REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF (NASDAQ: AIPI)

Últimas noticias sobre REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF (NASDAQ:AIPI)

The fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities comprising the BITA AI Leaders Select Index (the Index). The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that seeks capital appreciation and current income while maintaining the opportunity for exposure to the share price (i.e., the price returns) of the securities of the companies comprising the Index, subject to a potential reduction in returns in a rising market.

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NVIDIA Corporation

Crowdstrike Holdings Inc. Class A

Datadog Inc. Class A

Arista Networks, Inc

Adobe Systems Inc.

Broadcom, Inc

Palo Alto Networks Inc.

REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF

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CRWD

LRNZ

NVDA

CrowdStrike, AWS y NVIDIA lanzan un acelerador para startups de ciberseguridad e IA. Oportunidades de inversión y financiación hasta 2025.

CrowdStrike, Amazon y NVIDIA se unen para potenciar a las startups de ciberseguridad

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed some improvement in the overall market sentiment, while the index remained in the &#8220;Extreme Fear&#8221; zone on Friday.
U.S. stocks settled higher on Friday, with the Dow Jones index jumping more than 600 points during the session.
The tech sector bounced back from Thursday&#8217;s losses with Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) up 4% and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) rising 3.9% on Friday.
PCE data released also provided some relief to investors as the price index marked its first decline in four months. Data from the CME FedWatch Tool shows the data reinforced bets for approximately two quarter-point cuts to the Fed funds rate in 2025.
All sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a positive note, with information technology, financial and consumer discretionary stocks recording the biggest gains on Friday.
The Dow Jones closed higher by around 601 points to 43,840.91 on Friday. The S&amp;P 500 rose 1.59% to 5,954.50, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.63% at 18,847.28 during Friday's session.
Investors are awaiting earnings results from California Resources Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRC#NYSE">CRC</a>), Nomad Foods Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOMD#NYSE">NOMD</a>) and Okta Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OKTA#NASDAQ">OKTA</a>) today.
What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?
At a current reading of 19.7, the index remained in the &#8220;Extreme Fear&#8221; zone on Friday, versus a prior reading of 18.7.
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.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/44054266/top-2-tech-and-telecom-stocks-that-may-implode-in-q1">Top 2 Tech And Telecom Stocks That May Implode In Q1</a></li>
</ul>
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OKTA

TSLA

Nasdaq Jumps 300 Points As Nvidia, Tesla Stocks Surge: Investor Sentiment Improves, But Greed Index Remains In 'Extreme Fear' Zone

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk compared investments in meme coins to casino games on Friday, warning investors against pouring their life savings into such assets.
What happened: During a chat with Joe Rogan on the popular "The Joe Rogan Experience" show, Musk said, &#8220;It&#8217;s like a casino or something. And then people just do the greater fool theory and like musical chairs, and whoever is the last to sit down loses type of thing."
Musk stated that expecting to win at the casino is foolish, and so is the case with meme coins.&nbsp;
"You&#8217;re not gonna win at meme coins," Musk emphasized. "Don&#8217;t sink your life savings into a meme coin."
Musk used a popular idiom to drive home the point, saying, "Don&#8217;t bet the farm on meme coins."
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43996312/sec-closes-investigation-against-crypto-exchange-gemini-says-cameron-winklevoss-another-milestone-to-the-end-of-the-war-on-crypto">SEC Closes Investigation Against Crypto Exchange Gemini, Says Cameron Winklevoss: &#8216;Another Milestone To The End Of The War On Crypto&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Musk has <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43878760/dogecoins-journey-from-memecoin-to-real-money-crazy-but-cool-says-elon-musk-i-am-living-the-meme">been an avid supporter</a> of Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>), and his social media posts have routinely sent the dog-themed cryptocurrency rallying.&nbsp;
In fact, the acronym for the Department of Government Efficiency, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44067298/what-did-you-do-last-week-part-ii-musks-doge-issues-second-email-mandate-for-executive-branch-employees">a federal government initiative</a> created by the tech mogul, is based on Dogecoin.
Musk&#8217;s views echoed those of billionaire investor Mark Cuban, who previously criticized meme coins as a &#8216;hustle&#8217; and<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42716074/mark-cuban-criticizes-meme-coins-as-a-hustle-and-money-gamble-like-a-game-of-musical-chairs-with-money"> likened them to a game of musical chairs</a>.
More recently, the SEC clarified that meme coins do not fall under federal securities laws, but fraudulent activities involving these coins could still face legal consequences.
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Price Action: At the time of writing, Dogecoin was exchanging hands at $0.2278, up 10.14% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43997635/bitcoin-spin-off-litecoin-ethereum-killer-avalanche-weather-crypto-meltdown-heres-why-ltc-avax-are-spiking">Bitcoin Spin-Off Litecoin, &#8216;Ethereum Killer&#8217; Avalanche Weather Crypto Meltdown, Here&#8217;s Why LTC, AVAX Are Spiking</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

$DOGE

Elon Musk Labels Meme Coins Casino-Like: Tesla CEO Says 'Don't Sink Your Life Savings' Even As Dogecoin Pumps Over 10%

With U.S. stock futures trading lower this morning on Monday, some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Wall Street expects California Resources Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRC#NYSE">CRC</a>) to report quarterly earnings at 97 cents per share on revenue of $897.75 million before the opening bell, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>. California Resources shares gained 1.8% to $45.40 in after-hours trading.</li>
<li>Analysts are expecting Nomad Foods Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOMD#NYSE">NOMD</a>) to post quarterly earnings at 38 cents per share on revenue of $796.56 million. The company will release earnings before the markets open. Nomad Foods shares gained 0.4% to $18.98 in after-hours trading.</li>
<li>Middlesex Water Co. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSEX#NASDAQ">MSEX</a>) posted better-than-expected results for its fourth quarter on Friday. Middlesex Water shares gained 2.3% to $51.30 in after-hours trading.</li>
</ul>
Check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/">premarket coverage here</a>
<ul>
<li>After the markets close, MRC Global Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRC#NYSE">MRC</a>) is projected to post quarterly earnings at 6 cents per share on revenue of $726.90 million. MRC Global shares gained 0.3% to $12.20 in after-hours trading.</li>
<li>Analysts expect Okta Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OKTA#NASDAQ">OKTA</a>) to post quarterly earnings at 74 cents per share on revenue of $669.46 million after the closing bell. Okta shares gained 0.2% to $90.71 in after-hours trading.</li>
</ul>
Check This Out: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/44054266/top-2-tech-and-telecom-stocks-that-may-implode-in-q1">Top 2 Tech And Telecom Stocks That May Implode In Q1</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Long Ideas

MSEX

California Resources, Okta And 3 Stocks To Watch Heading Into Monday

On Saturday, Chinese AI startup DeepSeek revealed cost and revenue estimates for its popular V3 and R1 models, showing a theoretical cost-profit ratio of up to 545% per day. This revelation further challenged the economics of U.S. AI companies like OpenAI that spend billions on cutting-edge chips.
What Happened: In a GitHub post, DeepSeek detailed that its AI inference costs—associated with running trained models—amount to $87,072 per day, assuming a rental price of $2 per hour for each Nvidia Corp.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) H800 chip, reported Reuters.
In contrast, it estimates daily revenue of $562,027, equating to an annualized revenue of over $200 million.
However, DeepSeek acknowledged that "actual revenue is substantially lower" due to factors such as free web and app access, lower fees for off-peak usage, and the fact that some services remain unmonetized.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44068933/google-and-chinas-honor-deepen-ai-partnership-as-huawei-spin-off-takes-on-apple-and-samsung-with-10-billion-investment">Google And China&#8217;s Honor Deepen AI Partnership As Huawei Spin-Off Takes On Apple And Samsung With $10 Billion Investment</a>
Why It's Important: The latest development follows earlier disclosures that DeepSeek spent under $6 million on chips to train its models—far less than U.S. rivals.
AI stocks outside China tumbled in January as investors reassessed the capital requirements for AI development. Nvidia's market value plunged by a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43294552/palmer-luckey-blasts-hysteria-over-deepseek-oculus-founder-says-chinese-hedge-funds-psyops-targeted-us-ai-giants-like-nvidia">record-breaking $593 billion</a> in a single day—the largest loss ever for a Wall Street company.
DeepSeek&#8217;s strategic pricing, including off-peak hours discounts last week, has also disrupted the AI industry.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">DeepSeek never stops surprising US closed AI companies now, they&#39;re offering 50% and 75% discounts on the price of its APIs during off-peak hours <a href="https://t.co/Gd7IXEQM3P">https://t.co/Gd7IXEQM3P</a> <a href="https://t.co/41mbIcRbRt">pic.twitter.com/41mbIcRbRt</a>
&mdash; Haider. (@slow_developer) <a href="https://twitter.com/slow_developer/status/1894715140177805329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has also revealed that his company is incurring losses on its ChatGPT Pro plan, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42810114/openai-ceo-sam-altman-reveals-company-struggling-with-chatgpt-pro-losses">priced at $200 per month</a>. At the time, it was also reported that despite raising $20 billion since its inception, OpenAI has yet to turn a profit.
Last year, it was reported that OpenAI, backed by Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), intends to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41078513/openai-plans-to-more-than-double-chatgpt-price-over-next-5-years-report">increase the price of ChatGPT</a> over the next five years.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/44055314/mrbeast-lost-millions-on-amazons-beast-games-now-hes-looking-to-raise-hundreds-of-millions-to-take-h">MrBeast Lost Millions On Amazon&#8217;s &#8216;Beast Games&#8217;—Now He&#8217;s Looking To Raise Hundreds Of Millions To Take His Brand To The Next Level</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Tech

Media

MSFT

China's DeepSeek Reports 545% Theoretical Daily Profit Margin, Even Though ChatGPT-Maker OpenAI Is Yet To Turn A Profit

On Holding AG (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ONON#NYSE">ONON</a>) will release its fourth-quarter financial results before the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/onon/earnings">opening bell on Tuesday, March 4</a>.
Analysts expect the Zurich, Switzerland-based company to report quarterly earnings at 18 cents per share, versus a year-ago loss of 5 cents per share. On Holding projects quarterly revenue of $594.37 million, compared to $447.1 million a year earlier, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
On Nov. 12, 2024, On Holding reported better-than-expected third-quarter sales results and raised its FY24 net sales guidance.
On Holding shares gained 3.8% to close at $48.48 on Friday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/onon/analyst-ratings">analysts have rated the company</a> in the recent period.
<ul>
<li>Telsey Advisory Group analyst Cristina Fernandez maintained an Outperform rating with a price target of $67 on Feb. 25, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 64%.</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs analyst Richard Edwards downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral with a price target of $57 on Feb. 12, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 66%.</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley analyst Alex Straton maintained an Overweight rating and increased the price target from $62 to $65 on Jan. 21, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 65%.</li>
<li>Needham analyst Tom Nikic reiterated a Buy rating with a price target of $64 on Jan. 15, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 64%.</li>
<li>TD Cowen analyst John Kernan maintained a Buy rating and increased the price target from $65 to $66 on Jan. 8, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 71%.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying ONON stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="418" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/02135154/image-2-1024x418.png" alt="" class="wp-image-805120" style="width:600px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/02135154/image-2-1024x418.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/02135154/image-2-300x123.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/02135154/image-2-768x314.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/02135154/image-2.png 1486w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Read This Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/44054266/top-2-tech-and-telecom-stocks-that-may-implode-in-q1"> </a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/44054266/top-2-tech-and-telecom-stocks-that-may-implode-in-q1">Top 2 Tech And Telecom Stocks That May Implode In Q1</a></li>
</ul>

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

ONON

On Holding Earnings Are Imminent; These Most Accurate Analysts Revise Forecasts Ahead Of Earnings Call

Lawrence McDonald, founder of Bear Traps Report, called Warren Buffett the &#8220;GOAT&#8221; of asset management on Sunday while noting the legendary investor put &#8220;very little capital to work&#8221; during the 2020 Covid market drawdown compared to 2022&#8217;s market stress.
What Happened: &#8220;No one calls Warren out on that. He&#8217;s the GOAT — asset management is so difficult,&#8221; McDonald wrote on X, responding to claims that Pershing Square Capital Management&#8216;s Bill Ackman suggested Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) would be better managed after Buffett&#8217;s departure.
Ackman quickly refuted these claims, stating, &#8220;I said no such thing,&#8221; and directed readers to his original post explaining comments made during a recent podcast that were &#8220;twisted&#8221; by media.
In his clarification, Ackman called Buffett &#8220;an extremely important hero&#8221; and &#8220;unofficial mentor,&#8221; explaining his views on Buffett&#8217;s cash holdings: &#8220;Warren sort of has this price discipline where if it trades for more than 10 times operating income, no matter how good the business, he won&#8217;t buy it and that&#8217;s worked really well for him for 60, 70 years.&#8221;
Ackman also addressed why Pershing Square sold Berkshire during COVID, noting they redeployed capital to companies trading at deeper discounts, including Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HLT#NYSE">HLT</a>) and Lowe&#8217;s Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LOW#NYSE">LOW</a>).
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The 2020 Covid drawdown was amazing, Buffett put very little capital to work relative to the 2022 equity market stress point. No one calls Warren out on that. He's the GOAT — asset management is so difficult. <a href="https://t.co/JKF86EhwiG">https://t.co/JKF86EhwiG</a>
&mdash; Lawrence McDonald (@Convertbond) <a href="https://twitter.com/Convertbond/status/1895967873258095079?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Last week, I did a podcast which included some commentary on Warren Buffett who has been an extremely important hero for me and an unofficial mentor. The media, as they sadly often do, twisted my words about Buffett to create the impression that I &quot;had taken a shot at him.&quot;…
&mdash; Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillAckman/status/1895820623533748645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44068933/google-and-chinas-honor-deepen-ai-partnership-as-huawei-spin-off-takes-on-apple-and-samsung-with-10-billion-investment">Google And China&#8217;s Honor Deepen AI Partnership As Huawei Spin-Off Takes On Apple And Samsung With $10 Billion Investment</a>
Why It Matters: Regarding succession, Ackman expressed confidence in Berkshire&#8217;s future under Greg Abel, Buffett&#8217;s heir apparent, suggesting Abel&#8217;s operational background might create value through improved efficiency at Berkshire-owned companies like Burlington Northern Railroad.
&#8220;The next generation of leadership will be a little more disciplined about making sure the right people run the companies,&#8221; Ackman wrote while emphasizing this wasn&#8217;t a criticism of Buffett, who he praised for loyalty to company leaders.
The exchange highlighted Berkshire&#8217;s 250% return since 2015, compared to Pershing Square&#8217;s reported 100% during the same period, underscoring Buffett&#8217;s continued market outperformance at age 94.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44068902/tesla-fsd-like-a-12-year-old-driving-compared-to-waymo-says-ross-gerber-warning-uber-has-got-to-be-hurting">Tesla FSD &#8216;Like a 12-Year-Old Driving&#8217; Compared To Waymo, Says Ross Gerber, Warning Uber &#8216;Has Got To Be Hurting&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutetrstock 
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.

Warren Buffett Is The 'GOAT,' Says Lawrence McDonald As Bill Ackman Predicts A Stronger Berkshire After The Oracle Of Omaha Eventually Steps Down

Renowned economist Peter Schiff questioned the inclusion of XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) in the cryptocurrency reserve announced by President Donald Trump on Sunday while acknowledging the rationale behind including Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>).
What happened: Schiff stated on X that, while he doesn't agree, he understands that Bitcoin&#8217;s inclusion arose from a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42325788/fed-chair-powell-bitcoin-is-like-gold-just-virtual-and-digital">&#8220;digital gold&#8221;</a> narrative. &#8220;I get the rationale for a Bitcoin reserve. I don&#8217;t agree with it, but I get it,&#8221; he said.
"But what&#8217;s the rationale for an XRP reserve? Why the hell would we need that?" Schiff slammed XRP's inclusion.
In response, Charles Hoskinson, co-founder of Cardano (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ada/usd">ADA</a>) — the other altcoin included in the strategic reserve — stated that XRP is a &#8220;great&#8221; technology and a global standard, having one of the strongest communities.
"I think the president made the right decision," Hoskinson stated.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Because XRP is great technology, a global standard, survived for a decade through many harsh cycles, and has one of the strongest communities. I think the president made the right decision
&mdash; Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) <a href="https://twitter.com/IOHK_Charles/status/1896277229673545831?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43996312/sec-closes-investigation-against-crypto-exchange-gemini-says-cameron-winklevoss-another-milestone-to-the-end-of-the-war-on-crypto">SEC Closes Investigation Against Crypto Exchange Gemini, Says Cameron Winklevoss: &#8216;Another Milestone To The End Of The War On Crypto&#8217;</a>
Schiff, one of the staunchest critics of the world's leading cryptocurrency, argued that Bitcoin was on the brink of a "sharp selloff" and that Trump was brought in to rescue the cryptocurrency with a "bailout post."
<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">Someone got Trump to do a follow up post to include Bitcoin and Ether in the Strategic Reserve. Why leave out <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24Trump&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$Trump</a> coin? This is all BS. Bitcoin was on the verge of another sharp selloff. So Trump&#39;s was brought in to rescue crypto with a bailout post.
&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1896242943633297769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It Matters: Schiff's remarks followed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44068814/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-rally-on-trumps-strategic-crypto-reserve-announcement-cardano-xrp-solana-skyrocket-anal">Trump's big announcement</a> that Bitcoin would be at the "heart" of a U.S. strategic cryptocurrency reserve, along with other coins such as Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>), Cardano (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ada/usd">ADA</a>), and Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>).
Interestingly, just last week, Schiff suggested in a cheeky post that only a strategic Bitcoin reserve announced by Trump <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43963512/trump-can-delay-a-bitcoin-meltdown-by-announcing-strategic-reserve-says-peter-schiff-turn-out-the-lights-the-btc-100000-party-is-over">could halt the market downturn</a>.
He also said that Bitcoin&#8217;s surge past $100,000 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43982444/peter-schiff-bitcoins-rally-to-100000-is-repayment-by-trump-to-crypto-supporters-but-50000-may-be-on-the-cards">was a "repayment"</a> from Trump to his cryptocurrency-supporting base.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $93,045.77, up 7.57% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

$ADA

$BTC

$ETH

$SOL

$XRP

Bitcoin Is Digital Gold But 'What's The Rationale For An XRP Reserve', Asks Peter Schiff: Cardano Founder Charles Hoskinson Says Trump Made The Right Decision

Honor has ramped up its AI ambitions with a $10 billion investment over the next five years, alongside a deeper partnership with 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, as it looks to compete with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Samsung Electronics Co. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNLF#OTC">SSNLF</a>) in the global smartphone market.
What Happened: On Sunday, the Chinese smartphone maker, which spun off from Huawei Technologies in 2020, announced the investment at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, according to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/02/chinas-honor-pledges-10-billion-ai-investment-closer-google-ties.html">a</a> report by CNBC.
The funding aims to transform Honor from a smartphone manufacturer into an "AI device ecosystem company."
"This is not limited to our own devices, but also AI devices from different partners, so the different kinds of AI devices can talk to each other, and consumers can have more choices and seamless experiences," an Honor spokesperson told the publication.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/02/43996522/mrbeast-lost-millions-on-amazons-beast-games-now-hes-looking-to-raise-hundreds-of-millions-to-take-his-brand-to-the-next-level" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MrBeast Lost Millions On Amazon's ‘Beast Games'—Now He's Looking To Raise Hundreds Of Millions To Take His Brand To The Next Level</a>
Honor also unveiled a proof-of-concept AI agent that can complete tasks such as booking restaurant reservations based on user preferences. The company is collaborating with Google and Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) on the project, though it has not provided a release timeline.
In another move signaling closer ties with Google, Honor committed to seven years of Android updates and security patches for its Magic series flagship smartphones, aligning it with Google's Pixel and Samsung's Galaxy S series.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It's Important: Honor has been working on expanding beyond China and targeting the premium smartphone market, competing with Apple and Samsung.
It has gained some traction with innovative devices, including foldable phones. However, it remains a minor player globally.
According to International Data Corp, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42986042/apple-sees-market-share-decline-in-2024-as-chinese-smartphone-brands-surge-globally-idc">global smartphone shipments</a> increased by 2.4% in the fourth-quarter of 2024, marking six straight quarters of growth. Chinese brands expanded their market share by offering both budget-friendly and premium devices in emerging markets.
IDC data also shows that Honor's market share outside China rose from 1.7% in 2023 to 2.3% in 2024.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

AAPL

GOOG

GOOGL

QCOM

SSNLF

Google And China's Honor Deepen AI Partnership As Huawei Spin-Off Takes On Apple And Samsung With $10 Billion Investment

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/44005304/trumps-executive-order-could-reshape-fed-sec-and-other-financial-regulators">President Donald Trump</a> announced Feb. 24 that tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports to the U.S. will be "going forward on time, on schedule" on March 4.&nbsp;
Economists and consumers alike are bracing themselves for the widespread implications the tariffs will have across the United States. While some states will be more heavily impacted than others, a variety of goods nationwide are likely to see increases.&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/startengine-own">The $1.3 Billion Startup Investment Boom: How This Company's Explosive Growth Is Opening Doors For Everyday Investors With A New $500 Minimum</a></li>
<li>Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a></li>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which States Will Be Hit the Hardest?&nbsp;</h2>
Each state's trade relationships with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/44010093/trumps-plan-for-canada-mexico-china-tariffs-to-start-march-4-could-shake-stock-market">Canada and Mexico</a> will determine–to some degree–how they are individually impacted by these tariffs. States like Montana, New Mexico, and Texas, which rely heavily on imports from these countries, are expected to see the biggest economic shifts, according to CNBC.
<ul>
<li>Montana: <a href="https://www.lendingtree.com/business/tariffs-imports-exports-study/">LendingTree data</a> shows that 94% of Montana's imports come from Canada, Mexico, and China, which will bring significant economic exposure.</li>
<li>New Mexico: The state imports 77% of its goods from these three nations, including key electronics components.</li>
<li>Texas and California: These states have large economies and strong trade ties, particularly in energy and auto manufacturing, including electric vehicle batteries.</li>
</ul>
States with heavy reliance on trade with Canada and Mexico may experience localized economic challenges, including higher costs for businesses and consumers.
Trending: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/qnetic-2">This 12,000 RPM Spinning Battery With Over $100 Million In LOIs Could Be The Missing Link For Green Energy — Here&#8217;s Why Early Investors Are Flocking To Invest Before Funding Closes</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Goods Will Become More Expensive?</h2>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/25/02/43736972/us-retail-sales-fall-more-than-expected-raise-growth-concerns">U.S. consumers</a> may see price increases on a wide range of everyday products as a result of these tariffs. Some of the most affected goods, according to CNBC, include:
<ul>
<li>Energy: Canada is a major supplier of oil to the U.S., and tariffs could lead to increases in gasoline and heating prices. </li>
<li>Vehicles and auto parts: Mexico is a key player in providing auto parts, including those used in EVs, to the U.S. </li>
<li>Food and beverages: Beer imports from Mexico, along with fruits and vegetables, could see price hikes. Illinois, for example, imports over $5 billion worth of beer from Mexico annually.</li>
<li>Electronics: Several states import electronics for various industries and could see disruptions in their supply chains, impacting the cost of consumer electronics and medical devices. </li>
</ul>
See Also: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What About Retaliatory Measures?&nbsp;</h2>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43423087/canada-retaliates-against-trumps-tariffs-with-countermeasures-25-tariffs-on-107-billion-of-us-made-goods">Retaliation from Canada and Mexico</a> could further impact U.S. consumers and local economies. And there is a large risk that Canada and Mexico will retaliate to these tariffs. Leaders of both countries have already stated as much. According to media reports, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Canada has come up with a plan for retaliatory tariffs on up to $155 billion worth of American goods.&nbsp;
&#8220;We need to stand strong and send a clear message that Canadians will fight back,&#8221; Joly said.
After the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico were first announced, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum ordered retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. At a recent press conference, she said that her "Plan B" of retaliatory tariffs remains in place should Trump move forward with the imports on Mexico.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h2>
The confirmation of tariffs on Canada and Mexico signals upcoming economic shifts that will impact businesses and consumers alike. While some states will feel the effects more than others, price increases on everyday goods are likely. As the situation unfolds, consumers should stay informed and consider adjusting their <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43946260/kevin-oleary-says-people-waste-15k-a-year-on-stupid-stuff-like-buying-lunch-at-work-it-costs-you-99-cents-to-make-a-sandwich">spending habits</a> accordingly.
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Personal Finance

The Tariffs Are Going Forward On Time, On Schedule' Trump Confirms Canada And Mexico Tariffs - What Should U.S. Consumers Expect?

Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, praised Alphabet Inc.&#8216;s (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>) Waymo autonomous vehicles while criticizing Tesla Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) Full Self-Driving technology in a recent social media post, suggesting ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>) could face business challenges from Waymo&#8217;s expansion.
What Happened: &#8220;Waymos working Santa Monica in scale now. Uber has got to be hurting from this,&#8221; Gerber wrote Sunday on X. &#8220;Everyone we talk to loves the Waymo experience. The cars drive with confidence in very difficult conditions. My tesla FSD is like a 12 year old driving next to a Waymo.&#8221;
This isn&#8217;t the first time Gerber has criticized <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43583247/tesla-investor-ross-gerber-slams-fsd-on-cybertruck-as-not-usable-says-its-not-even-in-the-same-league-as-waymo">Tesla&#8217;s autonomous technology</a>. In early February, he reported &#8220;multiple disengagements over 40 miles&#8221; while testing FSD version 13.2.6 on the Cybertruck, describing it as &#8220;not usable&#8221; and stating Tesla&#8217;s technology is &#8220;not even in the same league as Waymo at this point.&#8221;
His assessment comes at a pivotal moment for Tesla&#8217;s autonomous driving ambitions. CEO Elon Musk recently predicted Tesla&#8217;s FSD would exceed human driving safety by the second quarter of 2025, but researcher Troy Teslike suggests Tesla is attempting to skip development steps that competitors like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/43576866/tesla-researcher-says-ev-giant-is-skipping-a-step-to-driverless-operations-it-took-waymo-three-years">Waymo spent years refining</a>.
<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">Waymos working Santa Monica in scale now. Uber has got to be hurting from this. Everyone we talk to loves the Waymo experience. The cars drive with confidence in very difficult conditions. My tesla FSD is like a 12 year old driving next to a Waymo. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24goog&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$goog</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24tsla&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$tsla</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24uber&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$uber</a>
&mdash; Ross Gerber (@GerberKawasaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/GerberKawasaki/status/1896258104939135093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44066830/junk-bond-warning-buffetts-tax-views-trumps-trust-musks-ubi-prediction-and-mortgage-rates-this-week-in-economy">Junk Bond Warning, Buffett&#8217;s Tax Views, Trump&#8217;s Trust, Musk&#8217;s UBI Prediction, And Mortgage Rates: This Week In Economy</a>
Why It Matters: Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs analyst Mark Delaney acknowledges &#8220;meaningful improvement&#8221; with FSD version 13 but maintains a cautious stance with a Neutral rating and $345 price target on Tesla stock. Delaney projects limited initial robotaxi revenue of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43036902/tesla-stock-valuation-analyst-flags-long-term-growth-opportunities-robotaxis-fsd">approximately $115 million by 2027</a>.
Tesla faces additional challenges <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43761581/ross-gerber-says-hes-eventually-selling-his-cybertruck-because-the-hate-is-real-as-protests-rock-tesla-showrooms">beyond technology concerns</a>. Gerber recently stated he intends to &#8220;eventually&#8221; sell his Cybertruck due to growing public animosity toward the Tesla brand, which he described as &#8220;broken.&#8221; This comes amid protests at Tesla showrooms across the U.S., targeting Musk&#8217;s role in the Trump administration&#8217;s Department of Government Efficiency.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also opened investigations into 2.6 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD following safety <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42894743/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-says-fsd-will-be-safer-than-human-drivers-in-q2-2025">concerns and reported incidents</a>.
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Image Via Shutterstock 
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

UBER

Tesla FSD 'Like a 12-Year-Old Driving' Compared To Waymo, Says Ross Gerber, Warning Uber 'Has Got To Be Hurting'

Macro Economic Events

Economics

China Feb Caixin Manufacturing PMI 50.8 vs 50.4 Est; 50.1 In Jan

The cryptocurrency market soared Sunday after President Donald Trump announced the inclusion of blue-chip coins in a&nbsp; U.S. strategic cryptocurrency reserve.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>+8.82%</td>
<td>$93,653.92</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>+12.07%</td>
<td>$2,482.58</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>+14.82%</td>
<td>$0.2362</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin soared past $95,000, rebounding losses from Friday&#8217;s dramatic plunge below $80,000.
Similarly, Ethereum clocked double-digit gains to rise above $2,500, following a brutal February that saw the second-largest cryptocurrency plunge more than 31%.
The rally came after Trump announced a cryptocurrency strategic reserve through his Truth social account that will hold some of the market's most valued and popular coins.
Initially, the post just mentioned XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>), Cardano (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ada/usd">ADA</a>), and Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>), sending these coins skyrocketing.&nbsp;
However, after a couple of hours, Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114093946326587357">said</a> Bitcoin and Ethereum would be at the "heart" of the reserve and that he loves the two assets.
The rally liquidated $813 million from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with $545 million in short positions getting hammered.
Bitcoin's Open Interest jumped 7.26% in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, 55% of traders on Binance were positioned long on the apex cryptocurrency, suggesting more upsides in the offing.
The Crypto Fear and Greed Index improved from "Extreme Fear" to "Fear" on this news.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cardano (ADA)</td>
<td>+70.39%</td>
<td>$1.12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>XRP (XRP)</td>
<td>+32.17%</td>
<td>$2.88</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IOTA (IOTA)</td>
<td>+27.98%</td>
<td>$0.2627</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.12 trillion, surging 10.57% in the last 24 hours.
Stock futures ticked lower Sunday evening. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures fell 47 points, or 0.11%, as of 8 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 dipped 0.10%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures lost 0.10%.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: In a note to Benzinga, Chris Kline, COO and Co-Founder of BitcoinIRA, said Trump's announcement and its implementation would "fuel cryptocurrency prices overall headed into spring."
"I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised to see Bitcoin reach $100,000 again soon. Perhaps we&#8217;ll even witness new all-time highs later this month if this positive momentum continues and market sentiment remains strong," Kline predicted.
Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez observed that Bitcoin's bull run was intact, according to the Adjusted Spent Output Profit Ratio indicator.&nbsp;
Note that the indicator reflects the degree of realized profit and loss for all coins moved on-chain.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> bull run remains intact, according to the aSORP indicator! <a href="https://t.co/GiorLwr2tE">pic.twitter.com/GiorLwr2tE</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1896352572593586624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Read Next:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44066066/robert-kiyosaki-forecasts-global-financial-meltdown-recommends-bitcoin-as-safe-haven-buy-bitcoin-gold-and-silver">Robert Kiyosaki Forecasts Global Financial Meltdown, Recommends Bitcoin As Safe Haven: &#8216;Buy Bitcoin, Gold and Silver&#8217;</a></li>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Movers

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Rally On Trump's Strategic Crypto Reserve Announcement: Analyst Says BTC's New ATH Possible This Month

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43872067/from-colas-to-taxes-trumps-social-security-changes-so-far">Leland Dudek</a>, a mid-level career employee at the Social Security Administration, found himself at the center of a major shake-up when he was appointed as the agency&#8217;s acting commissioner. Just days before his promotion, Dudek had publicly stated that he was placed on administrative leave for cooperating with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency and was actively searching for a new job.
His sudden elevation came after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43926826/social-security-in-uncertain-times-what-the-resignation-of-michelle-king-and-musks-doge-data-push-could-mean-for-beneficiaries">Michelle King</a>, a longtime SSA official, resigned following disputes with DOGE representatives over access to sensitive Social Security records. King's departure is part of a broader trend of career government officials stepping down due to concerns about DOGE's influence within federal agencies.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Under Investigation, Yet Promoted</h2>
Prior to his promotion, Dudek had been under investigation for allegedly sharing unauthorized access to SSA information with DOGE representatives, according to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/02/22/social-security-trump-doge-musk/">The Washington Post</a>. The agency's leadership team had reportedly placed him on paid leave over concerns that his actions may have violated privacy and tax laws. He was also accused of pressuring SSA personnel to expedite the clearance of DOGE engineers into the agency's systems.
Despite these concerns, President Donald Trump appointed Dudek as acting commissioner, bypassing more experienced senior officials within the agency. His appointment has raised concerns among lawmakers and watchdog groups, given his lack of executive experience and the ongoing investigation into his actions.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">DOGE's Growing Influence in the SSA</h2>
Dudek's appointment is seen as a reflection of DOGE's expanding role in federal agencies. The initiative, led by Musk and empowered by Trump, aims to cut waste and fraud in government operations. Musk publicly praised Dudek's promotion, by posting <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1892413385804792307?s=12">on X</a>, "Promote good players, exit bad players. That's the right thing to do."
However, the integration of DOGE personnel into SSA operations has sparked legal and political scrutiny. A group of Democratic senators, including ranking Senate Finance Committee&nbsp; member Ron Wyden and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, sent <a href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/letter_to_ssa_acting_commissionerpdf.pdf">a letter</a> questioning what information Dudek had shared with DOGE and what level of access the team has been granted.
Consumer advocates have also voiced concerns about the potential risks associated with DOGE accessing SSA's vast database, which contains private financial and medical information for millions of Americans. Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, stated in a <a href="https://socialsecurityworks.org/2025/02/17/elon-musk-is-stealing-your-personal-social-security-data/">press release</a>:
"The data at SSA leaking would make the numbers of scams skyrocket. And, if there is an intent to punish perceived enemies, someone could erase your earnings record, making it impossible to collect the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43901103/medicaid-faces-880-billion-cuts-but-trump-says-social-security-is-safe">Social Security and Medicare benefits</a> you have earned. There is no way to overstate how serious a breach this is. And my understanding is that it has already occurred."
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dudek's Response and Initial Actions</h2>
In response to the criticism, Dudek has attempted to reassure the public, stating that DOGE personnel only have "read access" to SSA systems and cannot alter benefit payments or records. He also claimed that he had invited oversight bodies, including the Government Accountability Office and the SSA's inspector general, to review his actions.
Since taking office, Dudek has made swift changes, including realigning the agency's Office of Analytics, Review, and Oversight to improve fraud detection efforts. He has also restructured several departments, reduced SSA's research initiatives, and demoted key officials involved in placing him on leave, according to The Post.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Uncertain Future for SSA Leadership</h2>
While Dudek's tenure as acting commissioner may be temporary, his appointment and the broader influence of DOGE signal significant shifts in SSA's leadership and operational focus. Trump's nominee for the permanent commissioner position, Fiserv (FI) CEO Frank Bisignano, still awaits Senate confirmation, leaving Dudek in charge for the time being.
As lawmakers and advocacy groups continue to raise concerns about privacy, governance, and transparency, Dudek's leadership and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43995014/elon-musks-influence-over-the-government-set-to-increase-trump-orders-all-federal-agencies-to-appoint-a-doge-commissar">role of DOGE in federal agencies</a> are likely to remain under intense scrutiny.
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How a Social Security Employee Under Investigation Rose to Lead the Agency

In a recent viral Reddit <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/budget/comments/1iuwny8/my_husband_and_i_spent_1164101_on_dining_out_for/">post</a>, a couple revealed they spent a staggering $11,641.01 on dining out in 2024 and now feel like &#8220;failures&#8221; for not cooking at home more often. Despite having a high combined income and no kids, they struggle with motivation, especially after long workdays.&nbsp;
&#8220;We both have lost the mental capacity to get ourselves to make food at home. How do you all do it? How do you have the willpower to cook at home even when you&#8217;re exhausted?&#8221; the&nbsp; poster admitted and asked for advice.&nbsp;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From Frugal Beginnings to Takeout Dependence</h2>
They also shared that when they first moved in together in 2020 and bought a house, their <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/06/39319996/are-you-wealthier-than-you-feel-a-shocking-amount-of-people-consider-themselves-poor-or-very-poo">financial situation was much different</a>. Their salaries were low, and they had to be extremely frugal, which meant cooking at home every day. Back then, they simply didn't have a choice. They <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/42880871/a-couple-asks-can-you-get-away-with-spending-only-300-per-month-on-groceries-heres-what-people-said-most-agreed-on-this-one-thing">had to make it work</a>. However, after their salaries increased significantly, their motivation to cook at home dropped. &#8220;Suddenly, we don't want to cook. Suddenly, we're too tired to cook.&#8221;
Their post received over 1,300 responses, with people offering practical solutions and tough love.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Real Problem</h2>
Many users pointed out that the couple's struggle isn&#8217;t necessarily about cooking itself but failing to plan meals before exhaustion kicks in. One commenter put it bluntly: &#8220;You cook before you get hungry. Not after a 10-hour shift.&#8221;
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Meal planning emerged as the most popular solution, with many suggesting setting aside time once a week to decide what to eat. &#8220;What my wife and I do is take 20-30 minutes each week to plan out our dinner menu in a shared note on our phones,&#8221; one Redditor explained. Having easy, ready-to-go meals like frozen pizzas, pre-cooked meats, and slow cooker recipes helps avoid the temptation to order takeout.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meal Prepping for the Win</h2>
Batch cooking was another game-changing tip. Many users swear by making large portions of meals that can be refrigerated or frozen for later. &#8220;I make 2-3 dishes and put them in containers, ready to heat and eat! Just need a carb, protein, and veg,&#8221; one user shared.
For those who don't like eating the same meal every night, another Redditor recommended prepping ingredients instead: &#8220;I cook the meat in batches so I'm halfway there. Mentally, it's easier if I just have to make the sides instead of the whole meal.&#8221;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Mindset Shift</h2>
One of the most liked comments suggested treating dining out as a reward, not a default option: &#8220;We only eat out to have fun and enjoy ourselves, not out of necessity or failure to plan.&#8221; Another user agreed: &#8220;Without fail, when we're stuffed, we love saying the meal was &#8216;free&#8217; as opposed to $100-200 at a restaurant.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is Spending This Much on Takeout Really a Problem?</h2>
A few users questioned whether the couple should even feel guilty in the first place. &#8220;If you are saving appropriately, what's the problem?&#8221; one asked. The original poster clarified that they're not financially struggling but felt the amount was &#8220;absurd.&#8221; &#8220;That's money that could've gone towards painting my house or another vacation.&#8221;
If you're stuck in a takeout rut, the solution might not be willpower—but a little planning and a few easy go-to meals.
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A Childless Couple Spent Almost $12K On Dining Out In 2024—Now They Feel Like Failures And Ask How To Build The Willpower To Cook At Home

Shaquille O'Neal doesn't just sign checks—he signs up for investments that align with his values, a lesson he credits to Jeff Bezos. The four-time NBA champion and business mogul says his financial success skyrocketed once he started using the Amazon founder's approach to investing.
O'Neal in 2019 <a href="https://www.wsj.com/video/shaquille-oneal-discusses-investing-franchising-and-donuts/8063A172-ABFF-496B-8700-4D51A6234054">told The Wall Street Journal</a>, "I heard Jeff Bezos say one time [that] he makes his investments based on if it's going to change people's lives. Once I started doing that strategy, I think I probably quadrupled what I'm worth."
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For O'Neal, this philosophy goes beyond just writing checks to the hottest startups. If he doesn't personally believe in a business, it doesn't matter how great the numbers look—he won't touch it. "Whenever I do business, it's not about the money," he said.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From Early Tech Bets to Billion-Dollar Exits</h2>
O'Neal's approach has led to some impressive wins. He was an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41432168/nba-icon-shaquille-oneal-says-an-accidental-babysitting-gig-led-to-his-early-investment-in-googl">early investor in Google</a> and has since built a diverse portfolio, with stakes in Apple, car washes, and Las Vegas nightclubs. But his investment in home security company Ring, is one of his biggest success stories.
He discovered the company while looking for an affordable security solution for his own home. After trying it, he was convinced—and rather than just buying the product, he decided to invest. That bet paid off when <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/09/40677330/shaq-refused-to-pay-80-000-for-security-and-made-a-surprising-choice-he-invested-in-a-company-bezos">Amazon acquired Ring for $1 billion in 2018</a>.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Shaq Walked Away from 17 Auntie Anne's Franchises</h2>
Not every investment sticks. At one point, O'Neal owned <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/12/42468734/nba-legend-shaq-owned-17-auntie-annes-franchises-but-sold-them-after-realizing-black-people-dont-like-pretzels-that-much">17 Auntie Anne's pretzel franchises</a>, but he eventually sold them off after realizing they didn't align with his values. "I had to ask myself: Do I really believe in this? The answer was no, so I let them go," he explained.
On the other hand, Krispy Kreme remains one of his favorite investments—mainly because he's been obsessed with the brand since college. "Krispy Kreme is a fabulous donut. I was introduced to it in college and have been in love with it ever since," he told The Journal.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The $100 Million Starbucks Mistake</h2>
O'Neal's investment record isn't flawless. One of his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/10/41144354/shaq-missed-a-deal-of-a-lifetime-with-starbucks-says-because-growing-up-hes-never-seen-a-black-perso">biggest missed opportunities</a>? Starbucks.
"When Howard Schultz wanted to do business with me, I looked at the deal and said, ‘Black people don't drink coffee,'" O'Neal admitted. "I was wrong."
That miscalculation cost him millions—and serves as a reminder that even the best investors can't predict every trend.
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The best investors don't just chase profits—they chase purpose. O'Neal's success is proof that understanding the why behind an investment is just as important as the how much. Money follows impact, and the businesses that truly thrive are the ones that solve real problems, not just pad bottom lines.
Shaq didn't build a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/42818956/nba-legend-shaq-says-he-wont-care-if-he-loses-every-dime-of-his-500-million-net-worth-i-dont-even-work-for-money-i-work-for-fun">$500 million empire</a> by spreading his bets across every shiny opportunity that came his way. He backed ideas that resonated with him, walked away from the ones that didn't, and wasn't afraid to admit when he got it wrong. His story isn't just about wealth—it's about being intentional.
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NBA Legend Shaq Says His Net Worth 'Quadrupled' Once He Took Note From Jeff Bezos And Started Investing In Things That 'Change People's Lives'

In the midst of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the United Kingdom has stepped up to provide&nbsp;export financing for Ukraine&#8217;s air&nbsp;defense. This commitment was made public during a meeting between Ukrainian President&nbsp;Volodymyr Zelenskyy&nbsp;and UK Prime Minister&nbsp;Keir Starmer.
What Happened: Zelenskyy and Starmer met in Downing Street on Saturday, preceding crisis talks with other European leaders scheduled for Sunday. This meeting was part of a London summit aimed at addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine. 
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has rejected any discussions of deploying peacekeepers in Ukraine without Moscow&#8217;s approval, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-britain-zelenskyy-europe-starmer-trump-russia-b980170ead74a1a7914c565f14ee6cc9">reports </a>Associated Press. 
Starmer emphasized that Europe must persist in funding Ukraine to bolster its position in the event of a peace negotiation. He revealed that the UK plans to utilize £1.6 billion ($2 billion) in export financing to provide 5,000 air defense missiles for Ukraine.
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The summit occurred amidst strained relations between the US and Ukraine, following a public disagreement between Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump. Despite this, Starmer reiterated that the US continues to be a crucial ally and that the peace plan for Ukraine is designed to secure US support.
The meeting, hosted by Starmer at Lancaster House, saw the participation of leaders from Germany, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Romania. 
The Turkish foreign minister, NATO secretary-general, and the presidents of the European Commission and European Council were also in attendance.
Why It Matters: The UK&#8217;s pledge of export financing for Ukraine&#8217;s air defense is a significant development in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. This move demonstrates the UK&#8217;s commitment to supporting Ukraine and its efforts to secure peace. 
The summit and subsequent discussions with European leaders further underscore the international community&#8217;s concern over the situation in Ukraine and their collective efforts to find a resolution.
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Global

UK Commits Export Financing For Ukraine's Air Defense Amid Ongoing Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Apple Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is grappling with an artificial intelligence (AI) crisis, as its rivals, including&nbsp;Amazon.com Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), surge ahead in the AI technology race.
Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman in his <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-03-02/apple-siri-compared-with-alexa-m4-macbook-air-and-ipad-air-2025-coming-soon-m7rn2k2y?srnd=undefined&amp;sref=TBDibEcD">latest</a> weekly &#8220;Power On&#8221; has shared that, Apple&#8217;s AI shortcomings have been exposed following the unveiling of Amazon&#8217;s Alexa+. Despite Apple&#8217;s early lead in the AI field with the launch of Siri in 2011, the tech giant has struggled to keep pace with advancements in generative AI technology.
Apple&#8217;s AI-infused version of Siri, unveiled last June, promised to tap into personal data for better responses and precise control of features and apps. However, the company has yet to deliver a fully functional prototype, with engineers scrambling to complete it by May.
Apple&#8217;s&nbsp;broader suite of AI features, dubbed Apple Intelligence, has been rolling out since last October. However, these features are viewed as &#8220;nice-to-have&#8221; options at best, with some being deemed essentially useless. The company&#8217;s attempt to integrate OpenAI&#8217;s ChatGPT into its software has also been poorly executed, lacking conversational abilities and feeling like an afterthought.
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Internal company data indicates that real-world usage of Apple Intelligence features is extremely low. The company&#8217;s failure to match the competition in AI&nbsp;could have potentially devastating consequences, as AI is poised to become a pervasive part of our lives.
Apple&#8217;s next version of Siri, likely to be released in May, will be a crucial test for the company&#8217;s ability to bounce back in the AI race. 
The company&#8217;s&nbsp;plan is to merge both&nbsp;systems together and roll out&nbsp;a new Siri architecture as part of iOS 19. However, insiders believe that a truly&nbsp;modernized, conversational version of Siri&nbsp;won&#8217;t&nbsp;reach consumers until iOS 20&nbsp;in 2027, putting Apple half a decade behind its rivals.
Unfortunately, no context articles were provided to develop this section. However, the importance of AI in the current tech landscape cannot be overstated. 
As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, the tech companies that lead in this field will likely dominate the market. Apple&#8217;s struggle to keep pace with its competitors in AI could have significant implications for its future market position.
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Apple's AI Crisis: Falling Behind In The AI Race?

These eight mid-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?
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<li>Root, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROOT#NASDAQ">ROOT</a>) stock gained 34.89% after the company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43993814" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">better-than-expected Q4</a> financial results. Wells Fargo raised the price forecast on the stock <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ROOT/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">from $80 to $97</a>.</li>
<li>Bridge Investment Group Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRDG#NYSE">BRDG</a>) shares jumped 32.45% after the company entered a deal to be acquired by Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APO#NYSE">APO</a>) in an all-stock <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43917364" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transaction valued at around $1.5 billion</a>. Analysts revised the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/brdg/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>Huron Consulting Gr (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HURN#NASDAQ">HURN</a>) shares rose 23.21% after the company reported better-than-<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43956537" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expected quarterly financial results</a>. Also, multiple firms raised their respective <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/hurn/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPW#NYSE">MPW</a>) shares increased 21.15% after the company reported better-<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44004172" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">than-expected financial results</a>.</li>
<li>ZoomInfo Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZI#NASDAQ">ZI</a>) stock escalated 20.83% after the company reported 2024 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43990629" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fiscal-year fourth-quarter earnings</a>. Scotiabank analyst Allan Verkhovski maintained a Sector Perform rating and raised the price <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/zi/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forecast from $10.3 to $11</a>.</li>
<li>Lantheus Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LNTH#NASDAQ">LNTH</a>) stock rose 19.93% after it reported quarterly adjusted <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43968835" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EPS and sales above estimates</a>. Truist Securities analyst Richard Newitter maintained a Buy rating and raised the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/lnth/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast from $120 to $127</a>.</li>
<li>Alignment Healthcare, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALHC#NASDAQ">ALHC</a>) stock gained 19.04% after the company reported better-than-expected Q4 financial results and issued an FY25 outlook. Multiple analyst firms raised their respective <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ALHC/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecasts on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>VSE (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VSEC#NASDAQ">VSEC</a>) stock jumped 18.49%  after the company reported better-than-<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43990909" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expected fourth-quarter results</a>.</li>
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Photo via Shutterstock
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/03/44067248/tesla-palantir-and-microstrategy-are-among-top-12-large-cap-losers-last-week-feb-24-feb-28-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla, Palantir And MicroStrategy Are Among Top 12 Large-Cap Losers Last Week (Feb 24-Feb 28): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
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Mid Cap

ALHC

BRDG

HURN

LNTH

ROOT

VSEC

Root And ZoomInfo Are Among Top 8 Mid-Cap Gainers Last Week (Feb 24-Feb 28): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

In a surprising turn of events two decades ago, Warren Buffett invested in RV manufacturer, Forest River, a move that has proven to be a profitable venture for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>). The recently passed founder of Forest River, Pete Liegl, played a significant role in this success story.
What Happened: Buffett was not familiar with the RV industry or Liegl when he was presented with a proposal to acquire Forest River. Despite his unfamiliarity, he was captivated by the business and its $800 million price tag. After a short meeting with Liegl, Buffett made an offer and the deal was finalized.
Following the acquisition, Forest River has emerged as a top RV manufacturer in the U.S., raking in roughly $6 billion in annual revenue. 
According to the report <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/warren-buffett-berkshire-letter-rv-pete-liegl-f3519820?mod=hp_featst_pos3">by </a>The Wall Street Journal, Liegl, who continued to manage the company post-sale, was lauded by Buffett as an &#8220;extraordinary entrepreneur&#8221; whose contributions significantly increased the wealth of Berkshire shareholders.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43903538/buffetts-key-lessons-in-berkshire-annual-letter-really-outstanding-businesses-are-very-seldom-offered-in-their-entirety">Buffett&#8217;s Key Lessons in Berkshire Annual Letter: &#8216;Really Outstanding Businesses Are Very Seldom Offered in Their Entirety&#8217;</a>
Despite his achievements, Liegl remained humble, upholding a strong work ethic and a direct involvement in his business. His philosophy was straightforward: &#8220;The&nbsp;best product at the best&nbsp;price is everything,&#8221; he once stated to RV Business, an industry publication.
Liegl&#8217;s legacy continues to fuel Forest River&#8217;s success even after his demise, demonstrating that Buffett&#8217;s unanticipated investment was a sound decision.
Why It Matters: This investment by Buffett underscores his knack for identifying potential in unconventional sectors. Despite his unfamiliarity with the RV industry, he saw potential in Forest River and its founder, Pete Liegl. 
This decision has paid off handsomely, with Forest River now being a leading RV manufacturer in the U.S. Liegl&#8217;s philosophy of providing the best product at the best price aligns with Buffett&#8217;s own investment philosophy, further validating the decision to invest. 
This story serves as a reminder of the importance of vision and the ability to identify potential in unexpected places.
Read Next
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Success Stories

Here's How Warren Buffett Made Billions From An Industry He Didn't Understand

Kevin O'Leary, the businessman and TV personality, recently claimed that the U.S. government has not been audited in a century. However, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights Tom Malinowski quickly corrected him during a CNN interview, pushing back against what he called a &#8220;ridiculous&#8221; argument.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">O&#8217;Leary&#8217;s Claim: &#8216;There&#8217;s No Way To Be Surgically Precise&#8217;</h2>
During the discussion, O&#8217;Leary argued that cutting government spending requires broad action because there is no way to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43853560/we-are-not-waste-education-researchers-slam-elon-musks-881-million-cuts-that-shut-down-studies-on-student-learning-and-school-data">precisely identify waste</a>. &#8220;Yes, you can&#8217;t be surgically precision. There&#8217;s no way to be surgically precision in this. You have to cut more because you just don&#8217;t know,&#8221; O&#8217;Leary <a href="https://x.com/Acyn/status/1894257305694474531">stated</a>. He went on to say, &#8220;Remember, we&#8217;ve never audited government for 100 years. Never done this before.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">O'Leary: We've never audited the government for 100 years. Malinowski: It helps to know some things if we're going to have this debate. Every agency of the federal government is audited by independent inspectors general. one of the first things that Trump and Musk did was fire… <a href="https://t.co/d3NEmlxBNz">pic.twitter.com/d3NEmlxBNz</a>
&mdash; Acyn (@Acyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1894257305694474531?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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Malinowski immediately pushed back on O'Leary's assertion, saying, &#8220;Every agency of the federal government is audited by independent inspectors general.&#8221; He said the United States Agency for International Development alone underwent more than 60 audits last year.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trump&#8217;s Mass Firing Of Government Watchdogs</h2>
Malinowski also pointed out that President Donald Trump removed several inspectors general, the independent watchdogs responsible for keeping federal agencies in check. &#8220;One of the first things that Donald Trump and Elon Musk did was to fire all of the inspectors general. They fired the auditors and they put in charge this billionaire with his 50 child interns who know absolutely nothing about the federal government,&#8221; Malinowski said.
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Trump dismissed 17 inspectors general across various federal agencies, skipping the legally required 30-day notice to Congress. The firings, described by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer as a &#8220;chilling purge,&#8221; have been criticized for weakening oversight and allowing potential corruption. &#8220;Inspectors General are the cops on the beat preventing bad things from happening,&#8221; Max Stier, president of the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, <a href="https://ourpublicservice.org/press-release/partnership-for-public-service-statement-on-removal-of-inspectors-general/">said in a statement</a>.&nbsp;
Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley also questioned the move, saying, &#8220;There may be good reason the IGs were fired. We need to know that if so&#8230; Regardless, the 30-day detailed notice of removal that the law demands was not provided to Congress.&#8221;
See Also: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-private-credit-fund">7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it</a>?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Government Waste Exists—But There&#8217;s A Right Way To Fix It</h2>
While Malinowski acknowledged that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43759664/trump-investigates-u-s-debt-for-fraud-suggests-treasury-payments-might-not-count">government inefficiencies</a> exist, he disagreed with O'Leary's idea of simply firing people before investigating. &#8220;What you&#8217;re talking about might work for a company that makes widgets because we can do without the company that makes widgets for a few months while you get in there and you restructure it,&#8221; he said. &#8220;You <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43771492/chuck-schumer-blasts-trump-faa-layoffs-after-delta-plane-overturns-on-landing-in-toronto-president-fired-safety-specialists">can&#8217;t do that to the [Federal Aviation Administration]</a> unless people aren&#8217;t going to fly in planes for the next four or five months. You can&#8217;t do that to the Defense Department unless you don&#8217;t want to defend this country for the next four or five months.&#8221;
Malinowski emphasized that reducing waste should be done through proper channels: &#8220;Do the investigation. Work with Congress. Work with these employees. Do it right. It's been done before.&#8221;
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