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Afya

Afya Ltd is a medical education group based in Brazil. Its education portfolio has several courses in addition to Medicine, such as Management, Dentistry, Law, Engineering, Nursing, Psychology, and Accounting Sciences, among others. It has three segments; Undergrad provides educational services through undergraduate courses related to medical school, undergraduate health science and other ex-health undergraduate programs, Continuing Education provides medical education, specialization and graduate courses in medicine, delivered through digital and in-person content; and Medical practice solution provides clinical decision, clinical management and doctor-patient relationships for physicians and provide access, demand and efficiency for the healthcare players.

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Semtech sorprendió al mercado con ingresos y ganancias superiores a lo esperado. Inversores reaccionan ante este sólido desempeño trimestral.

Semtech, Rubrik, DocuSign, PagerDuty y otras acciones estadounidenses que suben el viernes

Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey didn't hold back in a social media post, calling out Americans for mismanaging their income and staying trapped in a cycle of debt.
What Happened: This week, Ramsey shared a video on X, while blasting the mindset that blames low income for financial hardship. Instead, he pointed the finger at debt-fueled lifestyles.
"You're not broke because you don't make enough," Ramsey wrote. "You're broke because you give your income to everyone else."
In the video, he criticized the use of credit cards, car loans, and student debt. "Credit cards stupid. Student loans stupid. Car payments stupid on steroids," he said. "Borrowing money on your house to put granite countertops in? Somebody ought to smack you."
"Think, think, think, seriously," he said, urging people to pause and reexamine their financial decisions. "We're fat and we're broke because we have no ability to do critical thought."
He urged viewers to take control by making a zero-based budget, paying cash for purchases, and using the debt snowball method to eliminate what they owe.
"Your income is your #1 wealth-building tool," he said on X, &#8220;If you keep it, budget it, and invest it, you can break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and finally get ahead. No more excuses.&#8221; 
See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46745168/trump-leaves-good-friend-india-in-the-cold-strikes-trade-deal-with-arch-rival-pakis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump Leaves &#8216;Good Friend&#8217; India In The Cold, Strikes Trade Deal With Arch Rival Pakistan Over &#8216;Massive Oil Reserves&#8217;</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">You're not broke because you don't make enough. You're broke because you give your income to everyone else. Credit cards, car payments, student loans&#8230; every payment is money that you could be using to build wealth for yourself instead of making everyone else rich. Here's how… <a href="https://t.co/KvfVZ6e36u">pic.twitter.com/KvfVZ6e36u</a>
&mdash; Dave Ramsey (@DaveRamsey) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaveRamsey/status/1950218151053971858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Why It Matters: Ramsey has been a vocal critic of debt and financial struggles in the U.S. In a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42746966/debt-and-broke-are-the-norm-says-dave-ramsey-explains-why-normal-isnt-working-for-most-americans-and-how-to-take-control-of-your-money">previous interview</a>, he highlighted the detrimental impact of debt on financial potential and proposed a step-by-step plan to achieve financial peace.
In April, A 49-year-old caller told Ramsey he still owed $20,000 in student loans after 19 years of payments. Ramsey advised him to skip forgiveness programs and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44914129/after-19-years-of-payments-a-man-asks-dave-ramsey-about-his-student-loan-forgiveness-at-90k-a-year-ramsey-doesnt-go-easy-on-him">pay it off in one year</a> by drastically cutting expenses.
Earlier this month, a 24-year-old remodeling business owner admitted to Ramsey that he's $260,000 in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/07/46382350/24-year-old-used-client-deposits-to-pay-off-debt-now-hes-260k-down-and-dave-ramsey-warns-theyre-going-to-go-ballistic">debt after misusing client deposits</a> to cover payroll and past losses. With unpaid vendors looming and angry clients inevitable. Ramsey urged him to focus on fast-paying, small projects to dig out of the financial mess.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/news/sports/25/07/46757903/trump-turnberry-is-our-monalisa-says-eric-trump-as-he-shrugs-off-millions-in-losses-we-dont-give-a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump Turnberry Is &#8216;Our Monalisa&#8217; Says Eric Trump As He Shrugs Off Millions In Losses— &#8216;We Don&#8217;t Give A&#8230;&#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: T. Schneider / Shutterstock.com

Personal Finance

Dave Ramsey's 3-Step Escape Plan From The Paycheck-To-Paycheck Trap: 'You're Not Broke Because You Don't Make Enough...'

Rent and light-bill history could soon help millions secure a mortgage. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has told Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac they may now accept VantageScore 4.0, a credit model that counts on-time rent and utility payments, alongside the long-dominant FICO score.
What Happened: Unlike classic FICO, which ignores recurring housing and phone bills, VantageScore 4.0 pulls data from rent, utilities and telecom accounts, <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/can-your-rent-payments-get-you-a-mortgage-changes-to-credit-review-may-still-be-years-off-11782272">according</a> to Investopedia. The shift, its creators say, could open the market to roughly five million first-time buyers.
The model was validated alongside FICO 10T in 2022, but the FHFA left most of the heavy lifting, including new software, investor analytics and securitization standards, to lenders and the two government-sponsored enterprises.
Adoption will not be overnight, lenders warn. "I don&#8217;t know how long that&#8217;s going to take, but it&#8217;s not going to be quick. It probably wouldn&#8217;t be this year," said Phil Crescenzo Jr., vice president at Nation One Mortgage Corp.
Michael McCarthy, branch manager for PRMG in Naples, Fla., agrees. "Part of being credit worthy is the ability and willingness to make a payment… this should count for something," he states.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/07/46510561/fico-to-roll-out-new-scores-to-reflect-your-buy-now-pay-later-habits-impacting-millions-of-americans-credit">FICO To Roll Out New Scores to Reflect Your &#8220;Buy Now, Pay Later&#8221; Habits, Impacting Millions of Americans&#8217; Credit</a>
Analyst Christopher Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors LLC., was blunter. "The mortgage industry and global buyers of mortgages and [mortgage-backed securities] are not likely to adopt VantageScore anytime soon," he said.
Why It Matters: Trade groups have pressed FHFA for clear pricing grids and underwriting rules before lenders flip the switch.
Fannie and Freddie say detailed guidance is coming and note lenders can keep using today's tri-merge reports while the scoring overhaul rolls out through 2025.
For now, borrowers can still ask lenders to manually document 12 months of rent to strengthen borderline files, Crescenzo said, "You don&#8217;t need Vantage to do it." If the timeline holds, VantageScore could become mandatory for new conforming loans by late 2025.
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/financial-advisors/25/07/46678746/dave-ramsey-explodes-over-womans-plan-to-hide-1-million-debt-with-fake-house-deal-this-is-deception">Dave Ramsey Explodes Over Woman&#8217;s Plan To Hide $1 Million Debt With Fake House Deal: &#8216;This Is Deception&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock

News

Financing

Real Estate

Fannie, Freddie Set Stage For Mortgage Credit Overhaul With VantageScore 4.0, But Lenders Urge Caution

Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) secured a major victory with the U.S. Army&#8217;s new Enterprise Agreement that establishes a comprehensive framework for the Army&#8217;s future software and data needs. The 10-year contract, valued at up to $10 billion, represents the maximum potential value rather than guaranteed obligations.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Army Consolidates 75 Contracts Into Single Enterprise Agreement</h2>
The Army consolidated 75 contracts—15 prime contracts and 60 related contracts—into this single agreement. This streamlined approach eliminates contract and reseller pass-through fees while accelerating delivery of proven commercial software to warfighters.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cost Efficiencies Drive Military Modernization</h2>
&#8220;This Enterprise Agreement represents a pivotal step in the Army&#8217;s commitment to modernizing our capabilities while being fiscally responsible,&#8221; said Leo Garciga, the Army&#8217;s Chief Information Officer. The framework establishes volume-based discounts and reduces procurement timelines.
The agreement allows flexible purchasing of goods and services as needed, delivering significant cost efficiencies across mission-critical programs. Other Department of Defense agencies can also purchase Palantir&#8217;s commercial products during the contract period.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46781721/apple-surges-after-hours-as-q3-earnings-crush-estimates-iphone-and-services-lead-growth">Apple Surges After-Hours As Q3 Earnings Crush Estimates, iPhone And Services Lead Growth</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Market Position Strengthens Amid Pentagon AI Testing</h2>
The deal comes as the Pentagon tests AI models from Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and OpenAI to reduce dependency on vendors like Palantir and Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>). These <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46681403/department-of-defense-tests-ai-models-by-microsoft-openai-to-ease-transition-from-palantir-lockheed-martin">competing models aim to extract data</a> from analytics applications, potentially threatening vendor lock-in situations.
Despite competitive pressures, Piper Sandler analyst Brent Bracelin initiated coverage on PLTR with an Overweight rating and $170 price target, calling it an &#8220;AI All-Star.&#8221; The analyst projects Palantir could <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/initiation/25/07/46636083/the-secret-ai-powerhouse-winning-big-in-defense-and-beyond">achieve a $24 billion annual revenue run rate</a> by 2032.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Financial Performance and Growth Trajectory</h2>
Palantir shares closed at $158.35 on Thursday, down 0.16%, with after-hours trading at $157.40. The company is set to report its second-quarter earnings on Monday after the market closes.
The company has achieved approximately $4 billion in revenue run-rate with free cash flow margins exceeding 40%, spanning over two decades of strategic development in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/initiation/25/07/46636083/the-secret-ai-powerhouse-winning-big-in-defense-and-beyond">the defense technology sector</a>.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46781583/trump-slaps-35-tariff-on-canadian-goods-hits-68-other-nations-with-new-trade-war-amid-fentanyl-security-china-tensions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Slaps 35% Tariff On Canadian Goods, Hits 68 Other Nations With New Trade War Amid Fentanyl, Security, China Tensions</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 by Mamun_Sheikh via Shutterstock

Equities

MSFT

PLTR

Palantir Lands $10 Billion Army Deal To Unify 75 Contracts Into One AI-Powered Defense Software Framework

Gerber Kawasaki's co-founder, Ross Gerber, has slammed Tesla Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) Robotaxi operations as the company recently launched a ride-hailing service in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Check out the current price of <a href="https://benzinga.com/quote/tsla">TSLA stock here</a>.
What Happened: Gerber took to social media platform X on Thursday to share his thoughts. The investor said it was "silly" to call the service "Tesla Robotaxi," before adding that Elon Musk's EV giant was facing some "pretty potentially damaging cases" in the courts over FSD or Full Self-Driving technology.
"Tesla should consider calling things by the right names. Not wild exaggerations," the investor said.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">It kinda seems silly to call it a tesla robotaxi. Meanwhile some pretty potentially damaging FSD cases work through the courts. Tesla should consider calling things by the right names. Not wild exaggerations.
&mdash; Ross Gerber (@GerberKawasaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/GerberKawasaki/status/1950922545756045405?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Gerber also made a separate post on X, calling out Tesla's Supervised Full Self-Driving technology. "Supervised Full Self Driving" is an oxymoron," Gerber said.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">"Supervised Full Self Driving" is an oxymoron.
&mdash; Ross Gerber (@GerberKawasaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/GerberKawasaki/status/1950928577115083223?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: Tesla recently announced the company was rolling out its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46747282/teslas-robotaxi-is-now-live-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-serves-a-larger-area-compared-to-waymo">ride-hailing service</a> in the San Francisco Bay Area. However, Tesla did not mention Robotaxis in the announcement.
This announcement comes at a time when Musk had laid out an ambitious target of serving over <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46594297/elon-musk-aims-to-deploy-robotaxis-to-serve-half-the-us-population-by-the-end-of-2025-targets-million-optimus-units-annually-as-fast-as-its-humanly-possible">half the U.S. population</a> with Tesla Robotaxis by the end of 2025, during the company's second-quarter earnings call with investors.
Elsewhere, Morgan Stanley recently published a report where analysts predict that the autonomous driving market in the U.S. would be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46680128/self-driving-cars-could-be-200-billion-market-by-2030-says-morgan-stanley">worth $200 billion</a> by the year 2030.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="195" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/01000516/TSLA-AUG-1-2025-1024x195.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1010114" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/01000516/TSLA-AUG-1-2025-1024x195.jpg 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/01000516/TSLA-AUG-1-2025-300x57.jpg 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/01000516/TSLA-AUG-1-2025-768x146.jpg 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/01000516/TSLA-AUG-1-2025-1536x293.jpg 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/01000516/TSLA-AUG-1-2025.jpg 1553w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Tesla scores well on Momentum and Quality, while offering satisfactory Growth, but poor Value. For more such insights, sign up for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings</a> today!
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility"> following this link.</a>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46748662/tesla-stops-taking-orders-for-model-x-model-s-in-europe-as-sales-decline-report">Tesla Stops Taking Orders For Model X, Model S In Europe As Sales Decline: Report</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com

Tech

TSLA

Ross Gerber Slams Tesla Over Robotaxi's 'Wild Exaggerations,' Calls Supervised FSD An 'Oxymoron'

Investor and television personality Kevin O&#8217;Leary, AKA &#8220;Mr. Wonderful,&#8221; came out in defense of President Donald Trump&#8217;s trade and tariff policies, framing them as a strategic response to global trade imbalances.
What Happened: Speaking on the Impact Theory podcast on Wednesday, O&#8217;Leary explained that many of America's trade partners, including Canada and the European Union, already impose consumption taxes on U.S. goods through VAT systems. 
&#8220;Most of these countries have a VAT tax, a value-added tax, which is a tax that is a consumption tax at the consumer level,&#8221; he said.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/07/46715533/trump-tariffs-hurt-us-chocolate-makers-give-edge-to-canada-mexico-report">Trump Tariffs Hurt US Chocolate Makers, Give Edge To Canada, Mexico: Report</a>
In O'Leary's view, Trump sees this as a de facto tariff and has since responded with his own. &#8220;There's no American VAT tax. However, what Trump has done is exactly that, and he's called it something else,&#8221; referring to the new base tariffs that are set to be imposed on all countries. 
&#8220;He calls this a tariff. The Europeans and the Canadians call theirs VAT. Who cares what it's called? It's a tax.&#8221; he says.
While O&#8217;Leary acknowledges Trump&#8217;s bombastic public persona, referring to him as &#8220;a walking press conference,&#8221; he also emphasized his effectiveness in applying pressure through trade policy. &#8220;Trump can be very pragmatic at times," he says.
He also says that if tariffs are applied reciprocally and stay around the 10% range, &#8220;the economies can live with&#8221; that outcome. &#8220;Trump put his VAT tax in place. Everything's equal. Even Steven, so to speak,&#8221; he says.
Why It Matters: Earlier in the week, O&#8217;Leary said during his appearance on Fox Business that the &#8220;tariff drama&#8221; is &#8220;settling&#8221; and the markets are &#8220;calming&#8221; as Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/07/46699454/kevin-oleary-says-the-tariff-drama-is-settling-and-the-markets-calming-because-trump-found-the-loophole">had found the loophole</a> to impose a value-added tax.
He said, &#8220;as long as the numbers are reasonable,&#8221; that is, they range from 10% to 15%, then industry will adapt. &#8220;The market wants a headline number.&#8221;
Wall Street analysts such as Goldman&#8217;s Jan Hatzius have since <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-predict-a-less-dramatic-one-time-inflation-hike-as-august-1-deadline-nears">echoed similar views</a>, saying that tariff-driven inflation was likely to be a &#8220;one-time price level shift&nbsp;akin to a&nbsp;VAT hike,&#8221; rather than a prolonged issue.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="You Don&#039;t Understand The Mechanisms of Trumps Economic Policy: Kevin O&#039;Leary Simplifies The Issues" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dnlSZ3SHqac?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Read More: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46755543/inflation-pce-june-tariffs-trump-powell-interest-rates">Trump&#8217;s Inflation Honeymoon Is Over—And Powell&#8217;s Patience Pays Off</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Politics

Kevin O'Leary Backs Trump's Tariff Strategy: Calls It a 'Value-Added Tax,' Says He Can Be 'Very Pragmatic'

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) shares jumped 2.42% in after-hours trading on Thursday, reaching $212.59, after the iPhone maker delivered <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46776239/apple-q3-earnings-revenue-eps-smash-estimates-as-iphone-sales-jump-active-installed-base-reaches-new-highs">third-quarter results</a> that significantly exceeded Wall Street expectations.
What Happened: The Cupertino-based tech giant reported fiscal third-quarter revenue of $94 billion, beating analyst estimates of $89.04 billion by 5.6%. Earnings per share came in at $1.57, surpassing the consensus estimate of $1.42 per share, according <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?tblci=GiAShVRBa42nCBtWlx7IMC67Vo2BcWpr85L5I7snseW6sCCN1VcojO3Z1dW2jNkZMO-ISg">to Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Total revenue climbed 10% year-over-year, while EPS increased 12% compared to the same period last year. iPhone sales drove much of the growth, generating $44.58 billion versus $39.3 billion in the prior year quarter.
&#8220;Today Apple is proud to report a June quarter revenue record with double-digit growth in iPhone, Mac and Services and growth around the world, in every geographic segment,&#8221; said CEO Tim Cook during the earnings call.
Products revenue totaled $66.61 billion, up from $61.56 billion year-over-year. Services revenue reached $27.42 billion, compared to $24.21 billion in the third quarter of 2024. Mac sales contributed $8.05 billion, while iPad revenue declined to $6.58 billion from $7.16 billion last year.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46774978/amazon-q2-earnings-highlights-double-beat-ai-progress-across-the-board-continues">Amazon Q2 Earnings Highlights: Double Beat, &#8216;AI Progress Across The Board Continues&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: The company&#8217;s active installed base hit new all-time highs across all products and geographic segments, driven by high customer satisfaction and loyalty rates.
Apple ended the quarter with $36.27 billion in cash and cash equivalents. The board declared a quarterly dividend of 26 cents per share, payable August 14.
During the earnings call, Cook confirmed Apple remains &#8220;very open to M&amp;A that accelerates our roadmap,&#8221; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46776239/apple-q3-earnings-revenue-eps-smash-estimates-as-iphone-sales-jump-active-installed-base-reaches-new-highs">particularly in artificial intelligence</a>. The company has acquired seven firms this year as it faces mounting pressure to compete with rivals like Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), 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>) and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) in AI development.
Apple&#8217;s capital expenditures reached $3.46 billion in the third quarter, the highest since December 2022, though still modest compared to competitors&#8217; AI spending. The stock closed regular trading on Thursday at $207.57, down 0.71%.
Benzinga Edge Stock Ranking shows AAPL has strong short- and mid-term momentum, but a weak long-term trend. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">More detailed performance insights are available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="898" height="638" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31235235/image-516.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1010096" style="width:371px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31235235/image-516.png 898w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31235235/image-516-300x213.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31235235/image-516-768x546.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 898px) 100vw, 898px" /></a></figure>
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46781583/trump-slaps-35-tariff-on-canadian-goods-hits-68-other-nations-with-new-trade-war-amid-fentanyl-security-china-tensions">Trump Slaps 35% Tariff On Canadian Goods, Hits 68 Other Nations With New Trade War Amid Fentanyl, Security, China Tensions</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Markets

AAPL

GOOG

GOOGL

Apple Surges After-Hours As Q3 Earnings Crush Estimates, iPhone And Services Lead Growth

Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>)&nbsp;CEO Brian Armstrong said Thursday that the company views Visa Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>) and Mastercard Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>) as partners in the growing cryptocurrency-powered payments industry, rather than competitors.
What Happened: During Coinbase&#8217;s second-quarter earnings call, Armstrong was asked if the company is planning to build an &#8220;alternative network&#8221; to the fintech behemoths, to which he replied, &#8220;Not really.&#8221;
&#8220;We actually partner with them in many ways on the cards that we put out there,&#8221; the CEO added. 
Armstrong stated that Visa and Mastercard are &#8220;very involved&#8221; in stablecoins and cryptocurrencies, building projects, some in collaboration with Coinbase and others independently. He stressed that the top&nbsp;companies will eventually adapt to this&nbsp;significant shift.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46752487/how-coinbase-and-michael-saylors-strategy-stack-up-crypto-stock-check-up-ahead-of-q2-earnings">How Coinbase And Michael Saylor&#8217;s Strategy Stack Up: Crypto Stock Check-Up Ahead Of Q2 Earnings</a>
Why It Matters: Coinbase has been actively expanding into the payments market, with a focus on&nbsp;stablecoin-based solutions. Last month, it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45921146/shopify-teams-up-with-coinbase-stripe-to-roll-out-usdc-stablecoin-payments-for-merchants">partnered with</a> Shopify Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHOP#NYSE">SHOP</a>) and Stripe to facilitate USDC (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDC</a>) stablecoin payments for merchants through the Layer-2 blockchain Base.
It also has a partnership with PayPal Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PYPL#NASDAQ">PYPL</a>), <a href="http://benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44991653/whats-going-on-with-coinbase-and-paypal-stock-on-thursday">allowing its users greater access</a> to the latter&#8217;s&nbsp;U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin PayPal USD (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">PYUSD</a>). 
Coinbase reported a significant <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46776113/coinbase-q2-earnings-highlights-sales-eps-miss-40-slide-in-trading-volume">hit to its revenue and transaction volume in the second quarter,</a> although its derivatives trading volume reached new highs.
Price Action:&nbsp; Shares of Coinbase plunged 9.20% in after-hours trading after closing 0.07% higher at $377.76&nbsp;&nbsp;during Thursday&#8217;s regular trading session, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
As of this writing, COIN ranked high on growth, an indicator of a stock&#8217;s combined historical expansion in earnings and revenue across multiple periods.&nbsp; Find out how payment giants like Visa and Mastercard stack up against COIN using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="441" height="193" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31230634/image-515.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1010068" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31230634/image-515.png 441w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31230634/image-515-300x131.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 441px) 100vw, 441px" /></a></figure>
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46690257/forget-bitcoin-coinbases-secret-weapon-fuels-growth-for-free">Forget Bitcoin—Coinbase&#8217;s Secret Weapon Fuels Growth For Free</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

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

Cryptocurrency

$PYUSD

$USDC

COIN

PYPL

SHOP

USDC

Coinbase Not In Competition With Visa, Mastercard In Crypto Payments Landscape: 'We Actually Partner With Them In Many Ways'

President Donald Trump has launched a sweeping new round of tariffs on 69 countries, intensifying a global trade standoff and escalating tensions over fentanyl, national security and China.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Canada Hit With 35% Tariff Over Fentanyl Dispute</h2>
Just before a major trade deadline on Friday, Trump signed an executive order imposing new U.S. import duties ranging from 10% to 41% on dozens of trading partners, reported Reuters.
One of the most severe penalties was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46747584/trump-blasts-canada-over-palestine-stance-says-it-makes-striking-a-trade-deal-with-ottawa-very-hard">aimed at Canada</a>, with tariffs on many goods rising from 25% to 35% over what Trump described as Ottawa's "failure to cooperate" on combating fentanyl flows into the U.S.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brazil, India, Taiwan, Switzerland Among Nations Facing New Duties</h2>
Goods from Brazil will face a 50% tariff, while India, Taiwan and Switzerland are among others hit with new rates of 20% to 39%. A baseline 10% tariff will apply to all nations not listed in the annex.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46745168/trump-leaves-good-friend-india-in-the-cold-strikes-trade-deal-with-arch-rival-pakistan-over-massive-oil-reserves">Negotiations with India broke down</a> over agricultural access and Russian oil ties, with Trump threatening further penalties.
Some trading partners have failed to align "sufficiently with the United States on economic and national-security matters,&#8221; Trump said in the order.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46749812/trump-jamie-dimon-reportedly-meet-after-presidents-fed-visit-ending-years-long-rift-what-changed" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump, Jamie Dimon Reportedly Meet After President's Fed Visit, Ending Years-Long Rift: What Changed?</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mexico Secures 90-Day Reprieve After Trump-Sheinbaum Call</h2>
Mexico, in contrast, secured a 90-day reprieve from the threatened 30% tariff after a phone call between Trump and President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. "We avoided the tariff increase announced for tomorrow," Sheinbaum posted on X.
<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">Tuvimos una muy buena llamada con el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump. Evitamos el aumento de aranceles anunciado para mañana y logramos 90 días para construir un acuerdo de largo plazo a partir del diálogo. Me acompañaron Juan Ramón de la Fuente, secretario de… <a href="https://t.co/in3W4eAICN">pic.twitter.com/in3W4eAICN</a>
&mdash; Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) <a href="https://twitter.com/Claudiashein/status/1950938276967403563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">South Korea Accepts Tariffs, China Still Has Time</h2>
Trump also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46744534/trump-pleased-with-450b-south-korea-tariff-deal-seoul-to-accept-us-cars-agriculture-economist-warns-americans-pay-the-15-tariff">announced a deal</a> with South Korea, which accepted a 15% tariff on exports and pledged $350 billion in U.S. investments.
Meanwhile, China has until Aug. 12 to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/macro-notification/25/07/46714265/trump-has-the-final-say-on-extending-us-china-truce-says-scott-bessent-after-a-refined-tariff-talks">finalize a long-term tariff deal</a> with the Trump administration, following earlier preliminary agreements made in May and June aimed at resolving the ongoing tariff standoff and preventing a halt in rare earth mineral exports.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Legal Doubts Mount Over Trump's Emergency Tariff Authority</h2>
Trump cited the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to justify declaring a national emergency tied to the expanding U.S. trade deficit, enabling him to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45660322/trump-tariffs-struck-down-by-federal-court-major-blow-to-white-houses-trade-strategy-report">implement &#8220;reciprocal&#8221; tariffs</a> and address a separate fentanyl-related crisis.
However, in May, the Court of International Trade ruled that these <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45687946/second-federal-judge-blocks-trumps-emergency-tariff-powers-hours-after-us-court-of-international-trade-ruling">measures exceeded his executive powers</a>. During a hearing at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, judges expressed continued doubt about the legality of those actions.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Consumer Prices Already Climbing Amid Tariff Fallout</h2>
The tariffs could significantly raise the cost of imported goods for American consumers. Commerce Department data released on Thursday already shows price spikes for furniture, electronics and apparel.
The move also risks straining diplomatic ties with major allies and escalating ongoing legal and geopolitical battles over trade authority.
Read More:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46750358/odds-of-zero-fed-rate-cuts-in-2025-surge-to-25-after-jerome-powells-press-conference-rate-cuts-are-being-priced-out-of-markets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Odds of ‘Zero' Fed Rate Cuts In 2025 Surge To 25% After Jerome Powell's Press Conference: ‘Rate Cuts Are Being Priced-Out Of Markets'</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

Economics

Trump Slaps 35% Tariff On Canadian Goods, Hits 68 Other Nations With New Trade War Amid Fentanyl, Security, China Tensions

Billionaire investor Mark Cuban blasted a Commerce Department plan under discussion to charge patent holders a percentage of their patent value, calling it "one of the dumbest ideas in the history of business."
What Happened: In a post on X reacting to a Wall Street Journal report that officials are weighing a new levy of 1% to 5% of a patent's overall value, Cuban added, "The crazy part is that fewer patents will be filed as inventors try to protect their creations from LLMs."
<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">One of the dumbest ideas in the history of business. The crazy part is that fewer patents will be filed as inventors try to protect their creations from LLMs. ExclusiveTrump Administration Weighs Charging Patent Holders New Fee to Raise Revenue &#8211; WSJf <a href="https://t.co/5UHjvDMnKs">https://t.co/5UHjvDMnKs</a>
&mdash; Mark Cuban (@mcuban) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1950747852034248947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The Journal reported the idea is part of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's revenue-raising push and could either replace or supplement today's fee schedule, a shift that critics say would act like a recurring tax on intellectual property and saddle owners with unpredictable costs.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46749278/chuck-schumer-says-scott-bessent-slipped-and-told-the-truth-about-trumps-social-security-privatization-plan">Chuck Schumer Says Scott Bessent &#8216;Slipped&#8217; And &#8216;Told The Truth&#8217; About Trump&#8217;s Social Security Privatization Plan</a>
Analysts told the paper that valuing millions of active U.S. patents would be difficult and that the U.S., which traditionally charges flat fees ranging from hundreds to roughly $10,000 over a patent's life, would become an outlier among major patent systems.
Brad Watts, senior vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce&#8217;s Global Innovation Policy Center, called it a "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46680702/trump-administration-weighs-paradigm-shift-in-patent-system-to-raise-billions-in-revenue-report">paradigm shift</a>," noting that a value-based levy would upend a 235-year-old practice in which applicants pay standardized filing, examination and maintenance fees rather than a percentage of assessed value.
Why It Matters: Legal and industry groups have already signaled pushback. Patent scholars at Patently-O warned that a 1%–5% value tax would "dramatically increase costs" and make the U.S. an international anomaly, while Bloomberg Law <a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bloomberg-government-news/lutnick-backed-patent-fees-proposal-blasted-by-lawyers-chamber">reported</a> Chamber of Commerce concerns that the plan could undermine the nation's innovation ecosystem.
Cuban's criticism adds a high-profile voice to resistance that has spread across tech, life sciences and manufacturing. He has sparred publicly with Lutnick before. In May, Cuban <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45395189/mark-cuban-takes-a-jab-at-howard-lutnick-in-which-time-share-company-is-he-going-to-get-a-job-in-sales-at">mocked the secretary</a> on social media, showcasing a growing clash over how Washington funds government priorities without chilling private-sector invention.
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46750637/chamath-palihapitiya-laid-out-a-short-case-against-meta-alphabet-in-2020-both-have-since-rallied-over-160">Chamath Palihapitiya Laid Out A Short Case Against Meta, Alphabet In 2020—Both Have Since Rallied Over 160%</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock

Legal

Mark Cuban Says This Trump Administration Move Is 'One Of the Dumbest….'

Leading cryptocurrencies fell alongside stocks on Thursday as a jump in consumer prices dampened hopes of interest rate cuts. &nbsp;
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Cryptocurrency</th>
<th>Gains +/-</th>
<th>Price (Recorded at 9:40 p.m. ET)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>-2.17%</td>
<td>$115,531.73</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-3.77%</td>
<td>$3,680.37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-5.72%</td>
<td>$0.2084</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin tumbled to an intraday low of $114,369.87, prompting a broader market decline. Ethereum sank below $3,700.
Bullish long traders were heavily hit by the slump, with over $570 million in long positions wiped out in the last 24 hours.
That said, the two cryptocurrency heavyweights recorded a profitable July. While Bitcoin rose nearly 8% in the month, Ethereum skyrocketed over 48%.
Bitcoin's open interest fell by 0.86% in the last 24 hours, while funds locked in Ethereum unsettled contracts dropped 1.83%.&nbsp;
The "greed" sentiment weakened further in the market, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index.
Top Gainers (24 Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Cryptocurrency</th>
<th>Gains +/-</th>
<th>Price (Recorded at 9:40 p.m. ET)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Toncoin (TON)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+2.00%</td>
<td>$3.49</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>XDC Network (XDC)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+1.77%</td>
<td>$0.09785</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Story (IP)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+1.16%</td>
<td>$6.02 </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.78 trillion, contracting 2.33% in the last 24 hours.
Stocks closed lower on Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 330.30 points, or 0.74%, to end at 44,130.98. The S&amp;P 500 dipped 0.37%, ending at 6,339.39. The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite lost 0.03% to finish at 21,122.45.
The Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46755543/inflation-pce-june-tariffs-trump-powell-interest-rates"> jumped to 2.6% year-over-year</a>, up from 2.3% in May and topping expectations of 2.5%, casting doubt on the future of rate cuts this year.
Investors have been anxious following Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46736975/powell-holds-rates-copper-crashes-after-tariff-change-trump">hawkish tone after the central bank's July policy meeting</a>.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader CW suggested that the retail demand for Bitcoin was on the rise.
"Transfer volumes have bottomed out and are gradually increasing. Transfer volume remains low, but growing demand from retail investors is a positive sign," the analyst said. "If they return to the market in earnest, the BTC rally will continue."
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Retail investor demand for <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> is increasing. Transfer volumes have bottomed out and are gradually increasing. Transfer volume remains low, but growing demand from retail investors is a positive sign. If they return to the market in earnest, the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> rally will continue. <a href="https://t.co/R9WTnMMgxa">pic.twitter.com/R9WTnMMgxa</a>
&mdash; CW (@CW8900) <a href="https://twitter.com/CW8900/status/1950969335650120121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Another popular cryptocurrency analyst, Michaël van de Poppe, predicted that Ethereum may peak around $4,000 in the short term, followed by a brief pullback.
"Things are building up for a perfect bull market for the coming 12-24 months on altcoins," Van De Poppe stated.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Volatility dies down on <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a>, which makes it likely that we&#39;re going to be seeing a top around the $4K area in the short-term and then a short-lived correction. Things are building up for a perfect bull market for the coming 12-24 months on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Altcoins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Altcoins</a>. <a href="https://t.co/ic0oEE3YLX">pic.twitter.com/ic0oEE3YLX</a>
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1950855456039051428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Read Next:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46770711/sec-launches-project-crypto-heres-what-it-means-for-you">SEC Launches &#8216;Project Crypto&#8217; — Here&#8217;s What It Means For You</a></li>
</ul>
Photo Courtesy: Rido on Shutterstock

$BTC

$DOGE

$ETH

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Slide As Hotter-Than-Expected Inflation Dims Rate Cut Hopes: Analyst Sees ETH Dip After $4,000 Peak

On Thursday, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) CEO Tim Cook said the company is open to considering artificial intelligence acquisitions.
During Apple's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46776239/apple-q3-earnings-revenue-eps-smash-estimates-as-iphone-sales-jump-active-installed-base-reaches-new-highs">third-quarter earnings call</a>, Citi analyst Atas Malik asked whether the company would accelerate its AI roadmap through major mergers and acquisitions.
Check out the current price of <a href="https://benzinga.com/quote/AAPL" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AAPL stock here</a>.
Cook responded that Apple has already acquired around seven companies this year and remains "very open to M&amp;A that accelerates our roadmap."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Apple Is Open To M&amp;A, Says Tim Cook</h2>
"We are not stuck on a certain size company," Cook said. "Although the ones that we have acquired thus far this year are small in nature… we basically ask ourselves whether a company can help us accelerate a roadmap. If they do, then we're interested."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46680504/apple-faces-18-month-deadline-to-deliver-on-ai-says-analyst" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Faces 18-Month Deadline To Deliver On AI, Says Analyst</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Apple's M&amp;A History Lags Behind Meta, Google</h2>
While Cook's comments reflect a willingness to act, Apple's past tells a different story. Its largest-ever acquisition <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/23/05/32613736/if-you-invested-1000-in-apple-when-it-made-its-biggest-acquisition-9-years-ago-heres-how-much-yo">remains the $3 billion</a> Beats Electronics deal in 2014.
By contrast, peers like Facebook-parent Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) acquired WhatsApp <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/exclusives/15/01/5187867/facebook-may-not-need-to-prove-whatsapp-was-worth-19-billion">for $19 billion</a>, Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google bought Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) spent a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/10/41342256/microsoft-settles-antitrust-lawsuit-filed-by-gamers-over-activision-blizzard-acquisition">staggering $69 billion</a> on Activision Blizzard.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Apple Trails Rivals Like Meta, Microsoft In AI Spending</h2>
Apple also remains a relatively modest spender on capital expenditures compared to other big tech firms. In the June quarter, it reported $3.46 billion in capex—its highest since December 2022—up from $2.15 billion a year earlier. At that pace, annual spending would total around $14 billion, according <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/31/tim-cook-apple-ai-acquisitions.html?taid=688bffe49f3972000101230c&amp;utm_campaign=trueanthem&amp;utm_content=main&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter">to</a> CNBC.
In comparison, Meta, Google and Microsoft have spent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46760252/meta-microsoft-and-google-are-unleashing-a-250-billion-ai-tsunami">tens of billions to dominate</a> the AI arms race. Meta alone projects up <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46745285/meta-cfo-susan-li-says-company-may-tap-external-financing-for-2026-ai-infrastructure-as-capex-heads-toward-100-billion">to $72 billion in annual</a> CapEx, while Google expects $85 billion.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Apple Reportedly Eyes Perplexity AI, Mistral And Others</h2>
Meanwhile, it has been reported that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46041473/apple-eyes-perplexity-ai-acquisition-while-facing-shareholder-lawsuit-over-exaggerated-ai-progress-report">Apple is evaluating</a> Perplexity AI as a possible acquisition. Apple has also reportedly looked at other smaller AI companies like Cohere, Mistral and Thinking Machines Lab.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Apple Beats Earnings Expectations In Q3 Revenue</h2>
Apple posted fiscal third-quarter revenue of $94 billion, surpassing expectations of $89.04 billion. The company closed the quarter with $36.27 billion in cash and cash equivalents.
Price Action: Apple shares rose 2.42% in after-hours trading, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings show that AAPL continues to display strong upward momentum in the short and medium term, though it trends downward over the long term. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'">More detailed performance insights are available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31215702/Screenshot-2025-08-01-at-7.22.20%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1010025" /></a></figure>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: jamesteohart/Shutterstock

Tim Cook Says Apple Is 'Very Open' To AI Acquisitions Amid Mounting Pressure To Catch Up With Google, Meta And Microsoft

Economist Peter Schiff is criticizing the Federal Reserve for its handling of inflation, arguing that the central bank is underestimating persistent price pressures.
What Happened: On Thursday, in a post on X, Schiff said that &#8220;the biggest takeaway&#8221; from Fed Chair Jerome Powell&#8217;s post-meeting press conference was his admission that the central bank was already &#8220;looking through persistent and rising above-target inflation,&#8221; but wasn&#8217;t raising the rates.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46749812/trump-jamie-dimon-reportedly-meet-after-presidents-fed-visit-ending-years-long-rift-what-changed">Trump, Jamie Dimon Reportedly Meet After President&#8217;s Fed Visit, Ending Years-Long Rift: What Changed?</a>
According to Schiff, President Donald Trump&#8217;s tariffs will be just &#8220;one of several factors leading to much higher inflation,&#8221; and as a result, he believes that &#8220;Fed policy is far too loose,&#8221; suggesting the need for rate hikes.
With tariffs expected to push consumer prices higher, economists like Schiff believe that the Fed&#8217;s decision to ease monetary policy too soon might further entrench price instability.
<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">The biggest takeaway from the Powell presser was his letting slip that the Fed is already looking through persistent and rising above-target inflation by not raising rates. Tariffs will just be one of several factors leading to much higher inflation. Fed policy is far too loose.
&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1950936647144534278?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It Matters: This comes following the Fed&#8217;s July Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on Wednesday, when it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46746117/fed-holds-rates-amid-trumps-demands-for-a-cut-powell-more-hawkish-than-anyone-expected-say-economists-historic-dissent-noted">decided to hold</a> the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4.25% to 4.50%.
While Schiff pushes for a hawkish stance with a rate hike, Trump has been batting for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46512725/peter-schiff-says-trump-wants-fed-chair-jerome-powell-to-do-exactly-what-he-accused-janet-yellen-of-doing-for-obama-a-dangerous-step">aggressive rate cuts</a> for the past several months, demanding rates as low as 1%.
Over a month ago, Powell had told Congress that its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46077396/powell-interest-rates-trump-inflation-tariffs">near-term policy</a> uncertainty revolves almost entirely around Trump&#8217;s tariffs. &#8220;Increases in tariffs this year are likely to push up prices and weigh on economic activity,&#8221; he said, adding that the Fed was monitoring inflation pass-through to consumers.
Others, such as Louis Navellier, the founder and chief investment officer at Navellier &amp; Associates, have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46753311/delusional-world-analyst-slams-jerome-powells-inaction-as-experts-debate-possibility-of-six-cuts-starting-september">criticized the Fed</a> for not cutting rates fast enough. 
&#8220;The Fed lives in a delusional world. They're not reading the data,&#8221; he said, citing a weakening economy and five straight months of inflation coming in below expectations.
Price Action: Even as the Fed holds interest rates steady for the fifth consecutive meeting, the S&amp;P 500, tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which tracks the Nasdaq, are both up 8.11% and 10.74% year-to-date, respectively.
Read More: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46750358/odds-of-zero-fed-rate-cuts-in-2025-surge-to-25-after-jerome-powells-press-conference-rate-cuts-are-being-priced-out-of-markets">Odds of &#8216;Zero&#8217; Fed Rate Cuts In 2025 Surge To 25% After Jerome Powell&#8217;s Press Conference: &#8216;Rate Cuts Are Being Priced-Out Of Markets&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Domenico Fornas / Shutterstock

Government

Federal Reserve

Peter Schiff Slams Fed's Blind Spot: Jerome Powell 'Looking Through' Soaring Inflation While Policy Remains 'Far Too Loose'

A mother who depends on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/06/46073802/she-thought-her-ssi-ended-at-18-now-shes-worried-her-mom-may-still-be-collecting-it">Supplemental Security Income</a> is now facing a long suspension of her benefits — all because of a car accident settlement that didn't turn out the way anyone expected.
According to a post shared in the <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SocialSecurity/comments/1m60bqw/moms_ssi_suspended_she_won_a_settlement_of_25000/">r/SocialSecurity forum</a> on Reddit, the woman was awarded $25,000 from a 2021 car accident. But after years of delays, legal fees, and Medicaid reimbursement, she only received a little over $8,000 — and not until early this year.
Despite that, the post says the Social Security Administration is treating it like she had the full $25,000 in her bank account since 2021. That misunderstanding has now left her without her monthly SSI benefits — and trying to figure out what to do next.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SSI Has a Hard Cap on What You Can Own</h2>
SSI is designed to help people with low income and limited resources, but those resources are tightly monitored. In order to stay eligible, <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-transfer-resources.htm">SSA rules</a> say you can't have more than $2,000 in countable assets if you're single — or $3,000 for couples.
Countable resources include things like cash, bank account balances, stocks, property (other than your primary home) and most other items that can be sold or converted to money. One-time payments, like a settlement or inheritance, count toward that limit.
Even if you only have the money temporarily, going over the resource cap — even for just one day — can make you ineligible for that month's SSI payment.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Giving the Money Away Isn't the Solution</h2>
The Reddit user asked whether giving the remaining $8,000 to family members or grandchildren would help her mom qualify for SSI again.
Trending: ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">invest today for just $0.30/share.</a>
Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Giving away money while on SSI is considered a "transfer of resources," and the SSA can penalize you by suspending benefits for up to 36 months. That's because transferring assets for less than their full value — including gifts — is seen as an attempt to bypass the resource limit.
One Reddit commenter put it bluntly: "Who in their right mind gives away $8,000 when they&#8217;re poor? Don&#8217;t you think SSA will be asking this same [question]?"
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Right Way to Spend Down the Money</h2>
There is a path forward — but it requires careful documentation. To get back on SSI, the woman needs to show that she spent the $8,000 on allowable expenses and didn't just hand it off or stash it.
Some suggestions from commenters included:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Buying a new car or repairing an old one</li>
<li>Paying for a full year of car insurance</li>
<li>Making necessary home repairs</li>
<li>Purchasing household items, groceries, or medical supplies</li>
<li>Replacing furniture or essential appliances</li>
</ul>
The key is to spend the money in a traceable way — ideally through a bank account, with receipts — so the SSA can clearly see where the money went.
See Also: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/warren-buffet-make-money-when-you-sleep"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $10.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">If You're in a Similar Situation</h2>
Getting a settlement, back pay, or other lump sum while on SSI can be tricky. Here are a few tips to stay on the right side of the rules:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Report the money to SSA immediately</li>
<li>Don't withdraw it all in cash — use a bank account to create a paper trail</li>
<li>Spend down the funds carefully, only on necessary items</li>
<li>Keep receipts and records of everything</li>
<li>Don't gift the money to others — it could result in a longer suspension</li>
</ul>
Even a relatively small windfall can lead to serious consequences if handled the wrong way. For those relying on SSI, it's essential to understand how one-time payments can affect eligibility — and to plan carefully to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/07/46206467/social-security-says-she-owes-4765-but-could-the-monthly-rule-save-her-from-paying-back-money-she-didnt-earn">protect your benefits</a>.
Read Next: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?
Image: Shutterstock

How A $25K Car Crash Settlement Could Leave This Mom Without SSI For Years

DRMAW

Trading Halt: Halted at 7:50:00 p.m. ET - Trading Halt: Halt News Pending

DRMA

HCTI

Apollo Asset Management (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APO#NYSE">APO</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 10.16% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 21.8%. Currently, Apollo Asset Management has a market capitalization of $83.05 billion. 
Buying $1000 In APO: If an investor had bought $1000 of APO stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $7,074.98 today based on a price of $145.32 for APO at the time of writing.
<h3>Apollo Asset Management's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1754004614_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Trading Ideas

If You Invested $1000 In This Stock 10 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

Barrington Research analyst Kevin Steinke maintains Quad/Graphics (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QUAD#NYSE">QUAD</a>) with a Outperform and maintains $10 price target.

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

QUAD

Barrington Research Maintains Outperform on Quad/Graphics, Maintains $10 Price Target

Barrington Research analyst Alexander Paris maintains Affiliated Managers Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMG#NYSE">AMG</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $200 to $240.

Barrington Research Maintains Outperform on Affiliated Managers Group, Raises Price Target to $240

Macquarie analyst Paul Golding maintains Visa (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $380 to $425.

Macquarie Maintains Outperform on Visa, Raises Price Target to $425

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Afya Limited Third Quarter and Nine Months 2024 Financial Results

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Afya Limited Announces Closing of the Acquisition of FACULDADE ÚNICA DE CONTAGEM

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Afya Limited Announces Change of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Afya Limited (the "Company") Notice of Annual General Meeting of the Company

Afya Limited Announces Results of Annual General Meeting Held on June 24, 2025

Afya Limited Releases 2024 Sustainability Report

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51Talk Online Education Group American depositary shares, each representing 60 Class A ordinary shares

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Youdao

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New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. Sponsored ADR representing 10 Ordinary Share (Cayman Islands)

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