Blue Foundry Bancorp Bolsa (NASDAQ: BLFY)

Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQ:BLFY) Bolsa

Blue Foundry

Blue Foundry Bancorp is a full-service bank. Its business consists of originating one-to-four-family residential, multi-family, and non-residential real estate mortgages, home equity loans and lines of credit, and commercial and industrial loans. It attracts retail deposits from the general public in the areas surrounding its banking offices, through its borrowers, and through its online presence, offering a wide variety of deposit products. The bank also invests in securities. Its revenues are derived from interest on loans and, to a lesser extent, interest on mortgage-backed and other investment securities. The company's sources of funds are deposits, principal, and interest payments on loans, securities, and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.

Blue Foundry Bancorp

B of A Securities analyst Vivek Arya maintains Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CDNS#NASDAQ">CDNS</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $320 to $350.

News

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

CDNS

B of A Securities Maintains Buy on Cadence Design Systems, Raises Price Target to $350

American consumers are growing sharply more pessimistic, with expectations about their financial future plunging to the lowest levels since October 2011. 
Inflation expectations spike as job prospects darken, underscoring the economic challenges surfacing as President Donald Trump <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-100-days-michigan-whitmer-2e30695aa185a785cc1037ab74c19a55">celebrates</a> his first 100 days in office with a rally in Michigan.
In a report shared Tuesday by The Conference Board, the Consumer Confidence Index dropped 7.9 points in April to 86, the lowest reading since March 2023 and part of a five-month losing streak. 
The Expectations Index, which reflects consumers' outlook on income, business and labor conditions for the next six months, collapsed to 54.4, a 13-year low not seen since October 2011. Historically, values below 80 have preceded recessions in the U.S.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Pervasive Pessimism Grips US Consumers</h3>
The April drop "was largely driven by consumers' expectations," said Stephanie Guichard, senior economist at The Conference Board. All three subcomponents—future business conditions, employment, and income—showed a sharp deterioration, she added.
"Notably, the share of consumers expecting fewer jobs in the next six months was 32.1%, which is nearly as high as in April 2009, in the middle of the Great Recession," Guichard said.
The proportion of consumers anticipating an income decline also rose, hitting 18.2% in April from 14.9% in March. 
Meanwhile, only 15% expect their income to rise—down from 17.1%—marking the first time in five years that income expectations turned clearly negative, a sign that Americans are not just anxious about the economy at large but also increasingly doubtful about their personal financial situations.
Consumer spending intentions—a key indicator of future demand—are also faltering. The six-month moving average shows declining plans to purchase homes, cars and vacations. 
April saw a pullback in intentions to buy major appliances and electronics, although those figures remain higher compared to earlier months.
Even spending on services, which had been resilient, showed weakness. While dining out remains the top spending priority among services, the share of consumers planning to spend more in this category posted one of the steepest monthly declines on record.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Inflation Expectations Soar Amid Tariff Concerns</h3>
Average inflation expectations for the next 12 months jumped to 7%, the highest level since November 2022. 
In an environment where the Federal Reserve has yet to resume interest rate cuts, persistently high inflation expectations could be a red flag for policymakers hoping to avoid stalling economic growth.
At the same time, equity market turbulence appears to be adding to consumer anxiety. According to the Conference Board, 48.5% of respondents expect stock prices to decline over the next year—the highest proportion since 2011.
"High financial market volatility in April pushed consumers' views about the stock market deeper into negative territory," Guichard said.
One of the most unexpected findings from April's survey was a surge in concern over tariffs. 
Consumer write-ins revealed that worries about rising tariffs and their impact on prices are at an all-time high. 
While inflation and cost-of-living pressures remain dominant themes, new mentions of tariffs suggest that geopolitical and trade-related risks are starting to affect household sentiment.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Recession Fears Take Hold</h3>
Beyond the headline figures, one of the clearest warning signals is the rise in the share of consumers anticipating a U.S. recession in the next 12 months. 
The share of consumers who consider a recession somewhat or very likely within the next 12 months has surged to 72%, highlighting the deepest level of economic anxiety in over two years.
With interest rate expectations shifting higher and job prospects dimming, the data paints a clear picture: consumers are tightening their belts and bracing for economic turbulence.
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</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Macro Economic Events

Econ #s

Economics

US Consumer Expectations Falls To 13-Year Lows As Recession Fears, Inflation Worries Surge

Funk is in the air—and now, it's in your pre-roll.
George Clinton, the godfather of funk, is teaming up with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/25/04/42034019/wiz-khalifa-talks-smoking-with-snoop-dreaming-of-bob-marley-riding-horses-with-lenny-kravitz-and">Wiz Khalifa</a> to launch THE FUNK, a new line of infused <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/25/04/44929611/why-pre-rolls-are-cannabis-most-profitable-format-from-california-to-canada">cannabis pre-rolls</a> debuting this week at Planet 13 (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLNH#OTC">PLNH</a>) Las Vegas, one of the world's largest dispensaries.
The product is dropping Friday, May 2 at 4 p.m. PT, with Clinton appearing for a fan meet-and-greet at Planet 13&#8217;s flagship location at 2548 W Desert Inn Rd. The celebration continues afterward at DAZED!, the onsite consumption lounge.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cosmic Energy Meets Cult Cannabis</h3>
"I'm beyond stoked to be joining forces with my man Wiz Khalifa on this project," said Clinton. "When Wiz first brought up this collab, I instantly knew something cosmic was about to happen. Just like the music lifts your spirit, THE FUNK elevates your consciousness to a whole new dimension. Now you can feel THE FUNK—whether you're spinning our vinyl or sparking something up. It's all the same journey, ya dig?"
For Wiz, the partnership was a no-brainer.
"I love George Clinton. When he said he was down to work on a weed project, I knew we were going to make it extra dope," said Khalifa. "THE FUNK is awesome and will get you high as can be. You need the Funk."
Also read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/25/04/42034019/wiz-khalifa-talks-smoking-with-snoop-dreaming-of-bob-marley-riding-horses-with-lenny-kravitz-and">Wiz Khalifa Talks Smoking With Snoop, Dreaming Of Bob Marley, Riding Horses With Lenny Kravitz And Selling Weed In Germany</a>
THE FUNK will be sold under the Khalifa Kush umbrella, which opened its first &#8220;store-in-store&#8221; at Planet 13 last summer. The line kicks off with pre-rolls, but according to DJ Saul, CEO of Khalifa Kush, more products—including additional cannabis formats and limited-edition accessories—are already in the works.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Planet 13 Exclusive</h3>
The collaboration adds another chapter to Planet 13&#8217;s growing list of celebrity drops.
"Khalifa Kush is wildly popular at Planet 13 so we're confident THE FUNK will be a hit," said Larry Scheffler, co-CEO of Planet 13. "Having the legendary George Clinton—one of the true pioneers of funk music—join us to celebrate this launch makes the experience even more exciting for our customers."
Planet 13&#8217;s Las Vegas superstore has become a go-to for high-profile brand activations, known for blending cannabis retail with celebrity culture and entertainment.
Photo courtesy of Planet 13

Cannabis

PLNH

Wiz Khalifa Teams Up With George Clinton To Drop An Infused Cannabis Line

Jeff Bezos is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/42818961/jeff-bezos-urged-his-brother-and-sister-to-invest-10000-in-amazon-the-stake-grew-15499900-and-its-now-potentially-worth-1-5-billion">known for building Amazon</a> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) into a trillion-dollar force. But in the early days, even the founder of one of the world's most disruptive companies had moments that could only be described as, well, a little embarrassing.
Speaking at the <a href="https://youtu.be/s7ZvBy1SROE?feature=shared">Academy of Achievement Summit in 2001</a>, Bezos shared a story that proves even the smartest guy in the room can sometimes miss the obvious. Back in 1995, Amazon was nothing more than a scrappy startup operating out of a 2,000-square-foot basement in Seattle. Bezos and a handful of employees, most still working other day jobs, would gather after hours to pack books for the brand-new online bookstore.
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"We had so many orders that we weren't ready for that," Bezos said. "We had no real organization in our distribution centers at all. In fact, we were packing on our hands and knees on a hard concrete floor."
It didn't take long for the aches and pains to kick in. "Packing is killing me, you know, my back hurts, this is killing my knees on this hard cement floor," Bezos recalled saying to the employee next to him. Then came his brilliant idea—or so he thought.
"You know what we need, this is my brilliant insight: we need knee pads," he said, dead serious.
The response was immediate—and humbling.
"This person looked at me like I was the stupidest person they'd ever seen," Bezos admitted, laughing at himself. Instead of knee pads, the employee fired back with a much simpler, much smarter idea: "What we need is packing tables."
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Bezos didn't miss a beat. "I thought that was the smartest idea I had ever heard," he said. The very next day, they bought packing tables, and according to Bezos, it doubled Amazon's productivity during that critical early stage.
Looking back, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42935158/whats-the-internet-jeff-bezos-faced-clueless-investors-before-launching-amazon-had-to-give-up-20-of-the-company-for-only-1-million">Bezos credited moments like these</a> with helping shape Amazon's customer-first culture. "We were so unprepared," he said, calling it "probably one of the luckiest things that ever happened to us because it formed a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39175566/jeff-bezos-once-picked-up-the-phone-and-called-amazon-customer-support-to-make-a-point-and-set-off-w">culture of customer service in every department</a>."
Bezos may not have nailed it with the knee pads, but he walked away with something even more valuable: the understanding that the best ideas often come from those closest to the work. Even <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/08/40443148/jeff-bezos-said-i-predict-one-day-amazon-will-fail-and-claims-large-companies-only-last-30-plus-year">after stepping down as CEO</a>, he kept building the company around a simple idea — listen to your people, stay obsessed with making things better, and never assume you're the smartest one in the room.
It's a reminder that no title or success protects you from missing the obvious. Sometimes, the smartest move isn't having the first idea — it's recognizing the right one when you hear it. And sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs start with a simple suggestion from the floor.
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Image: Shutterstock

AMZN

Jeff Bezos Says An Employee 'Looked At Me Like I Was the Stupidest Person They'd Ever Seen' — Then Offered A Simple Idea That Changed Amazon

Citigroup analyst Jon Tower maintains Domino's Pizza (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DPZ#NASDAQ">DPZ</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $480 to $500.

Citigroup Maintains Neutral on Domino's Pizza, Raises Price Target to $500

Most parents figure they'll start teaching their kids about money when the time feels right — maybe after their first summer job, maybe after they blow their first paycheck on sneakers. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44981934/taxes-dont-fund-wars-printing-money-funds-them-says-grant-cardone-he-calls-it-the-invisible-tax-that-hits-everyone">Grant Cardone</a> had a different timeline in mind: age six.
The real estate mogul, who's built a fortune investing in properties — and flipping public opinion with some pretty wild takes, including calling a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43697572/you-cannot-live-on-400000-a-year-real-estate-mogul-grant-cardone-insists-making-any-less-is-embarrassing-as-a-husband-or-human-being">$400,000 salary "embarrassing"</a> — decided his daughters didn't need to wait for a fast-food gig to learn how the real world works.
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In a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8j7Q1LH/">TikTok clip posted to his channel</a> this week, Cardone shared just how early he put his daughters, Sabrina and Scarlett, on the payroll. And the caption said it all: "Do not handicap your kids by spoiling them… no freeloading in the Cardone household."
According to Cardone, it all started when the girls — now 13 and 15 — were 6 years old and attending traditional school.
"They were coming home unhappy — ‘so-and-so said this' — and I'm like, ‘dude, let's just pull out of this,'" he said in the video.
"I don't know who these people are. So we started homeschooling. They travel with us everywhere, they're on payroll now, and they have contracts."
Real contracts, real expectations.
"They've been working since they were six," Cardone said. "We put them on payroll. Here's $35,000 a year. There's a contract — sign the contract."
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And it wasn't just an honorary title — his daughters had to actually read the fine print.
"They're looking at the contract like, ‘Oh my God, I gotta do that?' Cause they know you sign that, you're gonna be held to that," Cardone explained.
Once the paperwork was signed, Cardone didn't just hand them cash to burn at the mall.
"I give them $35,000, and then I take $35,000 and put it in Cardone Capital," he said. "So they become investors."
At first, the girls earned around $200 a month in passive income. If they wanted something — nails, clothes, anything — they had to cover it themselves.
"They want money, they have $200 a month," he said. "So I don't buy their stuff. They buy their stuff and it makes them feel better about themselves."
And if they wanted extras, the answer was just as blunt:
"Papa, I wanna get my nails done."
"Okay, how much is that? 80 bucks. You got your own money. Pay for your own sh&#x2A;t."
His rule of thumb?
"May as well get used to it at six cause you're going to be doing it until you're 60."
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But is putting your six-year-old on payroll actually legal?
Turns out, it can be — if done right. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/family-employees">IRS allows parents to hire their children</a> for legitimate work as long as the job is appropriate for their age and the pay is reasonable. Kids modeling for company materials, doing social media content, or other real services can all qualify. Just signing them up for a paycheck with no work behind it? That's not going to fly.
In a time when <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44968496/theyre-probably-going-to-live-to-120-jpmorgans-jamie-dimon-says-gen-z-should-stop-worrying-and-start-building-a-better-future">younger generations often get labeled as entitled</a> or allergic to hard work, Cardone is doubling down on a different playbook: start early, set expectations, and let them earn the life they want.
Whether you think it's brilliant or brutal, one thing's clear — freeloading isn't part of the Cardone family business.
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Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

Grant Cardone Says His Daughters Have Been Working Since They Were 6 And Make $35,000 A Year — 'No Freeloading In The Cardone Household'

Saying "please" and "thank you" to ChatGPT might sound like harmless manners—but it's draining millions from OpenAI's pockets. On April 16, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded to a question on <a href="https://x.com/sama/status/1912646035979239430">X</a>, where a user asked about the cost of politeness toward AI.&nbsp;
Altman replied that these small additions were "tens of millions of dollars well spent," hinting at a surprising financial ripple effect tied to human-AI interactions.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tiny Phrases, Massive Impact</h2>
OpenAI's ChatGPT, like other generative AI tools, runs on large language models that require intense computing power. These systems operate within high-performance data centers equipped with thousands of graphics processing units.&nbsp;
Each polite phrase added to a prompt—like "please" or "thank you"—extends the token count, increasing the energy needed for processing.
According to <a href="https://epoch.ai/gradient-updates/how-much-energy-does-chatgpt-use">Epoch AI</a>, a single ChatGPT reply consumes around 0.3 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. That's roughly ten times more than a basic Google search. With around a billion prompts processed daily, these additional tokens stack up fast—boosting energy usage and operating costs.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Data Centers Are Feeling the Heat</h2>
The environmental footprint of AI is growing alongside its popularity. According to <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ai-will-drive-doubling-of-data-center-energy-demand-by-2030/">Scientific America</a>, data centers currently use approximately 1.5% of global electricity. That number is expected to double by 2030 as AI use scales up worldwide.
In addition to electricity demands, cooling these centers requires massive amounts of water. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/09/18/energy-ai-use-electricity-water-data-centers/">The Washington Post</a> reported that generating a short 100-word email can burn up to 0.14 kWh—the equivalent of keeping 14 LED bulbs lit for an hour.&nbsp;
Multiply that by billions of interactions, and even small phrases contribute meaningfully to the load.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Politeness Is a Trend—And A Choice</h2>
Why are people so polite to machines? According to <a href="https://www.techradar.com/computing/artificial-intelligence/are-you-polite-to-chatgpt-heres-where-you-rank-among-ai-chatbot-users?lctg=89038&amp;utm_source=digitaltrends&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=subscriber_id:89038&amp;utm_campaign=DTDaily20250228">TechRadar</a>, which cited a report by Future, 67% of Americans regularly say "please" and "thank you" when speaking to chatbots. Of those, 55% believe it&#8217;s the ethical thing to do. Another 12% admitted they do it to avoid offending AI—just in case machines become self-aware.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Manners May Shape Machine Responses</h2>
Polite language doesn't only affect costs—it may influence the quality of AI replies. In January, Kurtis Beavers, design director for Microsoft Copilot, told <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/why-using-a-polite-tone-with-ai-matters#:~:text=Say%20thank%20you%20when%20it,practice%20for%20interacting%20with%20humans.">Microsoft WorkLab</a> that respectful phrasing tends to prompt more thoughtful, collaborative responses from AI systems. "When it clocks politeness, it's more likely to be polite back."&nbsp;
When users approach AI with respectful language, they're more likely to slow down, clarify their intent, and get better outcomes. It's a communication habit that benefits both the human and the machine.
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Image: Shutterstock

Sam Altman Says 'Please' And 'Thank You' To ChatGPT Cost OpenAI 'Tens Of Millions' — But Adds It Was 'Well Spent'

As <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/25/04/44733390/march-inflation-rate-cools-far-more-than-expected-raises-hopes-for-near-term-fed-rate-cuts">inflation</a> continues to pinch wallets across generations, younger diners are finding creative ways to stretch their dining dollars. Gen Z, in particular, is reshaping the restaurant industry with budget-savvy behaviors that prioritize value over extravagance — and it&#8217;s making waves at chain restaurants across the country.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sharing Plates and Ordering from the Kids' Menu</h2>
Rather than each diner ordering their own full-priced entrée, many <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44607177/gen-z-keeps-swiping-as-boomers-hit-the-brakes-chase-spending-data-shows-shifting-consumer-habits">Gen Z customers</a> are splitting appetizers, sharing main courses, or even ordering kids' meals to save money when dining out. These strategies help Gen Zers manage costs while still enjoying the social experience of eating out.
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It's not just about cutting corners — many younger diners view dining out as a special occasion, and sharing plates allows them to try a variety of menu items without breaking the bank. As restaurant prices have surged — <a href="https://financebuzz.com/fast-casual-inflation-data-study">Finance Buzz</a> reports an average 42% price increase at 16 popular chains between 2020 and 2025 — it's no surprise that smaller, lower-cost orders have become more common.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Social Media Guides Their Choices</h2>
Social media plays a major role in how Gen Z chooses where to dine. According to a <a href="https://www.eater.com/press-room/24388888/future-generations-restaurant-dining-survey-research">survey</a> by Eater and Vox Media, 77% of Gen Z respondents said they find new restaurants through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, compared to just 21% of boomers.
Restaurant aesthetics, food presentation, and peer reviews all weigh heavily into their decisions. Mia Jones, a 26-year-old growth strategist, told <a href="https://fortune.com/article/gen-z-different-attitude-about-dining-baby-boomers-millennials/">Fortune</a> she relies on social media "reviews" from fellow foodies before trying a new restaurant. For many Gen Z diners, if a restaurant isn&#8217;t trending online, it might not even make the list.
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This heavy reliance on social media also extends to menu decisions. &#8220;What I ordered&#8221; videos showcasing kids' meals or shared platters often inspire younger diners to seek out those options for better value.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Smaller Portions, Smarter Choices</h2>
Restaurants are starting to adapt to these changing habits. Chains like Panera Bread have leaned into offerings like the "You Pick Two" deal, allowing customers to enjoy smaller portions for under $10. Subway has introduced a snack-focused menu for diners looking for affordable, lighter meals.
Fortune reports that some restaurants have even embraced adults ordering from the kids' menu as a smart way to offer portion-controlled, cost-effective meals without alienating younger customers.
Influencers like Ashley Garrett have even built followings by reviewing kids' meals for adults. Garrett, 33, eats kids' meals several times a week and believes the smaller portions and lower prices better match her needs.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Other Generations Compare</h2>
While Gen Z might be leading the charge toward lower-cost dining strategies, inflation has affected diners across the board. The Eater/Vox Media survey found that 86% of all diners have changed their habits, often opting for less expensive menu items or planning their outings around deals and discounts.
Baby boomers, however, tend to treat dining out as an indulgent experience, with some even increasing their spending on alcohol, according to Fortune. Unlike Gen Z, boomers prioritize comfort and relaxation when dining out and are less likely to trust social media recommendations.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Looking Ahead</h2>
With <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/25/04/45022780/high-mortgage-rates-economic-uncertainty-rain-on-spring-home-buying-season">economic uncertainty</a> lingering and restaurant prices staying high, Gen Z's thrifty dining habits could influence the industry for years to come. By embracing smaller portions, prioritizing peer recommendations, and getting creative with menu choices, younger diners are not only saving money but also reshaping what it means to dine out in 2025.
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$8 Kids Meals Over $28 Entrees: Gen Z Turns Chain Restaurants Into A Budgeting Strategy

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is raising concerns about what he sees as an urgent crisis: the extreme concentration of wealth at the top. And he is making it clear that this is not just a problem for the U.S.
&#8220;Oligarchy is not just a crisis for the U.S.,&#8221; Sanders said in a recent <a href="https://x.com/BernieSanders/status/1914770211926155264">post</a> on X. &#8220;Globally, while millions face hunger and death from preventable illnesses, the top 1% owns more wealth than the bottom 95%.&#8221;
<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">Oligarchy is not just a crisis for the U.S. Globally, while millions face hunger and death from preventable illnesses, the top 1% owns more wealth than the bottom 95%. As Pope Francis reminded us, we need a global economy that works for all, not just billionaires.
&mdash; Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/status/1914770211926155264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Global Wake-Up Call</h2>
Sanders referenced <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44892537/pope-francis-first-south-american-pontiff-and-peoples-pope-dies-at-88">late Pope Francis&#8217;</a> call for a fairer economic system, saying, &#8220;We need a global economy that works for all, not just billionaires.&#8221; His remarks come as 2024 data from Oxfam shows that the richest 1% now own more wealth than 95% of the world&#8217;s population combined.
Oxfam&#8217;s <a href="https://oi-files-d8-prod.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2024-09/Multilateralism%20in%20an%20Era%20of%20Global%20Oligarchy%20FINAL%20-%20ENGLISH.pdf">report</a>, &#8220;Multilateralism in an Era of Global Oligarchy,&#8221; highlights how billionaires and mega-corporations are increasingly shaping global rules to favor their interests. Billionaires either run or are principal shareholders of over a third of the world&#8217;s 50 largest corporations, which together are worth $14 trillion. Meanwhile, Global South countries, home to 79% of the world&#8217;s population, control just 31% of global wealth.
&#8220;The shadow of global oligarchy hangs over this year&#8217;s UN General Assembly,&#8221; Amitabh Behar, Oxfam International&#8217;s executive director, said in a <a href="https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/worlds-top-1-own-more-wealth-95-humanity-shadow-global-oligarchy-hangs-over-un">press release</a>. &#8220;The ultra-wealthy and the mega-corporations they control are shaping global rules to serve their interests at the expense of people everywhere.&#8221;
Trending: Donald Trump Just Announced a $500 Billion AI Infrastructure Deal — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/seize-a-share-while-you-still-can-in-the-2-trillion-entertainment-market-with-elf-labs-at-just-2-25-share">Here's How You Can Invest in the Entertainment Market's Next Big Disruptor for Just $998</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fighting Inequality at Home</h2>
In the U.S., Sanders is also focused on stopping what he calls &#8220;Robin Hood in reverse.&#8221; He <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44075859/robin-hood-in-reverse-bernie-sanders-slams-republicans-for-taking-from-the-working-people-and-the-poor-and-g">accuses Republicans</a> of trying to take from working people and the poor to give more to billionaires through a proposed budget he says will hand out massive tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans while slashing essential programs like Medicaid, education, and housing.
&#8220;There are very few people in this country who think that at a time of massive income and wealth inequality… that billionaires need a huge tax break,&#8221; Sanders told <a href="https://x.com/BernieSanders/status/1894592931098407153">CNN</a>. &#8220;And at the same time, in order to pay for that tax break, what Trump and the Republican leadership are talking about are horrific cuts to Medicaid, education, housing, and programs that working-class people in this country desperately need.&#8221;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Call to Action</h2>
The Oxfam report and Sanders&#8217;s warnings both point to a growing concern: a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42463691/just-150-billionaire-families-spent-nearly-2-billion-on-elections-bernie-sanders-says-we-live-in-an-oligarchy-heres-what-he-proposes">small group of ultra-wealthy individuals</a> and corporations are gaining outsized influence, undermining democratic institutions and multilateral efforts to tackle global challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change.
Oxfam is calling for new international frameworks on tax, debt relief, and intellectual property rules, particularly around pandemic responses, to counter the rise of global oligarchy.
&#8220;Only a solidarity-based multilateralism can reverse the movement toward global oligarchy,&#8221; Behar said.
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'As Pope Francis Reminded Us, We Need A Global Economy That Works For All,' Says Bernie Sanders—'Not Just Billionaires'

Merck (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health.
The 52-week range of Merck stock price was $75.93 to $134.63.
Merck's dividend yield is 4.06%. It paid $3.24 per share in dividends during the last 12 months.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Latest On Merck</h2>
On April 24, the company announced its Q1 2025 earnings, posting adjusted earnings of $2.22 per share, beating the consensus of $2.14, as reported by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44983460/mercks-q1-earnings-beat-wall-street-adjusts-2025-profit-outlook-as-tariffs-may-result-in-incremental-cost-of-200-million">Benzinga</a>. The company reported quarterly sales of $15.53 billion, above the consensus estimate of $15.31 billion.
Merck revised its full-year 2025 adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $8.82 to $8.97, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.95. The company reaffirmed its 2025 sales guidance of $64.10 billion to $65.60 billion, compared to the consensus of $65 billion.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Can You Earn $100 Per Month As A Merck Investor?</h2>
If you want to make $100 per month — $1,200 annually — from Merck dividends, your investment value needs to be approximately $29,557, which is around 367 shares at $80.57 each.&nbsp;
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Understanding the dividend yield calculations: When making an estimate, you need two key variables — the desired annual income ($1,200) and the dividend yield (4.06% in this case). So, $1,200 / 0.0406 = $29,557 to generate an income of $100 per month.
You can calculate the dividend yield by dividing the annual dividend payments by the current price of the stock.
The dividend yield can change over time. This is the outcome of fluctuating stock prices and dividend payments on a rolling basis.
For instance, assume a stock that pays $2 as an annual dividend is priced at $50. Its dividend yield would be $2/$50 = 4%. If the stock price rises to $60, the dividend yield drops to 3.33% ($2/$60). A drop in stock price to $40 will have an inverse effect and increase the dividend yield to 5% ($2/$40).
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In summary, income-focused investors may find Merck stock an attractive option for making a steady income of $100 per month by owning 367 shares of stock. There may be more upside to come as investors benefit from the company's consistent dividend hikes. Merck has raised its dividend consecutively for the last 14 years.&nbsp;
Check out this <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44940859/why-johnson-johnson-chevron-and-flowers-foods-are-winners-for-passive-income">article by Benzinga</a> for three more stocks offering high dividend yields.&nbsp;
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How To Put $100 In Your Retirement Fund Each Month With Merck Stock

JMP Securities analyst Steven DeLaney reiterates Apollo Comml Real Est (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARI#NYSE">ARI</a>) from Market Perform to Market Perform.

Reiteration

JMP Securities Reiterates Market Perform on Apollo Comml Real Estto Market Perform

Citigroup analyst Bryan Burgmeier maintains Waste Connections (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WCN#NYSE">WCN</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $209 to $212.

Citigroup Maintains Neutral on Waste Connections, Raises Price Target to $212

We all know that first impressions matter, especially in the digital world. When someone downloads a mobile app, they decide in seconds whether it&#8217;s worth their time. That moment—that split-second judgment—often depends on user experience (UX). And in today&#8217;s fast-paced, tech-driven world, artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in shaping that experience.
This isn&#8217;t about robots taking over your app. It&#8217;s about smarter, smoother, and more intuitive experiences for users. And for businesses? It&#8217;s a game-changer.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The UX Problem AI is Solving</h3>
Let&#8217;s start with the basics: what exactly makes a good mobile app UX? It&#8217;s more than just a clean design. It&#8217;s about relevance, speed, personalization, and ease of use. These are the things that keep users coming back, instead of deleting your app after one use.
Here&#8217;s where AI steps in. Traditional UX design relies heavily on human assumptions—what we think users want. But AI can analyze actual user behavior, in real time, and adjust the app experience accordingly. That means fewer guesses and more data-driven decisions.
Imagine you&#8217;re running a fitness app. With AI, the app can learn that a user prefers morning workouts and start surfacing relevant content around that time. Or if someone often skips certain features, the app can minimize or hide them, streamlining the interface.
AI helps remove the friction points in the user journey—the annoying little things that often make people quit using an app.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Personalization That Feels Personal (Not Creepy)</h3>
One of the biggest wins for AI in UX is personalization. But here&#8217;s the key: it has to feel helpful, not intrusive.
We&#8217;ve all experienced apps that seem to &#8220;know&#8221; us. Like music apps that predict the next song you'll love or shopping apps that remember your style. That's AI at work, quietly sorting through your preferences, habits, and patterns to serve up a better experience.
The trick is balance. If the app gets too aggressive, it feels creepy. But when done right, AI makes your app feel smarter and more relevant without crossing that line. This kind of personalization keeps users engaged longer and builds trust—two things that directly impact retention and revenue.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Smarter Search and Navigation</h3>
Ever typed something into an app&#8217;s search bar and gotten completely irrelevant results? Frustrating, right?
AI fixes that. Modern apps use AI to understand the intent behind your search, not just the keywords. That means better results, quicker suggestions, and even voice-activated search that actually works.
AI can also make navigation smoother. Think of an app that rearranges its layout based on what you use most often. Or a chatbot that understands your question the first time. It's about making the experience feel effortless.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Real-Time Adaptation</h3>
Here&#8217;s another powerful way AI is improving UX: adapting in real time.
Let's say you&#8217;re using a language learning app. You start struggling with a lesson. The app notices and offers a simpler explanation or an alternate exercise right away. That's AI adjusting the experience on the fly to keep you engaged and progressing.
This adaptability is a huge leap from static user flows. It means the app grows with the user, rather than forcing the user to adapt to the app.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Accessibility for All Users</h3>
AI is also making apps more inclusive.
From voice recognition for hands-free use, to image recognition for visually impaired users, AI is helping bridge the gap between usability and accessibility. This isn't just good ethics—it's good business. More inclusive apps reach broader audiences and improve brand reputation.
For example, AI-powered voice assistants can help users with limited mobility navigate apps effortlessly. Real-time translation features can make apps usable for global audiences. These features used to be high-cost, high-effort add-ons. AI is making them standard.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What This Means for Businesses</h3>
If you&#8217;re building an app or managing a digital product, here&#8217;s the bottom line: investing in AI-driven UX isn't just a tech upgrade. It&#8217;s a strategic business decision.
Better UX means higher user retention, increased customer satisfaction, and ultimately, better revenue. And in crowded app marketplaces, good UX is often the difference between an app that thrives and one that flops.
Think of it this way: AI doesn't replace designers or developers. It enhances their work. It helps product teams make smarter decisions, faster. It provides insights that were impossible to gather manually. And it lets businesses respond to user needs in real time.
Especially when it comes to <a href="https://www.weblineglobal.com/ai-development-company-usa.html">AI development in USA</a>, companies are racing to incorporate smarter UX practices into their mobile strategies. Staying competitive means tapping into the latest AI innovations tailored specifically for mobile app development.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Competitive Edge</h3>
We're now in an era where users expect apps to be intuitive, responsive, and personalized from day one. If your app isn't, they&#8217;ll quickly move on to one that is.
This is especially true in industries like e-commerce, fintech, health, and education—spaces where app performance directly impacts user trust and business outcomes.
Companies that embrace AI in <a href="https://www.weblineindia.com/mobile-app-development.html">mobile app development</a> are gaining a clear competitive edge. They're not just building apps. They're building intelligent experiences.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Getting Started Without Getting Overwhelmed</h3>
If you're not an AI expert, don't worry. You don't have to dive into deep learning algorithms or hire a team of data scientists right away. Start small.
Here are a few simple ways to introduce AI into your app&#8217;s UX:
<ul>
<li>Use an AI-powered analytics tool to understand user behavior.</li>
<li>Implement a basic chatbot to improve customer support.</li>
<li>Add predictive text or smart search to make navigation easier.</li>
<li>Use recommendation engines to personalize content.</li>
</ul>
There are plenty of tools and platforms that make these features accessible, even for small teams.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Future Is Already Here</h3>
AI in mobile UX isn&#8217;t a futuristic concept. It&#8217;s already shaping the apps you use every day. And for businesses, the question isn&#8217;t if you should integrate AI—it&#8217;s how soon you can do it effectively.
By embracing AI now, you're not just keeping up with trends. You're positioning your business for long-term success in a digital-first world.
In the end, it all comes down to creating better experiences. And that's what users remember.

Opinion

Tech

General

How AI Is Reshaping Mobile App UX — And What That Means for Business

U.S. stocks traded higher midway through trading, with the Dow Jones index gaining over 250 points on Tuesday.
The Dow traded up 0.70% to 40,507.41 while the NASDAQ rose 0.30% to 17,417.49. The S&amp;P 500 also rose, gaining, 0.37% to 5,548.98.
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Leading and Lagging Sectors Materials shares jumped by 0.6% on Monday.
In trading on Monday, consumer discretionary fell by 0.5%.
Top Headline
Shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) gained around 3% on Tuesday after the company reported better-than-expected earnings for its first quarter.
Pfizer posted quarterly earnings of 92 cents per share, beating market estimates of 67 cents per share. The company's quarterly sales came in at $13.71 billion, missing expectations of $13.95 billion.
Equities Trading UP &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Hims &amp; Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIMS#NYSE">HIMS</a>) shares shot up 18% to $33.69 after the company announced a collaboration with Novo Nordisk to offer a bundled package of all dose strengths of Wegovy on its platform.</li>
<li>Shares of Leggett &amp; Platt, Incorporated (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LEG#NYSE">LEG</a>)got a boost, surging 24% to $9.02 after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter EPS results and raised its FY25 EPS guidance.</li>
<li>WW International, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WW#NASDAQ">WW</a>) shares were also up, gaining 86% to $0.7723 after the company announced a pharmacy integration with Eli Lilly&#8217;s LillyDirect pharmacy provider, Gifthealth.</li>
</ul>
Equities Trading DOWN
<ul>
<li>NeoGenomics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEO#NASDAQ">NEO</a>) shares dropped 22% to $7.75 following a first-quarter revenue miss.</li>
<li>Shares of Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDM#NYSE">PDM</a>) were down 17% to $5.66 after the company posted first-quarter results.</li>
<li>Insperity, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSP#NYSE">NSP</a>) was down, falling 15% to $66.88 following weaker-than-expected quarterly earnings.</li>
</ul>
Commodities In commodity news, oil traded down 2.4% to $60.54 while gold traded down 0.6% at $3,327.80.
Silver traded up 1.6% to $33.545 on Tuesday, while copper fell 0.2% to $4.8780.
Euro zone
European shares were mixed today. The eurozone's STOXX 600 gained 0.21%, Germany's DAX 40 gained 0.55% and France's CAC 40 fell 0.28%. Spain's IBEX 35 Index fell 0.80%, while London's FTSE 100 rose 0.28%.
Asia Pacific Markets
Asian markets closed mixed on Tuesday, with China's Shanghai Composite falling 0.05%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gaining 0.16% and India's BSE Sensex gaining 0.09%.
Economics
<ul>
<li>The number of job openings in the U.S. declined by 288,000 to 7.192 million in March, compared to market estimates of 7.48 million.</li>
<li>The S&amp;P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index increased 4.5% year-over-year in February.</li>
<li>The FHFA house price index increased by 0.1% in February versus a revised 0.3% rise in January.</li>
<li>U.S. wholesale inventories climbed 0.5% month-over-month to $908 billion during March.</li>
<li>The U.S. trade deficit in goods increased to $162 billion in March compared to market estimates of a $146 billion gap. </li>
</ul>
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</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Earnings

Equities

Eurozone

Commodities

Markets

Trading Ideas

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. Class A Common Stock

HIMS

Crude Oil Down Over 2%; Pfizer Shares Gain After Q1 Earnings

Clothing major Levi Strauss &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LEVI#NYSE">LEVI</a>) shareholders <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000094845/000009484525000026/levi-20250423.htm" rel="noreferrer noopener">rejected a proposal to halt</a> the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, according to a regulatory filing released Monday.
About 2.7 billion votes were cast to reject the proposal to dismantle the DEI program, compared to 5.67 million votes in favor.
The vote occurred against the backdrop of President Donald Trump's broader <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43214683/target-ends-dei-program-following-trumps-call-to-eliminate-illegal-preferences-expert-calls-it-brand-suicide-for-retail-giant-with-diverse-customer-base" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effort to roll back DEI policies </a>in both government and the private sector following a January executive order.
Following the order, major corporations, including Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), and McDonald's Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) discontinued and rolled back several diversity initiatives.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44752453/bofa-turns-bullish-on-levi-strauss-with-strong-sales-and-low-china-exposure" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beyoncé Partnership, Strong Sales And Low China Exposure &#8211; Analyst Upgrades Levi Strauss To Buy</a>
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recently started <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44344917/trumps-ban-on-dei-programs-allowed-for-now-by-appeals-court" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reducing funding for research grants </a>that fall outside its current priorities, with a particular focus on studies involving transgender communities and DEI initiatives.
Meanwhile, Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>) is holding firm on its DEI policies, as shareholders overwhelmingly backed the company's current DEI policies in a recent vote.
This decision came despite a proxy proposal from the National Center for Public Policy Research, which had urged the company to conduct an audit to evaluate potential legal, reputational, and financial risks.
Levi reported <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44674732/levi-strauss-shares-rise-after-mixed-q1-results-details" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-quarter adjusted earnings</a> of 38 cents per share, which beat the 28 cent analyst consensus estimate and said that the company does not reflect any impact from the recently announced tariffs.
Price Action: LEVI shares traded higher by 0.13% to $15.90 at last check on Tuesday.
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</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

COST

LEVI

Levi Strauss Shareholders Stand By DEI Policy Amid Political Pushback

Citigroup analyst Michael Rollins maintains SBA Communications (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBAC#NASDAQ">SBAC</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $250 to $265.

SBAC

Citigroup Maintains Buy on SBA Communications, Raises Price Target to $265

Live On CNBC Jason Snipe Announces Sold Caterpillar

Argus Research analyst Kevin Heal maintains Celestica (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLS#NYSE">CLS</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $150 to $120.

Argus Research Maintains Buy on Celestica, Lowers Price Target to $120

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://thearorareport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-29_08h22_52.png" alt="" /></figure>
To gain an edge, this is what you need to know today.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Tariff Pull Forward</h4>
Please <a href="https://thearorareport.com/stock-market-chart-analysis-tariff-pull-forward-spy-mc-04292025">click here</a> for an enlarged chart of SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) which represents the benchmark stock market index S&amp;P 500 (SPX).
Note the following:
<ul>
<li>The chart shows that the stock market previously touched the low band of support zone 3 on April 7.</li>
<li>The chart shows that the stock market quickly rebounded to the low band of resistance zone 2.</li>
<li>The chart shows that after the first quick rebound, the stock market pulled back to support zone 2 and then started rallying again.</li>
<li>The chart shows that the stock market is now knocking at the door of the low band of resistance zone 2 again.</li>
<li>Stock market bulls are predicting that the market will move rapidly towards resistance zone 3.&nbsp; Stock market bears are predicting the market is likely to pull back to support zone 2.</li>
<li>In our analysis, both of the foregoing scenarios have a fair probability.  Further, the near term direction will be determined by earnings.  In the longer term, the stock market is ignoring tariff pull forward.</li>
<li>In our analysis, there has been significant positive economic activity from tariff pull forward.  
<ul>
<li>Consumers bought ahead of tariffs going into effect.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Businesses bought ahead of tariffs to build inventories.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Importers imported to build inventories ahead of tariffs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>We previously shared with you that there is over 70% probability that earnings this season will be better than consensus.&nbsp; One of the reasons is tariff pull forward.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Here is the question prudent investors need to ask: What will be the impact of tariff pull forward on economic activity now and earnings for the next earnings season?&nbsp;</li>
<li>The answer to the foregoing question is that the impact of the tariff pull forward will be negative</li>
<li>Sentiment remains positive due to expectations that President Trump will announce several trade deals soon.</li>
<li>The stock market is very optimistic about a deal with China.  However, in our analysis, investors should differentiate between a potential positive headline and a substantive deal.  Even if there is a positive headline, the probability of a substantive deal is nowhere near what the stock market expects.  
<ul>
<li>Indications coming out of China are that negotiations will not be easy.&nbsp;</li>
<li>President Xi of China is attempting to turn several countries against the U.S.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Treasury Secretary Bessent is focused on lowering the 10 year Treasury yield.&nbsp; This focus is understandable considering the heavy borrowing needs of the U.S.&nbsp; The Treasury has just announced that details of borrowings:
<ul>
<li>Q1 $369B</li>
<li>Q2 $514B</li>
<li>Q3 $554B</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>JOLTS job openings and consumer confidence was released at 10am ET.</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Canada</h4>
Not long ago when Justin Trudeau announced his resignation, liberals were not in a strong position.&nbsp; In a dramatic turn around, liberals led by Mark Carney won the election.&nbsp; Liberals were helped by the anti-Trump sentiment. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost his own seat.
From investors' perspective, there are two key points:
<ul>
<li>Carney's victory is narrow.</li>
<li>Under Carney, Canada is expected to be the leader of the anti-Trump mantle in the West.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Magnificent Seven Money Flows</h4>
In the early trade, money flows are positive in Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN).
In the early trade, money flows are neutral in Apple Inc (AAPL), Alphabet Inc Class C (GOOG), Meta Platforms Inc (META), Microsoft Corp (MSFT), and Tesla Inc (TSLA).
In the early trade, money flows are negative in NVIDIA Corp (NVDA).
In the early trade, money flows are negative in S&amp;P 500 ETF (SPY) and Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 (QQQ).
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Momo Crowd And Smart Money In Stocks</h4>
Investors can gain an edge by knowing money flows in SPY and QQQ.  Investors can get a bigger edge by knowing when smart money is buying stocks, gold, and oil.  The most popular ETF for gold is SPDR Gold Trust (GLD).  The most popular ETF for silver is iShares Silver Trust (SLV).  The most popular ETF for oil is United States Oil ETF (USO).
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Bitcoin</h4>
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) is range bound.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Arora Protection Band And What To Do Now</h4>
It is important for investors to look ahead and not in the rearview mirror.  Our proprietary Protection Band puts all of the data, all of the indicators, all of the news, all of the crosscurrents, all of the models, and all of the analysis in an analytical framework that is easily actionable by investors.
Consider continuing to hold good, very long term, existing positions. Based on individual risk preference, consider a protection band consisting of cash or Treasury bills or short-term tactical trades as well as short to medium term hedges and short term hedges. This is a good way to protect yourself and participate in the upside at the same time.
You can determine your protection bands by adding cash to hedges.&nbsp; The high band of the protection is appropriate for those who are older or conservative. The low band of the protection is appropriate for those who are younger or aggressive.&nbsp; If you do not hedge, the total cash level should be more than stated above but significantly less than cash plus hedges.
A protection band of 0% would be very bullish and would indicate full investment with 0% in cash.&nbsp; A protection band of 100% would be very bearish and would indicate a need for aggressive protection with cash and hedges or aggressive short selling.
It is worth reminding that you cannot take advantage of new upcoming opportunities if you are not holding enough cash.&nbsp; When adjusting hedge levels, consider adjusting partial stop quantities for stock positions (non ETF); consider using wider stops on remaining quantities and also allowing more room for high beta stocks.&nbsp; High beta stocks are the ones that move more than the market.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Traditional 60/40 Portfolio</h4>
Probability based risk reward adjusted for inflation does not favor long duration strategic bond allocation at this time.
Those who want to stick to traditional 60% allocation to stocks and 40% to bonds may consider focusing on only high quality bonds and bonds of five year duration or less.&nbsp; Those willing to bring sophistication to their investing may consider using bond ETFs as tactical positions and not strategic positions at this time.
The Arora Report is known for its accurate calls. The Arora Report correctly called the big artificial intelligence rally before anyone else, the new bull market of 2023, the bear market of 2022, new stock market highs right after the virus low in 2020, the virus drop in 2020, the DJIA rally to 30,000 when it was trading at 16,000, the start of a mega bull market in 2009, and the financial crash of 2008. Please click here to sign up for a free forever <a href="https://thearorareport.com/generate-wealth-newsletter-benzinga">Generate Wealth Newsletter</a>.

Market Summary

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

$BTC

Stock Market Ignoring Tariff Pull Forward But Prudent Investors Should Not

Citigroup analyst Bryan Burgmeier maintains Republic Services (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RSG#NYSE">RSG</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $265 to $278.

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