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White House Science and Technology Director Michael Kratsios made waves this week after claiming that the U.S. possesses technology that can "manipulate time and space.&#8221;
What Happened: Kratsios made the statement during a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/04/8716/">speech</a> at the Endless Frontiers tech retreat in Texas, where he advocated a renaissance of American innovation.
&#8220;Our technologies permit us to manipulate time and space. They leave distance annihilated, cause things to grow, and improve productivity,&#8221; Kratsios said.
Kratsios mourned a downturn in technological advancement in comparison with the mid-20th century.
"A gap lies between our moment and the speed of transformation America experienced midcentury," he said.
He ascribed this &#8220;stagnation&#8221; to national choice rather than capability and said, "Our technologies permit us to manipulate time and space."
While he did not specify which tools he was referring to, Kratsios did reference artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and semiconductors in the same address.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/04/44859753/scientists-detect-possible-signs-of-life-on-distant-planet-k2-18b-as-nasa-faces-massive-cuts">Scientists Detect Possible Signs Of Life On Distant Planet K2-18b</a>
Why It Matters: The comments come as the Trump administration makes policy moves targeted at promoting the tech sector, including tariff exemptions for electronics like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/44788262/apples-margins-catch-a-break-but-road-ahead-still-looks-bumpy">Apple&#8217;s iPhones</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44782569/trump-to-unveil-semiconductor-tariff-plan-this-week-signals-flexibility-on-tech-exemptions">semiconductor equipment</a>.
A new presidential <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/04/fact-sheet-president-trump-brings-permitting-technology-into-the-21st-century-for-government-efficiency/">memo</a> released this week also instructs federal agencies to increase the use of emerging technologies in infrastructure.
At the same time, NASA is facing a proposed 50% reduction to its science budget under the Trump administration's draft plan for the upcoming fiscal year.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/04/44730104/trumps-nasa-chief-pick-isaacman-tells-senate-we-will-prioritize-sending-american-astronauts-to-mars">Trump&#8217;s NASA Nominee Jared Isaacman Tells Senate &#8216;We Will Prioritize Sending American Astronauts to Mars&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

News

SPACE

Politics

Tech

General

Trump's Tech Chief Claims US Can 'Manipulate' Time And Space

On Wednesday, Sam Altman-led OpenAI launched Codex CLI, a new open-source coding agent, along with two AI reasoning models.
What Happened: The newly launched open-source coding agent is OpenAI's most notable open-source release since 2019.
The AI startup also unveiled the full-scale version of its "o3" model—described as its most advanced AI system to date—and a more compact, efficient variant known as "o4-mini."
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Altman said, "o3 and o4-mini are super good at coding, so we are releasing a new product, Codex CLI, to make them easier to use. This is a coding agent that runs on your computer. It is fully open source and available today; we expect it to rapidly improve."
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://in.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44566020/arm-aims-for-50-data-center-cpu-market-share-by-2025-challenging-intel-and-amd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arm Aims for 50% Data Center CPU Market Share by 2025, Challenging Intel and AMD</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">o3 and o4-mini are super good at coding, so we are releasing a new product, Codex CLI, to make them easier to use. this is a coding agent that runs on your computer. it is fully open source and available today; we expect it to rapidly improve.
&mdash; Sam Altman (@sama) <a href="https://twitter.com/sama/status/1912558495997784441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Codex CLI is built to operate directly on a user's machine while connecting to the cloud to leverage the reasoning capabilities of its o3 and o4-mini models. Beyond generating code snippets, it can independently determine which tools to use locally to carry out tasks.
The company also noted that Codex CLI will soon support features from its recently released GPT-4.1 model.
To drive adoption, OpenAI has launched a $1 million grant program, offering selected developers $25,000 in API credits to build innovative projects using Codex CLI.
Moreover, according to OpenAI, training the o3 model required roughly ten times more computational resources than its earlier o1 model, previously considered its top performer in reasoning.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It's Important: This launch comes at a time when OpenAI faces mounting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/25/03/44474850/chinas-deepseek-ups-the-heat-in-openai-rivalry-upgrades-v3-model-improving-coding-and-reasoning-capability">pressure from competitors</a> such as China's DeepSeek, which in January launched its R1 model, an open-source AI, reportedly capable of mimicking OpenAI's advanced reasoning abilities.&nbsp;
In February, Anthropic also introduced a model capable of delivering both rapid, instinctive responses and more deliberate, step-by-step reasoning when necessary—a level of adaptive flexibility that OpenAI's models have yet to fully replicate.
Last month, Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google released its Gemini 2.5 Pro, a reasoning-focused model that outperformed OpenAI's o3-mini <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44487389/sundar-pichai-shows-off-googles-most-intelligent-ai-ever-with-a-dinosaur-video-game-that-even-you-could-make-with-a-simple-prompt">across several benchmark tests</a>.
OpenAI has also completed a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44580172/openai-finalizes-historic-40-billion-funding-round-valuing-company-at-300-billion-with-backing-from-softbank-and-microsoft">historic $40 billion funding round</a>, raising its valuation to $300 billion. Major contributors to the round include SoftBank Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>).
This reportedly marks the largest funding round ever recorded and nearly doubles OpenAI's earlier valuation of $157 billion.
Photo Courtesy: Meir Chaimowitz on Shutterstock.com
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/25/03/44554189/openai-and-microsoft-back-mcp-standard-in-major-shift-toward-interoperable-ai-agents-that-can-think-click-and-navigate-the-web-but-google-ceo-sundar-pichai-appears-to-be-mulling-over-it-in-shakespearean-fashion-to-mcp-or-not-to-mcp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OpenAI And Microsoft Back MCP Standard For Web-Surfing AI Agents; Google&#8217;s Sundar Pichai Asks A Shakespearean Question</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

GOOG

GOOGL

MSFT

SFTBF

SFTBY

Facing Heat From China's DeepSeek And US Rivals, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Launches Codex CLI: 'A Coding Agent That Runs On Your Computer'

The U.S. is on track to add almost four million manufacturing jobs by 2033—but Gen Z is not interested. While young workers are opting for trade careers, factory roles remain a hard sell.
What Happened: A Deloitte <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/manufacturing/supporting-us-manufacturing-growth-amid-workforce-challenges.html">study</a> projects 3.8 million new manufacturing jobs over the next decade, primarily due to retirements.
However, a Soter Analytics survey indicates that only 14% of Gen Z would consider working in factories. Instead, they are going for seemingly better-paying, flexible trades like plumbing and construction, according <a href="https://fortune.com/article/us-manufacturing-jobs-gen-z-baby-boomers-retirement-immigration/">to</a> Fortune.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/04/44858177/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-says-the-two-college-courses-are-absolute-necessity-for-c-suite-aspiring-leaders">Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Says The Two College Courses Are &#8216;Absolute Necessity&#8217; For C-Suite-Aspiring Leaders</a>
Why It Matters: The gap between job openings and interest could mean that half of the roles will remain unfilled. Low pay—averaging $51,890 a year—as well as safety and flexibility concerns, are major turnoffs.
A 2024 Cato Institute survey revealed that while 80% of Americans <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44880439/80-of-americans-say-the-country-would-be-better-off-with-more-manufacturing-jobs-but-only-25-want-one-themselves">support the idea</a> of increasing manufacturing jobs, only 25% said they'd opt for factory work themselves. Nearly three-quarters said they would not, and only 2% currently work in the sector.
Immigration, typically a major source of labor, is likely to be affected by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44789245/1-4-million-migrants-with-deportation-orders-could-be-facing-daily-fines-of-998-if-they-dont-leave-the-u-s">stricter regulations</a> under the Trump administration, which will put the sector under even more pressure.
As boomers retire over the next few years, the lack of Gen Z interest and reduced immigration could lead to a decline in the sector's growth. Without reinvention, the manufacturing boom may hit a wall.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44879959/steve-jobs-said-14-years-ago-iphones-would-never-be-made-in-the-u-s-those-jobs-arent-coming-back-now-tariffs-could-lift-price-to-3500">Steve Jobs Said 14 Years Ago iPhones Would Never Be Made In The U.S.: &#8216;Those Jobs Aren&#8217;t Coming Back&#8217;—Now Tariffs Could Lift Price To $3,500</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Nearly 4 Million Manufacturing Jobs Are Opening As Boomers Retire—But Gen Z Is Not Interested

Pseudonymous personality Shytoshi Kusama shared details about the upcoming &#8220;Karma&#8221; system, set to be used as a trust identifier for anyone interacting with the Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>) ecosystem.
What Happened:&nbsp;In an X post on Thursday, Kusama shared a recent podcast where they and Shadowhunter, a prominent developer within the ecosystem, discussed the mechanics and vision of the so-called Karma technology.
&#8220;As for me, Karma is something very crucial to our ecosystem. It&#8217;s going to be like an identity for trust,&#8221; Shadowhunter explained.
The developer said that Karma would assign a trust score to users based on their interactions with different products within the ecosystem, such as ShibaSwap and Metaverse. This score, he explained, would be tied to various aspects, primarily reflecting the credibility of users and their engagement with the platform.
&#8220;That trust score will be associated with a lot of things, but majorly shows how valued our users are,&#8221; Shadowhunter added.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">KARMA&#8230; Let&#39;s talk about it: &#x1f447;<a href="https://t.co/yRDX0RJM1W">https://t.co/yRDX0RJM1W</a> &#x1f446;&#x1f446;&#x1f446;First of many podcasts are coming your way as we continue pushing forward to release the operating system of the future.
&mdash; Shytoshi Kusama&#x2122; (@ShytoshiKusama) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShytoshiKusama/status/1912782258836025716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The concept of Karma, as Kusama described, was intriguing because it introduces a trust system in a supposedly trustless environment of blockchains.
&#8220;But as we know, we deal with so many scams and scammers in the system. Having a trust-based system to help understand who you are dealing with is very important,&#8221; Kusama said.
Kusama likened the idea to the seller rating system that online marketplace eBay Inc.&nbsp;uses to assist customers. 
&#8220;Overtime, it really helps you know who and what your likelihood of success will be,&#8221; the mysterious personality said. &#8220;I&#8217;m super excited to see it launch and see what the community would do with it.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"></a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44856286/solana-outpaces-bitcoin-ethereum-after-cathie-woods-ark-invest-piles-on-sols-new-canada-based-etf">Solana Breaks Free From Bitcoin, Ethereum Lag After Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest Accumulates New SOL Staking ETF</a>
Why It Matters:&nbsp; Kusama announced their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43220991/shytoshi-kusama-steps-down-as-shiba-inu-lead-accomplished-my-initial-goal-with-flying-colors-heres-whats-next-for-the-masked-visionary" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transition</a>&nbsp;from the Shiba Inu lead visionary to the lead ambassador role, stating that the project requires more execution and communication than vision.
The real identity of Kusama has been a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39640358/shiba-inu-lead-developer-shytoshi-kusama-appears-in-japan-in-batman-like-avatar-our-humble">subject of significant interest</a> within the cryptocurrency circle, and they disguise their true self with masks during public appearances.
The Shiba Inu project launched its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42936962/shytoshi-kusama-outlines-treat-tokens-usefulness-ahead-of-launch-optimistic-whales-buy-up-shiba-inu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4th ecosystem token</a>,&nbsp;TREAT,&nbsp;earlier this year to further its founder Ryoshi's vision
Price Action: At the time of writing, SHIB was trading at $0.00001181, down 0.98% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.  Year-to-date, the token has plunged 43%.
Photo Courtesy: vlastas on Shutterstock.com
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44856786/bhutan-flexes-hydropower-for-bitcoin-mining-explores-sale-of-green-coins">Bhutan Flexes Hydropower For Bitcoin Mining, Explores Sale Of &#8216;Green&#8217; Coins</a></li>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>

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

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$SHIB

Shytoshi Kusama Introduces 'Karma' System To Assess Credibility Of Shiba Inu Users: 'We Deal With So Many Scams And Scammers'

President Donald Trump on Thursday indicated that the tariff impasse between the United States and China may be on the path to resolution, even as a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44655624/trumps-tariff-hike-pushes-back-tiktok-us-deal-as-china-opposes-the-sale-extending-the-deadline-for-bytedances-divestment">proposed negotiation involving TikTok</a> hangs in the balance.
The remarks come amid signals that both countries are moving away from further economic escalation.
What Happened: Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he may put a pause on increasing tariffs further, citing concerns about their effect on consumer behavior, Reuters reported.
"I may not want to go higher… because you want people to buy, and at a certain point, people aren&#8217;t gonna buy," he said.
Earlier, the president had imposed a <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44656680/trumps-10-tariff-on-most-imports-is-finally-here-taking-effect-saturday">10% tariff on most imports</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44740040/chinas-growth-outlook-dims-as-trumps-125-tariffs-put-millions-of-jobs-at-risk-goldman-warns">raised duties on Chinese goods to 145%</a> after retaliation from Beijing. However, the administration has since postponed additional increases, and Trump admitted that Chinese officials have been in contact.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44881374/trump-admin-exempts-us-exporters-from-china-built-ship-fees-amid-industry-pushback">CBP&#8217;s Latest Tariff Figures Reveal $500 Million In Collections, Dwarfing Trump&#8217;s $2 Billion Daily Estimate</a>
Why It Matters: The likely pause in tariff escalation demonstrates a shift from the earlier aggressive approach that upset financial markets and damaged U.S.-China trade ties.
While Beijing said it would not match Washington "in a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44856008/china-dismisses-trumps-tariff-numbers-game-files-wto-complaint-talks-can-only-proceed-based-on-mutual-respect">numbers game with tariffs</a>," Trump&#8217;s more restrained tone suggests room for negotiation.
On Thursday, President Trump also shared an update about TikTok. Although a deal exists for ByteDance to spin off TikTok's U.S. operations, Trump shared that the transaction is on hold. "It&#8217;ll be subject to China," he said, "so we'll just delay the deal ‘til this thing works out one way or the other."
With formal negotiations yet to gain momentum, the prospects for both trade relations and the TikTok deal remain unclear. Trump's comments suggest a preference for de-escalation, but progress may depend on how both countries navigate the next phase of talks.
TikTok recently announced that its U.S. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/04/44856624/tiktoks-us-policy-chief-steps-down-as-bidding-war-heats-up-after-trump-extends-deadline-report">public policy chief, Michael Beckerman</a>, is leaving his Washington-based role to transition to a global advisory position.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44860334/china-cuts-us-oil-purchases-by-90-boosts-imports-from-canada-to-new-heights">China Slashes US Oil Imports By 90% Amid Trump Tariffs, Turns To Canada Instead</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: XanderSt / Shutterstock.com

Social Media

Global

President Trump Hints At Cooling Tariff War With China, Says TikTok Divestment Will Be Postponed Until Trade Issues Are Settled

The Trump administration is implementing major staff cuts at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), letting nearly 90% of its staff go as part of a larger initiative to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44353947/trumps-cfpb-overhaul-leaves-consumers-exposed-heres-what-it-means-for-your-money">scale back</a> the agency's role in monitoring consumer financial protections.
What Happened: More than 1,500 CFPB employees are being sent reduction-in-force notices, bringing the agency's workforce down to just over 200, according to <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/cfpb-make-sweeping-job-cuts-trump-admin-refocuses-agency">a</a> Fox Business report.
The layoffs cover core operations, including supervision and enforcement roles. Internal communications obtained by The Wall Street Journal show a noticeable reduction in supervisory exams and a shift back to oversight of traditional banks and credit unions.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">NEW: Take a look at the CFPB&#39;s new direction in a memo sent to staff this evening. Some key changes worth reading with the agency being run by acting CFPB director <a href="https://twitter.com/russvought?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@russvought</a>. Trump&#39;s nominee to run the CFPB, Jonathan McKernan, has yet to receive a full Senate vote. <a href="https://t.co/RetkiaDlQH">pic.twitter.com/RetkiaDlQH</a>
&mdash; Brian Schwartz (@schwartzbWSJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/schwartzbWSJ/status/1912633869255188512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44833509/judge-strikes-down-biden-era-rule-capping-credit-card-late-fees-at-8">Judge Strikes Down Biden-Era Rule Capping Credit Card Late Fees At $8</a>
Why It Matters: The changes indicate a significant shift in the orientation of federal consumer protection strategy. "We're reallocating resources to address tangible consumer harm," wrote CFPB Chief Legal Officer Mark Paoletta in a memo to staff.
The agency will now focus on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/25/04/44774323/mortgage-rates-hit-7-1-as-bond-market-volatility-trade-tariffs-shake-markets">mortgage-related issues</a>, data mismanagement, and financial fraud, while stepping back from domains like medical debt, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44778031/she-was-29-months-from-erasing-247k-in-student-debt-now-her-forgiveness-is-frozen">student loans</a>, and digital payments. The CFPB also vowed to avoid "novel legal theories" and adhere to well-defined legal boundaries.
The CFPB's new direction highlights the Trump administration's wider push to limit regulatory reach and lower government intervention in financial markets.
With Jonathan McKernan's nomination to lead the agency still awaiting Senate confirmation, the bureau's future will likely continue to be molded by ongoing legal and political battles over its scope and authority.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44787438/us-watchdog-to-investigate-sec-overhaul-led-by-white-house-elon-musks-doge-report">FTC Launches Public Inquiry After Trump Issues Executive Order To Eliminate Anticompetitive Regulations That Favor Monopolies, Raise Consumer Costs</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock

Government

Trump Administration To Lay Off Nearly 90% Of CFPB Employees In Major Downsizing: Report

Asset manager Cathie Wood hinted at her support for President Donald Trump&#8217;s trade and economic playbook by sharing an article on the destructive impact of tariffs, written by renowned supply-side economist Arthur Laffer.
What Happened: On Wednesday, Cathie Wood shared the article on X titled &#8220;The Truth About Tariffs And Trade.&#8221;
&#8220;Trusting President Trump will get this call right, [Arthur] Laffer just published an important article on the destructive impact of tariffs. The historical perspective—back to the 1920s—and the logic are the best I have seen,&#8221; she wrote.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Trusting President Trump will get this call right, Art Laffer just published an important article on the destructive impact of tariffs. The historical perspective—back to the 1920s—and the logic are the best I have seen. Let us know what you think. <a href="https://t.co/JQUvhcZ5ez">https://t.co/JQUvhcZ5ez</a>
&mdash; Cathie Wood (@CathieDWood) <a href="https://twitter.com/CathieDWood/status/1912570368935473608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Laffer starts by bluntly stating that tariffs are just taxes, but they are also far worse than taxes because they are charged on the gross value of the goods being shipped, as opposed to wages and profits.
He adds that imports and exports go together, saying that &#8220;if you tariff imports, you reduce the demand for imports, which, in turn, reduces the need for the proceeds from the sale of exports and thus reduces exports. Tariffs, therefore, reduce both imports and exports.&#8221;
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44881044/netflix-downplays-recession-fears-amid-market-volatility-triggered-by-trump-tariffs-co-ceo-greg-peters-raves-about-resilient-799-ad-plan-we-havent-seen-any-significant-changes">Netflix Confident Of Its &#8216;Incredible Entertainment Value&#8217; As Recession Fears Intensify, Greg Peters Says $7.99 Ad Plan Engagement Remains &#8216;Strong And Healthy&#8217;</a>
Laffer&#8217;s article veers into several periods of U.S. economic history, going as far back as the American Revolution, to make his points on trade and tariffs. He says that the handful of years when the country had a trade surplus were all during periods of war when consumption dropped.
He says that a prolonged trade deficit is only possible with any country if that country invests in the U.S., referring to China, Japan, and other American trading partners using their surpluses to buy U.S. Treasuries and other assets.
He, however, counters the narrative that deficits &#8220;constitute an export of U.S. net worth,&#8221; stating that &#8220;U.S. wealth went up $40 trillion from 2008 to 2018,&#8221; while the cumulative trade deficit, that is, the increase in assets owned by foreigners during this period only increased $2.8 trillion. &#8220;Trade deficit periods are a win-win for Americans and foreigners,&#8221; he says.
The article ends by praising Trump&#8217;s economic policies during his first term, referring to the 2017 tax cuts, deregulations, and business-friendly policies that made the U.S. a magnet for foreign capital. Laffer also espoused his faith in the President&#8217;s negotiation style, saying that if Trump uses tariffs as leverage to lower global trade barriers, it would be an outcome that he would applaud.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">If negotiations lead to lower global tariffs and lower non-tariff trade barriers, investors shorting the equity market now will be caught flat footed or worse. A global "tax cut" would be a very good thing. <a href="https://t.co/6nNHKSX5fr">https://t.co/6nNHKSX5fr</a>
&mdash; Cathie Wood (@CathieDWood) <a href="https://twitter.com/CathieDWood/status/1912596135623176307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Wood reiterated the same in a follow-up tweet, saying that &#8220;If negotiations lead to lower global tariffs and lower non-tariff trade barriers, investors shorting the equity market now will be caught flat-footed or worse. A global tax cut would be a very good thing.&#8221;
Why It Matters: Wood has come out in support of Trump several times in recent weeks, having said just a couple of days ago that <a href="https://benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/04/44795609/cathie-wood-says-trumps-shock-therapy-tariff-policies-may-have-been-necessary">Trump&#8217;s shock therapy</a> &#8220;may have been necessary.&#8221;
Her asset management firm, Ark Investment Management LLC, has also been <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44753971/cathie-woods-thursday-plays-healthcare-ai-and-crypto-ark-scoops-up-tempus-ai-and-coinbase-stock-amid-trump-tariff-crash">very proactive in finding bargains</a> amid a rout in the markets throughout this month, largely across AI, biotech, and crypto-related stocks, in anticipation of a recovery once the dust settles.
However, others, such as Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BX#NYSE">BX</a>) President Jonathan Gray, have warned that the longer this uncertainty continues, the greater the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44871428/blackstone-president-warns-of-recession-risk-tied-to-trumps-tariffs">risk of a recession</a>. &#8220;The recession risk is directly tied to the length of the uncertainty,&#8221; Gray said. 
The CEO of JPMorgan &amp; Chase Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Jamie Dimon, recently <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44717888/jpmorgan-jamie-dimon-warns-recession-now-likely-outcome">predicted a recession</a> as the &#8220;likely outcome,&#8221; due to tariff-related uncertainties. Dimon urged Trump last week to &#8220;take a deep breath, negotiate some trade deals,&#8221; adding that &#8220;it could get worse if we don't make progress.&#8221;
Photo Courtesy: Ani_Raw_Shots on Shutterstock.com
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44880757/cathie-woods-pours-another-4-95-million-into-solana-staking-etf-dumps-bitcoin-etf-again">Cathie Wood&#8217;s Pours Another $4.95 Million Into Solana Staking ETF, Dumps Bitcoin ETF Again</a>

Cathie Wood Says She's Trusting Trump Will Get Call On Tariffs Right: 'Investors Shorting The Equity Market Now Will Be Caught Flat Footed Or Worse'

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) remains optimistic despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. CEO CC Wei stated that customer behavior has not changed, even amid recent challenges such as the Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) H20 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44844084/nvidias-h20-chip-ban-could-lead-to-manageable-sales-drop-bank-of-america-says">chip facing clamdown</a> and tariff-related uncertainties.
What Happened: During <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44857887/taiwan-semiconductor-q1-surges-41-in-sales-boosted-by-ai-chip-demand-expanded-margins">TSMC&#8217;s first-quarter earnings</a> call on Thursday, Bruce Lu from Goldman Sachs asked about how ongoing geopolitical risks, such as the restrictions on Nvidia's H20, are affecting TSMC&#8217;s business.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that Nvidia was notified by the Donald Trump administration on April 9 that selling its H20 chip to China would <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44846329/nvidias-china-sales-face-setback-as-h20-chip-restrictions-catch-key-buyers-off-guard-reuters">now require an export license</a>.&nbsp;
&#8220;We do not comment on specific customer product, but let me assure you that we have taken this into consideration when providing our full-year growth outlook,&#8221; TSMC CEO Wei responded to the concern raised by Lu.
Bruce then asked for more specific information, wondering how much flexibility TSMC has in their production planning and how well they can handle these potential challenges.
Wei reassured him that, while there&#8217;s a lot of speculation around the situation, TSMC is closely monitoring the impact of these risks, especially the new tariffs.
However, they haven&#8217;t seen any change in how their customers are behaving, meaning they&#8217;re still moving forward with their planned business forecast as expected.
&#8220;We have not seen any change in our customers&#8217; behavior so far. And so we stick to our forecast,&#8221; he concluded.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44862552/ford-recalls-nearly-150000-vehicles-over-brake-and-powertrain-issues-nhtsa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ford Recalls Nearly 150,000 Vehicles Over Brake And Powertrain Issues: NHTSA</a>
Why It's Important: TSMC, a key supplier of chips for Nvidia's GPUs and Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) iPhones, reported first-quarter net sales of $25.53 billion (NT$839.25 billion), marking a 41.6% increase year-over-year and surpassing analysts' expectations of $23.92 billion.
However, sales were down 3.4% compared to the previous quarter.
For the second quarter of 2025, the company expects revenue to range between $28.4 billion and $29.2 billion, ahead of the $26.79 billion consensus estimate. It also projects a gross margin of 57% to 59% and operating margins between 47% and 49%.
The geopolitical landscape has been turbulent, with President Trump previously threatening <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44704930/trump-says-he-warned-tsmc-of-100-tariff-if-it-doesnt-manufacture-in-us-these-chip-companies-are-loaded">tariffs up to 100% on TSMC</a> if it does not manufacture in the U.S.
Meanwhile, China&#8217;s new rule reportedly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44777482/trump-tariff-wars-chinas-new-rule-to-exempt-nvidia-qualcomm-and-others-from-levies-but-these-chip-companies-will-be-hit-with-125-tariffs">exempts chips designed</a> by U.S. companies but manufactured in Taiwan from its 125% retaliatory tariffs. This rule has also exempted TSMC.
Price Action: TSMC shares edged up 0.046% on Thursday and added another 0.29% in after-hours trading, reaching $152.19. Despite the recent uptick, the stock remains down 24.72% year-to-date, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
The chipmaker currently holds a strong growth score of 81.99%, as per Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here to see how it compares</a> with other top names in the semiconductor industry.
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44855242/charlie-munger-once-highlighted-how-warren-buffetts-lifelong-learning-made-berkshire-hathaways-success-possible-and-the-crucial-lesson-you-can-take-from-it" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charlie Munger Once Said Warren Buffett Is A ‘Learning Machine' And That's What Lies Beneath Berkshire Hathaway's Success From One Decade To Another</a></li>
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Photo Courtesy: Jack Hong on Shutterstock.com
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

AAPL

NVDA

TSMC Confident Amid Trump Tariff Turmoil: CEO CC Wei Says No Change In Customer Behavior Despite Nvidia H20 Chip Curbs

A cryptocurrency project inspired by scientific great Isaac Newton has quietly made waves this year, with its native coin's year-to-date explosion leaving reputable names far behind.
What happened: AB (AB), formerly Newton Project (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">NEW</a>), has skyrocketed 7602% year-to-date to become the cryptocurrency market's most successful token in 2025.
The disparity in gains between AB and the rest of the market was staggering. Onyxcoin (XCN), the second-highest gainer this year, returned 676%, which is a fraction of what AB achieved.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44856286/solana-outpaces-bitcoin-ethereum-after-cathie-woods-ark-invest-piles-on-sols-new-canada-based-etf">Solana Breaks Free From Bitcoin, Ethereum Lag After Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest Accumulates New SOL Staking ETF</a>
Launched in 2018, the Newton Project is a decentralized and interoperable blockchain ecosystem, aiming to bridge the gap between digital and real-world economies.
However, the project fizzled after the initial hype and went into a multi-year hiatus, during which it also hit an all-time low.
In February, the Newton Project rebranded as AB, with a native gas token and a decentralized autonomous organization. The new avatar seems to have worked wonders for the project, sending its cryptocurrency to unprecedented highs. The AB token peaked at $0.01729 last month.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Newton is migrating to AB (<a href="https://t.co/W8UU43j6Ds">https://t.co/W8UU43j6Ds</a>)
&mdash; AB DAO (@ABDAO_Global) <a href="https://twitter.com/ABDAO_Global/status/1888209214973292548?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The stupendous rally contrasted with the broader cryptocurrency slump in 2025. The total market capitalization has shrunk 18% year-to-date, with nearly $590 billion worth of investors' wealth wiped out.
Major cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), were down 9.18% and 52% year to date, respectively.
Price Action: At the time of writing, AB traded at $0.01250, up 4.21% in the last 24 hours, <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/newton/">according </a>to CoinMarketCap.
Photo: Igor Faun/Shutterstock
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$BTC

$ETH

$NEW

MSTR

MTPLF

Isaac Newton-inspired Crypto Defies Gravity, Soars 7600% Since The Year Began

The Donald Trump administration has announced exemptions for domestic exporters and vessel owners from port fees on China-built ships, aimed at bolstering the U.S. shipbuilding industry and countering China&#8217;s maritime influence
What Happened: According to a Reuters report, the Trump administration declared on Thursday that domestic exporters and vessel owners operating in the Great Lakes, the Caribbean, and U.S. territories will be exempt from port fees on China-built vessels.
The U.S. Trade Representative&#8217;s notice, published in the Federal Register, revised a February proposal that initially suggested fees up to $1.5 million per port call on China-built ships.
This proposal had raised concerns among global shipping executives about potential impacts on U.S. export prices and consumer costs.
Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative, stated, &#8220;Ships and shipping are vital to American economic security and the free flow of commerce.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44880439/80-of-americans-say-the-country-would-be-better-off-with-more-manufacturing-jobs-but-only-25-want-one-themselves">80% Of Americans Say The Country Would Be Better Off With More Manufacturing Jobs—But Only 25% Want One Themselves</a>
Exemptions include ships ferrying goods between domestic ports, to Caribbean islands, and U.S. territories. U.S.-based carriers like Matson Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MATX#NYSE">MATX</a>) and Seaboard Marine will avoid the fees, as will empty ships arriving to load exports.
The levies will be implemented in 180 days, starting October 14, with fees based on net tonnage or container count.
Why It Matters: The decision to exempt domestic shippers from port fees is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
As reported in March, Trump is preparing an executive order with 18 measures aimed at <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44136076/trump-reportedly-plans-executive-order-to-boost-us-shipbuilding-and-counter-chinas-maritime-lead">boosting the American maritime sector</a> and countering China&#8217;s dominance.
This move comes amid escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Recent reports indicate that China has significantly <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44860334/china-cuts-us-oil-purchases-by-90-boosts-imports-from-canada-to-new-heights">reduced its oil imports from the U.S.</a> while increasing imports from Canada. Additionally, fears of <a href="https://benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44868280/us-listed-chinese-stocks-face-250-billion-forced-selling-risk-as-delisting-fears-emerge-what-investors-need-to-know">delisting U.S.-listed Chinese stocks</a> have emerged due to geopolitical frictions.
President Trump has emphasized the <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44832771/the-ball-is-in-chinas-court-trump-says-as-white-house-awaits-beijings-call-china-needs-to-make-a-deal-with-us">need for China to initiate negotiations</a>, stating that the &#8220;ball is in China&#8217;s court&#8221;.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

MATX

Trump Admin Exempts US Exporters From China-Built Ship Fees Amid Industry Pushback

Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) CEO Lip-Bu Tan has reportedly unveiled a significant leadership shakeup, aiming to streamline the company's operations and put artificial intelligence at the forefront of its strategy.
What Happened: In an internal memo, Tan announced that key chip groups within Intel, including the data center, AI, and personal computer chip divisions, will now report directly to him, reported Reuters.
Tan also appointed Sachin Katti, the company's networking chip chief, as the new Chief Technology and AI Officer, tasking him with overseeing Intel&#8217;s AI strategy and product roadmap.
"I want to roll up my sleeves with the engineering and product teams so I can learn what's needed to strengthen our solutions," Tan wrote in the memo.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44862552/ford-recalls-nearly-150000-vehicles-over-brake-and-powertrain-issues-nhtsa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ford Recalls Nearly 150,000 Vehicles Over Brake And Powertrain Issues: NHTSA</a>
He also criticized Intel's previous bureaucratic culture.
&#8220;It's clear to me that organizational complexity and bureaucratic processes have been slowly suffocating the culture of innovation we need to win,&#8221; he said in the memo, adding, &#8220;It takes too long to make decisions. New ideas are not given room or resources to incubate. And unnecessary silos lead to inefficient execution.&#8221;
Why It's Important: The leadership reshuffle comes as Intel faces <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44469986/intel-targets-major-foundry-clients-in-new-strategy-to-revitalize-chip-design-says-ubs">mounting pressure from competitors</a>, particularly Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), which has solidified its dominance in the AI chip market.
Tan, who took over as CEO last month, previously also shared the idea about revamping Intel&#8217;s operations and leadership while <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44555938/intels-new-ceo-refuses-to-sugarcoat-the-companys-2024-performance-vows-to-align-spending-with-market-demand">refusing to sugarcoat </a>the company&#8217;s past performance.
Intel also faces new challenges with the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44855693/intel-stock-down-nearly-47-in-the-past-year-reportedly-joins-nvidia-in-facing-export-hurdles-to-china-as-us-implements-new-ai-chip-licensing-requirements">U.S. imposing licensing requirements</a> on AI chip exports to China, similar to those faced by Nvidia.
Price Action: Intel&#8217;s stock slipped 1.56% on Thursday, extending a broader decline that has seen shares tumble 46.95% over the past year. So far in 2025, the chipmaker is down 6.38%, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Intel currently holds a growth score of 3.56% based on Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here to see how it stacks up against</a> other leading players in the semiconductor space.
Photo Courtesy: Tada Images On Shutterstock.com
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</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Media

INTC

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan Slams 'Suffocating' Bureaucracy — Puts AI Front And Center With Leadership Reshuffle: 'Want To Roll Up My Sleeves…'

Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) sustained its upward momentum Thursday overnight, as cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) scaled up its infrastructure to support faster, smoother SOL transactions.
What happened: SOL rose over 3% over the previous day, becoming the most successful among the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. The rally came despite a 20% drop in trading volumes in the last 24 hours.&nbsp;
The sixth-largest cryptocurrency hit an intraday high of $135.91, its highest in nearly three weeks. Its weekly gains widened to 18.13%, outpacing Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>).
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44856286/solana-outpaces-bitcoin-ethereum-after-cathie-woods-ark-invest-piles-on-sols-new-canada-based-etf">Solana Breaks Free From Bitcoin, Ethereum Lag After Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest Accumulates New SOL Staking ETF</a>
The latest spike comes after Coinbase upgraded its system, enabling a 5x improvement in transaction throughput, among other enhancements for Solana.
"These improvements enable faster, more reliable sends and receives, reinforcing our commitment to provide industry-leading performance and reliability for our users," the exchange said.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">We've been hard at work scaling our <a href="https://twitter.com/solana?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Solana</a> infrastructure to be faster, more resilient, and more scalable. We have upgraded our systems to: → Process transactions asynchronously, leading to a 5x improvement in block processing throughput. → Leverage bare metal machines for 4x… <a href="https://t.co/WFINzCutNK">pic.twitter.com/WFINzCutNK</a>
&mdash; Coinbase Platform (@CoinbasePltfrm) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoinbasePltfrm/status/1912857582546321601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Additionally, Cathie Wood's Ark Invest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44880757/cathie-woods-pours-another-4-95-million-into-solana-staking-etf-dumps-bitcoin-etf-again">increased its exposure</a> to 3iQ Solana Staking ETF (SOLQ.U ), scooping an additional 475,000 shares of the newly launched investment vehicle in Canada.
Listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the ETF shares closed 0.87% higher at $10.43 on Thursday.
Price Action: At the time of writing, SOL traded at $134.96, up 3.25% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.&nbsp;
Shares of Coinbase were down 0.02% in after-hours trading after closing 1.64% higher at $175.03 during Thursday&#8217;s regular session.
Coinbase is now placed among high-growth stocks in the Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2%23:~:text%3DTurn%2520Market%2520Chaos,when%2520markets%2520rebound&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1744948400904097&amp;usg=AOvVaw1cUcMW7auvL3_zEnq7kgxi">Click here </a>to analyze other cool metrics about the stock.
Photo: Lee Wa Da/Shutterstock
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Movers

Trading Ideas

$SOL

COIN

Why Is Solana Rising Overnight On Thursday?

Netflix Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) Co-CEO Greg Peters has reassured investors that the company remains confident in its low-cost ad plan, despite ongoing market volatility and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44806856/elevated-inflation-would-be-temporary-predicts-fed-governor-as-he-explores-potential-outcomes-of-trumps-tariffs">concerns over a potential recession</a> fueled by new tariffs.
What Happened: On Thursday, during <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/04/44877995/netflix-crushes-q1-says-its-working-hard-to-improve-and-expand-its-offering">Netflix's first-quarter earnings</a> call, Peters addressed questions regarding the broader economic environment and consumer behavior.
With fears of a recession looming, partly driven by President Donald Trump's tariffs, many wondered whether Netflix's low-cost ad tier, priced at $7.99 in key markets like the U.S. and Canada, would still perform.
He responded, "We haven't seen any significant changes in planned mix or planned take rate," referring to their recent price adjustments. "Engagement remains strong and healthy."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44831264/microsoft-debuts-computer-use-tool-for-copilot-studio-ceo-satya-nadella-says-anyone-can-build-agents-that-take-action-on-the-ui-across-desktop-and-web-apps">Satya Nadella Says Microsoft&#8217;s New Tool Allows Anyone To Create AI Agents That Click, Type, And Navigate On Your Computer For You</a>
Peters noted that entertainment has historically been resilient during tougher economic times, and Netflix has seen this trend hold up so far. Introducing a low-cost ad-supported plan has provided added flexibility, giving Netflix more resilience in uncertain times.
&#8220;We represent an incredible entertainment value,&#8221; Peters continued, adding that the low-cost plan, combined with Netflix's content and engagement, allows the company to remain competitive.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos also said that the streaming giant is focusing on what it can control. "We&#8217;re not changing anything in the forecast."
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It's Important: Netflix reported first-quarter revenue of $10.54 billion, marking a 12.5% increase compared to the same period last year. The figure came in slightly ahead of Wall Street expectations, which stood at $10.52 billion, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0417">Benzinga Pro</a>.
The company projects second-quarter revenue of $11.04 billion — a 15.4% year-over-year jump — with earnings per share expected to reach $6.61.
Netflix also reaffirmed its full-year revenue forecast, targeting between $43.5 billion and $44.5 billion.
Earlier, Netflix was flagged as a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44662003/netflix-seen-as-safe-bet-amid-market-volatility-says-analyststrong-value-digital-model-make-it-recession-ready">promising investment</a> by a Seeking Alpha analyst, who pointed to its strong digital, consumer-focused business model and compelling value proposition as key factors.
Global markets have experienced sharp fluctuations following the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/04/44657800/trumps-tariffs-stir-global-markets-wall-street-loses-2-trillion-and-more-this-week-in-economics">introduction of new trade tariffs</a> by President Donald Trump. Previously, it was reported that the escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China triggered a significant downturn in U.S. markets, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44655719/trump-tariffs-erode-5-trillion-in-market-cap-in-2-days-as-china-retaliates-jerome-powell-warns-of-inflation">wiping out $5 trillion in market value</a> from S&amp;P 500 companies.
Price Action: Netflix shares rose 1.19% on Thursday, extending an upward trend that has pushed the stock up nearly 9.73% year-to-date. Over the past 12 months, Netflix has surged by 58.55%.
The streaming giant currently holds a growth score of 69.80%, as per Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here to see how it stacks up against</a> other major players in the entertainment and tech sectors.
Photo Courtesy: Frame Stock Footage on Shutterstock.com
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44778760/netflix-debuts-openai-backed-search-engine-that-lets-you-discover-movies-and-tv-shows-based-on-emotions-not-just-titles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Netflix Debuts OpenAI-Backed Search Engine That Lets You Discover Movies And TV Shows Based On Emotions, Not Just Titles</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Entertainment

NFLX

Netflix Confident Of Its 'Incredible Entertainment Value' As Recession Fears Intensify, Greg Peters Says $7.99 Ad Plan Engagement Remains 'Strong And Healthy'

Wall Street experienced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44873779/wall-street-rebounds-eli-lilly-rallies-unitedhealth-group-plummets-whats-driving-markets-thursday">resurgence in risk appetite</a> on Thursday as optimism grew around trade negotiations. President Donald Trump expressed confidence in reaching agreements with both the European Union and China. 
On Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.3% to close at 39,142.23. The Nasdaq dipped 0.13%, finishing at 16,286.45. Meanwhile, the S&amp;P 500 edged up 0.13%, ending the day at 5,282.70.
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:
Netflix Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>)
Netflix shares rose by 1.19% to close at $973.03, reaching an intraday high of $984.70 and a low of $956. The stock&#8217;s 52-week range is $542.01 to $1064.50. In the after-hours trading, shares spiked 3.5% to $1,006.79. The streaming giant reported its first-quarter financial results, emphasizing efforts to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/04/44877995/netflix-crushes-q1-says-its-working-hard-to-improve-and-expand-its-offering">improve and expand</a> its offerings. The company continues to focus on enhancing its content library and user experience. For the period, revenue came in at $10.54 billion, a spike of 12.5% on a year-over-year basis. Earnings per share were reported at $6.61, beating the estimate of $5.74.
UnitedHealth Group Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>)
UnitedHealth&#8217;s stock plummeted by 22.38% to $454.11, with a daily high of $489.79 and a low of $447.10. The 52-week range stands at $438.50 to $630.73. The healthcare giant faced a steep decline after reporting disappointing quarterly results, attributed to rising healthcare costs. CEO Andrew Witty stated that the current cost structure is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/04/44869920/unitedhealth-ceo-says-high-cost-of-us-health-care-simply-not-sustainable">unsustainable</a>, leading to a downward revision of earnings guidance. UnitedHealth cut fiscal 2025 earnings guidance and expects it to come in the range of $26 to $26.50 from the earlier range of $29.50 to $30 per share.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44866755/mark-cuban-says-this-trump-healthcare-order-could-save-hundreds-of-billions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Says This Trump Healthcare Order &#8216;Could Save Hundreds Of Billions&#8217;</a>
Novo Nordisk A/S&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>)
Novo Nordisk shares fell by 7.63% to $58.08, with an intraday high of $59.06 and a low of $57.28. The stock&#8217;s 52-week range is $57.28 to $148.15. An analyst from BMO Capital Markets downgraded the stock, citing concerns about its performance in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44876055/novo-nordisk-may-lag-behind-eli-lilly-in-cardiometabolic-race-analyst-downgrades-stock">cardiometabolic space</a>&nbsp;compared to competitors like Eli Lilly.
Trump Media &amp; Technology Group Corp.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>)
Trump Media&#8217;s stock surged by 11.65% to $22.04, hitting a high of $22.77 and a low of $19.82. The 52-week range is $11.75 to $56.55. The company saw its shares rise after filing a complaint with the SEC regarding potential&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44871004/whats-going-on-with-trump-media-technology-stock-today">market manipulation</a>&nbsp;and unusual trading patterns.
Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)
Tesla&#8217;s stock edged down by 0.07% to close at $241.38, with a high of $244.34 and a low of $237.68. The 52-week range is $138.80 to $488.54. Despite a decline in new vehicle registrations in California, Tesla remains a significant player in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44857987/tesla-experiences-151-decline-in-new-vehicle-registrations-in-california-report">electric vehicle market</a>, according to recent data.
Trump Media or Netflix? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Find out</a> how they stack up in terms of Momentum and Growth with Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings. 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="787" height="106" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17215703/Screenshot-2025-04-18-at-10.56.23.png" alt="" class="wp-image-877876" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17215703/Screenshot-2025-04-18-at-10.56.23.png 787w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17215703/Screenshot-2025-04-18-at-10.56.23-300x40.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17215703/Screenshot-2025-04-18-at-10.56.23-768x103.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 787px) 100vw, 787px" /></a></figure>
Photo Sutthiphong Chandaeng via Shutterstock
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading <a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/Premarket%20Movers%20&amp;%20News">with top premarket movers and news</a> by Benzinga.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44880757/cathie-woods-pours-another-4-95-million-into-solana-staking-etf-dumps-bitcoin-etf-again">Cathie Wood&#8217;s Pours Another $4.95 Million Into Solana Staking ETF, Dumps Bitcoin ETF Again</a></li>
</ul>
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Equities

TSLA

Netflix, UnitedHealth, Novo Nordisk, Tesla And Trump Media: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

Leading cryptocurrencies traded flat on Thursday as President Donald Trump threatened to remove Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over delays in implementing monetary easing measures.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:45 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>0.84%</td>
<td>$84,856.41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-0.01%</td>
<td>$1,582.75</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+0.12%</td>
<td>$0.1552</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin fluctuated between the high $83,000s and early $85,000s, with trading volumes falling by over 25% from the previous day.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Ethereum reached an intraday high of $1,615.30 but failed to maintain the advance, falling back to the $1,500 range.
The relatively calm trading day saw $126 million liquidated from the cryptocurrency market, with nearly equal amounts of longs and shorts erased.
Over $278 million was liquidated from the market in the last 24 hours, with bullish bets accounting for $160 million.
Interestingly, despite the sideways price action, Bitcoin&#8217;s Open Interest grew by 4.45% in the last 24 hours, potentially leading to higher volatility and a breakout in either direction in the coming days.&nbsp;&nbsp;
More than 54% of Binance futures traders were betting against the leading cryptocurrency, according to the Long/Short ratio.
The market sentiment remained in the "Fear" territory, according to the Crypto Fear and Greed Index.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:45 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Render (RENDER)</td>
<td>10.81%</td>
<td>$4.04</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET)</td>
<td>8.35%</td>
<td>$0.4987</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Raydium (RAY)</td>
<td>7.93%</td>
<td>$17.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.67 trillion, following a marginal increase of 0.82% in the last 24 hours.
Stocks were a mixed bag on Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 527.16 points, or 1.33%, to close at 39,142.23. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slid 0.13% to end at 16,286.45.
The lone bright spot was the S&amp;P 500, which rose 0.13% to 5,282.70 at the session&#8217;s close.
The moves came after Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44875406/hell-be-out-if-i-ask-him-can-trumps-threat-to-oust-powell-shake-the-fed">threatened to dismiss Powell</a> if rate cuts were not implemented soon, following the Fed Chair&#8217;s warning the day before about tariff-fueled inflation concerns.
A Fed chair can only be removed for cause, historically interpreted as misconduct or incapacity, not policy disagreements.
The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will both be closed on Good Friday.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Popular blockchain analytics firm Glassnode stated that while Bitcoin&#8217;s realized capitalization, or the value of each coin depending on the price it was last moved, was at an all-time high, monthly growth had slowed to 0.9%.
"This indicates that while capital inflows remain positive, investor appetite is softening &#8211; signaling continued risk-off sentiment," Glassnode added.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a>'s realized cap has reached an all-time high of $872B, yet monthly growth has slowed to +0.9%. This indicates that while capital inflows remain positive, investor appetite is softening &#8211; signaling continued risk-off sentiment. <a href="https://t.co/XBgZP7NoWo">pic.twitter.com/XBgZP7NoWo</a>
&mdash; glassnode (@glassnode) <a href="https://twitter.com/glassnode/status/1912799267724329268?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst Rekt Capital highlighted Bitcoin&#8217;s climb above the downward trendline but below the 50-day exponential moving average.
"BTC needs to daily close above green resistance [$85,049] &amp; retest it as support to break out beyond here," the analyst projected.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BTC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BTC</a> Bitcoin continues to hold above the Downtrend But still hovering below the 50-EMA resistance (purple) BTC needs to Daily Close above green resistance &amp; retest it as support to breakout beyond here<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crypto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crypto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://t.co/cBAbzkw768">https://t.co/cBAbzkw768</a> <a href="https://t.co/WkP36RlSUM">pic.twitter.com/WkP36RlSUM</a>
&mdash; Rekt Capital (@rektcapital) <a href="https://twitter.com/rektcapital/status/1912990102781042811?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo: Antonio Gravante on Shutterstock.com
Read Next:    
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44877231/ethereum-price-plunges-to-2018-levels-what-is-going-on">Ethereum Price Plunges To 2018 Levels: What Is Going On?</a></li>
</ul>

$DOGE

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Flat As Trump Attacks Powell Over Rate Cuts: Investor Appetite Softening For BTC? On Chain Analytics Firm Gives Its Take On Risk-Off Sentiment

Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) engages in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of various products in the healthcare field worldwide.
It will report its Q1 2025 earnings on April 15. Wall Street analysts expect the company to post EPS of $2.59, down from $2.71 in the prior-year period. According to data from Benzinga Pro, quarterly revenue is expected to be $21.60 billion, up from $21.38 billion a year earlier.
Don't Miss:
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<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
<li>Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they&#8217;re on pace —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv"> here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a></li>
</ul>
The 52-week range of Johnson &amp; Johnson stock price was $140.68 to $169.99.
Johnson &amp; Johnson's dividend yield is 3.27%. It paid $4.96 per share in dividends during the last 12 months.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Latest On Johnson &amp; Johnson</h2>
On Jan. 22, the company announced its Q4 2024 earnings, posting adjusted EPS of $2.04, beating the consensus of $2.01, as reported by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43125966/johnson-johnson-reports-q4-earnings-above-wall-street-estimates-driven-by-strong-cancer-drugs-revenue">Benzinga</a>. The pharmaceutical giant reported sales of $22.52 billion, up 5.3% year-over-year and beating the consensus of $22.44 billion.
The company expects full-year 2025 sales in the range of $90.9 billion to $91.7 billion, compared to the consensus of $90.99 billion. Full-year adjusted EPS is seen at $10.75 to $10.95, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.59.
Check out this <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/analyst-ratings/25/04/44617177/what-13-analyst-ratings-have-to-say-about-johnson-johnson">article by Benzinga</a> for 13 analysts' insights on Johnson &amp; Johnson.
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Can You Earn $100 Per Month As A Johnson &amp; Johnson Investor?</h2>
If you want to make $100 per month — $1,200 annually — from Johnson &amp; Johnson dividends, your investment value needs to be approximately $36,697, which is around 242 shares at $151.73 each.&nbsp;
Understanding the dividend yield calculations: When making an estimate, you need two key variables — the desired annual income ($1,200) and the dividend yield (3.27% in this case). So, $1,200 / 0.0327 = $36,697 to generate an income of $100 per month.
You can calculate the dividend yield by dividing the annual dividend payments by the current price of the stock.
The dividend yield can change over time. This is the outcome of fluctuating stock prices and dividend payments on a rolling basis.
See Also: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now</a>.
For instance, assume a stock that pays $2 as an annual dividend is priced at $50. Its dividend yield would be $2/$50 = 4%. If the stock price rises to $60, the dividend yield drops to 3.33% ($2/$60). A drop in stock price to $40 will have an inverse effect and increase the dividend yield to 5% ($2/$40).
In summary, income-focused investors may find Johnson &amp; Johnson stock an attractive option for making a steady income of $100 per month by owning 242 shares of stock. There may be more upside to come as investors benefit from the company's consistent dividend hikes. Johnson &amp; Johnson has raised its dividend consecutively for the last 62 years.&nbsp;
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<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
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Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

How To Put $100 In Your Retirement Fund Each Month With Johnson & Johnson Stock

U.S. stock futures trade mixed in a choppy session on Thursday night, amid President&nbsp;Donald Trump&#8217;s&nbsp;reassurance of a trade deal with Europe and China in the afternoon, following a fresh jab at Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates.
S&amp;P 500 futures are up 0.36% at 5,326, Nasdaq Futures up 0.23% at 18,427, followed by Dow Futures, down 1.14% at 39,398, owing to disappointing earnings results of a few components early in the day.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44880439/80-of-americans-say-the-country-would-be-better-off-with-more-manufacturing-jobs-but-only-25-want-one-themselves">80% Of Americans Say The Country Would Be Better Off With More Manufacturing Jobs—But Only 25% Want One Themselves</a>
Japan&#8217;s benchmark Nikkei 225 is up 0.39% after recovering from early losses, as investors interpret key inflation data, which came in at 3.6%, ahead of the Bank of Japan&#8217;s 2.0% target, but below February figures at 3.7%. Pharmaceuticals, auto, and shipping stocks lead the charge as trade talks with the U.S. gain steam.
The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) pared its gains on Thursday and is now flat at 99.41, up 0.03% at the time of writing. This comes amid growing political pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, with the President <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44861571/donald-trump-blasts-too-late-and-wrong-fed-chair-powell-but-polymarket-traders-doubt-his-termination-will-come-fast-enough">calling for Fed Chair Powell&#8217;s</a> &#8220;Termination.&#8221;
The U.S. markets are closed on Friday for Good Friday.
Photo Courtesy: Goodvibes Photo on Shutterstock.com
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44878856/bank-of-america-bets-big-on-ai-with-4-billion-investment-and-its-already-paying-off">Bank Of America Bets Big On AI With $4 Billion Investment—And It&#8217;s Already Paying Off</a>

US Futures Mixed, Nikkei Opens Lower As Investors Digest Inflation Data — Dollar Slides As Trump Takes Fresh Jab At Fed's Powell

On Thursday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest made significant trades, most notably offloading ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKB#BATS">ARKB</a>) and pouring funds into the newly listed 3iQ Solana Staking ETF (SOLQ.U).
The ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF Trade
Ark Invest sold a significant number of shares in the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF. The ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKW#NYSE">ARKW</a>) fund offloaded 39,575 shares, representing 0.25% of the ETF. Based on the last closing price of $84.71, the value of the trade stands at approximately $3.35 million.
This move comes amidst signs of a potential bear market in Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>). According to data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44869153/unrealized-bitcoin-losses-hit-all-time-high-glassnode-says-bear-market-signs">Glassnode</a>, Bitcoin investors are facing unprecedented pressure with the largest unrealized losses on record, concentrated among new market participants.
Even so, Bitcoin showed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44867123/bitcoin-surges-past-82k-despite-u-s-risk-off-mood-is-a-breakout-brewing">impressive strength this week</a>, bouncing from $74K to $84K despite a broader U.S.-focused risk-off environment where even safe-haven assets like Treasuries and the dollar faltered. With stocks down and uncertainty high, Bitcoin&#8217;s 20% gain over six months highlights its growing appeal as an alternative asset. Over 24-hours, Bitcoin traded 0.9% higher at $84,951.
The 3iQ Solana Staking ETF Trade
Simultaneously, Ark Invest made a significant purchase of the 3iQ Solana Staking ETF (SOLQ.U). Ark Fintech Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKF#NYSE">ARKF</a>) and ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKW#NYSE">ARKW</a>) funds collectively bought 475,000 shares. The transaction was valued at $4.95 million. SOLQ.U ended the day in Toronto at $10.43.
This move aligns with Ark&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44855538/cathie-woods-crypto-shuffle-pours-5-2-million-into-newly-listed-solana-staking-fund-dumps-bitcoin-etf-and-buys-robinhood-dip">recent interest</a> in 3iQ Solana Staking ETF, as detailed in a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44855538/cathie-woods-crypto-shuffle-pours-5-2-million-into-newly-listed-solana-staking-fund-dumps-bitcoin-etf-and-buys-robinhood-dip">Benzinga report</a>. On Wednesday, Ark scooped up 500,000 shares of SOLQ.U worth $5.2 million. 
The ETF started trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Wednesday, with major unitholders including SkyBridge Capital, founded and managed by Anthony Scaramucci. It focuses on long-term Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) holdings acquired through over-the-counter counterparties and aims to offer investors "attractive staking rewards," according to a statement from 3iQ, which describes itself as the world's first Digital Assets Managed Account Platform. Solana spiked 2.3% higher at $134.96 over 24 hours.
Other Key Trades:
<ul>
<li>Ark Invest&#8217;s ARKF fund sold 4,184 shares of Intuit Inc. (INTU).</li>
<li>The ARKG fund sold 1,040 shares of Repare Therapeutics Inc. (RPTX).</li>
<li>ARKX bought 4,284 shares of AeroVironment Inc. (AVAV) and sold 18,832 shares of Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Inc. (KTOS).</li>
</ul>
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings indicate ARKB has Momentum in the 92nd percentile. How do other Bitcoin ETFs compare? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Find out here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="564" height="108" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17210519/Screenshot-2025-04-18-at-10.04.47.png" alt="" class="wp-image-877834" style="width:920px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17210519/Screenshot-2025-04-18-at-10.04.47.png 564w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17210519/Screenshot-2025-04-18-at-10.04.47-300x57.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px" /></a></figure>
Photo Courtesy: Ira Lichi on Shutterstock.com
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

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Cathie Wood's Pours Another $4.95 Million Into Solana Staking ETF, Dumps Bitcoin ETF Again

<ul>
<li>Arthur Hayes has pitched his tent behind Ethereum against Solana.</li>
<li>Hayes argued for owning &#8220;the most hated thing&#8221; at a turn in the market cycle.</li>
<li>Ethereum&#8217;s price action continues to raise concerns in the short term.</li>
</ul>
Amid price struggles over the past two years, Ethereum has been reduced to a meme in cryptocurrency circles, written off by retail <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44356017/standard-chartered-lowers-ethereum-price-target-to-4000-heres-why-a-coinbase-blockchain-is-to-blame">and institutional investors alike</a>.
Well, retail and institutional investors, except BitMEX founder and Maelstrom Chief Investment Officer Arthur Hayes. Where others see a lost cause, Hayes sees opportunity, picking the asset over market rival Solana, one of the best-performing crypto assets of the past two years.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&#8220;The Most Hated Thing&#8221;</h2>
Hayes has pitched his tent behind Ethereum against Solana. Speaking with Laura Shin on the &#8220;Unchained&#8221; podcast on April 8, the market analyst <a href="https://youtu.be/ZJvsyGr7gBg?si=Oz8YINeiaA5UjXme">tipped</a> Ethereum to outperform Solana in the market&#8217;s next potential move up.
&#8220;You want to own the most hated thing because that&#8217;s going to perform the best, and you don&#8217;t want to own the most loved thing from the previous cycle because that&#8217;s going to perform the worst,&#8221; he asserted, arguing that Ethereum offered a better risk to reward potential than Solana for investors with fresh capital coming into the market.
He stressed that this outlook did not mean that Solana would not also see significant gains but opined that it may not perform as well relative to Ethereum.
&#8220;I think ETH has the market fundamentals to do very well in this next leg up because people hate it so much, and so you know if it starts rising a lot in price, then you start getting &#8216;oh ETH&#8217;s back,&#8217; and everyone forgets all the reason why they hated ETH in the previous cycle, and then they jump on the bandwagon,&#8221; he said.
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Another reason Hayes offered for backing Ethereum is an anticipated cool down of the memecoin frenzy on Solana in a potential market leg up.
&#8220;There will be some memecoins that do very, very well, but are we gonna go back to where we were 12 months ago where everybody and their mother was just like slinging memecoins trying to find the $1 million market cap that goes to $100 million market cap and just handing hundreds of millions of dollars in fees to Pump.fun? I don&#8217;t think we&#8217;re going back there,&#8221; he asserted.
Indeed, following several high-profile scandals, the most notable being <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44706269/argentinas-congress-approves-investigation-of-scam-ridden-libra-token-promoted-by-president-javier-milei">the LIBRA saga</a>, the Solana memecoin frenzy has significantly cooled down in recent weeks.
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According to Dune Analytics <a href="https://dune.com/adam_tehc/pumpfun">data</a>, daily active wallets on Solana&#8217;s popular memecoin casino Pump.fun have dropped from highs of nearly 425,000 in January to barely 109,000 on April 11, a staggering 74% decline. At the same time, weekly volumes have tanked 73% from $3.3 billion to barely $900,000.
Nonetheless, in the short term, it is Ethereum&#8217;s underwhelming price performance that continues to attract wide concern. Amid recent market turbulence, the asset briefly dropped below the $1,400 price point—levels it first hit at the beginning of 2018.
&#8220;The fact that you can still buy ETH at 2017 levels? It&#8217;s either the market&#8217;s greatest joke – or its greatest opportunity,&#8221; Moonrock Capital CEO Simon Dedic <a href="https://x.com/sjdedic/status/1909330449799037235?t=psrE9bYPTf85lq0Q69jeOg&amp;s=19">lamented</a> at the time.
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Why Arthur Hayes Sees Ethereum Outperforming Solana In The Next Market Impulse

In speeches and rallies, President Donald Trump paints a spirited picture of a manufacturing comeback. He wants to fill up <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44506409/steve-jobs-warned-34-years-ago-about-america-being-hollowed-out-by-foreign-manufacturing-a-concern-trump-now-echoes">half-empty factories</a>, bring jobs back from overseas and restore America's status as a &#8220;manufacturing superpower.&#8221;
But while Americans might love the idea of more factory jobs, most don't actually want to work in one.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Nostalgic Vision Meets Modern Reality</h2>
Manufacturing once dominated the U.S. job market. In 1970, more than 25% of American workers held manufacturing jobs. Today, it's only around 8%, and many of those jobs look very different than they used to.
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Despite this drop, support for manufacturing remains high. A 2024 Cato Institute <a href="https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2024-08/Globalization%20Survey_2024.pdf">survey</a> found that 80% of Americans believe the country would be better off with more manufacturing jobs. But when asked if they personally would prefer a factory job over their current work, only 25% agreed. About 73% said no, and just 2% of respondents actually work in manufacturing today.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">"America would be better off if more people worked in manufacturing." • 80% of Americans agree • 20% disagree "I would be better off if I worked in a factory." • 25% of Americans agree • 73% disagree • 2% currently work in a factory &#x1f449;&#x1f3fb; <a href="https://t.co/ycnHVZ1gT1">https://t.co/ycnHVZ1gT1</a> <a href="https://t.co/4NXb0GLK5L">pic.twitter.com/4NXb0GLK5L</a>
&mdash; Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) <a href="https://twitter.com/FrankLuntz/status/1911463710029488317?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
So what gives? According to Carolyn Lee, executive director of the Manufacturing Institute, the jobs that still exist in modern factories are not what they used to be. &#8220;The majority of the jobs in the sector are not entry-level jobs that have no skills,&#8221; she told <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/10/business/manufacturing-us-jobs-trump-tariffs/index.html">CNN</a>. These roles now require everything from certifications to software and robotics skills.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tariffs Alone Won't Bring Back the Old Jobs</h2>
Trump believes sweeping tariffs will reverse the decades-long decline in factory work. In a recent social media <a href="https://x.com/TrumpDailyPosts/status/1909784713847321085">post</a>, he wrote, "I'm proud to be the president for the workers, not the outsourcers."
But many economists say the plan oversimplifies the issue. U.S. manufacturing output has actually increased over the last 40 years, even as jobs declined—thanks to automation and improved productivity. American factories now produce more high-value goods with fewer workers.
The push to onshore production also faces a major labor problem. There simply aren't enough Americans willing—or trained—to fill these roles. In February, the U.S. had <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.t01.htm">482,000</a> open manufacturing jobs, and projections show 1.9 million may go unfilled by 2033, <a href="https://themanufacturinginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Digital_Skills_Report_April_2024.pdf">according</a> to Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute.
&#8220;The skills U.S. workers have are mismatched for manufacturing right now,&#8221; Olaf Groth, a professor at UC Berkeley, told CNN. &#8220;What we need to do is lift the majority of American labor from mid-skilled to high-skilled.&#8221;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">High Costs, Uncertain Results</h2>
Trump's supporters argue that tariffs will help revive old factory towns. But the costs are high. Tariffs raise the price of imported goods, which hits lower-income families the hardest. A <a href="https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/global-research/current-events/us-tariffs">note</a> from JPMorgan Chase summed it up: "At the end of the day, tariffs are a tax on imports… the tax incidence nearly always falls on domestic sellers and consumers, not foreign producers."
Trump&#8217;s steel and aluminum tariffs during his first term are a case in point. They raised costs for U.S. manufacturers and consumers alike. In 2018, the Peterson Institute <a href="https://www.piie.com/blogs/trade-and-investment-policy-watch/steel-profits-gain-steel-users-pay-under-trumps">estimated</a> it cost about $650,000 to save a single job in the steel industry.
There's also no guarantee that jobs would come back <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44660218/commerce-secretary-howard-lutnick-says-army-of-workers-will-build-iphones-in-the-us-but-trumps-tariffs-could-reportedly-push-iphone-16-pro-maxs-prices-to-2300">at the scale envisioned</a>. As Lee noted, new factories may open, but they'll need fewer people. Robots and machines will do most of the manual work. And many Americans just aren't interested. The Cato survey confirms that.
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Image: Shutterstock

80% Of Americans Say The Country Would Be Better Off With More Manufacturing Jobs—But Only 25% Want One Themselves

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