/" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> Richard Torbett, CEO of the ABPI, on Monday.
In March, Novo Nordisk&nbsp;introduced&nbsp;NovoCare Pharmacy, a direct-to-patient delivery service to improve access to Wegovy (semaglutide) for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44143391/novo-nordisk-boosts-wegovy-access-with-lower-pricing-and-home-delivery" rel="noreferrer noopener">cash-paying patients</a>.
The program offers all dosage strengths of the weight-loss medication at a reduced price of $499 per month for uninsured individuals or those whose insurance does not&nbsp;cover obesity treatments.
Price Action: NVO stock is up 4.23% at $80.41 at the last check on Monday.
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Photo by KK Stock via Shutterstock

UK Pharma Industry Trade Association Restores Wegovy/Ozempic Maker Novo Nordisk's Membership After 2 Years Of Suspension

On Friday, CVS Health&nbsp;Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) released data from the CVS Weight Management&nbsp;program, in which participants achieved more than 15% weight loss on average. This included existing anti-obesity medication users who succeeded in nearly doubling their pre-program weight loss while working with program clinicians <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" rel="noreferrer noopener">on diet and lifestyle</a>.
Results are derived from a population of 265,000 members from 2023-2024.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/02/43709040/cvs-health-gains-momentum-after-q4-performance-analyst-upgrades-stock" rel="noreferrer noopener">CVS Health Gains Momentum After Q4 Performance, Analyst Upgrades Stock</a>
The initial results demonstrate improved weight loss and high program satisfaction for CVS Caremark clients&#8217; plan members trying a lifestyle-first approach, as well as additional clinical effectiveness and cost savings for members receiving clinical support while taking weight management <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/n44324587/cvs-weight-management-program-improves-health-outcomes-while-also-lowering-costs" rel="noreferrer noopener">medications like GLP-1s</a>.
GLP-1 products from Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) and Eli Lilli And Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) have gained substantial traction. The CVS Weight Management program provides one-on-one support from a dedicated registered dietitian in a virtual setting, including personalized nutrition planning.
The program can integrate into a member&#8217;s existing pharmacy benefit with plan sponsors&#8217; direction.
CVS Caremark clients who adopted the CVS Weight Management program spent up to 26% less on&nbsp;GLP-1&nbsp;medications for weight loss than clients who did not adopt the program.
The program also has a lasting impact, with 92% of participating plan members expressing satisfaction after six months.
As of&nbsp;February 1, 2025, the CVS Weight Management program is now available to over 3.5 million CVS Caremark plan members.
Despite FDA prescription drug labeling recommendations to take&nbsp;GLP-1&#8217;s in combination with diet and physical activity, 70% of members were using a weight management drug without any lifestyle or nutrition support before enrolling in the CVS Weight Management program.
<ul>
<li>Before program enrollment, nearly 30% of members had lost less than 1% of their body weight on anti-obesity medication. These same members lost, on average, 11.7% of body weight after enrollment.</li>
<li>The program accelerated weight loss and delivered an average of 20% weight loss for those with moderate success before enrollment.</li>
<li>Members who chose to discontinue anti-obesity medication and retain lifestyle support maintained 94% of their weight loss after 6 months.</li>
</ul>
Price Action: CVS stock is up 1.33% at $66.64&nbsp;at the last check Friday.
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Photo via Shutterstock

CVS Weight Management Program Yields 15% Average Weight Loss, 26% Cost Saving Among Participants

Altimmune Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALT#NASDAQ">ALT</a>) hosted a virtual R&amp;D day on Thursday, marking the first disclosure of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Alcohol Liver Disease (ALD) as potential developments <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" rel="noreferrer noopener">for pemvidutide</a>.
Phase 2 trials for pemvidutide in AUD and ALD are expected to start in the second and third quarters of 2025, respectively.
Altimmune <a href="https://investorday.altimmune.com/presentation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anticipates</a> pemvidutide will reduce alcohol cravings, improve liver health and promote weight loss.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41296978/novo-nordisk-eli-lilly-could-face-downward-pressure-despite-market-dominance-from-p" rel="noreferrer noopener">Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly Could Face Downward Pressure Despite Market Dominance From Potentially 16 New Obesity Drugs: See The Names</a>
<ul>
<li>The primary <a href="https://investorday.altimmune.com/static-files/95c517e2-36ee-4427-9278-2d87cc4c1460" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endpoint</a> for the Phase 2 ALD study will be a change in liver stiffness measurement at 24 weeks, with other key endpoints of weight loss and change in alcohol consumption, with an additional <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39456224/altimmune-stock-is-rising-monday-whats-driving-the-action" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reading at 48 weeks</a>.</li>
<li>The primary endpoint of the Phase 2 AUD study will be the change in the number of heavy drinking days at 24 weeks and the change in biomarkers of alcohol consumption and weight loss as secondary endpoints.</li>
</ul>
William Blair writes, &#8220;In our view, AUD and ALD are logical extensions for evaluation of pemvidutide&#8217;s efficacy, given its mechanisms of action.&#8221;
Altimmune shared the MOMENTUM Phase 2 trial data summary during the presentation, showing that over 30% of subjects lost ≥ 20% of body weight on pemvidutide 2.4 mg dose.
<ul>
<li>The lean mass ratio of lean body mass weight loss to total weight loss was 21.9% for pemvidutide in the Phase 2 MOMENTUM study, compared to 39.9% for semaglutide (based on Phase 3 STEP-1 trial data), 37.7% for retatrutide (from the Phase 2 study), and 26% for tirzepatide in the Phase 3 SURMOUNT 1 trial.</li>
</ul>
Novo Nordisk A/S&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) semaglutide is available as Wegovy and Ozempic and Eli Lilly And Co.&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) is available as Zepbound and Mounjaro.
The company says Phase 2b IMPACT trial results of pemvidutide for MASH are expected in the second quarter, and if successful, pemvidutide would become:
<ul>
<li>The first incretin-based agent to achieve statistical significance on fibrosis improvement at 24 weeks.</li>
<li>The first therapeutic candidate in any class to achieve statistically significant fibrosis improvement and meaningful weight loss at 24 weeks.</li>
<li>Altimmune expects to start registrational Phase 3 study in MASH in the first half of 2026</li>
</ul>
The presentation highlighted that at 24 weeks in the Phase 1b trial in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), pemvidutide demonstrated a 76.4% relative reduction in liver fat at the highest 2.4 mg dose (compared to 14% for placebo).
ALT Price Action: ALT stock is up 4.71% at $5.45 at publication Friday.
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Photo: Shutterstock

Altimmune Expands Weight-Loss Drug Pemvidutide's Potential To Alcohol-Related Disorders

On Thursday, Vivani Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VANI#NASDAQ">VANI</a>) announced the administration of its first GLP-1 (exenatide, NPM-115) implant in the LIBERATE-1 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" rel="noreferrer noopener">trial in Australia</a>.
Vivani's lead program, NPM-115, utilizes a miniature, six-month, subdermal, GLP-1 (exenatide) implant under development for chronic weight management in obese or overweight individuals.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/03/44273204/exclusive-vivani-medical-to-spin-off-cortigent-neurostimulation-business-to-create-better-focus-on-individual-entities-and-shareholder-value" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: Vivani Medical To Spin Off Cortigent Neurostimulation Business To Create Better Focus On Individual Entities And Shareholder Value</a>
The company also announced full enrollment in the LIBERATE-1 study, which was achieved four weeks after the first subject enrolled, and reaffirmed that top-line results should be available in mid-2025.
In December, Vivani Medical initiated screening and enrollment at two centers in Australia for the first-in-<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/12/42576062/exclusive-vivani-medical-initiates-first-human-clinical-trial-with-glp-1-implant-for-weight-loss-in-australia" rel="noreferrer noopener">human LIBERATE-1 trial</a>.
The LIBERATE-1 study is exploring the full pharmacokinetic profile of NPM-115, which has demonstrated consistently smooth and minimally fluctuating drug release in vitro and in animal models.
LIBERATE-1 is a Phase 1, first-in-human study of a miniature, ultra-long-acting GLP-1 (exenatide) implant to investigate the safety, tolerability, and full pharmacokinetic profile in obese or overweight subjects.
The trial will enroll participants who are intended to be titrated on weekly semaglutide injections for 8 weeks (0.25 mg/week for 4 weeks followed by 0.5 mg/week for 4 weeks) before being randomized to receive a single administration of Vivani's exenatide implant (NPM-115, n=8), weekly exenatide injections (Bydureon BCise, n=8), or weekly 1 mg semaglutide injections (Wegovy, n=8) for 9-week treatment duration.
Vivani also expects these results to support the potential application of a GLP-1 (exenatide) implant for type 2 diabetes and other diseases for which GLP-1 treatment has demonstrated or will demonstrate clinical benefit.
AstraZeneca Plc's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>) Bydureon BCise (exenatide 2 mg prolonged-release suspension for injection) is indicated for type-2 diabetes.
Novo Nordisk A/S' (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) semaglutide is approved as Ozempic and Wegovy for diabetes and weight loss, respectively.
Price Action: VANI stock is down 2.74% at $1.01 during the premarket session at the last check Thursday.
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EXCLUSIVE: Vivani Medical Announces First Implant In Early-Stage Human Study Of GLP-1 Implant For Obesity

Press Releases

NVO Deadline: NVO Investors Have Opportunity to Lead Novo Nordisk A/S Securities Fraud Lawsuit

Legal

SHAREHOLDER ACTION REMINDER: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of Investors of Novo Nordisk

NVO FINAL DEADLINE: ROSEN, NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS, Encourages Novo Nordisk A/S Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important March 25 Deadline in Securities Class Action – NVO

NVO INVESTOR ALERT: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC Announces that Novo Nordisk A/S Investors with Substantial Losses Have Opportunity to Lead Class Action Lawsuit

The Gross Law Firm Notifies Shareholders of Novo Nordisk A/S(NVO) of a Class Action Lawsuit and an Upcoming Deadline

Novo Nordisk expands Wegovy® $499-per-month offering to additional cash-paying patients via the Wegovy® savings offer

ONGOING DEADLINE ALERT: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of Investors of Novo Nordisk

NVO DEADLINE ALERT: Novo Nordisk (NVO) Investors with Losses Encouraged to Contact Hagens Berman Before Mar. 25th Deadline in Securities Class Action

Novo Nordisk A/S Sued for Securities Law Violations – Investors Should Contact Levi & Korsinsky Before March 25, 2025 to Discuss Your Rights – NVO

Novo Nordisk A/S Investors: Please contact the Portnoy Law Firm to recover your losses; March 25, 2025 Deadline to file Lead Plaintiff Motion

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Date	Put/Call	Strike Price	Exp Date	DTE	Trade Vol	Day Vol	Vol / OI	OI	Trade Type	Sentiment
02:29 PMMar 24, 2025	PUT	$75.00	Jun 20, 2025	77	1455	1350	31	4725	TRADE	BULLISH
03:16 PMMar 21, 2025	PUT	$70.00	Jan 16, 2026	287	1	1800	0	1380	TRADE	NEUTRAL