Dernières nouvelles pour SmartFinancial (NYSE:SMBK) Stock

SmartFinancial

SmartFinancial Inc operates as a bank holding company for SmartBank. It offers various banking and financial services to individuals and corporate customers. The principal business of the Bank consists of attracting deposits from the general public and investing those funds, together with funds generated from operations and from principal and interest payments on loans, mainly in commercial loans, commercial and residential real estate loans, consumer loans, and residential and commercial construction loans. The primary source of revenue is interest income from earning assets, namely loans and securities.

SmartFinancial Inc

Joby Aviation Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JOBY#NYSE">JOBY</a>) is soaring to new heights—literally and figuratively. The stock is making new 52-week highs on Monday, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/JOBY/news">fueled by news</a> of half a billion-dollar investment from Toyota Motor Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TM#NYSE">TM</a>). 
Joby stock was up by over 10% by 10:30 AM ET on Monday.
Joby's meteoric rise — a staggering 54.75% gain in the past month and 42.34% over the last five days (both rising) — signals a market awakening to the future of air mobility.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Toyota's Half-Billion Dollar Lift</h2>
Toyota&#8217;s <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/toyota-pouring-half-billion-dollars-110001029.html">recent</a> $500 million investment into the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology company has electrified the buzz around Joby. The funding is earmarked to help Joby secure crucial flight certifications and ramp up commercial production of its futuristic air taxis. This isn't Toyota's first rodeo with Joby — their partnership dates back to 2019, with nearly $900 million in total investments so far, making Toyota a cornerstone of Joby's success.
"Today's investment builds on nearly seven years of collaboration between our companies," said Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt. Toyota's support extends beyond cash, with the auto giant contributing expertise in manufacturing and process planning. 
Together, they're chasing a shared vision of sustainable, urban air mobility.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42071065/analyst-says-faa-support-uber-partnership-push-joby-aviation-toward-air-taxi-leadership">Joby Aviation Positioned For Air Taxi Leadership, Thanks To FAA Backing And Uber Partnership: Analyst</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From Helicopters To Hovercrafts</h2>
Joby's eVTOL aircraft, powered by six electric motors, is the eco-friendly answer to traditional helicopters. With zero emissions during operation and speeds of up to 200 mph, Joby's air taxi is designed to hold one pilot and four passengers. Compared to the carbon-heavy Airbus AS350 helicopter, which spews out 950 pounds of CO2 per hour, Joby's eVTOL slashes emissions by 52%, even when charged with non-renewable energy.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Joby Stock Investors Strap In</h2>
Joby's recent rally has pushed the stock price well above its short- and long-term moving averages, solidifying a bullish trend:
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent112524&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="628" height="490" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25104256/Screenshot-2024-11-25-at-9.12.40-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-663649" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25104256/Screenshot-2024-11-25-at-9.12.40-PM.png 628w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25104256/Screenshot-2024-11-25-at-9.12.40-PM-300x234.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 628px) 100vw, 628px" /></a></figure>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent112524&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>
<ul>
<li>Eight-day SMA (simple moving average): $6.43</li>
<li>20-day SMA: $5.76</li>
<li>50-day SMA: $5.59</li>
<li>200-day SMA: $5.36</li>
</ul>
With Joby stock at $7.80, every metric screams &#8216;bullish&#8217;. The MACD (moving average convergence/divergence) indicator of 0.42 adds to the technical enthusiasm. 
Traders may want to watch for any signs of reversal as the RSI (relative strength index) in the overbought territory at 74.03, spelling caution.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What's Next For Joby Stock?</h2>
Beyond the stock chart excitement, Joby is making real-world strides. The company has <a href="https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/joby-aviation-stock-soars-to-52week-high-of-77-amid-growth-optimism-93CH-3739979">completed</a> production of its third aircraft and broken ground on a new California facility, set to double manufacturing capacity. 
Earlier this year, Joby even showcased its air taxi in New York City, capturing imaginations and headlines alike.
Needham analysts recently initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a price target of $8, citing Joby's first-mover advantage in the emerging air taxi industry. Regulatory winds are also blowing in Joby's favor, with anticipated green lights from the FAA that could unlock a $3 billion market opportunity.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">High Hopes, Higher Stakes</h2>
With Toyota's backing, innovative tech, and a bullish stock trajectory, Joby is positioned as a frontrunner in the race to revolutionize short-distance air travel. 
But the stakes remain sky-high—securing regulatory approvals and achieving commercial viability are monumental tasks. 
For now, though, Joby stock is flying high, and investors seem ready to go along for the ride.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41754469/air-mobility-stocks-prepare-for-takeoff-will-joby-archer-blade-soar-above-certifica">Air Mobility Stocks Prepare For Takeoff: Will Joby, Archer, Blade Soar Above Certification, Cash Challenges?</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Joby Aviation

Technicals

Movers

Trading Ideas

JOBY

Joby Gets Toyota's $500M Dollar Lift: eVTOL Pioneer Making New Highs

A new report has revealed a startling trend in the cryptocurrency market: 76% of influencers on X (formerly Twitter( promoting meme coins are endorsing tokens that eventually lose <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/02/37184038/crypto-trader-sinks-88-900-on-drake-affiliated-wynn-i-will-never-forgive-you-for-making-me">nearly all their value</a>.
What Happened: The <a href="https://coinwire.com/76-percent-twitter-influencers-promote-dead-memecoins-study/">study</a>, by CoinWire, analyzed 1,567 meme coins promoted by 377 influencers, uncovering that two out of three tokens they promoted are now classified as "dead."
The report's findings are particularly concerning for retail investors drawn to the hype surrounding popular meme coins like Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) and Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>). 
While established tokens such as DOGE and SHIB have maintained significant market presence and liquidity, many of the promoted meme coins fail to replicate this success. 
Instead, they follow a pattern of rapid value decline, with 86% losing 90% of their value within three months of promotion.
Even the allure of potential 10x returns—often the centerpiece of influencer hype—proved elusive, with only 3% of promoted tokens achieving such gains. 
Larger influencers, those with over 200,000 followers, fared worse, delivering 89% negative returns on promoted tokens within three months, compared to smaller influencers who sometimes achieved positive results.
"Influencers benefit financially from these promotions, with average earnings of $399 per tweet," the report states. "However, the data shows that these endorsements frequently lead to significant losses for their followers."
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42166673/drug-cartels-use-tether-and-bitcoin-to-launder-millions-court-documents-reveal">Drug Cartels Use Tether And Bitcoin To Launder Millions, Court Documents Reveal</a>
Why It Matters: Speaking with Benzinga, Eric Chen, CEO and co-founder of Injective Labs said that influencers in crypto represent a broad spectrum of individuals and strategies. 
While some may chase momentum by promoting volatile or speculative tokens, others focus on more nuanced, qualitative insights, Chen said. 
He cautioned against oversimplifying the role of influencers, noting that token performance depends on a variety of factors, including market sentiment, retail investor activity, and decisions by larger players like whales.
"While there are undoubtedly some bad actors in the space, it's unfair to generalize the actions of a few as representative of the entire group. Market direction is driven by a wide array of participants, not just influencers," Chen added.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42165734/bitcoin-etfs-registered-record-312-billion-net-inflows-last-week">Bitcoin ETFs Registered Record $3.12 Billion Net Inflows Last Week</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

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

Cryptocurrency

News

$DOGE

$SHIB

Don't Get Fooled By The Success Of Dogecoin, Shiba Inu: 76% Of X (Twitter) Influencers Promote Dead Meme Coins, Study Reveals

B. Riley Securities analyst Hal Goetsch maintains Priority Tech Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PRTH#NASDAQ">PRTH</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $13 to $16.

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

PRTH

B. Riley Securities Maintains Buy on Priority Tech Holdings, Raises Price Target to $16

A <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.benzinga.com/topic/dea-cannabis&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi-55vk7veJAxX8IbkGHctZFHAQFnoECBkQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw2exrY_OTgOJ9N-asMwoMUl">DEA</a> administrative law judge has denied MedPharm's motion to participate in the December 2 marijuana rescheduling hearing, deferring to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram's authority. 
MedPharm, a DEA-registered research firm, criticized the exclusion of marijuana researchers and the inclusion of prohibitionist organizations, calling the process biased.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">MedPharm&#8217;s Motion And Criticism</h3>
MedPharm filed a motion to intervene after being excluded from the witness list, arguing the fact that no DEA-licensed marijuana researchers were included.
"The deck appears to be stacked against those in favor" of rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), MedPharm noted.
It also alleged that the witness list, which included the anti-cannabis prohibitionist group <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/05/38733313/anti-cannabis-group-raises-money-to-scuttle-dea-rescheduling-effort">Smart Approaches to Marijuana</a> (SAM), undermines the legitimacy of the process, describing the decision as an attempt to &#8220;thwart a legitimate process,&#8221; as <a href="https://www.marijuanamoment.net/dea-judge-denies-agency-registered-drug-companys-request-to-join-marijuana-rescheduling-hearing/">reported</a> Marijuana Moment.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42144540/dea-slammed-over-unlawful-talks-with-cannabis-opponents-the-plot-thickens">DEA Slammed For Unlawful Talks With Cannabis Opponents &#8211; The Plot Thickens</a>
Get Benzinga&#8217;s exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://newsletteremail.benzinga.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. If you&#8217;re serious about the business, you can&#8217;t afford to miss out.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Judge Mulrooney's Decision</h3>
DEA Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney denied MedPharm's motion, citing statutory limits on his authority. 
"The Administrator exercised her discretion to fix the number of participants," Mulrooney said, adding that expanding the list would exceed his role under the Administrative Procedures Act.
Mulrooney acknowledged the value of wider input but noted that the DEA prioritizes participants who can demonstrate adverse impacts from the proposed policy change, which becomes apparent by viewing the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/11/41726679/village-farms-is-only-cannabis-operator-selected-to-represent-weed-industry-at-dea-rescheduling-">biased list</a>.
The exclusion of key scientific voices has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/11/41726679/village-farms-is-only-cannabis-operator-selected-to-represent-weed-industry-at-dea-rescheduling-">raised concerns</a> about the process's fairness, particularly as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the DEA&#8217;s Office of Legal Counsel support rescheduling.
The upcoming hearing will allow cross-examination of witnesses from both sides, but critics warn the imbalance could skew outcomes. Mulrooney is leading another case where the DEA is accused of engaging in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42144540/dea-slammed-over-unlawful-talks-with-cannabis-opponents-the-plot-thickens">unlawful conversations</a> with anti-cannabis groups ahead of the December 2 hearing.
<ul>
<li>Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/11/42093641/dea-is-compromised-doj-should-replace-it-in-cannabis-rescheduling-claims-joint-motion">DEA Is Compromised, DOJ Should Replace It In Cannabis Rescheduling, Claims Joint Motion</a></li>
</ul>
Cover: AI generated image

Cannabis

Government

Politics

Markets

DEA Judge Blocks Researcher's Motion In Cannabis Rescheduling Case,

<a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-justice-dept-questions-scope-realtor-groups-418-mln-settlement-2024-11-25/" title="https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-justice-dept-questions-scope-realtor-groups-418-mln-settlement-2024-11-25/">https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-justice-dept-questions-scope-realtor-groups-418-mln-settlement-2024-11-25/</a>

Legal

RMAX

'The U.S. Justice Department's Antitrust Division Warned A Federal Judge On Sunday That Part Of A Proposed $418M Settlement In A Class Action Over Home Sales Commissions Could Limit How Real Estate Brokers Compete; The Settlement With The National Association Of Realtors Would End The Practice Of Forcing Home Sellers To Pay A Commission To A Buyer's Agent In Order To List Their Homes For Sale' - Reuters

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) stock is trading higher on Monday following a report indicating that the company is close to securing a $8 billion <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42157390">grant</a>. 
What To Know: According to CNBC which <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/25/intel-close-to-8-billion-chips-act-grant-source.html">cited</a> people familiar with the matter, the CHIPS Act Office and Intel are close to finalizing an approximately $8 billion dollar grant. 
If awarded, the $8 billion is set to fund Intel's factory building efforts. The award is expected to be finalized by the CHIPS Act Office, which operates under the U.S. Commerce Department, within the next few weeks.
The New York Times, citing people with familiar with the matter, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/24/business/washington-curtails-intel-grant.html">reported</a> that the government has decided to reduce the grant from $8.5 billion to about $8 billion after the company delayed certain investments and continues to face other business struggles.
Specifically, the reduction takes into account the fact that Intel decided to delay its planned investments in chip facilities in Ohio. The company intends to complete the project by the end of the decade instead of its original 2025 target.
Furthermore, Intel has struggled to match the technological capabilities of competitors like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) and recently reported its largest quarterly loss. The government&#8217;s choice to reduce the grant also takes into account a $3 billion contract to manufacture chips for the U.S. military.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42154900/crypto-expert-who-called-2022-market-crash-warns-about-bitcoin">Crypto Expert Who Called 2022 Market Crash Warns About Bitcoin</a>
INTC Price Action: At the time of pubication, Intel stock is trading 2.84% higher at $25.20, according to data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image: Unsplash

INTC

What's Going On With Intel Shares Monday?

B. Riley Securities analyst Kalpit Patel maintains PDS Biotechnology (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDSB#NASDAQ">PDSB</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $9 to $7.

PDSB

B. Riley Securities Maintains Buy on PDS Biotechnology, Lowers Price Target to $7

Ben &amp; Jerry's and Unilever are no longer the perfect match they seemed to be 20 years ago. In 2000, Unilever bought the progressive ice cream company, hoping to bottle some of its feel-good vibes and sprinkle them across its corporate culture. For a while, it worked. Ben &amp; Jerry's became a billion-dollar brand, growing while still standing for things like same-sex marriage, climate action and even Occupy Wall Street.
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<li>‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest TODAY for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a></li>
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But times have changed. Last week, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41984983/ben-jerrys-sues-parent-company-unilever-over-alleged-gaza-protest-censorship">Ben &amp; Jerry's sued Unilever</a>, accusing the parent company of breaking an agreement by blocking its support for Palestinian rights. Ben &amp; Jerry's claims Unilever threatened to "dismantle" its independent board and sue board members if the subsidiary issued a statement calling for "peace and a permanent and immediate ceasefire" in the Middle East. This is according to a Nov. 13 complaint filed in federal court in New York. The suit also alleges Peter ter Kulve, president of Unilever's ice cream business and Jeff Eglash, Unilever's global head of litigation, warned Ben &amp; Jerry's employees of "professional reprisals" if they pushed for a ceasefire.
Unilever responded, saying its "heart goes out to all the victims of the tragic events in the Middle East." But it firmly rejected the claims made by Ben &amp; Jerry's social mission board. "We will defend our case very strongly," a spokesperson said in comments emailed to ESG Dive on Tuesday.
This rift goes back to 2021, when Ben &amp; Jerry's decided to stop selling in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, stating it was "inconsistent with our values."
Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a>
For Unilever, this is about more than just ice cream. It's about dollars and cents. Gaza and its implications for<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/07/39959838/unilever-boasts-improved-profitability-power-brands-led-gross-margin-expansion-ceo-says"> financial performance</a> are business issues for them. But Ben &amp; Jerry's sees it differently, viewing it as a moral stand. And that's where things get messy.
The clash isn't unique to these two brands. "Across corporate America, the calculus for companies has shifted wildly when it comes to speaking out and taking a stand," wrote columnist Beth Kowlitt of Bloomberg. "No topic today is apolitical, no issue uncontroversial." Supporting social or environmental causes comes with risks – boycotts, backlash and even falling profits. Brands like Bud Light, Disney and Target have learned the hard way that speaking out can cost.
Unilever used to focus heavily on brands with purpose. Vaseline helped Syrian refugees, Hellmann's fought food waste and Ben &amp; Jerry's was the crown jewel, the gold standard for doing good. But under pressure from activist investors and flagging results, Unilever started scaling back. Plastic reduction goals were cut and living wage commitments softened.
See Also: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-private-credit-fund">7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it</a>?
Meanwhile, Ben &amp; Jerry's stuck to its guns. When Unilever took over, its independent board was created to protect its social mission. That division – board for social causes, Unilever for the business – used to work. Not anymore. The line between mission and money has blurred and Unilever is learning this the hard way.
This isn't just about ice cream. It's about the end of an era. Companies once paid a premium for brands like Ben &amp; Jerry's, hoping their values would rub off. Coca-Cola bought Odwalla, PepsiCo picked up Naked Juice and Colgate snagged Tom's of Maine. But the shine of those "halo brands" has dimmed. Odwalla and Honest Tea are gone. Naked Juice was sold off.
Unilever plans to spin off or sell Ben &amp; Jerry's and its ice cream business. But will buyers see the brand's values as an asset or a liability? That's the billion-dollar question.
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<li>Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/warren-buffet-make-money-when-you-sleep"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $100.</a></li>
</ul>

Startups

Ben & Jerry's And Unilever Clash Over Gaza As Social Stances Threaten A $1 Billion Brand

In the current session, the stock is trading at $134.25, after a 6.19% increase. Over the past month, e.l.f. Beauty Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELF#NYSE">ELF</a>) stock increased by 18.17%, and in the past year, by 13.25%. With performance like this, long-term shareholders are optimistic but others are more likely to look into the price-to-earnings ratio to see if the stock might be overvalued.

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732553107_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>Evaluating e.l.f. Beauty P/E in Comparison to Its Peers</h3>
The P/E ratio is used by long-term shareholders to assess the company's market performance against aggregate market data, historical earnings, and the industry at large. A lower P/E could indicate that shareholders do not expect the stock to perform better in the future or it could mean that the company is undervalued. 
e.l.f. Beauty has a better P/E ratio of 68.34 than the aggregate P/E ratio of 44.3 of the Personal Products industry. Ideally, one might believe that e.l.f. Beauty Inc. might perform better in the future than it's industry group, but it's probable that the stock is overvalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732553107_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In conclusion, the price-to-earnings ratio is a useful metric for analyzing a company's market performance, but it has its limitations. While a lower P/E can indicate that a company is undervalued, it can also suggest that shareholders do not expect future growth. Additionally, the P/E ratio should not be used in isolation, as other factors such as industry trends and business cycles can also impact a company's stock price. Therefore, investors should use the P/E ratio in conjunction with other financial metrics and qualitative analysis to make informed investment decisions.

Intraday Update

Price Over Earnings Overview: e.l.f. Beauty

RBC Capital analyst Irene Nattel maintains Dollarama (TSX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DOL#TSX">DOL</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from C$147 to C$160.

TSX:DOL

RBC Capital Maintains Outperform on Dollarama, Raises Price Target to C$160

B. Riley Securities analyst Josh Nichols maintains Ooma (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OOMA#NYSE">OOMA</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $14.5 to $15.5.

OOMA

B. Riley Securities Maintains Buy on Ooma, Raises Price Target to $15.5

Rumors

CRNT

Watching Ceragon Networks; Traders Circulate Stock Picked In Louis G. Navellier's Newsletter

Kohl&#8217;s Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KSS#NYSE">KSS</a>) shares are trading higher by 5.6% to $17.99 Monday morning. The company is set to report third-quarter results Tuesday <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/JWN/earnings">before the market open</a>.
What Happened: Kohl's heads into its third-quarter earnings release with a focus on improving operational efficiency and navigating continued sales pressure. In the second quarter, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/08/40599429/kohls-q2-earnings-profit-beat-inventory-decline-margin-growth-and-more">net sales declined by 4.2% year-over-year</a> to $3.525 billion, with comparable sales down 5.1%. 
Despite these challenges, the company exceeded EPS expectations, reporting 59 cents versus the 44 cent consensus, supported by a 59-basis-point expansion in gross margin to 39.6%.
Operational improvements were evident as SG&amp;A expenses declined 4.2% year-over-year, contributing to a 26-basis-point increase in operating margin to 4.4%. Inventory management was a highlight, with a 9% year-over-year reduction in inventory, aligning with the company's efficiency goals.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/42156160/palantir-price-target-raised-to-75-by-dan-ives-amid-288-ytd-surge-analyst-calls-2025-a-primetime-year-for-ai">Read Also: Palantir Price Target Raised To $75 By Dan Ives Amid 288% YTD Surge</a>
For Q3, attention will likely focus on Kohl's ability to stabilize sales amidst macroeconomic headwinds and discretionary spending pressures, which impacted second-quarter performance. 
Key growth areas, including the Sephora partnership and categories like home decor and gifting, will be critical drivers. The recent partnership with Babies "R" Us may also begin contributing incremental gains.
Kohl's raised its FY24 EPS outlook to $1.75–$2.25, reflecting confidence in margin expansion, despite revised guidance for FY24 sales and comparable sales declines of 4–6% and 3–5%, respectively. Investors will look for evidence in third-quarter results that Kohl's is successfully executing its strategies to balance cost controls with growth investments.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/11/42164927/cassava-sciences-controversial-alzheimers-drug-fails-to-hit-primary-goal-in-pivotal-study-halts-late-stage-studies">Cassava Sciences Alzheimer&#8217;s Drug Fails To Hit Primary Goal In Pivotal Study, Pharma Halts Late-Stage Studies</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How To Buy KSS Stock</h2>
Besides going to a brokerage platform to purchase a share &#8211; or fractional share &#8211; of stock, you can also gain access to shares either by buying an exchange traded fund (ETF) that holds the stock itself, or by allocating yourself to a strategy in your 401(k) that would seek to acquire shares in a mutual fund or other instrument.
For example, in Kohl&#8217;s case, it is in the Consumer Discretionary sector. An ETF will likely hold shares in many liquid and large companies that help track that sector, allowing an investor to gain exposure to the trends within that segment.
According to data from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>, KSS has a 52-week high of $29.60 and a 52-week low of $16.12.

What's Going On With Kohl's (KSS) Stock?

WIIM

KODK

Eastman Kodak shares are trading higher after the company announced its income plan trust sold $764.4 million in illiquid assets to Mastercard Foundation for $550.6 million in cash.

Ethereum Classic (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/etc/usd">ETC</a>) has surged 60% to $31.17 over the past month, drawing attention in a crypto market increasingly driven by institutional interest and renewed enthusiasm for blockchain technologies. This rise aligns with a record <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42165734/bitcoin-etfs-registered-record-312-billion-net-inflows-last-week">$3.13 billion inflow</a> into digital asset investment products last week, as reported by CoinShares.
What To Know: Ethereum Classic is the original Ethereum blockchain, preserved after a contentious 2016 split following the DAO hack. While Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) adopted a new chain to reverse the effects of the hack, Ethereum Classic retained the unaltered blockchain.
ETC has carved out a niche as a decentralized smart contract platform, appealing to purists and developers who value its fixed monetary policy and proof-of-work consensus mechanism.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42161443/dogecoin-is-harder-money-than-bitcoin-says-raoul-pal-heres-what-the-numbers-say">Dogecoin Is &#8216;Harder Money&#8217; Than Bitcoin, Says Raoul Pal: Here&#8217;s What The Numbers Say</a>
Bitcoin ETFs accounted for $3.12 billion of the record inflows last week, fueling optimism across the digital asset ecosystem. Altcoins like Ethereum Classic benefited from the trickle-down effect as investors sought alternatives that offered potential for high returns.
Additionally, Ethereum Classic may be gaining traction as a proof-of-work alternative to Ethereum, which transitioned to a proof-of-stake model in 2022. ETC miners displaced by Ethereum's shift could find a home on Ethereum Classic's network, further enhancing its security and utility.
While the record inflows into Bitcoin-dominated headlines, Ethereum Classic's outsized gains highlight the growing interest in assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42163156/why-bitcoins-rally-is-stalling-below-100000">Why Bitcoin&#8217;s Rally Is Stalling Below $100,000</a>

$ETC

$ETH

Ethereum Classic Surges 60% In A Month: What's Driving the Rally?

Guggenheim analyst John Heinbockel maintains Kroger (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $61 to $63.

Guggenheim Maintains Buy on Kroger, Raises Price Target to $63

POET Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/POET#NASDAQ">POET</a>) shares are trading higher. The company on Monday announced plans to expand its capacity to meet <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/11/g42160002/poet-expands-capacity-to-meet-ai-infrastructure-demand">AI infrastructure demand</a>. 
What Happened: Poet announced plans to expand its optical engine production capacity in Malaysia. The company signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding with Quanzhou Sanan Optical Communication Technology (SAIC). Under the terms, SAIC will transfer to Poet its&nbsp;24.8%&nbsp;stake in the joint venture Super Photonics Xiamen, making Super Photonics a wholly owned subsidiary of Poet.
With control of Super Photonics Xiamen, Poet will gain the flexibility to implement its &#8220;China Plus One&#8221; strategy to locate its wafer-scale assembly operations outside of China.
Poet also said its been negotiating with several contract manufacturers in Malaysia to become the focal point for the company&#8217;s wafer-scale assembly of optical engines. Poet expects to sign an agreement this month and to begin operations by the end of the year. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/42156160/palantir-price-target-raised-to-75-by-dan-ives-amid-288-ytd-surge-analyst-calls-2025-a-primetime-year-for-ai">Palantir Price Target Raised To $75 By Dan Ives Amid 288% YTD Surge: Analyst Calls 2025 A &#8216;Primetime&#8217; Year For AI</a>
&#8220;The addition of wafer-scale equipment to our assembly and test operations will significantly expand our production capacity to cover the projected needs of our customers for 800G optical engines being sold to AI networks through 2026,&#8221; said Suresh Venkatesan, chairman and CEO of Poet. 
&#8220;We can now project an assembly and test capacity exceeding one million optical engines per year, all dedicated to the 800G and higher speed transceivers required for AI clusters.&#8221;
Poet noted that definitive agreements related to the deal are expected to be signed by the end of November. 
POET Price Action: <a href="http://benzinga.com/quote/poet">Poet shares</a> were up 5.49% at $4.23 at the time of publication, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Photo: Shutterstock.

Global

POET

What's Going On With POET Technologies Stock Monday?

Dollar Gen's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) short percent of float has risen 7.67% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 6.55 million shares sold short, which is 3.37% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.69 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Dollar Gen Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732552221_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Dollar Gen has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Dollar Gen's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Dollar Gen's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.51%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Looking Into Dollar Gen's Recent Short Interest

Unity Software's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/U#NYSE">U</a>) short percent of float has fallen 5.04% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 24.40 million shares sold short, which is 6.4% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.33 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Unity Software Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732552215_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Unity Software has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Unity Software's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Unity Software's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 6.78%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

(U) - Analyzing Unity Software's Short Interest

CenterPoint Energy's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>) short percent of float has fallen 5.82% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 18.19 million shares sold short, which is 3.72% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.61 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>CenterPoint Energy Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732552210_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for CenterPoint Energy has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing CenterPoint Energy's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, CenterPoint Energy's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.47%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

(CNP) - Analyzing CenterPoint Energy's Short Interest

SmartFinancial declares $0.08 dividend

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SmartFinancial GAAP EPS of $0.54 beats by $0.07, revenue of $44.17M beats by $1.87M

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SmartFinancial ( ($SMBK) ) has provided an update. SmartFinancial reported a strong third quarter of 2024 with a net income of $9.1 million, showca...

SmartFinancial Achieves Strong Q3 2024 Performance

SmartFinancial, Inc. (SMBK) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

Raymond James analyst Steve Moss raised the firm's price target on SmartFinancial (SMBK) to $36 from $32 while keeping a Strong Buy rating on the s...

SmartFinancial price target raised to $36 from $32 at Raymond James

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