Goldman Sachs is doubling down on its dovish rate path forecast, saying the Federal Reserve is poised to deliver five interest rate cuts through the end of next year—three in 2025 and two more in 2026—a significantly more aggressive easing cycle than markets <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s">are currently pricing in.</a>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>) ETF has rallied 26% year-to-date. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GLD">See real-time price here. </a></li>
</ul>



In a report published Monday, Goldman economist David Mericle said he expects no change at this Wednesday's FOMC meeting but reaffirmed the bank's base case: 25-basis-point cuts in September, October and December, followed by two more in 2026, bringing the terminal Fed Funds rate down to 3–3.25%.



"The activity data have now begun to show clearer support for forecasts of below-potential growth than they had at the time of prior FOMC meetings," Mericle wrote.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What's Driving Goldman's Call?</h3>



The firm pointed to a deceleration in consumer spending, which it said slowed more than expected in the first half of 2025—even before the full impact of Donald Trump's tariff regime is felt. Investment softness, primarily in housing, and policy-related uncertainty are also contributing to the economic downshift.



Goldman believes the inflation battle is largely over, citing the rebalancing of the labor market and a return to pre-pandemic trendlines. 



The only upside risk? A temporary tariff-driven boost to core inflation, estimated at about 1 percentage point, which it sees as a one-time effect unlikely to alter long-term inflation expectations.



The firm echoed Fed Governor Christopher Waller's view that tariffs won't ignite a prolonged inflation wave.



"We expect the underlying inflation trend to continue converging to 2% this year," the note said.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Expectations Lag Behind</h3>



Despite Goldman's confidence, markets remain more cautious. 



Fed futures data from CME Group shows a 73% chance of just two rate cuts in 2025. 



Meanwhile, Kalshi's CFTC-regulated contracts assign the highest probability to two cuts (50bps) at 40%, with only 10% odds for the three-cut scenario Goldman forecasts for this year.



<iframe loading="lazy" src="https://kalshi.com/external-widgets/events/KXRATECUTCOUNT-25DEC31?color_scheme=light&#038;widget_size=medium&#038;variant=a&#038;ids=KXRATECUTCOUNT-25DEC31-T2&#038;ids=KXRATECUTCOUNT-25DEC31-T1&#038;ids=KXRATECUTCOUNT-25DEC31-T0&#038;utm_campaign=benzinga_widget" width="488px" height="196px" style="border:0"></iframe>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What To Expect From Powell?</h3>



The Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady this week at the 5.25%–5.50% range. 



Goldman anticipates no strong forward guidance in the July statement or Powell's press conference. Instead, the tone will likely shift from describing growth as "solid" to "moderate" to reflect slower first-half expansion.



Mericle expects both Governor Bowman and Waller to likely dissent and vote for a 25-basis-point rate cut. 



While Powell may be asked whether the two cuts projected in the Fed's June dot plot remain the baseline, he's unlikely to commit—preferring to emphasize the "meeting-by-meeting" approach with two key inflation and jobs prints still due before September.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bottom Line</h3>



Goldman Sachs sees the Fed cutting faster and deeper than Wall Street believes. 



If growth slows further and inflation stays tame—aside from a short-lived tariff bump—the market may be underestimating the pace of policy easing in the months ahead.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/large-cap/25/07/46641084/wall-street-stock-bubble-2025">Is A Stock Market Crash Imminent? Bubble Warnings Grow Louder </a></li>
</ul>



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Analyst Color

Macro Economic Events

Econ #s

Economics

Federal Reserve

Analyst Ratings

Tech

Get Ready For Five Fed Cuts, Markets Got It All Wrong: Goldman Sachs

In a market where every crypto firm wants to slap <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/artificial-intelligence">&#8216;AI&#8217; on its investor deck</a>, two Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) miners are winning by doing the exact opposite.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Track BTC&#8217;s price <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD">here</a>.</li>
</ul>



CleanSpark Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLSK#NASDAQ">CLSK</a>) and MARA Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARA#NASDAQ">MARA</a>), formerly known as Marathon Digital, received a bullish nod from JPMorgan. The investment bank&#8217;s analysts upgraded MARA to Overweight and reiterated CleanSpark as its top pick.



Why? Both companies stayed focused on their core business—mining Bitcoin. Their rivals, meanwhile, chased high-performance computing (HPC) dreams with uncertain timelines and even hazier economics.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46653821/ray-dalio-says-15-in-bitcoin-or-gold-may-be-essential-as-fiat-currencies-face-devaluation-risks">Ray Dalio Says 15% In Bitcoin Or Gold May Be Essential As Fiat Currencies Face Devaluation Risks</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">When AI Hype Fizzles, Fundamentals Shine</h2>



Analyst Reginald L. Smith writes that CleanSpark and Marathon now offer the "best relative value" among JPMorgan's crypto mining coverage. In contrast, formerly favored names like Riot Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIOT#NASDAQ">RIOT</a>) and IREN Ltd (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IREN#NASDAQ">IREN</a>) (formerly known as Iris Energy) were downgraded, not due to poor execution, but because their valuations look stretched—and too dependent on unannounced AI or HPC deals.



With Bitcoin roaring and network hashrates stabilizing, miners producing coins efficiently—not theorizing about AI workloads—are positioned to benefit first.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Miners That Mine—What A Concept</h2>



MARA is aiming for a massive 75 EH/s hashrate by year-end 2025. According to JPMorgan, the market hasn't fully priced that in. Meanwhile, CleanSpark continues to scale quietly, without pivoting to AI theater, and is now considered best-in-class for cost efficiency.



In short: the more a miner sounds like an HPC sales pitch, the less compelling it looks to Wall Street right now.



Investors may finally be asking: who's generating actual revenue from bitcoin, and who's just generating buzzwords? For now, it seems the miners who didn't try to reinvent themselves as AI companies are the ones worth watching.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46652325/bitcoin-has-shot-up-a-whopping-92525-since-chamath-palihapitiya-called-it-schmuck-insurance">Bitcoin Has Shot Up A Whopping 92525% Since Chamath Palihapitiya Called It &#8216;Schmuck Insurance&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency

Long Ideas

Markets

Trading Ideas

$BTC

CLSK

IREN

MARA

RIOT

MARA, CleanSpark Avoided The AI Hype—And That's Their Superpower

Jim Cramer has predicted that Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) will soar to $200, following its recent surge past $150.



Check out the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PLTR">PLTR stock price here</a>.



What Happened: In a post on X, CNBC&#8217;s &#8216;Mad Money&#8217; host Cramer described the stock's upward movement as "like a knife through butter," signaling a bullish outlook on the AI-driven data analytics firm.



Palantir, known for its Gotham and Foundry platforms used by U.S. defense and commercial sectors, hit a fresh record high of $160.39 per share intraday on Friday.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Palantir being pushed up nicely. Right through $150 like a knife through butter. Next stop: $200. Obviously Robinhood roaring, too&mdash; Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcramer/status/1949764867268784395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Last week, the U.S. Army awarded a $100 million contract to the Anduril-Palantir team for the delivery of a Next-Generation Command and Control (NGC2) platform prototype.



With this deal, Palantir is poised to secure an estimated $30 million from an 11-month contract, a high-priority U.S. Army project, <a href="https://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/palantir-pltr-wins-key-u-s-army-ai-contract-in-push-for-defense-growth-1573150/">reported</a> Insider Monkey, citing William Blair analyst Louie DiPalma. 



This initiative also offers the potential to boost Palantir&#8217;s annual recurring revenue by over $150 million within three years.



Wedbush analyst Dan Ives also highlighted Palantir as a key beneficiary of President Donald Trump&#8216;s &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/07/46580004/trumps-ai-action-plan-to-unleash-4th-industrial-revolution-dan-ives-picks-6-stock-winners">AI Action Plan</a>,&#8221; which aims to secure U.S. leadership in the sector, and he also listed it as one of his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46463595/dan-ives-picks-5-stocks-for-2nd-half-of-2025-nvidia-palantir-microsoft-and-more-golden-age-of-tech-is-here-with-ai-revolution">top five picks</a> for the second half of 2025. 



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46655759/these-3-dividend-yielding-stocks-could-outperform-as-high-fed-rates-spark-4-9-billion-inflows-ex">These 3 Dividend-Yielding Stocks Could Outperform As High Fed Rates Spark $4.9 Billion Inflows: Expert</a>



Why It Matters: Additionally, last week on Friday, Piper Sandler analyst Brent Bracelin announced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46635102/palantir-technologies-stock-hits-a-new-all-time-high-whats-driving-the-action">$170 price target</a> for Palantir. 



This followed Ives&#8217; target price <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/price-target/25/07/46339022/palantir-could-be-the-next-big-ai-winner-says-dan-ives-sees-12-pltr-stock-surge">increase to $160 apiece</a>, underlining the growing confidence in Palantir&#8217;s artificial intelligence strategy. He described PLTR to be on a &#8220;golden path to become an AI stalwart&#8221; over the next 12 months. 



The enthusiasm of various analysts underscores their belief in the company&#8217;s potential to dominate the AI landscape, despite its forward P/E ratio of 277.778, raising valuation concerns among some investors.



While bullish analysts like Ives and Bracelin are raising their targets, the broader analyst consensus of 25 experts, as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PLTR/analyst-ratings">tracked by Benzinga</a>, remains a &#8216;Sell&#8217; with an average price target near $80.6. Despite this, investor sentiment, propelled by key government contracts and strategic enterprise partnerships, continues to drive the stock to new heights.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PLTR/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="387" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28071416/PLTR-ANR-new-fresh-latest-1024x387.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1003078" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28071416/PLTR-ANR-new-fresh-latest-1024x387.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28071416/PLTR-ANR-new-fresh-latest-300x113.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28071416/PLTR-ANR-new-fresh-latest-768x290.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28071416/PLTR-ANR-new-fresh-latest.png 1098w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



Price Action: Palantir was up 1.41% in premarket on Monday. It has risen by 111.20% on a year-to-date basis and 486.41% over the past year.



Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings indicate that PLTR maintains solid momentum across short, medium, and long-term periods. However, while the stock scores well on growth rankings, its value rating remains relatively weak. Additional performance details are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-3/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-3/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="155" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28071351/edge-new-PLTR-1024x155.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1003076" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28071351/edge-new-PLTR-1024x155.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28071351/edge-new-PLTR-300x46.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28071351/edge-new-PLTR-768x116.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28071351/edge-new-PLTR.png 1167w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, were higher in premarket on Monday. The SPY was up 0.18% at $638.23, while the QQQ advanced 0.37% to $568.47, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46653560/bitcoin-ethereum-ripple-have-big-money-moment-as-expert-sees-incremental-institutional-buyers-driving-current-rally" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple Have ‘Big Money' Moment As Expert Sees ‘Incremental Institutional Buyers' Driving Current Rally</a></li>
</ul>



Image via Shutterstock

News

PLTR

Palantir's Next Stop Is $200, Says Jim Cramer As PLTR Glides 'Like A Knife Through Butter'

As the uncertainty surrounding Trump tariffs and other policy changes in Washington continues, middle-income Americans are accelerating their car-buying plans, a new survey reveals.



What Happened: A new survey by&nbsp;Santander Holdings USA&nbsp;shows that the majority of middle-income Americans are concerned about rising car prices and the impact of future price uncertainty. Despite these worries, three-quarters of the respondents believe&nbsp;they are on the right&nbsp;financial track,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/28/car-buyers-prices-tariffs-survey?ref=biztoc.com">reported</a>&nbsp;Axios on Monday.



&#8220;Our&nbsp;research finds consumers are taking&nbsp;proactive steps to secure what&nbsp;matters most, especially autos,&#8221; said&nbsp;Betty Jotanovic, president of auto&nbsp;relationships at Santander Consumer USA.



The survey also highlights the significance of vehicle access to families, with many consumers making proactive decisions to secure their transportation needs.



Consumers are keeping a close eye on how uncertainty around future prices might influence their spending decisions. In Q2, 55% said they were considering purchasing a car in the next year, up from 47% in Q1. Additionally, 18% accelerated major purchases due to price concerns, with 41% of those buying a car.



Despite rising prices, consumers appear more eager to make a move—half of potential buyers say they're now more likely to take out an auto loan, 48% are more inclined to buy a used vehicle, and 42% are more likely to complete a purchase within the next three months.



SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46651859/trumps-new-eu-trade-deal-labeled-bad-news-by-economists-as-dow-futures-spike-over-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s New EU Trade Deal Labeled &#8216;Bad News&#8217; By Economists As Dow Futures Spike Over 150 Points</a>



Why It Matters: The surge in car-buying plans among middle-income Americans reflects the impact of the ongoing policy shifts in Washington. This trend is also evident in the used car market, where buyers are facing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/07/46483841/a-used-car-buyer-is-baffled-by-prices-says-there-are-no-more-affordable-safe-and-reliable-starter-cars-with-less-than-100k-miles">sticker shock</a>&nbsp;and dealerships are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/07/46370165/car-buyer-says-paying-cash-made-the-dealer-act-like-they-just-spoke-fluent-dolphin-theyre-not-dealerships-anymore-theyre-bankerships">reacting</a>&nbsp;to cash payments in unusual ways.



These changes are occurring against the backdrop of the Trump administration&#8217;s&nbsp;$550 billion <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46622277/trumps-trade-deal-with-japan-a-tax-on-americans-economist-says-not-remotely-optimistic-us-auto-companies-will-gain-as-toyota-and-honda-stocks-rally">trade deal with Japan</a>, which some experts argue is essentially a tax increase for American consumers. 



The American Automotive Policy Council, representing U.S. automakers like GM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>), Ford (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) and Stellantis (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STLA#NYSE">STLA</a>), has opposed a new trade deal that imposes a 25% tariff on U.S.-made vehicles from Canada and Mexico, while Japan faces only a 15% tariff, thus potentially raising vehicle prices in the U.S..



However, the U.S. Commerce Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46627767/commerce-secretary-howard-lutnick-dismisses-silly-concerns-of-us-automakers-over-japan-trade-deal-says-theyre-cool-with-it">Howard Lutnick</a>&nbsp;has stated that American auto CEOs are in favor of the new trade agreement.



READ MORE: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/07/46549018/general-motors-delivers-q2-beat-braces-for-higher-tariff-pressures-ahead">General Motors Delivers Q2 Beat, Braces For Higher Tariff Pressures Ahead</a></li>
</ul>



Image via Shutterstock



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/07/46549018/general-motors-delivers-q2-beat-braces-for-higher-tariff-pressures-ahead"> </a>

STLA

Trump Tariff Worries Drive Middle-Income Americans To Rush Car Buys: Report

U.S. stock futures rose on Monday after ending higher on Friday. Futures of major benchmark indices were higher.



President Donald Trump announced a 15% tariff <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46650830/donald-trump-announces-15-tariff-trade-agreement-with-eu-ending-months-of-trade-uncertainty">trade deal with the European Union</a> (EU) on Sunday, putting an end to several months of trade uncertainty with the U.S.'s biggest trade partner. 



The tariff rate is a significant drop from the 30% Trump threatened on July 12 and the 20% he proposed on April 2. Trump stated that the EU will not impose a tariff on U.S. imports, describing the deal as "satisfactory to both sides."



Investors will assess a slew of macro and micro indicators this week, as the Federal Reserve&#8217;s interest rate decision, along with the second-quarter GDP data, will be released on Wednesday.



Additionally, earnings from companies including Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) are expected this week.



Meanwhile, the 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.37% and the two-year bond was at 3.91%. The CME Group's FedWatch <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">tool</a>&#8216;s projections show markets pricing a 96.99% likelihood of the Federal Reserve keeping the current interest rates unchanged in its July meeting. 



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Futures</td><td>Change (+/-)</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>0.16%</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>0.27%</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq 100</td><td>0.47%</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>0.53%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, were higher in premarket on Friday. The SPY was up 0.28% at $638.91, while the QQQ advanced 0.50% to $569.22, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



Cues From Last Session:



On Friday, industrials, materials, and consumer discretionary stocks led the gains among S&amp;P 500 sectors, while energy and communication services stocks ended the session lower, bucking the overall positive trend.



U.S. stocks settled higher, with the S&amp;P 500 marking its 14th record close this year, fueled by optimism over corporate earnings and global trade talk progress, which bolstered risk assets.



All three major indices saw weekly gains, with the 30-stock Dow rising approximately 1.3%, the broad S&amp;P 500 climbing about 1.5%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq adding 1%.



Phillips 66 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSX#NYSE">PSX</a>) reported better-than-expected second-quarter financial results. Conversely, Carter&#8217;s Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRI#NYSE">CRI</a>) shares dropped around 20% after the company missed second-quarter adjusted EPS estimates, suspended its fiscal 2025 guidance, and cited tariff impacts.



On the economic data front, U.S. durable goods orders fell 9.3% month-over-month to $311.84 billion in June, following a revised 16.5% gain in May.



The Dow Jones index ended 208 points or 0.47% higher at 44,901.92, whereas the S&amp;P 500 index rose 0.40% to 6,388.64. Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.24% to 21,108.32, and the small-cap gauge, Russell 2000, gained 0.40% to end at 2,261.07.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Index</td><td>Performance (+/-)</td><td>Value</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq Composite</td><td>0.24%</td><td>21,108.32</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>0.40%</td><td>6,388.64</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>0.47%</td><td>44,901.92</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>0.40%</td><td>2,261.07</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Insights From Analysts:



The Director and Senior Investment Strategist at Charles Schwab &amp; Co., Kevin Gordon, highlighted that the week ahead was crucial with important market-moving data scheduled to be released during this period.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Here&#39;s what we have next week: Apple earnings Amazon earnings Microsoft earnings Meta earnings FOMC rate decision JOLTS Conference Board consumer confidence PCE inflation ISM Manufacturing UMich June jobs report August 1 tariff deadline Other than that, should be pretty quiet&mdash; Kevin Gordon (@KevRGordon) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevRGordon/status/1948107799613059455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



According to Ed Yardeni of Yardeni Research, &#8220;Naturally, the main event will be the Federal Open Market Committee's widely expected decision (Wed) to leave the federal funds rate unchanged. We are among those expecting no change.&#8221;



However, he expects that Fed Chair Jerome Powell&#8216;s press conference (Wed) will be relatively dovish, raising the odds of a September rate cut. &#8220;Nevertheless, we remain in the none-and-done camp in 2025 for now,&#8221; Yardeni added.



However, senior economist Mohamed El Erian noted that Trump&#8217;s Fed visit last week underscored &#8220;differing interpretations.&#8221;



According to him, some viewed it as a &#8220;truce,&#8221; citing the President&#8217;s pledge not to fire Chair Powell and his expectation that the Chair would &#8220;do the right thing&#8221; by cutting interest rates.



Whereas others saw the visit as an escalation, aligning with Steve Bannon&#8217;s &#8220;flood the zone&#8221; strategy. &#8220;They point to the awkward televised exchange between the President and Chair Powell regarding the renovation&#8217;s cost as evidence of continued and clear friction,&#8221; he added.



&#8220;This week promises to be an exceptionally busy one, packed with notable policy decisions, major economic data releases, and systemically important corporate earnings – all set against the backdrop of seasonally thinner market liquidity,&#8221; Erian added.



Meanwhile, Jamie Cox, the managing partner for Harris Financial Group spoke about the U.S. deal with EU.



&#8220;When Japan broke down and made a deal the EU had little choice. The biggest piece in the trade deal puzzle still remains, and the Chinese are unlikely to be as willing to fold. The next big durable theme in markets is security, and the EU deal only accelerates it,&#8221; he said.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-trade-futures">How to Trade Futures</a> 



Upcoming Economic Data



Here&#8217;s what investors will keep an eye on this week:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>No data is scheduled to be released on Monday.</li>



<li>On Tuesday, June&#8217;s advanced U.S. trade balance in goods, retail inventories, and wholesale inventories data will be announced by 8:30 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>May&#8217;s S&amp;P Case-Shiller home price index for 20 cities will be out by 9:00 a.m., July&#8217;s consumer confidence data, and June&#8217;s job openings data will be released by 10:00 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>On Wednesday, July ADP employment will be out by 8:15 a.m. and the second quarter&#8217;s GDP data will be released by 8:30 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>June&#8217;s pending home sales data will be released by 10:00 a.m. and the FOMC interest rate decision will be bout by 2:00 p.m., with the Federal Reserve Chair Powell addressing a press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET.</li>



<li>On Thursday, the initial jobless claims data for the week ended July 26, the second quarter&#8217;s Employment Cost Index data, June personal income, spending, and the headline and core PCE Index data will all be released at 8:30 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>July&#8217;s Chicago Business Barometer (PMI) will be out by 9:45 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>On Friday, July&#8217;s U.S. employment report, unemployment rate, and hourly wages data will be announced by 8:30 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>July&#8217;s S&amp;P final U.S. manufacturing PMI will be released at 9:45 a.m., whereas July&#8217;s ISM manufacturing, construction spending, and consumer sentiment will be announced by 10:00 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>July&#8217;s auto sales data will also be released on Friday.</li>
</ul>



Stocks In Focus:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) stock rose 1.72% in premarket on Monday after it confirmed a massive $16.5 billion chip manufacturing deal with Samsung Electronics.</li>



<li>Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) was up 1.44% after the U.S. Army on Friday awarded a $100 million, 11-month Next-Generation Command and Control prototype contract, part of a broader $3 billion Department of Defense request for fiscal 2026.</li>



<li>UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) was up 1.30% after it released a statement responding to the Department of Justice after a review of the media reports about investigations into specific aspects of its involvement in the Medicare program.</li>



<li>Anghami Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ANGH#NASDAQ">ANGH</a>) zoomed 38.65% the company appointed James Cooke, a senior executive from Warner Bros Discovery Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBD#NASDAQ">WBD</a>), to its Board of Directors. Additionally, its shareholders also approved a 1-for-10 reverse stock split.</li>



<li>Mill City Ventures III Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCVT#NASDAQ">MCVT</a>) surged 91.68% following a recent halt in trading due to a circuit breaker. On Friday, the stock was halted after a 211.3% increase, leading to a temporary suspension in trading.</li>



<li>ATAI Life Sciences NV (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ATAI#NASDAQ">ATAI</a>) dropped 16.81% after disclosing that the Phase 2b trial of Inidascamine in patients with cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia did not meet its primary endpoint.</li>



<li>Enterprise Products Partners LP. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EPD#NYSE">EPD</a>) was 0.95% higher as analysts expect it to report earnings of 65 cents per share on revenue of $15.04 billion before the opening bell.</li>



<li>Nucor Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NUE#NYSE">NUE</a>) advanced 1.09% as it is expected to report earnings after the closing bell. Analysts estimate earnings of $2.65 per share on revenue of $8.51 billion.</li>



<li>Waste Management Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WM#NYSE">WM</a>) added 0.25% as analysts expect it to report earnings of $1.89 per share on revenue of $6.37 billion after the closing bell.</li>



<li>Whirlpool Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WHR#NYSE">WHR</a>) rose 0.76% as it is expected to report earnings after the closing bell. Analysts estimate earnings of $1.78 per share on revenue of $3.90 billion.</li>
</ul>



Commodities, Gold, And Global Equity Markets:



Crude oil futures were trading higher in the early New York session by 0.95% to hover around $65.78 per barrel.



Gold Spot US Dollar rose 0.01% to hover around $3,337.38 per ounce. Its last record high stood at $3,500.33 per ounce. The U.S. Dollar Index spot was higher by 0.51% at the 98.1430 level.



Asian markets mostly advanced on Monday, except Japan's Nikkei 225 and India's S&amp;P BSE Sensex indices. South Korea's Kospi, Hong Kong's Hang Seng, China&#8217;s CSI 300, and Australia's ASX 200 indices rose. European markets were mostly higher in early trade.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46652124/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-climb-on-trump-eu-trade-pact-analyst-says-this-risk-off-signal-could-be-critical-as-btc-drives-entire-crypto-market">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Climb On Trump-EU Trade Pact — Analyst Says This &#8216;Risk-Off&#8217; Signal Could Be Critical As BTC Drives Entire Crypto Market</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: godongphoto / Shutterstock.com

Equities

AAPL

AMZN

ANGH

ATAI

MCVT

MSFT

TSLA

US Stocks Likely To Open Higher As US-EU Ink Trade Deal: Tesla, Palantir, UnitedHealth In Focus

Amid persistent geopolitical uncertainty, global stocks and funds with a strategic focus on high dividends are experiencing a significant resurgence in investor interest. This expert highlights the top three stocks and funds that investors could consider to seize the opportunity.



What Happened: After two years of subdued demand, these funds are once again drawing substantial inflows, driven by a confluence of economic factors, most notably the elevated interest rates maintained by the Federal Reserve.



As highlighted by Eugenia Mykuliak, the founder and executive director at B2PRIME Group, the renewed popularity of dividend-yielding instruments was reflected in April 2025 fund flow data. The equity income ETFs recorded an impressive $4.9 billion in net flows.



Industry leaders such as the Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHD#NYSE">SCHD</a>) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VIG#NYSE">VIG</a>) have been at the forefront of this trend.



&#8220;Donald Trump&#8216;s calls for lower rates and the Fed&#8217;s reluctance, which kept rates high, are the principal rationales here. As we know, high interest rates make bonds less attractive, prompting investors to shift towards dividend-paying stocks,&#8221; Mykuliak told <a href="https://www.benzinga.com">Benzinga</a>.



Mykuliak points to compelling examples citing Kroger Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>), Chevron Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>), and BP PLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BP#NYSE">BP</a>). &#8220;C-bond dividend yields offered by companies like Kroger (~9.4% dividend yield), Chevron (4.78%), and BP (6.59%) appear to be competitive so far,&#8221; she highlighted.



This data underscores that dividend yields are currently either close to or, in many cases, significantly higher than the 10-year Treasury bond yield of 4.37%, making them a more attractive proposition for income-seeking investors.



&#8220;So current dividend yields remain competitive relative to long-term government bonds, particularly for high-quality dividend stocks,&#8221; Mykuliak states.



Furthermore, Mykuliak highlights that &#8220;geopolitical tensions (most notably, tariffs) and economic uncertainty make dividend stocks a safer investment.&#8221;



Looking ahead, the momentum for dividend stocks is expected to persist. Mykuliak reiterates, &#8220;Once again, the Fed&#8217;s stance amid overall economic uncertainty tilts toward keeping interest rates high, making dividends more attractive.&#8221;



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46653560/bitcoin-ethereum-ripple-have-big-money-moment-as-expert-sees-incremental-institutional-buyers-driving-current-rally">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple Have &#8216;Big Money&#8217; Moment As Expert Sees &#8216;Incremental Institutional Buyers&#8217; Driving Current Rally</a>



Why It Matters: &#8220;All in all, dividend stocks are strategically positioned to benefit from 2025's macroeconomic landscape, offering higher yields than bonds and greater stability than growth stocks,&#8221; Mykuliak concludes.



She advises investors to &#8220;prioritize high-quality, diversified dividend portfolios (tapping into the ETF universe for convenience, bearing in mind, for example, SCHD, VIG) to capitalize on this trend while mitigating the known risks.&#8221;



However, she cautions investors to be aware of potential risks, including dividend cuts and the possibility of current economic uncertainty escalating into a more severe slowdown, which could potentially temper future inflows.



Price Action: Here&#8217;s how the stocks and ETFs mentioned by Mykuliak have performed.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>ETFs</td><td>One-Month Performance</td><td>YTD Performance</td><td>One-Year Performance</td></tr><tr><td>Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHD#NYSE">SCHD</a>)</td><td>2.47%</td><td>7.10%</td><td>10.78%</td></tr><tr><td>Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VIG#NYSE">VIG</a>)</td><td>2.18%</td><td>7.31%</td><td>11.03%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Stocks</td><td>One-Month Performance</td><td>YTD Performance</td><td>One-Year Performance</td></tr><tr><td>Kroger Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>)</td><td>-0.38%</td><td>15.37%</td><td>31.85%</td></tr><tr><td>Chevron Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>)</td><td>8.14%</td><td>5.54%</td><td>-1.12%</td></tr><tr><td>BP PLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BP#NYSE">BP</a>)</td><td>7.58%</td><td>7.58%</td><td>-7.89%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, were higher in premarket on Friday. The SPY was up 0.17% at $638.16, while the QQQ advanced 0.35% to $568.37, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/07/46652770/citi-strata-elite-credit-card-launched-to-attract-affluent-customers-heres-how-it-stacks-up-against-amex-platinum-jpmorgan-chase-sapphire-reserve">Citi Strata Elite Credit Card Launched To Attract Affluent Customers: Here&#8217;s How It Stacks Up Against Amex Platinum, JPMorgan Chase Sapphire Reserve</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. 



Image Credit: RYAN MERCER/NORTHJERSEY.COM via Imagn Images

SCHD

These 3 Dividend-Yielding Stocks Could Outperform As High Fed Rates Spark $4.9 Billion Inflows: Expert

YouTube cofounder Steve Chen warned parents against allowing children to consume only short-form content, citing concerns about diminishing attention spans and addictive design elements that could impact cognitive development.



What Happened: &#8220;I don&#8217;t know if I want my kids to be watching like short-form content as their only way and they can&#8217;t be able to watch something that&#8217;s more than 15 minutes in length,&#8221; Chen said during a Stanford Business School talk published Friday. 



The former Chief Technology Officer helped launch YouTube in 2005 before Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) owned Google acquired the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/10/41616337/google-bought-youtube-for-1-65b-and-now-it-prints-50b-in-revenue-just-in-1-year-sundar-pich">platform for $1.65 billion in 2006</a>.



Chen&#8217;s comments carry significant weight as YouTube now generates $50 billion in combined <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/10/41616337/google-bought-youtube-for-1-65b-and-now-it-prints-50b-in-revenue-just-in-1-year-sundar-pich">advertising and subscription revenue</a>, representing a massive return on Google&#8217;s initial investment. The platform competes directly with TikTok and Meta Platforms Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) Instagram Reels for user engagement.



&#8220;I think TikTok is entertainment, but it&#8217;s purely entertainment,&#8221; said Chen, who moved to Taiwan in 2019. &#8220;Just shorter form content equates to shorter attention spans.&#8221;



During the talk, Chen mentioned that some parents are intentionally steering their children toward long-form content while avoiding videos with flashy visuals and &#8220;addictive eyeballs,&#8221; recognizing how easily such content can get kids hooked.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46654181/alibaba-cloud-pioneer-says-he-doesnt-like-agi-asi-classifications-it-just-means-you-get-more-capability-thats-it">Alibaba Cloud Pioneer Says He Doesn&#8217;t Like AGI, ASI Classifications: &#8216;It Just Means You Get More Capability. That&#8217;s It&#8217;</a>



Why It Matters: A 2022 survey shows that Gen Z users spend over <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/22/12/30065546/gen-z-users-want-short-form-content-spend-4-hours-on-social-media-daily-like-superheroes-wh">four hours daily on social media</a>, with 71% preferring content under 30 minutes. 



Chen suggested implementing age-based daily access restrictions, noting the &#8220;delicate balance between what is going to get users&#8217; eyes and what&#8217;s going to monetize more versus what is actually useful.&#8221;



His warnings come as Amazon.com Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) Twitch <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38541148/amazons-twitch-launches-short-form-video-platform-to-challenge-tiktok-as-chinese-platforms-future-re">launched short-form features in 2024</a> and TikTok faces U.S. regulatory challenges, creating market opportunities for established players like YouTube to capture shifting user <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/social-media/25/07/46310388/kevin-oleary-torpedoes-trumps-tiktok-deal-claim-we-dont-have-a-seller">engagement patterns</a>.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/education/25/07/46652824/mark-cuban-says-its-not-the-students-at-fault-but-the-school-if-answers-can-be-generated-with-ai-kids-take-path-of-least-resistance">Mark Cuban Says It&#8217;s Not The Students At Fault But The School If Answers Can Be Generated With AI: Kids Take &#8216;Path Of Least Resistance&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock.com

Social Media

GOOG

GOOGL

YouTube Cofounder Says He May Not Want His Kids Watching Only Shorts, Reels Or TikTok—Warns Of 'Addictive Eyeballs,' Shrinking Attention Spans

Meta Platforms Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) has announced a ban on political, electoral, and social issue advertising in the European Union (EU) due to the &#8220;unworkable requirements&#8221; of the new rules.



What Happened: Meta, the parent company of social media giants Facebook and Instagram, as well as messaging app WhatsApp, is set to implement the ban from October, <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250725-meta-to-ban-political-ads-in-eu-due-to-bloc-s-unworkable-rules">reported</a> AFP. The new EU regulations, known as the Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA), are aimed at enhancing transparency in online advertising following the 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal.



Check out the current price of&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/quote/META" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">META stock here</a>.



Meta CEO&nbsp;Mark Zuckerberg&nbsp;has been vocal about his discontent with the EU&#8217;s regulations, previously accusing the EU of &#8220;censorship&#8221; and equating fines to tariffs. The company is currently facing a 200-million-euro ($235-million) fine for violating personal data rules on Facebook and Instagram, with the possibility of additional daily penalties if changes are not made.



Meta is not alone in this move. Google (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) last year also revealed plans to block&nbsp;political advertising in the EU&nbsp;from October 2025 due to similar challenges and legal uncertainties.



SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46650830/donald-trump-announces-15-tariff-trade-agreement-with-eu-ending-months-of-trade-uncertainty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump Announces 15% Tariff Trade Agreement With EU, Ending Months Of Trade Uncertainty</a>



Why It Matters: This decision by Meta comes amid a series of regulatory challenges faced by the company in the EU. Earlier in July,&nbsp;Meta, along with other tech giants, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46536032/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-and-elon-musks-x-fight-back-against-efforts-by-italy-to-tax-free-access-to-social-media-in-exchange-for-users-personal-data">fought back</a> against a tax case in Italy&nbsp;that could alter how digital services are taxed across the EU. 



Additionally, WhatsApp, owned by Meta, was warned of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46492350/russian-lawmaker-says-whatsapp-should-prepare-to-leave-amid-push-for-state-backed-messaging-app">potential exit </a>from the Russian market due to national security concerns. These instances highlight the increasing regulatory scrutiny faced by Meta in the region.



Furthermore, the EU&#8217;s stringent regulations have not only affected Meta but also other tech companies. For instance,&nbsp;Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) was expected to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46565660/apple-set-to-dodge-over-50-million-in-daily-eu-fines-with-app-store-overhaul-opening-door-to-cheaper-developer-payments-report">dodge daily </a>EU fines&nbsp;by accepting changes to its App Store rules and fees. This growing regulatory pressure on tech companies in the EU could potentially reshape the digital landscape in the region.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="787" height="138" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28054138/image-424.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1002946" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28054138/image-424.png 787w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28054138/image-424-300x53.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28054138/image-424-768x135.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 787px) 100vw, 787px" /></figure>



Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Rankings place Amazon in the 90th percentile for quality and the 93rd percentile for growth, reflecting strong performance in both areas. Check the detailed report&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.&nbsp;



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</ul>



Image via Shutterstock



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Mark Zuckerberg's Meta Shuts Down EU Political Ads On Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp — Calls New Rules 'Unworkable'

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed a decline in the overall market sentiment, while the index remained in the &#8220;Greed&#8221; zone on Friday.



U.S. stocks settled higher on Friday, with the S&amp;P 500 notching its 14th record close of the year as optimism over corporate earnings and progress on global trade talks provided support for risk assets.



All three major indices closed the week higher, with the 30-stock Dow gaining around 1.3% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq adding 1%. The broad market S&amp;P 500 climbed around 1.5% last week.



Phillips 66 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSX#NYSE">PSX</a>) reported better-than-expected second-quarter financial results. Carter's, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRI#NYSE">CRI</a>) shares fell around 20% on Friday after the company reported a second-quarter adjusted EPS miss. Additionally, the company suspended its fiscal 2025 guidance and cited tariff impacts on future earnings.



On the economic data front, U.S. durable goods orders fell&nbsp;9.3%&nbsp;month-over-month to&nbsp;$311.84 billion&nbsp;in June, following a revised&nbsp;16.5%&nbsp;gain in May.



Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a positive note, with industrials, materials and consumer discretionary stocks recording the biggest gains on Friday. However, energy and communication services stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session lower.



The Dow Jones closed higher by 208 points to 44,901.92 on Friday. The S&amp;P 500 gained 0.40% to 6,388.64, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.24% to 21,108.32 during Friday's session.



Investors are awaiting earnings results from Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EPD#NYSE">EPD</a>), Nucor Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NUE#NYSE">NUE</a>) and Whirlpool Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WHR#NYSE">WHR</a>) today.



What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?



At a current reading of 73.9, the index remained in the &#8220;Greed&#8221; zone on Friday, versus a prior reading of 74.4.



The Fear &amp; Greed Index is a measure of the current market sentiment. It is based on the premise that higher fear exerts pressure on stock prices, while higher greed has the opposite effect. The index is calculated based on seven equal-weighted indicators. The index ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents maximum fear and 100 signals maximum greediness.



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</ul>



Photo via Shutterstock

Pre-Market Outlook

S&P 500 Notches 5th Consecutive Record Close Following Strong Earnings: Investor Sentiment Edges Lower, But Fear Index Remains In 'Greed' Zone

Major cryptocurrencies posted gains on Sunday evening as markets reacted positively to the Donald Trump administration&#8217;s landmark trade agreement with the European Union, with analysts attributing the improved risk sentiment to driving momentum in digital assets.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 11.26 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>+1.09%</td><td>$119,385</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</td><td>+2.68%</td><td>$3,877</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</td><td>+1.96</td><td>$0.2433</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The crypto market capitalization reached $3.96 trillion, up 1.40%, with Bitcoin maintaining 60.1% dominance and Ethereum holding 11.9% market share. 



United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced Sunday on X that &#8220;President [Donald] Trump just unlocked one of the biggest economies in the world,&#8221; describing the EU&#8217;s commitment to open its $20 trillion market and accept U.S. auto and industrial standards.



The deal includes EU purchases of $750 billion in American energy and $600 billion in U.S. investments, with tariffs set at 15% across the board. &#8220;Today is a historic day for U.S. trade and will strengthen our relationship with the European Union for decades to come,&#8221; Lutnick said.



Despite positive sentiment, crypto markets experienced significant liquidations over 24 hours, with 90,805 traders liquidated totaling $231.04 million, according to CoinGlass. The largest single liquidation occurred on HTX&#8217;s ETH-USDT pair, valued at $2.68 million.



The CMC Crypto Fear and Greed Index registered 67, indicating Greed, up from 64 yesterday and matching last week&#8217;s reading. The index peaked at 88, signaling Extreme Greed, in November 2024 and bottomed at 15, reflecting Extreme Fear, in March 2025.



Gold retreated to $3,330 per ounce following three consecutive losing sessions as the U.S.-EU agreement reduced safe-haven demand. The U.S. Dollar Index dipped to 97.5 as the euro strengthened post-agreement.



Broader markets showed strength with S&amp;P 500 Futures at 6,451.75, up 0.42%. Nasdaq-100 Futures rose 0.56% to 23,552.50. The Dow remained at 44,901.92, unchanged from Friday.



The week ahead features Federal Reserve policy meetings and key economic data, including Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, ADP employment, and nonfarm payrolls, with the PCE price index monitored for tariff-related inflation pressures.



Top Gainers (24-Hours)



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 11.26 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>PanCakeSwap (CAKE)</td><td>+13.72%</td><td>$3.22</td></tr><tr><td>SPX6900 (SPX)</td><td>+11.41%&nbsp;</td><td>$2.20</td></tr><tr><td>Jupiter (JUP)</td><td>+9.70%</td><td>$0.6130</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46650830/donald-trump-announces-15-tariff-trade-agreement-with-eu-ending-months-of-trade-uncertainty">Donald Trump Announces 15% Tariff Trade Agreement With EU, Ending Months Of Trade Uncertainty</a>



Analyst Take: Crypto analyst Willy Woo highlighted Bitcoin Vector&#8216;s Risk-Off Signal, noting the current 97-day streak represents the second-longest in three years. &#8220;Bitcoin drives the entire crypto market. Knowing when it flips risk-off is critical,&#8221; Vector stated, emphasizing the signal&#8217;s effectiveness in identifying early transitions before major drawdowns.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">An introduction to the Swissblock Risk-off Signal&#8230; <a href="https://t.co/nxb7hNImwT">https://t.co/nxb7hNImwT</a>&mdash; Willy Woo (@woonomic) <a href="https://twitter.com/woonomic/status/1949562609801605327?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Analyst Michaël van de Poppe observed Bitcoin testing range resistance over the weekend, suggesting a potential Monday correction before upward movement. &#8220;Bitcoin attacking $120,000 is an interesting case as there&#8217;s another extension in the trade war,&#8221; van de Poppe noted.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> attacking $120,000 is an interesting case as there's another extension in the trade war. It's still weekend though, but markets seem tempted to go back up again.&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1949509193481720274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46649627/trumps-economic-impact-ackmans-support-for-capital-reform-and-wall-streets-tariff-predictions-this-week-in-economy">Trump&#8217;s Economic Impact, Ackman&#8217;s Support For Capital Reform And Wall Street&#8217;s Tariff Predictions: This Week In Economy</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

$DOGE

$ETH

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Climb On Trump-EU Trade Pact — Analyst Says This 'Risk-Off' Signal Could Be Critical As BTC Drives Entire Crypto Market

Editor&#8217;s Note: This story has been updated to include the latest developments



Elon Musk-led Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) has confirmed signing a massive $16.5 billion chip manufacturing deal with Samsung Electronics (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNLF#OTC">SSNLF</a>), marking a major win for the South Korean giant's foundry business as it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/03/37481465/tsmc-samsung-lead-recovery-in-asias-emerging-markets-with-ai-and-chip-sector-growth">fights for dominance</a> in the booming AI chip market against rivals like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>).



What Happened: On Monday, the South Korean tech giant disclosed in a regulatory filing that it had secured a multibillion-dollar chip production contract with an unnamed global client.



The deal, which officially began on July 26, 2024, runs through Dec. 31, 2033. While Samsung initially declined to name the counterparty, Musk later confirmed via X, formerly Twitter, that Tesla is the customer.



Musk revealed that the chips would be built at Samsung's new Texas fab and would power Tesla's next-generation AI6 chip, stating, "The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate."



He added that TSMC will handle AI5 chips, with production beginning in Taiwan and later moving to Arizona.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Samsung's giant new Texas fab will be dedicated to making Tesla's next-generation AI6 chip. The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate. Samsung currently makes AI4. TSMC will make AI5, which just finished design, initially in Taiwan and then Arizona.&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1949673345567592869?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



In a follow-up post, he said, "Samsung agreed to allow Tesla to assist in maximizing manufacturing efficiency," adding, "I will walk the line personally to accelerate the pace of progress."



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45738435/elizabeth-warren-says-trump-approved-the-largest-meat-company-in-world-to-be-listed-on-nyse-ignoring-corruption-and-bribery-history-demands-answers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elizabeth Warren Says Trump ‘Approved&#8217; The Largest Meat Company In World To Be Listed On NYSE Ignoring Corruption And Bribery History, Demands Answers</a>



Why It's Important: The deal offers a potential turnaround for Samsung's foundry arm, which has faced delays at its new Texas plant and struggles with advanced 2-nanometer yields.



It also comes as South Korea races to secure U.S. trade agreements to avoid steep tariffs on chips and other exports. Samsung shares were up 2.43% at the time of writing.



Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings show that Tesla maintains strong positive momentum over the medium and long term. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-3/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'">More detailed performance metrics can be found here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-3/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="412" height="101" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28000437/Screenshot-2025-07-28-at-13.04.21.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1002554" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28000437/Screenshot-2025-07-28-at-13.04.21.png 412w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28000437/Screenshot-2025-07-28-at-13.04.21-300x74.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 412px) 100vw, 412px" /></a></figure>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/esg/25/06/45739698/bill-gates-commits-majority-of-200-billion-foundation-budget-to-africa-over-next-20-years-amid-trumps-massive-usaid-cuts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bill Gates Commits Majority Of $200 Billion Foundation Budget To Africa Over Next 20 Years Amid Trump&#8217;s Massive USAID Cuts</a></li>
</ul>



Photo Courtesy: Sybillla on Shutterstock.com



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

NVDA

QCOM

SSNLF

Elon Musk Confirms Tesla As the Mystery Big-Tech That Signed $16.5 Billion Chip Contract With Samsung: 'I Will Walk The Line Personally' To Boost Progress (UPDATED)

President Donald Trump&#8217;s latest trade deal with the European Union is drawing sharp criticism from several leading economists, who argue that it will disproportionately harm American consumers and businesses.



What Happened: Following Trump&#8217;s announcement on Sunday, economist Peter Schiff posted on X, with a blunt assessment of the deal, saying that &#8220;Americans lose again.&#8221;



Schiff says that under the new terms, &#8220;we will pay 15% tariffs to buy most European goods, but 50% tariffs to buy European steel, aluminum, or copper, driving up material costs for many U.S industries.&#8221; Meanwhile, he notes, &#8220;Europeans won&#8217;t pay any tariffs on most U.S. imports.&#8221;



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46581998/stellantis-shares-surge-on-u-s-eu-tariff-deal-prospects-whats-going-on">Stellantis Shares Surge On U.S.-EU Tariff Deal Prospects: What&#8217;s Going On?</a>



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Trump has a trade deal with the EU, where Americans lose again. We will pay 15% tariffs to buy most European goods, but 50% tariffs to buy European steel, aluminum, or copper, driving up material costs for many U.S industries. Europeans won&#39;t pay any tariffs on most U.S. imports.&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1949590339322605685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



University of Michigan economist Justin Wolfers echoed similar concerns, while highlighting the folly of imposing trade barriers. &#8220;These trade deals are all underwhelming for one simple reason,&#8221; he says, and that&#8217;s because trade barriers and tariffs have been tiny for decades.



&#8220;When tariffs are 1-2%, there&#8217;s not much to gain from a trade war,&#8221; he says, while warning that a 15% tax on imports can, however, &#8220;do a lot of harm to Americans.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">These trade deals are all underwhelming for one simple reason: While trade barriers were a big deal in Trump&#39;s youth, they&#39;ve been tiny for decades. When tariffs are 1-2%, there&#39;s not much to gain from a trade war. But you can do a lot of harm by charging Americans a 15% (or…&mdash; Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinWolfers/status/1949610547743269279?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Danish economist Lars Christensen pushed back against the narrative that this was a bad deal for the EU and a win for Trump. 



He says, &#8220;the deal lower[s] EU tariffs,&#8221; which he believes is &#8220;good news for European consumers,&#8221; while adding that it is bad for the U.S. economy.



Christensen agrees with both Schiff and Wolfers, saying that &#8220;the biggest losers are US consumers,&#8221; while comparing the deal to &#8220;shooting yourself in the foot&#8221; for the U.S., which he says &#8220;is never a victory.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Please read an economics book. The deal lower EU tariffs. That is good News for European consumers. Trump will tax American consumers a lot more. That is bad news for the US economy. The biggest losers are US consumers. Shooting yourself in the foot is never a victory. <a href="https://t.co/vkY1J2gKKK">https://t.co/vkY1J2gKKK</a>&mdash; Lars Christensen (@MaMoMVPY) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaMoMVPY/status/1949622894759211384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Why It Matters: The announcement of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46650830/donald-trump-announces-15-tariff-trade-agreement-with-eu-ending-months-of-trade-uncertainty">trade deal with the EU</a> on Sunday brought an end to months of trade and tariff-related uncertainties with the U.S.&#8217;s biggest trading partner. 



Besides the 15% tariff on imports from the region, the EU will also be buying $750 billion worth of U.S. energy, while investing $600 billion in the United States. Additionally, nations in the bloc will be purchasing weapons from the U.S., although no amount was mentioned. 



Meanwhile, top officials from the U.S. and China are set to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46651524/trumps-fentanyl-tariffs-in-beijings-crosshairs-as-china-us-reportedly-set-to-meet-for-stockholm-trade-talks">meet in Stockholm</a> to address pressing trade issues, with Trump saying last week that &#8220;We have the confines of a deal with China.&#8221;



U.S. stock futures are up pre-market, following news of the trade deal over the weekend. The S&amp;P 500 Futures are up 0.37%, trading at 6,449.00, and Nasdaq Futures at 23,538.25, up 0.50%, followed by Dow Futures, which rose over 150 points, up 0.33%, trading at 45,234.00, at the time of writing.



Photo Courtesy: Savvapanf Photo on Shutterstock.com



Read More:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46622277/trumps-trade-deal-with-japan-a-tax-on-americans-economist-says-not-remotely-optimistic-us-auto-companies-will-gain-as-toyota-and-honda-stocks-rally">Trump&#8217;s Trade Deal With Japan A Tax On Americans — Economist Says, &#8216;Not Remotely Optimistic&#8217; US Auto Companies Will Gain As Toyota And Honda Stocks Rally</a></li>
</ul>

Government

Regulations

Eurozone

Global

Trump's New EU Trade Deal Labeled 'Bad News' By Economists As Dow Futures Spike Over 150 Points

President Donald Trump has declared a 15% tariff trade deal with the European Union (EU), putting an end to several months of trade uncertainty with the U.S.&#8217;s biggest trade partner.



What Happened: The tariff rate is a significant drop from the 30% Trump threatened on July 12 and the 20% he proposed on April 2. Trump stated that the EU will not impose a tariff on U.S. imports, describing the deal as &#8220;satisfactory to both sides.&#8221;



According to the report <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/us-european-union-trade-deal-tariff-rate-fifteen-percent-rcna218380">by </a>NBC News, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, echoed Trump&#8217;s sentiment, stating that the pact will bring stability and predictability, which are crucial for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.



Despite the agreement, Trump confirmed that the&nbsp;50% tariffs on steel would&nbsp;remain unchanged. He also hinted at the possibility of further tariffs on pharmaceutical products, a sector where Ireland is a significant source. Trump has previously threatened 200% tariffs on such goods.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46382323/private-credit-market-sees-opportunity-amid-donald-trumps-tariff-policies-moodys-reports">Private Credit Market Sees Opportunity Amid Donald Trump&#8217;s Tariff Policies, Moody&#8217;s Reports</a>



As part of the agreement, Trump stated that the EU will purchase $750 billion worth of energy from the U.S. and invest $600 billion into the country. 



The EU nations will also be purchasing a significant amount of military equipment, though the exact amount is yet to be determined.



The agreement mirrors a recent trade deal with Japan, where&nbsp;Japanese imports will face a&nbsp;15% import duty. However,&nbsp;last year, the average U.S.&nbsp;tariff on imports from the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;was just 1.2%, according to&nbsp;Capital Economics&#8217; chief Europe economist.



Why It Matters: This agreement marks a significant shift in the U.S.-EU trade relations, which have been marked by uncertainty and tension in recent months. 



The reduced tariff rate and the EU&#8217;s commitment to purchase energy and invest in the U.S. could potentially boost the U.S. economy. 



However, the unchanged tariffs on steel and potential tariffs on pharmaceutical products could pose challenges to certain sectors. The impact of this agreement on the global trade dynamics remains to be seen.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44448948/scaramucci-slams-trump-advises-eu-to-counter-levies-with-zero-tariff-strategy">Scaramucci Slams Trump, Advises EU to Counter Levies With Zero-Tariff Strategy</a>

Politics

Donald Trump Announces 15% Tariff Trade Agreement With EU, Ending Months Of Trade Uncertainty

These ten large-cap stocks were top performers last week. Are they a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">part of your portfolio</a>?



1. Medpace Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MEDP#NASDAQ">MEDP</a>) gained over 137.10% in the last week after the company reported second-quarter earnings per share of $3.10, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46550726/medspace-stock-is-trading-higher-tuesday-whats-going-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beating the consensus estimate of $2.97.</a>



2. ICON plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ICLR#NASDAQ">ICLR</a>) increased 30.28% last weekl after the company reported better-than-expected&nbsp;second-quarter&nbsp;financial results and raised its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46612555/icon-stock-up-after-q2-results-signal-growing-confidence-in-biopharma-recovery" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fiscal 2025 sales&nbsp;guidance.</a>



3. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WST#NYSE">WST</a>) jumped 24.96% this week after the injectable pharmaceutical packaging and delivery systems company delivered a robust beat on its&nbsp;second-quarter 2025&nbsp;earnings and revenue, while also significantly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46604599/west-pharma-lifts-outlook-on-surging-glp-1-demand-stock-soars" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">raising its full-year guidance</a>.



Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/07/46648142/palantir-nvidia-tempus-ai-could-be-pharma-etf-darlings-that-dont-make-pills" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palantir, Nvidia &amp; Tempus AI Could Be Pharma ETF Darlings That Don&#8217;t Make Pills</a>



4. Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIX#NYSE">FIX</a>) gained 24.46% the last week after the company reported better-than-expected Q2 financial results and raised its quarterly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/07/b46616670/comfort-systems-usa-reports-second-quarter-2025-results" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dividend from $0.45 to $0.50 per share.</a>



5. IQVIA Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IQV#NYSE">IQV</a>) jumped 23.5% this week after&nbsp;the company reported better-than-expected Q2 financial results and issued FY25 sales<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/07/b46539884/iqvia-reports-second-quarter-2025-results" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> guidance above estimates.</a>



6. Astera Labs, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALAB#NASDAQ">ALAB</a>) increased 10.18% this week. Jefferies analyst Blayne Curtis maintains Astera Labs with a Buy rating and raises the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/07/46520572/galaxy-digital-blaize-holdings-verizon-and-other-big-stocks-moving-higher-on-monday" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast from&nbsp;$95&nbsp;to&nbsp;$130.</a>



7. TE Connectivity plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEL#NYSE">TEL</a>)&nbsp;shares gained 16.72% after the company reported better-than-expected third-quarter<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/market-summary/25/07/46583497/markets-today-trade-deals-trump-japan-eu-wall-street-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> adjusted EPS and sales.</a>



8. Baker Hughes Company (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BKR#NASDAQ">BKR</a>) increased 14.98% after the company reported<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/07/g46560108/baker-hughes-company-announces-second-quarter-2025-results" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> better-than-expected Q2 financial results.</a>



9. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMO#NYSE">TMO</a>) stock gained 16.72% after the company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/07/b46566528/thermo-fisher-scientific-reports-second-quarter-2025-results" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">better-than-expected Q2 financial results.</a> Baird maintained an Outperform rating on the stock and raised its price target from $553 to $567. Also, Barclays raised its price target on the stock from $450 to $490.



10. Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DECK#NYSE">DECK</a>) stock gained 12.15% this week after it reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/07/46635898/deckers-outdoor-wholesale-drives-q1-beat-tariff-pressure-worries-analysts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">better-than-expected Q1 financial results.</a>



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/financial-advisors/25/07/46646681/warren-buffett-issues-urgent-warning-on-looming-social-security-cuts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett Issues Urgent Warning On Looming Social Security Cuts</a></li>
</ul>

Movers

General

ALAB

DECK

ICLR

MEDP

Thermo Fisher, Baker Hughes And IQVIA Holdings Are Among Top 10 Large Cap Gainers Last Week (July 21-July 25): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

The past week has been a whirlwind of economic news, with President Donald Trump&#8217;s influence on the Federal Reserve and the U.S. economy taking center stage. From former Federal Reserve Chairs&#8217; warning about potential economic damage to record-setting inflows into U.S. assets, the week was filled with significant developments.



Let&#8217;s dive into the top stories of the week.



Former Fed Chairs Warn Of Economic Damage



Former Federal Reserve Chairs Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen have expressed concern over President Trump&#8217;s pressure on current Fed chief Jerome Powell. They warned that this could lead to higher inflation and economic damage. They emphasized the importance of the central bank&#8217;s independence and urged Trump to nominate a successor for Powell who would uphold this independence.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46537558/former-fed-chairs-ben-bernanke-janet-yellen-warn-trumps-pressure-on-powell-could-le">Read the full article here.</a>



Record Inflows Into US Assets



Despite fears that President Trump&#8217;s aggressive tariff policy would deter foreign investors, the opposite has happened. Foreign investors have been buying American securities at a record pace, contributing to one of the strongest rallies in recent history. The total net capital inflows into the U.S. reached an unprecedented $1.76 trillion over the 12 months ending in May 2025



&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46521011/trump-stocks-bonds-foreign-inflows-record">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/large-cap/25/07/46641084/wall-street-stock-bubble-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Is A Stock Market Crash Imminent? Bubble Warnings Grow Louder</a>



Japan&#8217;s Bond Market Reacts To US Trade Deal



Japan&#8217;s 10-year bond yields surged to 1.59% on Wednesday, a level not seen since 2008. This surge was a reaction to a new U.S. trade deal and political turmoil surrounding Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/07/46587245/japan-bond-yields-trump-trade-deal">Read the full article here.</a>



Bill Ackman Supports Capital Reform



Hedge-fund billionaire&nbsp;Bill Ackman&nbsp;has voiced his support for a proposal to restructure the capital requirements of government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), Federal National Mortgage Association, Fannie Mae, and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Freddie Mac. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for sweeping changes to the bank capital framework, arguing that current rules are outdated and stifling growth.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46573123/bill-ackman-supports-capital-reform-that-could-bring-fannie-and-freddie-back-to-nyse">Read the full article here.</a>



Wall Street Predicts Moderate Inflation Hike



As the deadline for President Trump&#8217;s tariffs approaches, Wall Street analysts are predicting a more moderate increase in inflation. This is a shift from earlier fears of a significant surge. Analysts now anticipate a potential delay or a single inflation hike instead of a continuous increase.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46597344/scott-bessent-once-called-tariffs-as-dog-that-didnt-bark-now-wall-street-analysts-p">Read the full article here.</a>



Read More:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46512871/trump-says-he-doesnt-need-scott-bessents-advice-to-fire-jerome-powell-i-know-better-than-anybody-whats-good-for-the-market" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Says He Doesn't Need Scott Bessent's Advice To Fire Jerome Powell: ‘I Know Better Than Anybody What's Good For The Market'</a></li>
</ul>



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>



Photo courtesy: godongphoto / Shutterstock.com

FMCC

FNMA

Trump's Economic Impact, Ackman's Support For Capital Reform And Wall Street's Tariff Predictions: This Week In Economy

The week was abuzz with major developments in the tech world, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). From Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) appointing a new chief scientist to China&#8217;s push for a global AI body, and from OpenAI&#8217;s cautionary advice to AI startups to Tesla&#8217;s shareholder proposal on AI investment, and finally, Walmart&#8217;s AI overhaul, the weekend was indeed a rollercoaster ride for tech enthusiasts.



Meta&#8217;s New Chief Scientist



Meta has officially appointed former OpenAI researcher, Shengjia Zhao, as Chief Scientist of its newly formed Superintelligence Labs. The announcement was made by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Threads, emphasizing Zhao&#8217;s pivotal role in constructing the company&#8217;s new AI unit.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46647034/mark-zuckerberg-names-openai-veteran-shengjia-zhao-as-chief-scientist-of-meta-superintelligence-labs">Read the full article here.</a>



Global AI Body



Meanwhile, China, amid escalating tensions with the US over tech exports, is advocating for the creation of a global organization to foster international collaboration in AI. The proposal was made by Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46647539/china-pushes-for-global-ai-body-amid-rising-tensions-with-us-over-tech-exports-report">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46571093/elon-musk-wants-50-million-ai-brains-nvidia-still-sets-the-standard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Wants 50 Million AI Brains—Nvidia Still Sets The Standard</a>



OpenAI Chairman&#8217;s Warning



On the other hand, Bret Taylor, chairman of OpenAI, has issued a warning to AI entrepreneurs about the financial strain of developing new AI models. Taylor, who has previously worked with tech giants like Google and Facebook, underscored the significant costs involved in training new AI models.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46647201/openai-chairman-says-only-tech-giants-can-afford-new-ai-models-startups-should-focus-on-applications">Read the full article here.</a>



Tesla&#8217;s Proposed Investment In xAI



In other news, Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) announced that it has received several shareholder proposals regarding the company&#8217;s potential investment in Elon Musk&#8217;s AI startup, xAI. The statement was shared on X, acknowledging the growing shareholder interest in the proposed investment in Grok&#8217;s parent company.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46646932/elon-musks-tesla-to-include-shareholder-proposal-on-xai-investment-in-proxy-after-receiving-multiple-requests">Read the full article here.</a>



Walmart&#8217;s AI Agent Strategy



Finally, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) is overhauling its AI agent strategy to enhance the user experience. The company is consolidating its numerous AI agents into four unified "super agents," each designed for a specific group: customers, employees, engineers, and sellers or suppliers.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46632116/walmarts-bold-ai-overhaul-could-drive-efficiency-margins-and-market-edge">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46647201/openai-chairman-says-only-tech-giants-can-afford-new-ai-models-startups-should-focus-on-applications" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OpenAI Chairman Says Only Tech Giants Can Afford New AI Models—Startups Should Focus On Applications</a></li>
</ul>



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Meta's New Chief Scientist, Tesla's Investment In xAI, Global AI Body And More: This Week In AI

The past week has been a rollercoaster for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), with the tech giant facing regulatory scrutiny, potential innovations, and investor concerns. From the UK&#8217;s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) proposing significant changes to Apple&#8217;s mobile ecosystem to the company&#8217;s potential leap into the foldable smartphone market, the week was filled with noteworthy developments. Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the top stories.



UK Regulators Target Apple, Google Over App Store Dominance



The CMA is proposing significant changes to the mobile ecosystems of Apple and Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), following an investigation into their market dominance. The CMA is considering designating Apple and Google with &#8220;strategic market status&#8221; or SMS, a status given to companies with substantial and entrenched market power in the UK's digital activities. This could lead to changes in their app stores and mobile ecosystems.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46571811/apple-google-face-sweeping-uk-antitrust-crackdown-as-competition-regulator-targets-strategic-market-status-over-app-store-control">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple Likely to Avoid EU Fines with App Store Overhaul



Apple is likely to avoid daily fines from the European Union (EU) by accepting changes to its App Store rules and fees. The EU antitrust regulators are expected to approve Apple's new App Store rules and fees, which could prevent the tech giant from facing significant daily fines.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46565660/apple-set-to-dodge-over-50-million-in-daily-eu-fines-with-app-store-overhaul-opening-door-to-cheaper-developer-payments-report">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/25/07/46590707/if-you-invested-in-pudgy-penguins-token-pengu-at-2025-lows-heres-how-much-youd-have-now" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">If You Invested In Pudgy Penguins Token (PENGU) At 2025 Lows, Here&#8217;s How Much You&#8217;d Have Now &#8211; Benzinga</a>



Apple&#8217;s Potential AI Surprise



As Wall Street has been rallying behind the iPhone maker to dive into the artificial intelligence (AI) race, Fundstrat's Tom Lee says that Apple could be ready to surprise investors.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46540672/apple-is-going-to-surprise-wall-street-says-tom-lee-as-iphone-maker-could-be-quietly-ready-to-pounce-on-ai">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple&#8217;s Foldable iPhone Could Arrive By 2026



Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its first foldable iPhone by 2026, and Wall Street analysts say a Chinese glassmaker could reap the biggest rewards. According to a July 14 report from Citigroup, Chinese firm Lens Technology is positioned to become a &#8220;key beneficiary&#8221; of Apple&#8217;s entry into the foldable smartphone market.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46511545/apples-foldable-iphone-could-arrive-by-2026-this-chinese-glassmaker-tipped-as-key-supplier-will-be-a-big-winner-say-wall-street-analysts">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple Faces Pressure Over AI Strategy



Apple is facing mounting pressure from investors as concerns intensify over its lagging generative AI (GenAI) strategy, a key driver of growth across the tech sector. With the company's shares down 14% year-to-date, contrasting sharply with the S&amp;P 500's 8% gain, the market is signaling a clear demand for a definitive plan to catch up with rivals like Alphabet and Meta Platforms, which have aggressively integrated AI into their offerings.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/reiteration/25/07/46636565/apple-faces-existential-threat-if-it-fails-to-act-on-genai">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46571093/elon-musk-wants-50-million-ai-brains-nvidia-still-sets-the-standard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Wants 50 Million AI Brains—Nvidia Still Sets The Standard</a>



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>



Photo courtesy: jamesteohart / Shutterstock.com

Regulatory Pressure, Potential Innovations, AI Strategy Concerns And More: This Week In Appleverse

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride in the financial world, with Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), gold, and even Pudgy Penguins making headlines. From Jim Cramer&#8216;s Bitcoin endorsement to Peter Schiff&#8216;s golden prophecy, the market has been buzzing with activity. Let&#8217;s dive into the top stories of the week.



Jim Cramer Advocates for Bitcoin



Market commentator and media personality, Jim Cramer, has expressed his concerns about the escalating U.S. national debt. In a recent CNBC segment, Cramer suggested that Bitcoin could serve as a hedge against this deficit, revealing that he is buying a lot himself.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46593175/jim-cramer-says-hes-buying-a-lot-of-bitcoin-as-protection-against-spiraling-us-debt-worried">Read the full article here.</a>



Peter Schiff&#8217;s Golden Prophecy



Long-time gold advocate and crypto critic, Peter Schiff, believes that we&#8217;re nearing &#8220;another big leg up&#8221; in gold and silver. According to Schiff, this could jolt Wall Street out of its digital daze and back into the arms of precious metals.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/07/46552248/peter-schiff-says-golds-about-to-explode-and-bitcoin-will-foot-the-bill">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46627515/bitcoin-slips-below-117000-on-whale-selling-ethereum-xrp-hold-steady" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Slips Below $117,000 On Whale Selling, Ethereum, XRP Hold Steady</a>



Pudgy Penguins Token Soars



Pudgy Penguins (PENGU), a coin related to the non-fungible token space, has seen its value skyrocket fivefold over the past month. The Solana-based coin has outperformed market heavyweights like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46564380/pudgy-penguins-token-blasts-433-in-a-month-nft-linked-crypto-dwarfs-bitcoin-dogecoin-whats-going-on">Read the full article here.</a>



UK&#8217;s Plan to Sell Seized Bitcoin



Economist Peter Schiff has praised the UK&#8217;s plan to sell almost $6.70 billion in stolen Bitcoin as a &#8220;right&#8221; approach to address their budget deficit. Schiff hopes that the US doesn&#8217;t buy it for the strategic reserve.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/25/07/46512096/peter-schiff-says-uks-plan-to-sell-6-7-billion-in-seized-bitcoin-could-help-budget-warns-us-against-buying">Read the full article here.</a>



Trader Warns of Local Top in August



A pseudonymous trader who accurately predicted the local bottom on major cryptocurrencies in April is now warning that August may see a local top for the crypto market.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46529190/trader-who-called-bitcoin-ethereum-solana-bottom-in-april-now-warns-local-top-likely-in-aug">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46612914/bitcoin-could-go-to-300000-before-great-depression-crisis-traders-argue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Could Go To $300,000 Before &#8216;Great Depression&#8217; Crisis, Traders Argue</a></li>
</ul>



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Bitcoin, Gold And Pudgy Penguins Stir The Market: This Week In Crypto

Wall Street closed the week higher, with tech-heavy indices notching fresh records as upbeat corporate earnings, resilient macro data and breakthrough trade deals converged <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">to boost risk appetite.</a>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>SPY ETF has rallied 5% over the past month.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SPY"> See the chart here. </a></li>
</ul>



The U.S. finalized new trade agreements with Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan. The Tokyo deal was the most significant, locking in a reduction in tariffs on Japanese autos and goods from 25% to 15%, while Japan pledged $550 billion in investment and improved access <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/07/46587245/japan-bond-yields-trump-trade-deal">to American-made goods.</a>



A U.S.-EU trade deal is now reportedly close, expected to align with the Japan framework and potentially ease existing tariff rates ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline.



Separately, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order to boost the U.S. artificial intelligence sector by promoting the export of full-stack AI systems to trusted global partners. The White House said the move is aimed at strengthening economic leadership and national security.



Among the week's strongest performers, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMO#NYSE">TMO</a>) rallied over 12%, topping the leaderboard for large-cap stocks, followed by T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMUS#NASDAQ">TMUS</a>), up 9%.



Within the Magnificent Seven, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) rose by 1% after delivering better-than-expected results and raising its 2025 capital expenditures (capex) outlook by $10 billion, reinforcing its commitment to scaling AI infrastructure.



Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) dropped 8.2% following cautious commentary from CEO Elon Musk, who warned that upcoming quarters could prove challenging amid rising <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46626447/elon-musk-says-20-trillion-valuation-possible-for-tesla-even-as-second-quarter-earnings-show-sales-revenue-decline-extreme-execution-is-needed">costs and margin pressures.</a>



Economic indicators added fuel to the rally. U.S. business activity surprised to the upside, with the Composite Purchasing Managers&#8217; Index climbing to a seven-month high in July, helped by expansion in services and steady consumer strength.



Trump's push to influence monetary policy continued with an unannounced visit to the Federal Reserve's headquarters in Washington, D.C. — the first by a sitting president <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46633129/trumps-fed-visit-powell-interest-rates">in nearly 20 years.</a>



Wearing a hard hat alongside Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Trump criticized the central bank's renovation project, claiming costs had surged to $3.1 billion. Powell countered on the spot, clarifying that the real cost is closer to $2.5 billion, excluding unrelated construction.



Pressed on rate policy, Trump said, "I'd love to see him lower interest rates."



Markets now shift focus to the July 30 Fed meeting, where expectations remain anchored for a hold — but not without growing political heat.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/large-cap/25/07/46641084/wall-street-stock-bubble-2025">Is A Stock Market Crash Imminent? Bubble Warnings Grow Louder</a></li>
</ul>



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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Trade Deals Fuel Wall Street Gains, Trump Renews Fed Attack: This Week In Markets

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride in the world of business and finance. From Elon Musk&#8216;s ambitious valuation for Tesla Inc. to skepticism over Tesla&#8217;s robotaxi, the week was filled with intriguing stories. Let&#8217;s dive into the top five stories that made headlines.



Elon Musk&#8217;s Trillion-Dollar Dream



Despite a decline in sales and revenue in the second quarter, Tesla CEO Elon Musk believes a $20 trillion valuation for the electric vehicle giant is achievable. Musk&#8217;s optimism comes amidst dwindling sales across multiple markets.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46626447/elon-musk-says-20-trillion-valuation-possible-for-tesla-even-as-second-quarter-earnings-show-sales-r">Read the full article here.</a>



Skepticism Over Tesla&#8217;s Robotaxi



Gary Black, The Future Fund LLC's managing director, expressed doubts about the hype surrounding Tesla&#8217;s second supervised robotaxi test in San Francisco. Black questioned the scalability of Tesla&#8217;s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology on a national level.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46646636/gary-black-questions-tesla-robotaxi-hype-ahead-of-bay-area-launch-fsd-is-not-fully-autonomous-so-cant-be-scaled-nationally">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46623210/elon-musk-slams-trump-for-axing-subsidies-on-renewable-energy-says-spacex-won-nasa-contracts-by-doing-a-better-job-for-less-money" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Slams Trump For Axing Subsidies On Renewable Energy, Says SpaceX Won NASA Contracts ‘By Doing A Better Job For Less Money'</a>



Trump&#8217;s Trade Deal: A Tax On Americans?



Economist Justin Wolfers criticized President Donald Trump's new trade agreement with Japan, arguing that it essentially results in a tax increase for American consumers. Wolfers expressed skepticism about the potential benefits for US auto companies.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46622277/trumps-trade-deal-with-japan-a-tax-on-americans-economist-says-not-remotely-optimistic-us-auto-companies-will-gain-as-toyota-and-honda-stocks-rally">Read the full article here.</a>



GM&#8217;s EV Push



General Motors Co.&nbsp;announced that Chevrolet is now the second-largest electric vehicle brand in the U.S., with Cadillac ranking fifth in luxury EV sales. The company is making a $4 billion factory push to offset Trump tariffs.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46564633/gm-says-chevy-is-now-the-no-2-ev-brand-in-us-4-billion-factory-push-to-offset-trump-tariffs">Read the full article here.</a>



BYD&#8217;s Sales Slip



Chinese EV giant&nbsp;BYD Co. Ltd.&nbsp;reported an 8% year-over-year slip in Chinese sales during June. The slip in sales comes as rivals like Xiaomi Corp and Xpeng Inc. gain in sales.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/25/07/46514949/tesla-rival-byds-domestic-sales-slip-8-in-june-analysts-slash-annual-delivery-projections-amid-ev-price-war-scrutiny">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46624776/gary-black-slams-tesla-over-disaster-second-quarter-earnings-says-he-would-pass-on-tsla-stock-calls-robotaxi-launch-kabuki-theater" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gary Black Slams Tesla Over ‘Disaster' Second Quarter Earnings, Says He Would Pass On TSLA Stock, Calls Robotaxi Launch ‘Kabuki Theater'</a></li>
</ul>



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>



Photo Courtesy: Frederic Legrand &#8211; COMEO On Shutterstock.com

Elon Musk's Trillion-Dollar Dream, Tesla's Robotaxi Hype, Trump's Trade Deal And GM's EV Push: This Week In Mobility

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