ZK International Gr Co Stock (NASDAQ: ZKIN)

ZK International Gr Co (NASDAQ:ZKIN) Stock

ZK International Gr Co

ZK International Group Co Ltd is engaged in the manufacture and marketing of metal pipes. The company is specialized in producing double-press thin-walled stainless steel tubes and fittings, carbon steel tubes and fittings, single-press tubes and fittings, and stainless-steel strips. The products are used in restaurants, hotels, hospitals, firefighting, food, beverage, ships, engines, industrial seawater desalination and systems of direct-drinking water, cold /hot water supply, city water supply, and gas of large/middle scale construction projects.

ZK International Group Co., Ltd - Ordinary Share

ZK International Group Co Ltd

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was direct in a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-kq84Nm0vs">MSNBC</a> interview, sharply criticizing President Donald Trump&#8217;s approach to leadership and policy. Walz painted a stark contrast between his state&#8217;s efforts to improve lives through investment in public services and what he described as Trump&#8217;s self-serving style of governance.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&#8216;The Biggest Myth&#8217;</h2>
&#8220;I think the biggest myth that&#8217;s been brought to the American public is this guy knows anything about business, running a good business, treating workers fairly, growing in terms of helping the economy for others,&#8221; Walz told host Jen Psaki, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44235243/mark-cuban-once-questioned-whether-donald-trump-is-really-a-billionaire">dismissing Trump&#8217;s reputation</a> as a successful businessman. &#8220;It&#8217;s all about the grift.&#8221;
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Walz pointed to his own experience as a governor working to support struggling families, emphasizing the real-world impact of Trump&#8217;s policies. &#8220;We&#8217;re trying to figure out what the proposed cuts to the programs that most impact people who need it most,&#8221; he said, referencing his visit to a local food bank. &#8220;At the same time, you see this going on. It&#8217;s corruption.&#8221;
He warned that Trump could push the U.S. further down a dangerous path. &#8220;I said it many months ago that he will eventually try and incarcerate political opponents,&#8221; Walz said, adding that he expects Trump to fully embrace authoritarianism. &#8220;This guy will be in a military uniform before long. He is fully headed towards authoritarianism.&#8221;
Walz also criticized Trump&#8217;s approach to self-enrichment, arguing that his presidency has been more about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44707622/melania-trumps-memecoin-team-secretly-sells-30-million-in-tokens-report">benefiting himself, his family</a>, and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40667098/donald-trumps-billions-on-hold-as-insiders-sell-off-truth-social-shares">his close circle</a> than helping the country.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&#8216;It&#8217;s About Enriching Themselves&#8217;</h2>
&#8220;It&#8217;s about enriching themselves, enriching his sons, enriching those around him and his donors,&#8221; Walz said. He added that this focus on personal gain puts the country&#8217;s democracy at risk. &#8220;I truly worry that the access to that office endangers not just our democracy.&#8221;&nbsp;
&#8220;My farmers have worked years to cultivate markets in a free market around the world, and we have thrived at that,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We feed the world. We clothe the world. We power the world. Donald Trump is now deciding that he gets to do all of that.&#8221;
Reflecting on Trump&#8217;s broader approach to governing, Walz rejected the idea that government should be run like a business. &#8220;No, we don&#8217;t need to run government like a business,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Because we&#8217;re not in the profit-making. We&#8217;re improving lives and looking towards the future. And this guy has a proven track record of being an absolute failure.&#8221;
See Also: Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary called Missing Ring his biggest mistake — Don't repeat history—<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/big-tech-has-spent-billions-acquiring-ai-smart-home-startups-one-company-stands-to-benefit-and-has-already-made-10-million">invest in RYSE at just $1.90/share.</a>
Even with these challenges, Walz stressed that states like Minnesota are still focused on helping working families, pointing to recent improvements in education as proof that investing in public services makes a real difference.&nbsp;
&#8220;We provided free breakfast and free lunch. We provided the nation&#8217;s largest child tax credit. We invested more money in education and our teachers than at any time in our history,&#8221; he said, noting the state&#8217;s record-high graduation rates. &#8220;That&#8217;s the society we want to see.&#8221;
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Image: Shutterstock

News

Trump Has A 'Proven Track Record Of Being An Absolute Failure,' Says Gov. Tim Walz—'We Don't Need To Run Government Like A Business'

Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8216;s contentious comments about the late Jerry Buss, former owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, have made a comeback, stirring up memories of a heated NBA exchange.
What Happened: The incident can be traced back to May 2005 when O&#8217;Neal, fondly referred to as &#8220;Big Diesel&#8221;, publicly expressed his disapproval of Buss&#8217;s personal lifestyle. The friction between the two ignited after the 2003-04 NBA season when Buss reportedly had a significant hand in not renewing O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s contract, which resulted in his transfer to the Miami Heat.
As per the report <a href="https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/when-shaquille-oneal-slammed-jerry-buss-for-dating-women-decades-younger">by </a>the Basketball Network, O&#8217;Neal, who had spent almost a decade with the Lakers, was profoundly aggrieved by the decision and Buss&#8217;s subsequent remarks implying the trade was a stimulus for O&#8217;Neal to improve his fitness. 
In retaliation, O&#8217;Neal took a jab at Buss&#8217;s notorious reputation for dating significantly younger women, asserting, &#8220;I&nbsp;needed a real owner —&nbsp;like Micky Arison. Not a&nbsp;guy who parties with girls&nbsp;that are three times younger.&#8221;
&#8220;When you are 60, hang out with 60-year-olds, not 20-year-olds,&#8221;&nbsp;advised the two-time scoring leader, adding,&nbsp;&#8220;That is all I got to say about Jerry Buss,&#8221; he mentioned. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/25/03/44209990/nba-legend-shaqs-walmart-shopping-spree-ends-in-credit-card-decline-heres-how-much-he-tried-to-spend">NBA Legend Shaq&#8217;s Walmart Shopping Spree Ends In Credit Card Decline—Here&#8217;s How Much He Tried To Spend</a>
Buss, the owner of the Lakers since 1979 until his death in 2013, was recognized for his relationships with younger women, often models or ex-Playboy bunnies. 
O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s comments underscored the tense relationship between the two post their professional separation, spotlighting the fleeting nature of loyalty in professional sports.
Why It Matters: This incident underscores the often complex and strained relationships between players and team owners in professional sports. 
It highlights the potential for personal disagreements to impact professional decisions, such as contract renewals and trades. Furthermore, it brings to light the issue of personal lifestyles of team owners, and how they can become a point of contention within the team dynamics. 
The resurfacing of these comments serves as a reminder of these challenges, and the ongoing need for professionalism and respect in the sporting industry.
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Image: Shutterstock/Michael Potts F1

Sports

Shaquille O'Neal's Fiery Remarks on Late Lakers Owner Jerry Buss Resurface: 'Hang Out With 60-Year-Olds, Not 20-Year-Olds'

A new round of tariff hikes from President <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44143475/trumps-u-s-doge-service-claims-65b-in-savings-experts-call-it-smoke-and-mirrors-amid-resignations">Donald Trump's</a> administration has reignited trade tensions between the world's two largest economies.&nbsp;
"History will record that the actions President Trump has taken in recent days were the beginning of saving the West from complete economic domination by another power," White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said in an April 13 interview on <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/video/6371444714112">Fox News</a>, referring to China's growing influence over global supply chains.
He described the latest tariff policy as "a turning point in U.S.-China relations."
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trade Clash Hits Strollers, Planes, And Small Businesses</h2>
The new tariff plan began with a 10% baseline on foreign imports, announced earlier this month by the White House.&nbsp;
It was followed by steep reciprocal tariffs that brought the total levies on Chinese imports to 145%, combining the original 20% duties and an added 125% retaliatory hike. China responded with tariffs of its own, hitting U.S. goods with 125% duties.&nbsp;
The standoff amounts to a mutual trade embargo impacting nearly $600 billion in annual trade. The effects are already filtering down to American households.&nbsp;
Baby strollers, car seats, and other child-related goods—many of which are produced in China—are getting pricier and scarcer. According to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-products-tariffs-strollers-car-seats-96496556c8913f521021d0c165eca977">Associated Press</a>, Munchkin CEO Steven Dunn warned that domestic manufacturers lack the skilled labor, automation, and tooling expertise needed to replace imports—raising fears of potential product shortages.
Trending: How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/tax-deferring-adv"> Tax deferring is their number one strategy</a>.
Small retailers are feeling the pressure, too. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/main-street-trump-trade-war-tariffs-small-businesses-impact-2025-4">Business Insider</a> reported Alter Ego Comics in Lima, Ohio, is facing supplier price increases of up to 34%. Store owner Marc Bowker said his business is struggling to keep margins stable, and that passing the costs on to customers may not be enough to cover the rising expenses.
China has responded by seeking out alternative markets. <a href="https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/04/19/chinese-exporters-seek-new-markets-to-offset-us-tariff-impact-amid-trade-war">Euronews</a> reported on April 19 that trade fairs like the Canton Fair and China International Consumer Products Expo are key platforms, with many exporters exploring markets in Europe and investing in overseas production facilities to strengthen their global presence. This strategy aims to diversify their supply chains and improve resilience in the face of trade uncertainties.
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The aerospace industry has also been affected. Last month, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/boeing-delivery-plant-china-latest-hot-spot-tariff-war-2025-04-17/">Reuters</a> reported that China has halted imports of Boeing aircraft and is shifting its purchases to domestic manufacturers like Comac. This development poses a challenge to Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>), a major U.S. exporter.
In the same interview, Miller accused <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44281204/jack-ma-xi-jinping-and-the-53b-ai-bet-alibabas-comeback-signals-a-new-era-for-chinese-big-tech">China </a>of "decades of intellectual property theft, industrial espionage, currency manipulation, and targeted dumping." He added it was "shameful" that the U.S. had allowed core elements of its critical infrastructure to depend on Chinese supply chains.
While Miller praised Trump's strategy as overdue, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/13/ray-dalio-trump-tariffs-recession">The Guardian</a> reported concerns among economists that a prolonged standoff could spark a mild U.S. recession and weaken its position in global financial markets.
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Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

Stephen Miller Says 'History Will Record' Trump's Tariffs As The Start Of Saving The West From China's Economic Domination'

He Xiaopeng, the cofounder of XPeng&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPEV#NYSE">XPEV</a>), has revealed that the sales of new electric vehicles (EVs) equipped with advanced &#8220;hands-off&#8221; driver assist features have seen a significant surge in China over the past decade, outperforming Western markets.
What Happened: During Xpeng&#8217;s global brand night in Hong Kong last month, He disclosed that 50% of new cars sold in China last year were new energy vehicles (NEVs), including EVs and plug-in hybrids. He further added that 55.7% of these NEVs were equipped with advanced automated driving assist systems.
Contrarily, the U.S. and Europe are trailing behind with EV and plug-in hybrid sales making up only about 11% and 23% of their respective light vehicle markets. Even the most technologically advanced Western cars, like those from&nbsp;Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), only have these advanced features in about a quarter of their vehicles.
According to a report <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/04/16/xpeng-xiaopeng-china-auto-industry-evs/">by </a>the Fortune, despite the intense competition in the Chinese market, He remains confident about&nbsp;XPeng making a significant global impact. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39875598/xpeng-and-volkswagen-partner-for-new-project-house-focused-on-ev-architecture">Xpeng And Volkswagen Partner For New Project House Focused On EV Architecture</a>
He stated, &#8220;Over&nbsp;the next decade we aim&nbsp;for over half of our&nbsp;sales to come from overseas,&nbsp;striving to really dominate as&nbsp;China's leading mid- to high-end&nbsp;export brand.&#8221;
Why It Matters: This surge in China&#8217;s EV market signifies a shift in the global automotive industry. China&#8217;s rapid adoption of EVs and advanced driving systems indicates a growing consumer preference for sustainable and technologically advanced vehicles. 
This trend could potentially reshape the global automotive landscape, with China leading the way in EV technology and adoption.
Furthermore, the ambitious goals set by XPeng reflect the confidence of Chinese EV manufacturers in their ability to compete globally. 
This could potentially lead to increased competition in the global EV market, pushing innovation and development in the sector.
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Image: Shutterstock/THINK A

Markets

TSLA

XPEV

China's EV Market Surges Past US and Europe—'China's Elon Musk' Shares Two Stats That Explain Why

Renowned investor&nbsp;Peter Lynch&nbsp;once opened up about his early experiences in the stock market, his initial investment, and the philosophy that guided <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44211455/peter-lynchs-evergreen-market-advice-if-you-cant-find-growth-companies-in-innings-three-through-five-look-at-turnarounds">his successful investing career.</a>
What Happened: Lynch, who is famous for his successful stint at Fidelity&#8217;s Magellan Fund, traced his interest in the stock market back to his childhood in the 1950s. His curiosity was piqued while working as a caddie at a golf club in West Newton, where he would often overhear corporate executives discussing stocks.
While studying at Boston College on a caddie scholarship, Lynch made his first investment in Flying Tiger, an air freight company. 
Convinced of the future of air cargo, he invested $1,000. The stock&#8217;s value soared during the Vietnam War as the company was involved in transporting troops, giving Lynch his first &#8220;ten bagger&#8221; &#8211; a term he coined for a stock that returns ten times the investment.
Lynch&#8217;s investment philosophy underscores the importance of letting successful stocks run. He believes that a few &#8220;ten baggers&#8221; can compensate for mediocre or poorly performing stocks in an investor&#8217;s portfolio. In Lynch&#8217;s words, &#8220;You have to let the&nbsp;big ones make up for&nbsp;your mistakes.&#8221;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45186124/peter-lynchs-market-observation-far-more-money-has-been-lost-by-investors-preparing-for-corrections-than-has-been-lost-in-corrections-themselves">Peter Lynch&#8217;s Market Observation: &#8216;Far More Money Has Been Lost By Investors Preparing For Corrections, Than Has Been Lost In Corrections Themselves&#8217;</a>
&#8220;The secret is if you have a lot of stocks, some will do mediocre, some will do okay, and if one of two of them go up big time, you produce a fabulous result. And I think that&#8217;s the promise to some people. Some stocks go up 20-30 percent and they get rid of it and they hold onto the dogs. And it&#8217;s sort of like watering the weeds and cutting out the flowers. You want to let the winners run. When the fun ones get better, add to them, and that one winner, you basically see a few stocks in your lifetime, that&#8217;s all you need,&#8221; Lynch said during an interview. 
Despite missing out on several stocks that increased ten-fold during his tenure at Magellan, Lynch&#8217;s approach proved to be successful. He reiterated that in investing, being&nbsp;right six times out of&nbsp;ten is considered good, and emphasized the importance of taking calculated risks.
Why It Matters: Lynch&#8217;s journey from a caddie to a celebrated investor highlights the importance of curiosity, calculated risk-taking, and patience in successful investing. 
His philosophy of letting successful stocks run and allowing &#8220;ten baggers&#8221; to make up for less successful investments offers valuable insights for both novice and experienced investors. 
His story serves as a reminder that success in investing doesn&#8217;t always come from being right all the time, but from being right enough times and letting those successes run.
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Image: Shutterstock/AVM Images

Success Stories

Peter Lynch's Market Advice: 'If You Have Lot of Stocks, Some Will Do Mediocre, Some Will Do Okay,' If One or Two 'Go Up Big Time, You Produce a Fabulous Result'

If you're deep in debt, a five-minute call can save you thousands of dollars. That's what financial guru Ramit Sethi told his followers in a recent video about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNpMKHnswKs">getting out of debt</a>. He even offered a script you can use to ace the call.
"Here are the exact words to use," Sethi explained.
Essentially, Sethi is recommending that anyone in debt call their credit card company and ask for a lower APR. Credit card companies are not required to fulfill any requests, but knowing the basics of negotiating can go a long way in securing a more favorable APR.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Start The Request With A Promise To Pay Off Debt</h2>
Credit card companies want you to have a balance, but they also don't want you to default on the debt. If you have a high balance and have only made the minimum monthly payments, you can explain to your credit card company that you will commit to aggressively paying off the debt next week.
These are the exact words Sethi recommends using when you make this request. Note that you don't have to use the exact words, but they serve as a good guideline.
"Hi, I'm going to be paying off my credit card debt more aggressively beginning next week, and I'd like to lower my interest rate."
Trending: 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>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Give Yourself Leverage</h2>
This request may not be enough to secure a lower interest rate. The representative may press you on why you need a lower interest rate, but Sethi came prepared in his video. His recommended approach is to leverage the fact that you have been a long-term customer and that other credit card companies are offering better rates.
If you are in credit card debt, the company has made a lot of money off you over the years. They don't want to lose you, especially if you have been a loyal customer for several years.
Sethi's example depicts someone who has been a customer for eight years. These are the exact words he recommends.
"I've decided to be more aggressive about paying off my debt. Other cards are offering me rates at half [of] what you're offering. Can you lower my rate by 50% or only 40%? I've been a customer for 8 years, and I'd prefer not to switch my balance over to a low-interest card. Can you match the other credit card rates, or can you go lower?"
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Switch Your Credit Card If Necessary</h2>
Even with Sethi's script, your credit card company may not budge. In that case, you may want to switch to a credit card that has an intro 0% APR offer for the first 12-24 months. You will enjoy a lower interest rate that will make it easier to pay off your debt.
This strategy is optimal if you have a high balance that will take several months or years to pay off. Your current credit card company and your new credit card company will both likely charge transfer fees. If you have a small balance or can pay it off in under six months, it's usually better to stay put.
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Image: Shutterstock

Ramit Sethi Reveals How To Save Thousands Of Dollars With A 5-Minute Call: 'Here Are The Exact Words To Use'

Roses are red, violets are blue, flowers are overrated, does Mom want crypto from you?
With Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) soaring back over the $100,000 level and nearing all-time highs, children who bought their mom Bitcoin last Mother's Day or have talked a parent into buying cryptocurrency in recent years may be celebrating the holiday more than others.
Here&#8217;s a look back at the historical returns of several cryptocurrencies on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/05/38778908/if-you-bought-your-mom-100-in-bitcoin-dogecoin-and-ethereum-last-mothers-day-heres-how-muc">Mother&#8217;s Day last year.</a>
What Happened: A new White House administration sent the price of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to new all-time highs <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41778425/bitcoins-all-time-high-a-groundbreaking-milestone-and-strong-post-election-rally-coming-ex">in November 2024. </a>Another surge happened in January 2025 with Donald Trump sworn in as president and experts predicting a pro-crypto agenda and administration.
With cryptocurrency <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45295626/bitcoin-breaks-100000-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-roar-10-higher-what-do-experts-predict-next">prices high again,</a> Mom may be extra happy to see you this year if you bought her crypto for Mother's Day last year.
Certainly, flowers and a card are always a thoughtful option for Mother's Day and offer a more stable gift choice compared to the periods of high volatility often seen in the cryptocurrency market.
Mother&#8217;s Day was designated an official holiday by President&nbsp;Woodrow Wilson&nbsp;in 1914 and is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. Last year, Mother&#8217;s Day was celebrated on May 12, 2024. Here&#8217;s a look at how an investment and gift in three leading cryptocurrencies at that time would be worth now.
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Investing $100 in Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum:&nbsp;Here&#8217;s how much a $100 investment in each of&nbsp;Bitcoin,&nbsp;Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) could have bought on May 12, 2024 based on the opening price point.
Bitcoin: 0.0016 BTC
Dogecoin: 699.67 DOGE
Ethereum: 0.0343 ETH
Investing $100 in each cryptocurrency last Mother&#8217;s Day would be worth the following based on prices at the time of writing:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/go/crypto-com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>
Bitcoin: $167.00
Dogecoin: $170.43
Ethereum: $87.45
A $300 gift consisting of the three well-known cryptocurrencies would be worth $424.88 today, a gain of 41.6%.
For comparison, the same $300 invested in the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust, which tracks the S&amp;P 500, would be worth $329.12 and up 9.7%.
This year's gain for Mother's Day trails the gain of 95.5% in the same three cryptocurrencies from Others' Day 2023 to Mother's Day 2024. However, investing in the same three cryptocurrencies produced a negative return for Mother's Day 2022 to Mother's Day 2023 (-33.4%) and from Mother's Day 2021 to Mothers' Day 2022 (-51.0%).
Of course those who bought their moms cryptocurrency back on Mother&#8217;s Day 2020 would have a different story to tell.
A $100 investment each in Bitcoin, Dogecoin and Ethereum on Mother&#8217;s Day 2020 would have been able to buy the following amounts and now would be worth the following:
Bitcoin: 0.0104 BTC, $1085.48
Dogecoin: 38,270.19 DOGE, $9321.89
Ethereum: 0.4727 ETH, $1,205.18
The $300 investment or gift to mom on Mother's Day 2020 would be worth $11,612.55 today and up 3,771%. That is assuming you were able to convince mom to HODL and not to sell after these several years.
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This article was previously published by Benzinga and has been updated.

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

Cryptocurrency

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$DOGE

$ETH

If You Bought Your Mom $100 In Bitcoin, Dogecoin And Ethereum Last Mother's Day, Here's How Much She'd Have Today

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43903135/ais-19-9-trillion-impact-could-create-the-first-trillionaire-but-mark-cuban-says-it-wont-be-musk-or-bezos">Artificial intelligence</a> is not just speeding up production lines anymore — it is coming straight for the coding world. During a<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU3E8r0n27w&amp;t=20s"> conversation</a> at Hamilton College in Upstate New York on April 3, former President Barack Obama warned that AI can now outperform &#8220;60–70% of programmers,&#8221; suggesting that only &#8220;the best coders&#8221; will survive the coming wave of automation.&nbsp;
As AI&#8217;s reach moves beyond traditional manufacturing and into knowledge-based industries, experts believe workers across all fields must rethink their roles.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AI Is Rewriting the Rules of Work</h2>
During the Hamilton College event, Obama shared that AI is transforming industries far beyond expectations. &#8220;Already, the current models of AI are not necessarily the ones that you purchase or that you just get through the retail ChatGPT, but the more advanced models that are available now to companies,&#8221; he said.&nbsp;
He emphasized that while top-tier coders will still thrive by integrating AI tools into their work, many standard coding tasks will be automated. &#8220;You just won&#8217;t need a coder,&#8221; he said.
Obama&#8217;s comments align with broader warnings from industry leaders. At the<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pm2xEViNIo"> 2024 World Government Summit</a> in Dubai, Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) CEO Jensen Huang stated, &#8220;Almost everybody would tell you it is vital that your children learn computer science or how to program. In fact, it&#8217;s almost exactly the opposite.&#8221;&nbsp;
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Huang said that AI is closing the technology gap, making everyone capable of using technology without needing to learn traditional programming. He reiterated that coding may be losing relevance as AI becomes capable of handling programming tasks.&nbsp;
He also encouraged the next generation to explore other fields. &#8220;The countries, the people that understand how to solve a domain problem in digital biology or education of young people or in manufacturing or farming," he said. "Those who understand domain expertise now can utilize [coding] technology that is readily available to you.&#8221;&nbsp;
Adding another viewpoint, Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) co-founder Bill Gates<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHY5i9-0tJM"> discussed</a> the impact of artificial intelligence on the job market during an interview on NBC&#8217;s &#8220;The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon&#8221; in March.&nbsp;
&#8220;The era that we&#8217;re just starting is that intelligence is rare. You know, a great doctor, a great teacher. And with AI, over the next decade, will become free, commonplace,&#8221; he said.&nbsp;
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Gates predicted that AI would replace humans for most tasks within a decade, but not all. &#8220;There&#8217;ll be some things we reserve for ourselves,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We won&#8217;t want to watch computers play baseball.&#8221;
Employers across finance and tech are also shifting their hiring priorities. As<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wall-street-software-engineers-ai-career-advice-finance-technologists-2025-4"> Business Insider</a> reported in April, firms like Goldman Sachs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) and Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) are now seeking engineers with strong business acumen and experience working alongside AI technologies, emphasizing skills such as prompt engineering.
Statistics further show the magnitude of the shift. Over the past two years, more than 27% of U.S. computer programming jobs have disappeared, according to a March analysis from <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/03/14/programming-jobs-lost-artificial-intelligence/">The Washington Post</a>.&nbsp;
Much of this decline has been attributed to AI&#8217;s ability to perform routine coding tasks more efficiently than human <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43501133/suze-orman-sounds-alarm-on-retirement-readiness-40-of-retirees-lack-3-months-savings-heres-how-to-avoid-financial-risk">workers</a>.
Despite these changes, the human role in coding is not entirely vanishing. The<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-ai-tools-are-reshaping-the-coding-workforce-6ad24c86"> Wall Street Journal</a> reported that AI tools increasingly take over repetitive work, allowing human coders to focus on creative problem-solving, oversight, and complex systems architecture.
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MSFT

NVDA

Obama Says Only 'The Best Coders' Will Survive As AI Takes Over 60%–70% Of Programming Jobs — 'You Just Won't Need A Coder'

In the wake of a social media disagreement, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has made a peace offering to Tesla Inc.&#8217;s chief Elon Musk. 
What Happened: Altman underscored the importance of their mutual interest in artificial general intelligence (AGI), suggesting it should take precedence over their personal dispute.
On Saturday in a post on X, Altman extended an olive branch&nbsp;to Musk, in an effort to smooth over tensions that arose from past social media posts. 
Altman expressed a wish to work together with Musk, emphasizing the importance of AGI over their personal feud.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">anyway, see you next week, let's be friends &#x1f97a; &#x1f449;&#x1f448; agi too important to let a lil feud get in the way
&mdash; Sam Altman (@sama) <a href="https://twitter.com/sama/status/1921046473384341512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Musk recently resurrected an old post in which Altman criticized former US President Donald Trump. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44348000/elon-musk-and-sam-altman-just-agreed-on-one-thingand-no-its-not-a-business-deal">Elon Musk And Sam Altman Just Agreed On One Thing—And No, It&#8217;s Not A Business Deal</a>
In response, Altman indicated his readiness to let bygones be bygones, asserting that the advancement of AGI was more important than their disagreement.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">&#x1f914; <a href="https://t.co/skVOCyhgAm">https://t.co/skVOCyhgAm</a>
&mdash; gorklon rust (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1921016759005368793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Altman&#8217;s conciliatory approach follows a noticeable shift in his political views, evidenced by his contribution&nbsp;to the $500 billion Project&nbsp;Stargate, aimed at&nbsp;building AI infrastructure in the&nbsp;US. This development coincides with Musk&#8217;s critique of the direction OpenAI has taken under Altman&#8217;s guidance.
Despite a period of uncertainty, OpenAI confirmed earlier this week that the non-profit would maintain control of the company.
Why It Matters: The disagreement between Altman and Musk, two influential figures in the tech industry, has drawn significant attention. Their shared interest in AGI, a field with potentially far-reaching implications, underscores the importance of their collaboration. 
Altman&#8217;s recent political shift and contribution to Project Stargate suggest a new direction for OpenAI, one that could potentially align more closely with Musk&#8217;s vision. 
This reconciliation could mark a significant turning point for the development of AGI, a technology that could revolutionize various sectors, from healthcare to transportation.
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Tech

OpenAI's Sam Altman Reaches Out to Elon Musk Amid Ongoing Social Media Spat: 'Let's Be Friends'

Glacier, the San Francisco-based AI robotics startup,<a href="https://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=337418"> announced</a> a $16 million Series A funding round on Tuesday to expand deployment of its waste-sorting <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/03/44492495/mark-cuban-suggests-taxing-robots-by-the-hour-as-new-source-of-federal-revenue-bats-for-ai-and-robotics-based-manufacturing-revival">robots</a> across U.S. recycling facilities.
The round was led by Ecosystem Integrity Fund, with participation from the Amazon Climate Pledge Fund and other investors. According to<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/recycling-gets-smarter-ai-robots-from-amazon-backed-startup-are-sorting-waste-in-seattle/"> GeekWire</a>, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/05/45170490/sellers-pull-out-of-amazon-prime-day-say-discounting-is-out-the-window-amid-tariffs">Amazon</a> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), which is already working with Glacier to test plant-based plastic sorting at its Seattle sustainability lab, has included the startup in its broader strategy to reduce single-use fossil fuel plastics across Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods packaging lines.
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The fresh capital brings Glacier's total funding to $29 million. With robots currently active in five states and vision technology operating in four others, the company plans to scale rapidly, GeekWire reports.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AI Vision Targets Plastics, Bottles, And Cans Missed By Humans</h2>
Recology, a major waste management company with operations across the West Coast, is using Glacier's technology to modernize recycling at its South Seattle material recovery facility, according to GeekWire.
Glacier's robots are designed to operate in material recovery facilities, where trucks deliver around 300 tons of mixed recyclables daily, GeekWire says. Equipped with AI vision trained on billions of images, the robots identify and grab items like shampoo bottles, milk jugs, and soda cans using suction-powered arms.
According to GeekWire, there are four Glacier robots already at Recology's South Seattle site. Two straddle conveyor belts, each scanning for a specific type of high-density polyethylene plastic. A third grabs stray bottles missed upstream, and a fourth pulls cans before they reach the end of the line.
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&#8220;AI is more accurate in detecting the material it&#8217;s going after,&#8221; Justin Johnson, operations manager at Recology told Seattle's<a href="https://komonews.com/news/local/recycling-plant-artificial-equipped-300-tons-south-seattle-landfills-washington-state-king-county-technology-transform-operations-company-conservation-efforts-maple-valley-issaquah"> KOMO-TV</a>. He highlighted that these robots can sort through 45 items a minute, efficiently picking up materials and depositing them into the appropriate recycling bins.
According to GeekWire, Glacier co-founder Areeb Malik, a former Facebook engineer, said that the machines can recover 80%–90% of target materials, roughly matching the accuracy of human sorters.
Glacier's robots currently operate in Washington state, California, Michigan, Arizona, and Illinois. GeekWire says that only the vision tech has been deployed to pilot testing in states like Texas and New Jersey. The startup currently employs 35 people and expects to grow alongside state-level recycling reforms.
Amazon's support goes beyond capital. At its Seattle sustainability lab, the company is testing Glacier's robots for use with bio-based plastics, such as biopolyesters.
"Glacier and Recology are proving out the full potential of this technology," Glacier co-founder Rebecca Hu-Thrams told GeekWire during a tour of the Seattle site. "We live in an incredible era where the tools to supercharge recycling already exist."
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Legislation Adds Momentum As Glacier Expands</h2>
According to GeekWire, Washington state lawmakers recently passed Senate Bill 5284, which would require product brands to help pay for recycling while standardizing materials accepted curbside. The legislation aims to boost household recycling from 83% to over 95% and increase annual recycled material per household from 325 pounds to 525 pounds.
Glacier's modular, fast-install robots offer a scalable solution to meet those goals. With machines capturing high-value plastics in real time and reducing strain on human labor, the company may play a central role in reshaping American recycling infrastructure.
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AMZN

Amazon-Backed Glacier's $16M Funding Boosts AI Robots Capable Of Sorting 30+ Material Types, Transforming Recycling Industry

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<li>Skechers will be acquired by 3G Capital, it announced Monday</li>
<li>The investment firm purchased the footwear giant for $9.5 billion in a deal that will take it private</li>
<li>The acquisition comes at a time when tariffs have companies in the footwear industry nervous about the future</li>
</ul>
Skechers (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SKX#NYSE">SKX</a>) <a href="https://investors.skechers.com/press-releases/detail/665/skechers-agrees-to-be-acquired-by-3g-capital">announced Monday</a> that it will be acquired by global investment firm 3G Capita for $9.5 billionl.
The third-largest shoe company in the world, Skechers was founded in 1992 by father-son duo Robert and Michael Greenberg. The company is still founder-run, and the Greenbergs will retain their respective positions as CEO and president after the take-private deal closes.&nbsp;&nbsp;
3G Capital has previously acquired Burger King and Tim Hortons and is responsible for the Kraft-Heinz merger.
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According to Skechers, 3G will buy out each of the company's 18 million public shares in one of two ways. Either it will pay $63 in cash for each share, or it will pay $57 per share with the addition of a single share in the new LLC that will become Skecher's parent company.
"Over the last three decades, Skechers has experienced tremendous growth," Robert Greenberg said. "Given [3G Capital's] remarkable history of facilitating the success of some of the most iconic global consumer businesses, we believe this partnership will support our talented team as they execute their expertise to meet the needs of our consumers and customers while enabling the Company's long-term growth."
The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year.
Trending: How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/tax-deferring-adv"> Tax deferring is their number one strategy</a>.
In 2024, Skechers <a href="https://investors.skechers.com/press-releases/detail/649/skechers-announces-2024-record-annual-sales-of-8-97-billion#:~:text=%E2%80%9CSkechers%20delivered%20exceptional%20results%20in,Chief%20Financial%20Officer%20of%20Skechers.">reported</a> a record $9 billion in sales. Some 62% of those sales take place outside the U.S., in one of the 180 countries the company has a presence in, according to a recent <a href="https://d1io3yog0oux5.cloudfront.net/_e894474d4a7decf3b34cdfdb91ca3804/skx/db/433/3612/pdf/Skechers+2025+Investor+Presentation+%28Growth%29+vFinal.pdf">investor presentation</a>.&nbsp;
The deal with 3G Capital comes at a time when uncertainties about international sales and imports are increasing. Skechers, in particular, could feel the crunch of those tariffs since its&nbsp; manufacturing operations are primarily overseas in places like China and India. Tariffs on products made in China currently sit at 145% and at 26% on products made in India.
But the potential financial shift doesn't seem to have shaken 3G Capital's feelings on the deal. "We have immense admiration for the business that this team has built, and look forward to supporting the Company's next chapter," Alex Behring and Daniel Schwartz, co-managing partners of the firm, said in the announcement.&nbsp;
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Skechers Set To Go Private Amidst Tariff Drama, Hopes New Partnership Will 'Enable The Company's Long-Term Growth'

A new report shows women are increasingly confident in managing their money — and many are thriving as investors. But a common regret remains: not <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/the-importance-of-investing-early">starting earlier</a>.
According to the <a href="https://content.schwab.com/web/retail/public/about-schwab/charles-schwab-women-investors-survey-2025_findings.pdf">survey</a> by Charles Schwab, nine in 10 women feel they're on track to meet their financial goals, and nearly 90% say they're confident in their investment strategy. Most are focused on building long-term wealth, not short-term wins, and more than half are comfortable taking on some level of risk to grow their money.
Still, the path hasn't always been easy. On average, women began investing at age 31 and 85% say they wish they had started sooner. Many pointed to challenges like limited financial knowledge or not having extra earnings early in their careers. Broader barriers — including lower pay, career breaks for caregiving, and fewer job opportunities — continue to impact their ability to invest.
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Despite these hurdles, women are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/06/39403066/7-insider-secrets-to-master-your-money">building strong financial habits</a>. Patience, discipline and consistency ranked among their top investing strengths, and most say managing their investments gives them a sense of empowerment. About two-thirds view themselves as investors and a quarter identify as traders — a sign of growing comfort with the markets.
Women are also highly engaged learners. Most rely on a combination of independent research and professional advice, and more than three-quarters say it's important to be able to seek financial guidance anonymously. They're most likely to turn to financial advisors, internet searches, and family for help.
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Financial Advisors

90% Of Women Investors Say They're On Track To Meet Their Financial Goals, Survey Finds

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<li>Elementl Power announced a deal with Google to develop three new sites for advanced reactors on Wednesday</li>
<li>Exact details remain private, but Google will be committing early-stage development capital in exchange for the option to purchase the power once the sites are complete</li>
<li>The deal is the latest in a long string of tech companies partnering with nuclear power companies to fuel growth</li>
</ul>
Nuclear power developer Elementl Power <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elementl-power-and-google-sign-strategic-agreement-to-develop-locations-for-advanced-nuclear-projects-302447957.html">said Wednesday</a> that it had signed a strategic agreement with Google to develop three sites for advanced reactors.&nbsp;
&#8220;Innovative partnerships like this are necessary to mobilize the capital required to build new nuclear projects, which are critical to deliver safe, affordable and clean baseload power and help companies advance their long-term net zero goals,&#8221; said Chris Colbert, Elementl Power's CEO.&nbsp;
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Exact details of the deal were not disclosed, but Google has agreed to commit early-stage development capital to advance the progression of the three projects. In exchange, the tech company will have the option to buy the power once the sites are complete and operational, the announcement said.
"Google is committed to catalyzing projects that strengthen the power grids where we operate, and advanced nuclear technology provides reliable, baseload, 24/7 energy,&#8221; said Amanda Peterson Corio, Google's global head of data center energy, in Elementl's statement. "Our collaboration with Elementl Power enhances our ability to move at the speed required to meet this moment of AI and American innovation.&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Elementl Power was founded in 2022 as a nuclear power project developer. The company has yet to build any sites. It also hasn't chosen what reactors it will use in future projects, according to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/07/google-agrees-to-fund-the-development-of-three-new-nuclear-sites.html">CNBC</a>, instead opting to wait and see which reactor technology is furthest along in development when the time comes.&nbsp;
Trending: Nancy Pelosi Invested $5 Million In An AI Company Last Year — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elf-labs-ym?v=123">Here's How You Can Invest In Multiple Pre-IPO AI Startups With Just $1,000.</a>
Once these proposed projects reach final investment stages, Google and Elementl Power will work together to find other sources of capital, according to the statement.&nbsp;
Each project is aiming for at least 600 MW of capacity. The number is in line with Elementl Power's overall goal of adding 10 GW of power to the nuclear grid by 2035.&nbsp;
This is not the first nuclear power deal Google has made within the last year. In October, it said it would be buying power from small modular power reactor company Kairos Power. At the time, Google <a href="https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/google-kairos-power-nuclear-energy-agreement/">said</a> that the first reactor would be online by 2030, with more following through 2035.&nbsp;
See Also: Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary called Missing Ring his biggest mistake — Don't repeat history—<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/big-tech-has-spent-billions-acquiring-ai-smart-home-startups-one-company-stands-to-benefit-and-has-already-made-10-million">invest in RYSE at just $1.90/share.</a>
The need for new power sources to support data centers has been a concern among tech giants for some time. Kevin Miller, Amazon's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) vice president of global data centers, told <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/24/amazon-and-nvidia-say-ai-data-center-demand-is-not-slowing-down-.html">CNBC</a> last month, "We continue to see very strong demand [for power], and we're looking both in the next couple years as well as long term and seeing the numbers only going up."
At the same time, Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark told CNBC "we're seeing… tremendous growth in the need for new baseload power. We're seeing unprecedented growth." He predicted that 50 GW of new power capacity, which is equivalent to 50 new nuclear plants, will be needed by 2027 to support AI growth.&nbsp;
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Image: Shutterstock

Google To Fund Three Nuclear Sites, Says The Move Will Allow Them To 'Move At The Speed Required To Meet This Moment Of AI And American Innovation'

Flowers, lunch and a sentimental card are among the popular gifts for a mom on Mother's Day. A<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-give-stock-as-a-gift"> gift of stock</a> is another option to consider.
 What Happened: Mother&#8217;s Day is being celebrated today, May 12. While many will get their mom flowers and a card, another option could be buying shares of some of the most valuable and<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/05/45171636/exclusive-aprils-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-where-do-tesla-apple-palantir-nvidia-stocks-rank"> most well-known companies.  </a>
Mother&#8217;s Day was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/mothers-day" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">designated</a>&nbsp;an official holiday by then President&nbsp;Woodrow Wilson&nbsp;in 1914 and is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. Last year, Mother&#8217;s Day&nbsp;was celebrated on May 12, 2024. Here&#8217;s a look at how an investment in three of the largest publicly traded companies at that time&nbsp;would be worth now.&nbsp;
Investing $100 Each In Apple, Microsoft And Tesla:&nbsp;Investing $100 in each of the three popular stocks during Mother's Day 2024 could have bought the following share amounts:
Apple Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>): 0.5481 shares
Microsoft Corporation&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>): 0.2430
Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>): 0.5936
The three investments would be worth the following values today based on the closing share prices from Friday, May 9, 2025. The totals do not include dividends.
Apple: $108.81
Microsoft: $106.61
Tesla: $177.05
The total investment in those three stocks on Mother&#8217;s Day last year would be worth $392.47 today, representing a return of 30.8%. This marks an increase from the 11.2% gain on the same three stocks from Mother's Day 2023 to Mother's Day 2024. The return also outpaces the returns of the same stocks from 2022 to 2023 (+7%) and from 2021 to 2022 (+17.8%). &nbsp;&nbsp;
For comparison, the same $300 invested in the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), which tracks the S&amp;P 500, would be worth $329.12 and up 9.7%.
While flowers might not last forever,&nbsp;stock investments for your mom can often hold or gain value over time.
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This article was previously published by Benzinga and has been updated.

AAPL

If You Bought Your Mom $100 In Apple, Microsoft And Tesla Stock For Mother's Day Last Year, Here's How Much She'd Have Now

Does it feel like nobody wants to work anymore? It's a generalization that stems from the "Great Resignation," when many people voluntarily left their jobs during the pandemic.&nbsp;
Financial guru Vincent Chan dove deeper into this topic and discussed three reasons <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVg3tLVPEGE">why nobody wants to work anymore</a>. He used historical data to validate his points while presenting a grim picture of the modern working experience.
"Nowadays, it just feels like a slap in the face," he said.
How did things get to this point? These are the three reasons Chan highlights in his video.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Big Lie</h2>
Chan starts his video by exposing the big lie that hard work pays off. Although hard work has paid off in various cases, people don't always see that in the workplace. Chan explains how an unproductive coworker got promoted because he was an old family friend of the boss. These types of promotions can cause the hard workers to feel discouraged and unrecognized for their efforts.
While these types of office politics have always been present, Chan also presented a graph that showed the growing gap between worker productivity and pay growth. Both of these metrics moved in tandem until 1979. Since that year, people have been working harder than before, but have stopped being rewarded for it.
Boomers worked during an era that Chan dubbed the "Workers' Golden Age," where people got paid for their effort. There wasn't a gap between productivity and wage growth that exists today. This rising gap and promotions depending more on who you know instead of what you can do have disincentivized putting in the extra effort in many workplaces.
Trending: Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Toxic Work Environments&nbsp;</h2>
Chan also cited toxic work environments as a key reason why most people don't want to work anymore. These environments can lead to mental health problems and burnout that make you question why you are working in the first place.
Chan leans into this discussion with a quote from Squarespace's CMO, who said that Gen Z job seekers should be willing to work for free, long hours. Nothing is healthy about working long hours and not getting paid for them.&nbsp;
While most people get paid for the hours that they work, it's still tempting to work well beyond the minimum. Chan cited the fear of losing your job and the desire for a promotion as two reasons why people work more hours. We also have our smartphones, desktops, and tablets wherever we go, making it more difficult to disconnect from work.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Money</h2>
Money is one of the strongest motivators. It can inspire people to work harder and begrudgingly embrace jobs that they do not enjoy. However, this motivating force has been a disappointment for younger workers.
Even though they make more money on paper than their parents, many of them are struggling to pay off student loans or buy a house. Meanwhile, Chan claims that older generations were able to make those major purchases on a minimum wage.
He proceeds to explain that things are getting more expensive, and you aren't getting paid more. The Cost of Thriving Index highlights Chan's point. He mentions that in 1985, the typical male worker's wage would have covered the average major expenses in 30 weeks.&nbsp;
However, the Cost of Thriving Index shows that the typical male worker has to work 53 weeks per year to cover the average major expenses. There aren't 53 weeks in a year, and many people have to work overtime or pick up a side hustle just to make ends meet.
Chan mentions that the 53-week figure is from 2018 and assumes that the Cost of Thriving Index has gotten even worse since then. If people continue to work but see basic expenses becoming unreasonable, it's no wonder some of them are throwing in the towel.
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Image: Shutterstock

Vincent Chan Discusses The Three Reasons Nobody Wants To Work Anymore: 'Nowadays It Just Feels Like A Slap In The Face'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has announced that Ukraine is prepared for negotiations with Russia, on the condition that Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to an unconditional ceasefire for a period of 30 days.
What Happened: On Sunday, Zelenskiy confirmed that Ukraine is ready to initiate talks with Russia, but only after Putin commits to a &#8220;comprehensive, enduring, and dependable&#8221; ceasefire beginning May 12th. Putin had proposed direct talks&nbsp;in Istanbul on May 15,&nbsp;but has yet to respond to the ultimatum set&nbsp;by Ukraine and its Western&nbsp;allies for&nbsp;a temporary truce or face&nbsp;the imposition of severe new sanctions.
Despite the proposed dialogue, Russian forces have persisted with their air strikes, deploying over 100 drones at various targets throughout&nbsp;Ukraine, including Kyiv. Ground positions&nbsp;in eastern Ukraine have also been heavily bombarded.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war. The entire world has been waiting for this for a very long time. And the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire. There is no point in continuing the killing even for a single…
&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1921469464358346850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy's chief aide, underscored the necessity for a ceasefire before any further talks. French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated this sentiment, stating that negotiations cannot proceed while hostilities persist.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43769730/ukraine-raises-alarm-over-us-russia-talks-on-war-without-kyivs-involvement">Ukraine Raises Alarm Over US-Russia Talks on War Without Kyiv&#8217;s Involvement</a>
Putin, although receptive to the concept of a temporary ceasefire, has not yet consented to any terms. He intends to discuss his plans&nbsp;with Turkish President Recep Tayyip&nbsp;Erdogan. 
Concurrently,&nbsp;US Secretary of State Marco&nbsp;Rubio is anticipated to be in Turkey&nbsp;for an informal meeting of&nbsp;NATO foreign ministers from May 14.
Efforts to resolve the conflict have escalated, with several meetings taking place between European, US, and Ukrainian envoys. Nevertheless, Putin insists on strict conditions for any ceasefire, including&nbsp;Russian control of four eastern&nbsp;and southeastern Ukrainian regions.
Why It Matters: The proposed ceasefire and subsequent talks could mark a significant turning point in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. However, the continuation of Russian air strikes and Putin&#8217;s stringent conditions for a ceasefire underscore the complexities and challenges that lie ahead in the peace negotiations. 
The international community, particularly Ukraine&#8217;s Western allies, will be closely monitoring the situation and the potential implications for regional stability and security.
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Image: Shutterstock/Tomas Ragina

Global

Ukraine Proposes Ceasefire as Precondition for Talks With Russia

Google searches for the phrase "Are we in a recession" have soared to their second-highest level in recorded history, reflecting <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45254241/recession-could-originate-at-the-port-of-los-angeles-warns-economist-calling-tariff-decision-a-misapplied-consumption-tax-on-households" rel="noreferrer noopener">deepening public anxiety about the U.S. economy.</a>
The trend, highlighted in a recent <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/Barchart/status/1921022115068760337/photo/1" rel="noreferrer noopener">post </a>on X by Barchart, signals growing concern among Americans, even as official economic indicators offer a mixed picture.
This surge in search interest underscores a broader sense of economic unease fueled by volatile stock markets, persistent inflation, and increasing uncertainty around jobs and housing.
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On May 2, 2025, Reuters reported that U.S. job growth likely slowed in April, with economic uncertainty exacerbated by President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policy.
Though companies continue to hold onto workers, the latest jobs report may provide limited insight into current conditions, especially following a GDP contraction in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, the housing market has become another major source of public anxiety.
Mortgage rates, which peaked at 7.04% in January 2025, have retreated slightly but remain high. According to Forbes, April <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/mortgage-interest-rates-forecast/" rel="noreferrer noopener">saw </a>the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rise by 17 basis points to 6.81%, per Freddie Mac data.
Combined with elevated home prices, these trends have made housing less affordable and spurred more online searches around mortgage costs and real estate trends.
Inflation has further strained household budgets, eroding purchasing power. "Consumer confidence declined for a fifth consecutive month in April, falling to levels not seen since the onset of the COVID pandemic," <a target="_blank" href="https://www.conference-board.org/topics/consumer-confidence/press/CCI-Apr-2025#:~:text=Meanwhile%2C%20average%2012%2Dmonth%20inflation,was%20experiencing%20extremely%20high%20inflation.%E2%80%9D" rel="noreferrer noopener">said&nbsp;</a>Stephanie Guichard, Senior Economist, Global Indicators at The Conference Board on April 29.&nbsp; The Expectations Index fell 12.5 points to 54.4 — its lowest since October 2011 — and is far below the 80 mark that often signals a coming recession.
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newyorkfed.org/newsevents/news/research/2025/20250508" rel="noreferrer noopener">April 2025</a> Survey of Consumer Expectations painted a similarly gloomy picture.
The survey showed that while short-term inflation expectations remained unchanged, medium-term expectations increased, and long-term ones declined.
At the same time, labor market outlooks worsened—households anticipated slower wage growth and a lower likelihood of finding new employment.
Expectations for income growth over the next year also declined, and perceptions of both current and future financial well-being dropped sharply.
The dramatic rise in recession-related search activity offers a revealing lens into the American psyche—one marked by caution and growing distress.
Though official economic data has yet to confirm a recession, the nation's search behavior paints a more immediate and emotional picture: one of uncertainty, financial pressure, and a deep concern about what lies ahead.
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Equities

Macro Economic Events

General

If You Have To Google 'Are We In A Recession'—You Probably Feel Like It

In a bid to ease the ongoing tariff war, senior negotiators from the US and China have<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45184120/warren-buffett-warns-tariffs-could-backfire-on-economy-says-trade-should-not-be-a-weapon-its-a-big-mistake-i-dont-think-its-wise"> resumed high-level trade talks.</a>
What Happened: On Sunday US Treasury Secretary&nbsp;Scott Bessent&nbsp;and Chinese Vice Premier&nbsp;He Lifeng&nbsp;are spearheading the discussions in Geneva. This marks the first publicized, face-to-face negotiations since the initiation of heavy tariffs by both nations.
President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;characterized the talks as a &#8220;very good&#8221; meeting and expressed his wish for China to become more receptive to American business. US trade chief&nbsp;Jamieson Greer&nbsp;is also a part of the negotiation team.
On Saturday in a <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114486066663976973">post </a>on Truth Social, Trump said a &#8220;great progress&#8221; was made.&nbsp;
&#8220;A very good meeting today with China, in Switzerland. Many things discussed, much agreed to. A total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner. We want to see, for the good of both China and the U.S., an opening up of China to American business. GREAT PROGRESS MADE!!!,&#8221; he wrote. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/05/45335581/trump-proposes-major-cut-in-china-tariffs-signaling-shift-in-trade-war">Trump Proposes Major Cut in China Tariffs, Signaling Shift in Trade War</a>
The ongoing tariff war has caused turbulence in financial markets, threatened product shortages, and led to price hikes for American consumers. This has exerted pressure on Trump to settle the dispute with Chinese leader&nbsp;Xi Jinping.
Despite China&#8217;s cautious stance, the talks are seen as a crucial step in resolving the trade conflict. Nevertheless, the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua underlined China&#8217;s resolve&nbsp;to safeguard its national interests&nbsp;and uphold order in international trade.
The two economies, boasting&nbsp;a combined gross domestic product&nbsp;of $46 trillion, could suffer significant losses if the talks collapse. 
Last week In an interview <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/read-full-transcript-president-donald-trump-interviewed-meet-press-mod-rcna203514">with</a>&nbsp;NBC News, Trump claimed that Chinese officials &#8220;want to make a deal very badly. We&#8217;ll see how that all turns out, but it&#8217;s got to be a fair deal.&#8221; He also said he expected to lower tariffs on China &#8220;at some point.&#8221;
Why It Matters: The resumption of these talks is a pivotal moment in the ongoing trade war between the two economic superpowers. The conflict has had far-reaching effects, impacting global markets and causing uncertainty for businesses and consumers alike. 
The outcome of these negotiations could have significant implications for international trade, potentially setting the tone for future trade relations between the US and China. 
The stakes are high, and the world watches with bated breath as the two nations attempt to find common ground.
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Image: Shutterstock/DOERS

Trump Announces 'Total Reset' as US-China Trade Talks Aim to End Tariff War

What distinguishes a high-performing company from the rest? A culture that puts truth first, according to Jeff Bezos, who built Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) into $1.97 trillion e-commerce giant it is today. In his view, organizations must make space for honest conversations, even if they are awkward and uncomfortable.
What Happened: Speaking <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcWqzZ3I2cY">to</a> Lex Fridman in 2023, Bezos described truth-telling a learned skill, not a natural instinct. "We are social animals," he said. "Going along to get along is how we survive." 
To change that pattern, Bezos implements meeting strategies such as speaking last and encouraging junior voices to go first. The goal is to make sure that anyone can question assumptions or critique outdated practices without fear of repercussion.
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45212498/jeff-bezos-says-its-easy-to-have-ideas-but-heres-why-only-the-relentlessly-stubborn-can-turn-them-into-trillion-dollar-businesses-like-amazon">Jeff Bezos Says It&#8217;s &#8216;Easy To Have Ideas&#8217; — But Here&#8217;s Why Only The Relentlessly &#8216;Stubborn&#8217; Can Turn Them Into Trillion-Dollar Businesses Like Amazon</a>
Why It Matters: "Truths are often… uncomfortable. They can be awkward, they can be exhausting," Bezos said. "They can make people defensive even if that's not the intent." But without these hard-to-digest truths, businesses might stagnate. He warned against sticking to legacy metrics: "You're not really sure why they were invented in the first place, and you&#8217;re not sure they&#8217;re still as relevant as they used to be."
Bezos also advocated for listening to instinct when hard data is unavailable: "A lot of our most powerful truths turn out to be hunches… based on anecdotes… they may resonate with a set of anecdotes you have." That is why leaders must rely on both intuition and evidence, and be wary about optimism bias. "It's a little dangerous to jump to the conclusion that the happy interpretation is right," he said.
For Bezos, truth-telling is what keeps an organization in "Day 1" mode: curious, agile, and honest. "You have to remind people it's okay that it's uncomfortable," he said.
Bezos' instincts have led to immense success: Amazon shares have climbed 56.62% over the past five years, per <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Bezos now has a net worth of $209 billion, making him the world's third-richest person behind Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, according <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/">to</a> the Bloomberg Billionaire Index.
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Jeff Bezos Built A $1.97 Trillion Empire By Putting Truth Before Comfort—Here's Why He Thinks That's What Separates Great Companies From The Rest

The U.S. and China are engaged in renewed trade negotiations following a sharp escalation in tariffs — with the U.S. imposing duties of up to 145% on Chinese goods and China responding with 125% tariffs on American imports. These moves have disrupted global supply chains and heightened economic tensions.
Recent talks, held in Geneva and described by U.S. officials as a potential "reset," aim to reduce tariffs and reestablish more stable trade terms. While no formal agreement has been reached, both sides have shown cautious willingness to compromise, with discussions reportedly exploring tariff reductions and market access.
Despite the diplomatic tone, deep-rooted differences remain, particularly around technology, subsidies, and market transparency. The outcome of these talks will be critical not just for U.S.–China relations, but for global trade stability in the months ahead.
Chris Pereira, chief of the American Ecosystem Institute and Founder &amp; CEO of iMpact, a leading communications and business consulting firm, recently spoke with Benzinga to share his insights on the ongoing U.S.–China trade war and its broader implications.
With over two decades of experience in China, he is widely recognized as a leading China expert, educator, and media commentator. Chris has advised hundreds of companies on branding, public relations, and international expansion, and is frequently sought for his expert analysis on U.S.–China trade relations and ongoing tariff negotiations. He is a regular speaker at universities and global forums offering deep insights on China's evolving role in global business, geopolitics, and the future of technology.
Here&#8217;s an excerpt from the interview with Chris.
Chris, with your deep experience in facilitating cross-border business, how do you see the current U.S.–China trade tensions reshaping global supply chains?
The current tensions are accelerating a structural shift in global supply chains that was already underway. Rather than a complete decoupling, we&#8217;re seeing a strategic rebalancing — diversification, not divorce. Chinese firms are increasingly building parallel operations outside mainland China, especially in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, while many multinationals are adopting a &#8220;China+1&#8221; strategy. This allows them to manage geopolitical risks without walking away from the scale and sophistication of China's manufacturing ecosystem. As someone who works daily with Chinese firms looking to expand abroad, I can say the push to go global is more determined than ever — but it&#8217;s also more pragmatic and nuanced.
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Given the latest tariff measures from both sides, what kind of strategic adjustments are you seeing among Chinese firms looking to expand internationally?
We're seeing a shift from opportunistic overseas ventures to more deeply localized, strategic investments. Chinese companies are becoming more sophisticated about compliance, branding, and building trust in foreign markets. They're investing in local teams, legal frameworks, and strategic partnerships — not just shipping products, but embedding themselves in local ecosystems and building true connection overseas. At iMpact, we're helping clients establish operations in the U.S., Europe, and ASEAN that are designed to be as locally integrated as possible, and not just overseas arms of a Chinese parent company. The geopolitical headwinds have made international expansion harder — but also more urgent and more professional.
How are American companies operating in China responding to the shifting regulatory and geopolitical landscape? Are they adapting, exiting, or doubling down?
The answer really depends on the industry. For sectors deeply tied to national security or critical tech — semiconductors, for instance — we're seeing a cautious pullback. But in sectors like automotive, consumer goods, restaurants, and healthcare, many U.S. firms are doubling down. They understand that despite the noise, China remains one of the world's most dynamic and complex markets. Smart companies are investing in localization, strengthening compliance, and de-risking their China operations without abandoning them. I would say it&#8217;s more of a recalibration than an exodus.&nbsp;
Do you think the current trade dynamics signal a longer-term decoupling between the U.S. and China, or are we still looking at cyclical tensions?
We're in a phase of strategic competition that is structural — not just cyclical — but that doesn't mean a full decoupling is inevitable. In fact, I believe a significant decoupling to be highly unlikely. The U.S. and China remain deeply economically intertwined, and complete disengagement would be mutually damaging. What we&#8217;re likely to see is selective decoupling in politically sensitive sectors, alongside continued engagement in areas where interests align. Businesses, not governments, often drive the practical realities of integration, and many firms on both sides are finding creative ways to keep doors open, even in a more fragmented world.
How do these tensions impact innovation and tech collaboration between the two nations — especially in areas like AI, semiconductors, and green tech?
There&#8217;s no question that the geopolitical rivalry is putting up new barriers to collaboration in core technologies. Semiconductors are the most obvious flashpoint, with both sides erecting walls to protect national interests. But in fields like AI and green tech, as well as bio-pharm, there's still enormous potential for cross-border learning — albeit in more cautious, less open forms. The race to decarbonize, for instance, is a global challenge where innovation should ideally transcend borders. Likewise for healthcare advancements &#8211; no one wants to see politics hinder cancer research, for example. While government policies may limit direct collaboration, informal knowledge sharing, global talent flows, and private-sector R&amp;D partnerships still offer bridges.
From your perspective, what role can thought leaders and business facilitators like yourself play in fostering productive dialogue and mitigating geopolitical risk?
We act as translators — not of language, but of cultural context, values, and intentions. We support communication cross-culturally, and also assist with project execution. At iMpact, we're not just helping Chinese firms expand abroad — we're helping them build trust, tell their story authentically, and operate with transparency in environments that may view them with skepticism. I believe that people like myself, who understand both sides deeply, have a responsibility to lower the temperature, challenge stereotypes, and create spaces for genuine dialogue. The private sector can't solve geopolitics, but we can shape how it impacts lives, businesses, and the future of innovation.
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