The Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (ARCA: XLC)

Dernières nouvelles pour The Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (ARCA:XLC)

The Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund

Communication Services

Technology

Consumer Cyclical

Healthcare

Financial Services

Energy

Real Estate

Other

Industrials

Consumer Defensive

Utilities

Basic Materials

Normally, the fund generally invests substantially all, but at least 95%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the index. The index includes companies that have been identified as Communication Services companies by the GICS, including securities of companies from the following industries: diversified telecommunication services; wireless telecommunication services; media; entertainment; and interactive media & services. The fund is non-diversified.

Meta Platforms, Inc.

Alphabet Inc.Class A

Alphabet Holding Company Inc.

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A

Electronic Arts, Inc.

Comcast Corp. Class A

AT&T Inc.

T-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558

Verizon Communications, Inc.

Walt Disney Co

Editor&#8217;s note: the headline has been updated to more accurately reflect BlackRock&#8217;s recommended portfolio allocation.
The world's largest asset manager, BlackRock Inc. (NASDAQ; BLK), suggests that Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) could hold a place in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42143299/bitcoin-etfs-will-see-hundreds-of-billions-in-inflows-analyst-predicts">multi-asset portfolios</a>, albeit within a narrow range.
Quoting a report from the BlackRock Investment Institute, Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-12/blackrock-says-up-to-2-bitcoin-allocation-is-reasonable-range?embedded-checkout=true">reported</a> that allocating 1% to 2% of a portfolio to Bitcoin would produce a risk profile comparable to investing in the &#8220;Magnificent Seven&#8221; technology stocks within a traditional 60/40 portfolio of equities and bonds.
Exceeding the 2% threshold, however, could disproportionately increase the portfolio&#8217;s risk.
The report provides guidance for investors seeking to balance exposure to Bitcoin, especially as the cryptocurrency continues to trade at record highs above $100,000. 
President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42422705/donald-trump-would-welcome-150000-bitcoin-early-in-presidency-its-another-stock-market-for-him">crypto-friendly policies</a>, coupled with his pro-crypto leadership appointments, have contributed to a surge in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/24/12/42437939/bitcoin-etfs-spark-institutional-interest-the-doors-have-been-blown-off-superstate-ceo-says">Bitcoin exchange-traded funds</a> (ETFs), including BlackRock's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBIT#NASDAQ">IBIT</a>).
These developments have fueled billions in inflows and intensified interest in integrating Bitcoin into mainstream investment strategies.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42460507/hacker-exploits-dogecoin-vulnerability-crashes-69-of-nodes-but-doge-still-spikes-1-8">Hacker Exploits Dogecoin Vulnerability, Crashes 69% Of Nodes—But DOGE Still Spikes 1.8%</a>
"Even though Bitcoin's correlation with other assets is relatively low, its inherent volatility makes its impact on total portfolio risk similar to that of highly concentrated tech stocks," stated Samara Cohen, BlackRock&#8217;s Chief Investment Officer of ETF and Index Investments, in the paper. 
A small allocation to Bitcoin could add diversification, whereas an overweight position in high-risk tech equities might exacerbate concentration risks, the report noted.
Despite Bitcoin&#8217;s 140% rise this year, its path to historic highs has been marked by extreme volatility, with historical drawdowns ranging between 70% and 80%, the paper highlighted. 
However, the introduction of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42393396/record-week-bitcoin-etfs-net-25-billion-in-inflows-ethereum-etfs-took-in-12-billion">U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs</a> earlier this year has played a pivotal role in its rally.
Since their January launch, these ETFs have attracted over $113 billion in assets, with nearly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42380475/bitcoin-etfs-have-outstripped-satoshi-nakamotos-holdings">$10 billion flowing in</a> since November, according to Bloomberg data.
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Image: Shutterstock

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

Cryptocurrency

News

$BTC

IBIT

BlackRock: 'Reasonable Range' Of Bitcoin Allocation In Multi-Asset Portfolios Is Between 1-2% (UPDATED)

Trading Ideas

LBGJ

Li Bang International Shares Resume Trading

Realty Income's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/O#NYSE">O</a>) short percent of float has risen 21.18% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 18.72 million shares sold short, which is 2.46% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 4.92 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>Realty Income Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734025521_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Realty Income 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 Realty Income'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>, Realty Income's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 5.16%, 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

(O) - Analyzing Realty Income's Short Interest

Elevance Health's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELV#NYSE">ELV</a>) short percent of float has fallen 9.63% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 2.82 million shares sold short, which is 1.22% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.66 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>Elevance Health Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734025516_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Elevance Health 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 Elevance Health'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>, Elevance Health's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 5.71%, 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.

streetTRACKS Dow Jones U.S. Large Cap Value Index Fund

Peering Into Elevance Health's Recent Short Interest

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41213012/dave-ramseys-bold-plan-to-fight-inflation-could-his-radical-approach-help-you-keep-more-cash-in-">Dave Ramsey</a>, renowned financial guru, proud father of three grown kids and grandfather of seven, doesn't mince words when it comes to life lessons.
In a blog post, Ramsey delivered a powerful message about parenting, warning against the dangers of shielding kids from the consequences of their actions. His reflections, sparked by an adorable exchange with his four-year-old granddaughter, offers humor and hard truths.
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While vacationing with his family at their lake house, Ramsey asked his granddaughter where her cousin was. The little girl's response – "He is in the house with his dad" – set up a moment of parenting gold. When Ramsey inquired further, she replied, "My cousin is experiencing consequences."&nbsp;
Intrigued, Ramsey asked, "Have you experienced consequences?" Her answer – "Oh yes, Pappa Dave and it's not fun, but I learned a lot" – left him both amused and proud. It also highlighted a simple yet powerful truth: great parenting raises kids who understand responsibility.
Ramsey argues that many parents today are failing their children by protecting them from failure and discomfort. He's not alone in this belief. Parenting experts like Andy Andrews have long said the goal isn't to raise great kids but to raise kids who will become great adults.&nbsp;
See Also: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Last Chance to get 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a>
According to Ramsey, "enabling" or "helicopter parenting" holds today's youth back – and the numbers prove it.
A report by The Hill found that nearly half of parents are still paying their adult children's bills, shelling out an average of $1,442 per month. Shockingly, 25% of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/09/41093903/millennials-are-house-rich-how-one-generation-doubled-their-wealth">millennials </a>rely on their parents to cover housing costs.&nbsp;
Ramsey quickly clarifies that temporary support isn&#8217;t the issue in the face of genuine hardship – like illness or divorce. But when a safety net becomes a hammock, it robs young adults of dignity, resilience and motivation.
Ramsey uses a vivid metaphor to drive his point home. Eagles build their nests with sharp thorns and soften them with down to protect their young. When the eaglets are ready to fly, the parents remove the down, making the nest uncomfortable.&nbsp;
This discomfort pushes the young eagles to spread their wings and soar. In contrast, Ramsey laments that today's parents are creating a generation of adults stuck in "nests," unwilling to leave.
Trending: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?
The consequences are staggering. Economist Nicholas Eberstadt's book Men Without Work reveals that 7.2 million able-bodied men, ages 25 to 54, are neither working nor looking for work.
Supported by parents, partners or the government, many in this group are plagued by depression, addiction and even suicide. Ramsey says this tragic reality highlights how society has failed to teach these individuals the value of struggle and hard work.
In his bestseller The Comfort Crisis, Michael Easter argues that modern life has become so easy that we've lost our ability to tackle tough challenges. Ramsey agrees, urging parents to embrace – and teach – the benefits of hard things. Struggle builds character and character builds hope, he says.
Ramsey acknowledges that many young people are hardworking and mission-driven, particularly at his company, Ramsey Solutions. But for those who lack grit, he points the finger at overprotective parenting. "When we remove consequences, we clip their wings," he says. "And instead of soaring like eagles, they become turkeys."
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<li>Studies show 50% of consumers think Financial Advisors cost much more than they do —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/money-pickle"> to debunk this, this company provides matching for free and a complimentary first call with the matched advisor.</a></li>
</ul>

Personal Finance

Dave Ramsey Warns Against 'Hammock Parenting'—'7.2 Million Able-Bodied Men Aren't Even Looking For Work And It's Not Their Fault'

Veeva Systems's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VEEV#NYSE">VEEV</a>) short percent of float has fallen 16.87% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 1.97 million shares sold short, which is 1.33% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.66 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>Veeva Systems Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734025511_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Veeva Systems 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 Veeva Systems'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>, Veeva Systems's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 6.45%, 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.

VEEV

(VEEV) - Analyzing Veeva Systems's Short Interest

Chardan Capital analyst Geulah Livshits maintains Krystal Biotech (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRYS#NASDAQ">KRYS</a>) with a Buy and maintains $212 price target.

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

KRYS

Chardan Capital Maintains Buy on Krystal Biotech, Maintains $212 Price Target

Bernstein analyst Zhihan Ma maintains Lowe's Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LOW#NYSE">LOW</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $301 to $304.

Bernstein Maintains Outperform on Lowe's Companies, Raises Price Target to $304

WIIM

BCTX

BriaCell Therapeutics shares are trading lower after the company announced the pricing of a $5.5 million public offering of 7.4 million shares at $0.75 per share.

B of A Securities analyst Jessica Reif Cohen reiterates Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBD#NASDAQ">WBD</a>) with a Buy and maintains $14 price target.

Reiteration

B of A Securities Reiterates Buy on Warner Bros. Discovery, Maintains $14 Price Target

JP Morgan analyst Christopher Horvers maintained an Overweight rating for Lowe&#8217;s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LOW#NYSE">LOW</a>) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LOW/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">with a price forecast of $300.</a>
Yesterday, the company highlighted its near-term and long-term financial targets at its 2024<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42445818/lowes-targets-1-billion-in-annual-savings-and-expands-store-footprint-to-drive-future-growth" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Analyst and Investor Conference</a>.
Lowe&#8217;s reaffirmed its outlook, projecting total sales between $83 billion and $83.5 billion<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/guidance" rel="noreferrer noopener"> (consensus estimate: $83.34 billion)</a>.
The company expects comparable sales to decline by 3.0% to 3.5% and adjusted EPS&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/42060077/lowes-q3-earnings-revenue-and-eps-beat-but-comp-sales-fall-amid-softness-in-bigger-ticket-diy-discretionary-demand" rel="noreferrer noopener">of $11.80 – $11.90 (consensus estimate: $11.89)</a>.
Lowe&#8217;s plans to unveil its next phase of Perpetual Productivity Improvement (PPI) initiatives, projected to deliver approximately $1 billion in annual cost savings.
The analyst writes that Lowe&#8217;s Analyst Day marked a subtle pivot, signaling that the infrastructure built since CEO Marvin Ellison&#8217;s 2018 arrival is now in place.
The analyst says they continue to favor LOW and write that with the shift to positive comps after three years of pullforward spending and housing headwinds, they believe a moderate 1% comp is reasonable.
The analyst views the 10 basis points of operating margin expansion per comp point and the $1 billion stock repurchase assumption as conservative.
Hoovers adds that Lowe&#8217;s is advancing self-help initiatives to boost top-line growth and margins, reducing the performance gap with Home Depot.
The industry&#8217;s duopoly and resistance to Amazon, along with a strong housing-driven long-term outlook, justify its premium valuation, adds the analyst.
Additionally, the recent decline in long-term rates is expected to boost demand, especially as existing home sales remain at 40-year lows, with potential upside from a Fed rate cut, per the analyst.
As the housing market improves, Horvers expects the company to further re-rate, especially with the 2025 guidance uncertainty cleared.
Investors can gain exposure to the stock via&nbsp;IShares U.S. Home Construction ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITB#BATS">ITB</a>) and&nbsp;VanEck Retail ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTH#NASDAQ">RTH</a>).
Price Action: LOW shares are down 1.41% at $264.11 at the last check Thursday.
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Photo via Shutterstock.

Analyst Color

Equities

Large Cap

iShares Dow Jones US Homenstruction Index Fund

Merrill Lynch Retail HOLDRS Trust due 12/31/41

Lowe's Positioned For Growth Amid Cost Savings And Housing Recovery: JP Morgan Analyst

Goldman Sachs said in a research note released on Tuesday that it expects continued progress in the autonomous vehicles space, including robotaxis, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42455654/wedbush-securities-sees-tesla-touching-2-trillion-market-cap-by-2025-end-apple-microsoft-nvidia-to-join-4-trillion-market-cap-club-next-year-says-analyst">in 2025.&nbsp;</a>
Expert Ideas: Goldman Sachs analysts predict that vehicles with situationally "eyes-off," or Level 3, AV capabilities will reach approximately 10% of new vehicle sales in 2030. The analysts expect sales of fully autonomous vehicles, Levels 4 and 5, to be relatively low in the near to medium term, but to reach more than one million in 2028 and above two million in 2030.
The firm sees fully autonomous vehicles reaching a mid-teens percentage of global vehicle sales in 2040, including personal ownership of Level 4 vehicles. &nbsp;
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42440681/markets-have-the-green-light-to-rally-after-novembers-yawner-inflation-report-experts-say">&#8216;Markets Have The Green Light To Rally&#8217; After November&#8217;s &#8216;Yawner&#8217; Inflation Report, Experts Say</a> &nbsp;
TSLA: Goldman Sachs highlighted Tesla in the areas of power and platforms, but sees the EV-leader facing headwinds in its core auto business in the near to medium term. The firm pointed to slower global EV demand and pricing pressures as the causes.&nbsp;
Tesla is targeting a 2025 launch of its robotaxi service in Texas and/or California using its Model 3/Y vehicles. The company is also planning to begin production of its Cybercab robotaxi in 2026. Goldman Sachs pointed to increased federal regulatory clarity, especially for consumer vehicles, as being helpful to Tesla as it attempts to scale its Level 4 AVs.&nbsp;
Goldman Sachs maintained a Neutral rating on Tesla stock and raised its price target from $250 to $345.
RIVN: Goldman Sachs noted that Rivian recently deployed its Autonomy+ platform, currently a Level 2 AV driver assist and autonomy feature. Autonomy+ rolled out as a free trial and the firm expects Rivian to monetize the platform in the future, adding another revenue stream for the company.&nbsp;
Goldman Sachs maintained a Neutral rating on Rivian stock and raised its price target from $12 to $13.&nbsp;
TSLA, RIVN Price Action: According to Benzinga Pro, Tesla shares are down 0.42% at $423.00 and Rivian shares are up 1.15% at $13.92 at the time of publication Thursday at midday.
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Image: Shutterstock&nbsp;

Movers

Tech

RIVN

TSLA

Rivian, Tesla Will Drive Autonomous Vehicle Progress In 2025: Goldman Sachs

On Thursday, Centene Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNC#NYSE">CNC</a>) outlined its 2025 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/12/n42456151/centene-corporation-announces-2025-guidance" rel="noreferrer noopener">financial guidance</a>.
For fiscal year 2025, the health insurance plan provider expects total revenues of&nbsp;$166.5 billion&nbsp;to&nbsp;$169.5 billion, compared to a consensus of $166.58 billion.
The guidance includes premium and service revenues of&nbsp;$154.0 billion&nbsp;to&nbsp;$156.0 billion. The company expects GAAP EPS of greater than&nbsp;$6.19, with adjusted EPS of greater than&nbsp;$7.25 compared to the consensus of $6.97.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/41866438/donald-trumps-second-term-could-reshape-us-healthcare-system-with-major-impacts-on-affordable-care-act-and-medicare" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump&#8217;s Second Term Could Reshape US Healthcare System, With Major Impacts on Affordable Care Act And Medicare</a>
The company expects a Health benefits ratio (HBR) of 88.4% to 89.0%.
The insurer forecasts a 2025 selling, general, and administrative (SG&amp;A) expense ratio of 8.1% to 8.7%, with an adjusted SG&amp;A expense ratio of 8.1% to 8.7%.
The company reaffirms its 2024 premium and service revenues guidance if&nbsp;$143.5 billion&nbsp;to&nbsp;$144.5&nbsp;billion, HBR guidance if 88.3% to 88.5%, and adjusted diluted EPS guidance <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41542651/centene-says-it-is-positioned-to-capture-long-term-growth-in-government-sponsored-healthcare-lifts-" rel="noreferrer noopener">of greater than&nbsp;$6.80</a>.
&#8220;Centene is a mission driven organization, dedicated to delivering high quality outcomes for more than 28 million members, many of whom are among the nation&#8217;s most medically complex and historically underserved populations. Over the last three years we improved our core operations and invested in the experience of our customers and providers, all while delivering on our financial commitments,&#8221; said Chief Executive Officer of Centene,&nbsp;Sarah London.
Full-year 2024 earnings will be reported on February&nbsp;4, 2025.
Price Action: CNC stock is up 1.92% at $57.99 at the last check on Thursday.
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Earnings

Guidance

Health Care

General

Why Is Insurance Firm Centene Stock Trading Higher On Thursday?

Li Bang International Shares Halted On Circuit Breaker To The Upside, Stock Now Down -19.7%

Li Bang International Shares Resume Trade

Goldman Sachs analyst Neil Mehta rated Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) Neutral <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/XOM/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">and a price target of $125</a>.
Yesterday, the company unveiled its Corporate Plan to 2030, targeting an additional $20 billion in earnings and $30 billion in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42444546/2030-roadmap-exxonmobil-to-achieve-54m-barrelsday-production-targets-20-billion-earnings-boost" rel="noreferrer noopener">cash flow over the next six years</a>.
The 2030 goals include increasing Pioneer acquisition synergies by 50% to over $3 billion annually, growing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/guidance" rel="noreferrer noopener">new business earnings to $3 billion</a>.
ExxonMobil is targeting up to $30 billion in lower-emissions investments and will allocate $27 billion – $29 billion in capex for 2025, with annual investments of $28 billion – $33 billion from 2026 to 2030, while reducing the reinvestment rate to 40%.
The analyst says that Exxon highlighted its differentiated Permian position post-Pioneer acquisition, leveraging non-sand proppants for better well performance.
Mehta notes that over the next 12 months, the company plans to deploy the technology in over 200 wells, though supply chain constraints remain a key focus for managing the deployment cadence.
However, Exxon was more cautious than expected regarding its 2030 volume outlook for Guyana, with forecasts set at 1.3 million bpd, compared to Goldman Sachs&#8217; estimate of 1.5 million bpd, adds the analyst.
Mehta says that the company emphasized its ongoing focus on using 4D seismic technology and expanding high-performance computing capacity to enhance resource recovery and maximize value capture. 
Additionally, the analyst notes that ExxonMobil is continuing to collaborate closely with the Guyanese government on gas development projects.
Going forward, the analyst says that it will closely monitor management&#8217;s updates on the execution of various LNG projects, particularly Golden Pass, due to previous challenges with execution and timing.
The analyst estimates EPS of $7.91 for 2024, $8.35 for 2025 and $9.71 for 2026.
Investors can gain exposure to XOM via&nbsp;EA Series Trust Strive U.S. Energy ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DRLL#NYSE">DRLL</a>) and&nbsp;Vanguard Energy Index Fund ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VDE#NYSE">VDE</a>).
Price Action: XOM shares are down 0.39% at $111.48 at the last check Thursday.
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Photo: Del Henderson Jr. via Shutterstock.

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Hyperliquid (CRYPTO: HYPE), a rising decentralized exchange and Layer-1 blockchain, continues its strong rally, which has seen the token price increase six-fold from $3 to over $18 since its much-anticipated launch <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42242292/trader-scores-over-800000-from-crypto-airdrop-thank-you-for-the-life-changing-wealth-generation-event">two weeks ago.</a>
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>Market Cap</td>
<td>24-Hour Trend</td>
<td>7-Day Trend</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hyperliquid (CRYPTO: HYPE)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$18.20</td>
<td>$4.9 billion</td>
<td>+16%&nbsp;</td>
<td>+43.4%&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sui (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">SUI</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$4.63</td>
<td>$13.5 billion</td>
<td>+9.9%&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;+10.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BNB (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/bnb/usd">BNB</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$719.9</td>
<td>$103.7 billion</td>
<td>+3.3%&nbsp;</td>
<td>-1.7%&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Trader Notes: Crypto trader Daniel <a href="https://x.com/danielgothits/status/1862541671311056908">described</a> Hyperliquid as the "coolest new product in years, saying it is "basically Binance, except fully on-chain with no KYC, usernames or logins."
Other traders echoed the positive sentiment, with zkTuring <a href="https://x.com/zkTuring/status/1866869827992011238?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1866869827992011238%7Ctwgr%5E058f1ea80d94d4c99e854e659c860ea6bd0438b0%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.benzinga.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Faction%3Deditpost%3D689853">saying</a> &#8220;imagine Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>), Binance (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/bnb/usd">BNB</a>) and FTX (without the fraud) had a baby.&#8221;
Hoeem, another crypto analyst, likened HYPE's potential to the rally of Celestia (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TIA</a>) after its launch, noting the absence of <a href="https://x.com/crypthoem/status/1867206894013599864">venture</a> capital involvement. He marked $20 as a critical psychological level, predicting a significant pump if surpassed.
Ryan Watkins, co-founder of Syncracy Capital, expressed <a href="https://x.com/RyanWatkins_/status/1866875152434168037">confidence</a> in Hyperliquid surpassing SUI, stating that HYPE is the only emerging Layer-1 trading at one-third to one-fifth the valuation of its closest competitors. 
He added that Hyperliquid's aspirational comparison is BNB.
Statistics: Technical analyst SatsHunter <a href="https://x.com/SatsHunter_/status/1866898924822233125">highlighted</a> Hyperliquid's impressive fundamentals, including:
<ul>
<li>$2.25 billion in total value locked (TVL).</li>
<li>58% dominance in on-chain perpetuals.</li>
<li>$70 billion in monthly perpetual trading volume.</li>
</ul>
He emphasized that 38.88% of HYPE's token supply is still designated for community distribution, signaling further growth potential.
Trader blue4k <a href="https://x.com/bluegwei/status/1867205261339095498">echoed</a> the bullish sentiment, pointing to Hyperliquid's exclusively native components. 
The scheduled launch of the HyperEVM in early 2025 is also expected to be a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42319671/ethereum-killer-hyperliquid-explodes-for-274-7-day-gain-could-create-more-millionaires-than-microsoft-at-this-rate-trader-says">significant growth catalyst</a>.
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Image: Shutterstock

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Hyperliquid, The 'Coolest New Crypto Product,' Up 500% In 2 Weeks: 'Imagine Ethereum, Solana, Binance Had A Baby,' Lauds Trader

On Thursday, the European Medicines Agency&#8217;s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use adopted a positive opinion for an update for Novo Nordisk A/S&#8217; (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) Ozempic&nbsp;(once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide) label to reflect data from the FLOW kidney outcomes trial.
The FLOW trial <a target="_blank" href="https://www.novonordisk.com/content/nncorp/global/en/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=915077" rel="noreferrer noopener">assessed</a> the risk reduction from Ozempic&nbsp;therapy in chronic kidney disease-related events.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42291660/defiance-etfs-introduces-leveraged-etf-to-capture-novo-nordisk-momentum-riding-high-on-weight-loss-medications" rel="noreferrer noopener">Want To Bet On Ozempic, Wegovy Success? Defiance Introduces Leveraged ETF To Capture Novo Nordisk Momentum</a>
In the FLOW trial, semaglutide 1.0 mg demonstrated a statistically significant and superior 24% risk reduction in kidney disease progression, cardiovascular disease, and kidney death compared to placebo.
The combined primary endpoint included five components measuring the progression of CKD and the risk of kidney <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/03/37478859/novo-nordisk-says-famed-diabetes-medicine-ozempic-reduces-risk-of-kidney-disease-progression-data" rel="noreferrer noopener">and cardiovascular mortality</a>.&nbsp;
In addition, the secondary endpoints in the trial showed that the risk of major cardiovascular events was reduced by 18%, and the risk of all-cause mortality <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/05/39008722/novo-nordisk-releases-data-showing-ozempic-for-diabetes-slows-kidney-disease-progression" rel="noreferrer noopener">was reduced by 20%</a>.
Novo Nordisk has also filed for a label expansion in the US, and a decision is expected in the first half of 2025.
Last week, GoodRx Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GDRX#NASDAQ">GDRX</a>), a prescription savings platform in the U.S., released its latest Weight Loss Medications Tracker, revealing a sharp increase in the use of popular weight loss drugs like Eli Lilly And Co&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) Mounjaro and Zepbound as well as Novo Nordisk&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/12/b42339270/goodrx-reveals-americans-overspent-on-weight-loss-medications-by-200-million-this-year-fills-still" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ozempic and Wegovy</a>.
Despite limited insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket costs, demand for these <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/12/42349122/how-much-did-americans-overspend-on-weight-loss-medications-in-2024-goodrx-reveals" rel="noreferrer noopener">medications is soaring</a>.
Price Action: NVO stock is down 1.8% at $109.68 at last check Thursday.
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U.S. stocks traded lower midway through trading, with the Dow Jones index falling by 0.2% on Thursday.
The Dow traded down 0.18% to 44,067.70 while the NASDAQ fell 0.33% to 19,969.33. The S&amp;P 500 also fell, dropping, 0.24% to 6,069.33.
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Leading and Lagging Sectors Real estate shares jumped by 0.7% on Thursday.
In trading on Thursday, energy shares fell by 0.6%.
Top Headline
Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADBE#NASDAQ">ADBE</a>) shares fell around 13% on Thursday following the company's release of a revenue forecast that fell short of expectations.
The company said it expects first-quarter revenue to be in the range of $5.63 billion to $5.68 billion versus estimates of $5.73 billion. The company anticipates first-quarter adjusted earnings of $4.95 to $5 per share versus estimates of $4.95 per share.
The company reported revenue of $5.61 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $5.54 billion. Adjusted earnings per share were $4.81, exceeding analyst predictions of $4.66 per share.
Equities Trading UP &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Liquidity Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LQDT#NASDAQ">LQDT</a>) shares shot up 26% to $32.51 after the company reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter financial results.</li>
<li>Shares of Trevi Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TRVI#NASDAQ">TRVI</a>) got a boost, surging 60% to $3.9880 after the company announced positive outcomes for the treatment of patients from its chronic cough Phase 2b CORAL trial.</li>
<li>3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DDD#NYSE">DDD</a>) shares were also up, gaining 17% to $3.9300 after the company inked a definitive agreement to sell its Geomagic software portfolio to Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence Division for $123 million.</li>
</ul>
Equities Trading DOWN
<ul>
<li>Sacks Parente Golf, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPGC#NASDAQ">SPGC</a>) shares dropped 80% to $0.2950 after the company priced an upsized $8.4 million underwritten public offering of 7 million common units at $1.20 per unit.</li>
<li>Shares of Keros Therapeutics, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KROS#NASDAQ">KROS</a>) were down 74% to $18.00 after the company announced it halted treatment in the 3.0 mg/kg and 4.5 mg/kg arms of its ongoing TROPOS trial due to safety concerns..</li>
<li>The Lovesac Company (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LOVE#NASDAQ">LOVE</a>) was down, falling 25% to $28.39 after the company reported mixed third-quarter financial results.</li>
</ul>
Commodities In commodity news, oil traded down 1.6% to $69.17 while gold traded down 1.9% at $2,705.80.
Silver traded down 3.9% to $31.67 on Thursday, while copper fell 0.7% to $4.2330.
Euro zone
European shares were mixed today. The eurozone's STOXX 600 fell 0.09%, Germany's DAX rose 0.15% and France's CAC 40 gained 0.07%. Spain's IBEX 35 Index slipped 0.06%, while London's FTSE 100 rose 0.12%.
Asia Pacific Markets
Asian markets closed mostly higher on Thursday, with Japan's Nikkei 225 gaining 1.21%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gaining 1.20%, China's Shanghai Composite Index gaining 0.85% and India's BSE Sensex falling 0.29%.
Economics
<ul>
<li>U.S. initial jobless claims increased by 17,000 from the previous week to a reading of 242,000 during the first week of December, compared to market estimates of 220,000.</li>
<li>Core producer prices increased by 0.2% month-over-month in November compared to a 0.3% increase in the previous month and in-line with market expectations.</li>
<li>U.S. natural-gas stocks fell 190 billion cubic feet to 3.747 trillion cubic feet in the week ended Dec. 6, compared to market estimates of a 170 billion cubic feet decline.</li>
</ul>
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The neck-and-neck horse race for first place among equity sectors has recently given way to a decisive lead for communications services stocks year to date.

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