Back in 2010, Elon Musk wasn't the world's richest man or the tech messiah with a rocket company, electric car empire, and social media platform in his grip. He was a newly minted billionaire fighting to keep Tesla alive, rebuilding SpaceX, and—at the time—trying to dodge a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44402199/elon-musks-first-ex-wife-says-she-sucked-at-being-his-trophy-wife-and-recalls-him-saying-if-you-were-my-employee-i-would-fire-you">media circus around his divorce</a>.



But when the headlines started claiming he "ran off with an actress," Musk lost his patience.



"Given the choice, I'd rather stick a fork in my hand than write about my personal life," he wrote in a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/correcting-the-record-about-my-divorce-2010-7">Business Insider essay</a>. "Unfortunately, it seems that I don't have any other option."



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What followed was a rare, unfiltered look into Musk's private life—something he still mostly avoids today. He wasn't posting memes or fighting culture wars yet. This was about correcting what he called a journalist's "creepy fixation" on his marriage, finances, and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43680809/elon-musks-ex-wife-whom-he-was-engaged-to-only-2-weeks-after-meeting-joked-he-invited-her-to-his-hotel-room-just-to-watch-rocket-videos">woman he was about to marry</a>: British actress Talulah Riley.



Musk made it clear that he filed for divorce from his first wife, Justine, before meeting Riley. "Talulah and I lived on opposite sides of the world and hadn't even known of each other's existence before the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43940599/elon-musks-second-ex-wife-says-he-proposed-to-her-without-a-ring-and-they-shook-hands-on-it-but-later-he-gave-her-3-engagement-rings">marriage with Justine ended</a>," he wrote. The narrative that he abandoned a "devoted wife" to run off with a young actress? "Could not have been more falsely applied."



Still, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43680809/elon-musks-ex-wife-whom-he-was-engaged-to-only-2-weeks-after-meeting-joked-he-invited-her-to-his-hotel-room-just-to-watch-rocket-videos">relationship with Riley</a> did move quickly. Musk was reportedly engaged to her just two weeks after they met. In a 2014 <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tesla-and-spacex-elon-musks-industrial-empire/">interview with CBS News</a>, Riley confirmed how fast things escalated: "It all happened very fast. We were engaged after, I think, sorta two weeks of knowing each other."



Trending: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>



In the Business Insider essay, Musk also took the opportunity to praise his new fiancée. "It is worth mentioning that Talulah, as anyone who knows her would attest, is one of the most kind hearted and gentle people in the world," he wrote.



They married later that year in 2010, just months after meeting. But like much of Musk's life, the relationship didn't follow a straight path. They divorced in 2012, remarried in 2013, and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/01/36561210/elon-musk-married-and-divorced-the-same-woman-twice-paying-her-over-20-million-in-settlements-she-sa">finalized a second divorce in 2016</a>.



He also shot down rumors that he was trying to dodge financial responsibilities. Media outlets had portrayed him as "broke," despite his equity in Tesla and SpaceX. Musk explained that he had funneled nearly all of his cash into saving Tesla from collapse in 2007, leaving just enough to cover his living expenses—which mostly included childcare and supporting Justine's household.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elon-musk-told-the-u-n-if-they-could-show-a-plan-for-ending-world-hunger-hed-donate-6-billion-i-will-sell-tesla-stock-right-now-and-do-it">Elon Musk Told The U.N. If They Could Show A Plan For Ending World Hunger He'd Donate $6 Billion – ‘I Will Sell Tesla Stock Right Now And Do It'</a>



His legal bills alone? Around $4 million, or $170,000 a month, most of which went to his ex-wife's lawyers. Under California law, he was required to foot both sides of the bill.



"I never said I was broke," he wrote. "At no point have I ever sought to limit support payments to Justine."



He said he had offered her a post-tax settlement worth roughly $80 million, but she declined, insisting on equity in Tesla and SpaceX. A judge ultimately sided with Musk, upholding the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42878599/elon-musk-married-and-divorced-the-same-woman-twice-paid-her-over-20-million-in-settlements-she-refers-to-him-as-perfect-ex-husband">couple's marital agreement</a>.



As for the media coverage, Musk didn't hold back. He called out journalists for repeating inaccuracies without checking court documents. One, in particular, he described as "Silicon Valley's Jayson Blair"—and said that was probably unfair to Blair.



Fifteen years and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/44050706/elon-musks-neuralink-executive-and-mother-to-3-of-his-13-kids-says-he-was-never-interested-in-doing-anything-for-money-just-for-humanity">several kids later</a>, Musk still doesn't open up much about his personal life. But in 2010, when he felt backed into a corner, he made his case—on his terms, fork and all.



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Personal Finance

Elon Musk Said 'I'd Rather Stick a Fork in My Hand' Than Talk About His Life — But He Did, Just to Deny He Abandoned His Wife for a Young Actress

On-chain analytics form Glassnode has highlighted <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/bitcoin-price-prediction">an important diversion</a> between Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>).



What Happened: In their latest <a href="https://insights.glassnode.com/the-week-onchain-week-13-2025/">report</a>, the firm points out the catalyst-driven growth for Bitcoin, compared to XRP&#8217;s retail-driven speculation.



Bitcoin: Seller Exhaustion, But No Clear Trend Reversal



<ul>
<li>Bitcoin has been in a steady downtrend, with $76,000–$85,000 emerging as a key range where reactive buying appears. The realized profit/loss ratio suggests seller exhaustion near $76,000–$80,000, but relief rallies haven&#8217;t led to sustained momentum.</li>



<li>A recent "On-Chain Death Cross" signals a potential prolonged bearish phase of 3–6 months, mirroring previous cycles. Bear market characteristics—weak liquidity, negative sentiment, and increased loss-taking—are evident, though not as extreme as past bear markets.</li>



<li>Around 4.7 million BTC are currently below their cost basis, but unrealized losses remain relatively moderate compared to historical downturns.</li>
</ul>



XRP: A Retail-Driven Boom and Potential Cooling-Off



<ul>
<li>XRP's active addresses have surged +490% since 2022, far exceeding Bitcoin's 10% growth, indicating heavy retail speculation.</li>



<li>The altcoin saw an explosive rally in December 2024, driven by short-term speculative flows, with its realized cap doubling from $30.1 billion to $64.2 billion. However, momentum has been fading since February, with slowing capital inflows and an increasingly fragile cost basis.</li>



<li>Declining profitability metrics suggest waning confidence, making XRP holders vulnerable to downside volatility. This fragile sentiment could spill over into broader crypto markets, highlighting the risks of a retail-led, short-term speculative cycle.</li>
</ul>



Also Read: <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44634188/are-bitcoin-and-the-sp-500-heading-for-a-death-cross">Are Bitcoin And The S&amp;P 500 Heading For A Death Cross?</a>



Why It Matters: Glassnode says Bitcoin's correction is meaningful in scale but has not yet reached the severity of previous bear markets. 



In comparison, the more speculative assets like XRP may have seen demand peak, suggesting caution may be warranted until signs of a robust recovery start to emerge.



In another X <a href="https://x.com/glassnode/status/1908078663943291095">post</a> on Friday, Glassnode noted that Bitcoin put options are trading at a premium to calls, signaling a surge in demand for downside protection. This skew is particularly pronounced in short-term maturities, reflecting a level of fear not seen since Bitcoin was in the $20,000s in mid-2023.



Despite this heightened anxiety, Bitcoin has remained resilient, unlike equities, which sold off sharply on recent tariff headlines. 



This disconnect—rising panic without a corresponding price collapse—makes the current options market setup especially noteworthy. Historically, these conditions often coincide with market bottoms.



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Image: Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency

News

$BTC

$XRP

Bitcoin Consolidates, But XRP May Have Topped: What's Driving This Diversion?

Benzinga examined the prospects for <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">many investors' favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here's a look at some of our top stories.



Wall Street reeled this week as President Donald Trump's new global tariffs and hawkish Fed signals rattled investors. The tariffs triggered broad selloffs, dragging the S&amp;P 500 to its worst weekly loss since the pandemic's onset in 2020.



Stocks tumbled Thursday and Friday, with tech and consumer names especially hard-hit, as traders braced for higher costs and retaliatory trade risks. Concerns mounted over how renewed trade tensions could disrupt supply chains and weigh on corporate margins.



At the same time, Federal Reserve officials signaled fewer rate cuts ahead, compounding fears and sending bond yields higher, further pressuring equities across sectors.



Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week's most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.



The Bulls



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44645277/why-is-ev-maker-mullen-automotive-stock-skyrocketing-today">"Why Is EV Maker Mullen Automotive Stock Skyrocketing Today?"</a>, by Shivani Kumaresan, reports that Mullen Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MULN#NASDAQ">MULN</a>) shares surged over 80% after the EV maker secured a $50 million funding commitment and reaffirmed it won't pursue a reverse stock split.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44589883/why-cloudastructure-stock-is-soaring-tuesday">"Why Cloudastructure Stock Is Soaring Tuesday"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Cloudastructure Inc. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLOU#OTC">CLOU</a>) shares jumped over 40% after the company reported a 161% year-over-year revenue increase in its fiscal fourth quarter and a significantly narrowed net loss.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44597023/trumps-tariffs-could-spark-reshoring-boom-for-these-4-us-stocks">"Trump's Tariffs Could Spark Reshoring Boom For These 4 US Stocks"</a>, by Erica Kollman, explores how new U.S. tariffs and China's response could boost reshoring plays like Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAT#NYSE">CAT</a>), Eaton Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETN#NYSE">ETN</a>), General Electric Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>), and Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EMR#NYSE">EMR</a>).



For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44634431/altimeters-brad-gerstner-builds-up-nvidia-stake-after-trump-tariffs-applauds-semiconductor-exception">Altimeter's Brad Gerstner Builds Up Nvidia Stake After Trump Tariffs, Applauds Semiconductor Exception</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/04/44610672/stock-of-the-day-will-johnson-johnson-rally-the-sell-off-may-have-ended">Stock Of The Day: Will Johnson &amp; Johnson Rally? The Sell-Off May Have Ended</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44645518/strong-jobs-report-offers-hope-but-will-it-be-enough-to-counter-tariff-turmoil">Strong Jobs Report Offers Hope — But Will It Be Enough To Counter Tariff Turmoil?</a>



The Bears



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44629275/nike-stock-is-tumbling-thursday-heres-why">"Nike Stock Is Tumbling Thursday: Here's Why"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Nike Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) shares fell after Citigroup downgraded the stock to Neutral, citing weak consumer demand in China and concerns about the company's long-term growth strategy.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/offerings/25/04/44627275/lucid-stock-is-hitting-the-brakes-thursday-whats-driving-the-action">"Lucid Stock Is Hitting The Brakes Thursday: What's Driving The Action"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reveals that Lucid Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LCID#NASDAQ">LCID</a>) shares dropped after the EV maker announced a $1 billion stock offering backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, raising dilution concerns among investors.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44632479/retail-stocks-slammed-as-trumps-tariff-plan-sends-shockwaves-through-sector">"Retail Stocks Slammed As Trump's Tariff Plan Sends Shockwaves Through Sector"</a>, by Erica Kollman, reports that the new tariffs triggered a selloff in major retailers including Nike Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>), Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), and Target Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) over fears of rising costs and inflation.



For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/04/44645278/coinbase-stock-drops-into-a-death-cross-will-xrp-futures-be-its-comeback-catalyst">Coinbase Stock Drops Into A Death Cross: Will XRP Futures Be Its Comeback Catalyst?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44647678/nasdaq-100-enters-bear-market-dow-in-correction-territory-traders-await-fed-chair-powells-remarks">Nasdaq 100 Enters Bear Market, Dow In Correction Territory, Traders Await Fed Chair Powell's Remarks</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44618811/trump-tariffs-trigger-sell-off-on-holding-ast-spacemobile-lululemon-shopify-robinhood-tank">Trump Tariffs Trigger Sell-Off: On Holding, AST SpaceMobile, Lululemon, Shopify, Robinhood Tank</a>



Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following <a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> on X</a>.



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Markets

CLOU

LCID

MULN

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Nike, Target, And Walmart Among Hardest-Hit Following Trump's 'Liberation Day' Tariffs

President Donald Trump&#8216;s recent announcement of new tariffs sent the U.S. stock futures into a tailspin.



What Happened: The imposition of tariffs, including a 10% charge on all imported goods and a 25% levy on foreign automobiles, caused Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) stock to plunge 10% on Friday, wiping out $11 billion from CEO Elon Musk&#8216;s net worth. 



According <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-03/stock-market-drop-erases-208-billion-from-bezos-zuckerberg-other-billionaires?sref=TBDibEcD">to</a> Bloomberg, this resulted in unprecedented losses on Thursday and Friday.



Reports indicate that Musk holds around 411 million Tesla shares, accounting for 12.8% of the company's total. A notable chunk of these shares was used as collateral to finance his purchase of Twitter, now known as X. 



Although details such as how many shares are pledged, the terms of his loan agreements, and the price point that could lead to a margin call haven't been made public, the implications could be considerable.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44552785/why-elon-musk-may-regret-ignoring-warren-buffetts-political-strategy">Why Elon Musk May Regret Ignoring Warren Buffett&#8217;s Political Strategy</a>



Other tech giants also felt the heat on Friday, with&nbsp;Apple Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) down 7.29%,&nbsp;NVIDIA Corp.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) falling 7.36%,&nbsp;Amazon Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) dropping 4.15%,&nbsp;Alphabet Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) decreasing 3.20%, and&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) down 5.06%.



Why It Matters: The significant drop in Tesla&#8217;s stock price is a clear indicator of the potential impact of political decisions on the stock market. The newly imposed tariffs have not only affected Tesla but also other tech giants, leading to a widespread market downturn. 



This event underscores the vulnerability of tech companies to global political and economic shifts. The decline in Tesla&#8217;s sales globally, coupled with the backlash against Musk&#8217;s political involvement, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. 



It remains to be seen how Tesla and other tech companies will navigate these challenges in the future.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44646680/tesla-to-face-steeper-sales-dip-in-2025-amid-growing-backlash-against-elon-musk-report">Tesla Investors On Edge As Elon Musk Backlash Threatens 2025 Sales Outlook</a>



Shutterstock: Andrew Harnik

AAPL

AMZN

GOOGL

NVDA

TSLA

Elon Musk Loses $11 Billion As Tesla Stock Plummets In Wake Of New Trump Tariffs

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly planning a visit to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44656680/trumps-10-tariff-on-most-imports-is-finally-here-taking-effect-saturday" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the White House on Monday</a>.



If the visit goes ahead, Netanyahu will meet with President Donald Trump in person to address key geopolitical and economic issues, including Trump&#8217;s newly imposed tariffs on Israeli goods, Axios <a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/04/netanyahu-visit-trump-wh-tariffs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>, citing sources familiar with the matter.



Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Netanyahu on Friday, and their conversation included a discussion on tariffs.



Also Read:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44652222/trumps-tariffs-may-shift-us-spending-from-goods-to-services-creating-uncertainty-for-ecommerce-and-advertising-industries-analyst-warns" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tariffs To Impact End Demand: Goldman Sachs Analyst Expects Drag On Corporate Spending, Hiring</a>



Israel had attempted to preempt the tariffs by announcing it would unilaterally remove all duties on U.S. imports, but the strategy failed. Trump set a 17% tariff rate on Israeli exports, citing the significant bilateral trade deficit.



During a call on Thursday—while Netanyahu was visiting Budapest—Trump invited him to Washington, suggesting the visit could happen as early as next week, Axios adds.



The announcement surprised both Israeli officials and Trump&#8217;s own aides, as the visit was initially expected to take place later in April during Passover.



However, Netanyahu&#8217;s attendance hinges on whether the judges overseeing his ongoing corruption trial will permit him to skip scheduled testimony next week.



Key issues expected to be on the agenda include the Iran nuclear threat and the ongoing war in Gaza, Axios adds.



A senior Israeli official indicated Axios that Netanyahu sees little chance for a successful U.S.-Iran nuclear deal and is eager to coordinate with Trump on potential military action if diplomacy fails.



The two leaders are also expected to revisit stalled ceasefire and hostage negotiations in Gaza.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44655895/treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-says-stock-market-decline-is-due-to-chinas-deepseek-not-trumps-policies-mag-7-problem-not-a-maga-problem" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Says Stock Market Decline Is Due To China&#8217;s DeepSeek, Not Trump&#8217;s Policies: &#8216;Mag 7 Problem, Not A MAGA Problem&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Shutterstock: noamgalai

Politics

General

Netanyahu May Meet Trump at White House on Monday, With Tariffs, Iran, and Gaza on the Table

According to MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is seeking an exit from Donald Trump&#8216;s administration after just two months on the job,



What Happened: Ruhle said on her Friday show that Bessent&#8217;s reputation has taken a hit due to the poor execution of Trump&#8217;s tariff policy, and he is seeking an out.



Ruhle sais that Bessent, who has a net worth of $521 million from managing large hedge funds, is finding it difficult to reconcile with Trump&#8217;s tariff math, which has been widely criticized for its rudimentary understanding of international trade, <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/msnbc-host-stephanie-ruhle-alleges-trumps-treasury-sec-looking-for-an-exit-door/">reports</a> Daily Beast.



The tariff announcement, made last week and referred to as &#8220;Liberation Day,&#8221; imposed a blanket 10%&nbsp;tariff on all U.S. imports&nbsp;and &#8220;reciprocal&#8221; tariffs on 180 countries. This resulted in a significant dip in stock futures,&nbsp;with the Dow Jones Industrial&nbsp;Average experiencing its worst day since 2020.



Reports suggest that Trump is &#8220;not listening&#8221; to Bessent, who appears to be increasingly isolated within the president&#8217;s inner circle. Bessent, who has a deep understanding of market dynamics, has been more cautious in his approach, previously describing&nbsp;the use of sweeping tariffs&nbsp;as &#8220;maximalist&#8221; positions.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44656945/74-billion-wiped-out-since-tariff-declaration-see-how-much-the-billionaires-lost">$74 Billion Wiped Out Since Tariff Declaration — See How Much The Billionaires Lost</a>



After the tariff rollout, Bessent cautioned countries against retaliation. However,&nbsp;on Friday, China announced a&nbsp;retaliatory 34%&nbsp;tariff on all U.S. imports, leading to another stock market plunge.



Why It Matters: The alleged exit of Bessent could further destabilize the Trump administration, which is already facing criticism for its handling of the tariff rollout. The tariff debacle has not only affected the U.S. stock market but has also strained international relations, particularly with China. 



Bessent&#8217;s departure could signal a lack of confidence in the administration&#8217;s economic policies, potentially leading to further market volatility.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44655895/treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-says-stock-market-decline-is-due-to-chinas-deepseek-not-trumps-policies-mag-7-problem-not-a-maga-problem">Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Says Stock Market Decline Is Due To China&#8217;s DeepSeek, Not Trump&#8217;s Policies: &#8216;Mag 7 Problem, Not A MAGA Problem&#8217;</a>



Shutterstock: Jimwatson

MSNBC's Ruhle: Treasury Secretary Bessent Looking for an Exit Amid Tariff Chaos

Elon Musk has an idea, and this time, it's not about Mars, AI, or self-driving cars. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, along with President Donald Trump, is now calling for a livestream of <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/elon-musk-says-fort-knox-gold-reserves-should-livestreamed">Fort Knox's gold reserve</a>s—just to make sure the gold is still there.



&#8220;I mean, that would be really fun. And after all, it is actually the gold of the American people, so the American people, it seems to me, have a right to see their gold,&#8221; Musk said. &#8220;Hopefully, it looks really cool. You know, open the doors like, ‘Is it there? Is that really gold? Let's check.' Maybe it'll be really interesting,&#8221; he added.



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<li>Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.55 per share now</a>.</li>



<li>‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a></li>
</ul>



His suggestion came in response to a social media post asking whether he would check on the U.S. Bullion Depository's reserves. &#8220;Would be awesome to livestream Fort Knox.&#8221; The idea quickly picked up traction, with Trump reportedly supporting it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What's in Fort Knox, and Why Are People Suspicious?</h2>



Fort Knox, located in Kentucky, is one of the most secure places on Earth. It holds approximately 147.3 million troy ounces of gold bullion, worth over $459.2 billion at current market prices. According to the <a href="https://www.usmint.gov/about/tours-and-locations/fort-knox?srsltid=AfmBOorAKfMwGFU3cNWbLEtFSJ31roUnftZ9i27yKhJKN5E3djpNF2s3#accordion-d08d17b2a7-item-13f72f12ff">U.S. Mint</a>, the last audit confirmed every ounce is still there.



However, that hasn't stopped conspiracy theories from circulating. Rumors have long suggested that some—or all—of the gold might be missing, replaced with fake bars, or even moved without public knowledge.&nbsp;



The secrecy surrounding Fort Knox fuels speculation, as very few people have been granted access.



Trending: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>



Musk and Trump are among those questioning whether America's gold reserves have remained untouched. &#8220;Who is confirming that gold wasn't stolen from Fort Knox?&#8221; Musk wrote <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1891555910218097122?">on X</a> on Feb. 17, playfully speculating: &#8220;Maybe it's there, maybe it's not.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Has Anyone Actually Seen the Gold?</h2>



Despite public skepticism, current and former government officials insist the gold is safe. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DanODonnellShow/videos/exclusive-treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-confirms-to-me-that-yes-there-is-stil/1117913866735106/">said in February</a> that a full audit is conducted annually. &#8220;The audit that ended Sept. 30, confirmed all the gold is present and accounted for,&#8221; he said.



Trump's former treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, also visited Fort Knox in 2017. He later told <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkJk_m5r-F0">CNBC</a>, &#8220;The gold was there when I visited it. I hope nobody's moved it. I'm sure they haven't.&#8221; Mnuchin was the first Treasury secretary to visit the facility in over 50 years.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elon-musk-told-the-u-n-if-they-could-show-a-plan-for-ending-world-hunger-hed-donate-6-billion-i-will-sell-tesla-stock-right-now-and-do-it">Elon Musk Told The U.N. If They Could Show A Plan For Ending World Hunger He'd Donate $6 Billion – ‘I Will Sell Tesla Stock Right Now And Do It'</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Livestream of Fort Knox? Here's Why It's Complicated</h2>



While a Fort Knox livestream sounds exciting and possibly the best reality show ever, security concerns make it unlikely.&nbsp;



The depository is one of the most heavily guarded locations in the world, and access is restricted to only a select few government officials. The last time reporters were allowed inside was in 1974.



The U.S. Mint maintains the &#8220;only gold removed has been very small quantities used to test purity during regularly scheduled audits.&#8221; Otherwise, no gold &#8220;has been transferred to or from the Depository for many years.&#8221;



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Elon Musk Wants To 'Livestream Fort Knox'—Says Americans Have A Right To See Their Gold: 'Is It There? Let's Check.'

The stock market has seen a historic two-day drop, but experts are cautioning against panic.



What Happened: The crash has erased over $5 trillion in market cap, marking the most devastating week for the market since the early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.



The Dow Jones Industrial Average took a dive of over&nbsp;2,200 points, the Nasdaq 100&nbsp;entered&nbsp;a bear market, and the&nbsp;S&amp;P 500 lost nearly 6%. The crash spared no sector of the S&amp;P 500.



Investors are now left wondering about the next course of action. While the urge to panic and make drastic decisions can be overwhelming, experts recommend against it. They remind investors that the overall trend of stocks is upwards, and that severe market drops are often followed by recoveries.



Gina Bolvin, president of&nbsp;Bolvin Wealth Management Group, urges investors to acquaint themselves with cyclical and defensive stocks, and to ensure their portfolios are diversified. She also warns against day trading, asserting that most day traders end up incurring losses.



&#8220;Don&#8217;t panic. The headlines and the market change quickly,&#8221; she <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stock-market-crash-what-to-do-investing-trade-war-tariffs-2025-4">told</a> Insider.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44650952/china-restricts-rare-earth-exports-to-us-as-part-of-tariff-retaliation">China Restricts Rare Earth Exports To US As Part Of Tariff Retaliation: &#8216;Geopolitical Earthquake In Slow Motion,&#8217; CEO Says</a>



&#8220;The only change to your portfolio should be to confirm it&#8217;s diversified and you can weather the storm in good times or bad,&#8221; Bolvin added.



Investors are also advised to maintain some of their&nbsp;investments in cash or cash&nbsp;equivalents, like a money market&nbsp;fund.&nbsp;Brett Panziera, CFP, an associate&nbsp;director of financial planning at&nbsp;EP Wealth Advisors, recommends having sufficient cash on hand to cover&nbsp;at least six months of&nbsp;expenses, or&nbsp;up to two or three&nbsp;years if retired.



&#8220;Even outside of a recession, you should aim to have an amount of cash on hand to fund at least six months of your expenses, or if you are retired and don&#8217;t have employment income to support your spending, perhaps up to two or three years,&#8221;&nbsp;Panziera said. 



Why It Matters: The recent market crash, triggered by the ongoing trade war, has left investors in a state of uncertainty. The advice from experts to stay calm, diversify portfolios, and hold some&nbsp;investments in cash or cash&nbsp;equivalents could prove crucial in navigating this turbulent period. 



The general upward trend of stocks and the common occurrence of rebounds following deep market plunges offer a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. 



However, the situation remains fluid, and investors are advised to stay informed and make decisions based on their individual financial situations and risk tolerance.



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Shutterstock: MiniStocker

Market Mayhem Persists As Tariffs Spark Turmoil — Experts Say 'Don't Panic'

Financial analyst Tom Lee from Fundstrat Global Advisors provided his analysis on the market&#8217;s response and potential tactics behind the White House&#8217;s actions.



What Happened: On Thursday, in a conversation with StockMKTNewz, Tom Lee gave his viewpoint on the repercussions of the sudden tariff rates declared by the Trump administration. The rates, 46% on Vietnam and 34% on China, were calculated based on trade deficits, a departure from traditional tariff methodologies, and were much harsher than expected.



Lee characterized these rates as &#8220;absurd,&#8221; comparing them to a &#8220;dark comedy&#8221; due to their arbitrary nature and lack of economic rationale. The immediate market reaction was a significant 3.5% opening gap down in the S&amp;P 500, marking the seventh largest negative opening gap in 40 years.



Trump&#8217;s tariff wiped out around $2.5 trillion from the U.S. stock market. 



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Tom Lee&#039;s BIG Takes After Tariff Liberation Day: Exclusive StockMKTNewz Interview" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HC6V1B7PceI?start=169&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



As earnings season nears, Lee expects companies with solid fundamentals and limited exposure to tariff-impacted supply chains to stand out as &#8220;superpower companies.&#8221;



Lee believes Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) remains stable because the market has already accounted for the worst-case scenario, potentially setting the stage for a V-shaped recovery. Strong performers like Palantir (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), and Strategy (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>), previously MicroStrategy, further indicate that market leaders are stabilizing rather than declining further.



&#8220;I expect a V-shaped recovery, but the timing is now a bit harder to judge because we don't really have the band-aid completely ripped off until April 9th.&#8221;



SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44642355/trumps-25-auto-tariffs-spark-stellantis-layoffs-gm-expansion-uaws-shawn-fain-calls-job-cuts-comp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s 25% Auto Tariffs Spark Stellantis Layoffs, GM Expansion: UAW&#8217;s Shawn Fain Calls Job Cuts &#8216;Completely Unnecessary&#8217;</a>



Why It Matters: Despite the initial market panic, Lee maintains a cautious optimism, arguing that the economic impact may not be as catastrophic as feared. He pointed out the benefit&nbsp;of falling bond yields: for&nbsp;every 10 basis points the&nbsp;10-year Treasury yield drops, the&nbsp;U.S. saves $36 billion in&nbsp;debt service costs.



Lee sees the White House&#8217;s silence as a calculated strategy to create panic&nbsp;among trading partners, maximizing negotiating&nbsp;leverage until the April 9&nbsp;deadline. He believes this approach is primarily aimed&nbsp;at the EU and China,&nbsp;the two regions most critical&nbsp;to U.S. trade dynamics.



Tom Lee called the market sell-off <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44244329/tom-lee-predicts-market-stabilization-following-mondays-overreaction-foresees-may-rate-cut">amid recession fears</a> during mid-March an &#8220;overreaction&#8221;. Even earlier this week, Lee wrote on X, "Markets are deeply oversold," adding that "too many are only pricing in ‘worst case&#8217;" scenarios. 



Despite the market turmoil, Lee encouraged investors to remain resilient,&nbsp;predicting a sharp bounce around&nbsp;April 9 as negotiations progress&nbsp;and the VIX subsides.



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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.

MSTR

PLTR

Tom Lee Slams Trump's 'Absurd' Tariff Hike — Expects A 'Recovery' But Says Timing Is Uncertain As Market Sheds $2.5 Trillion In A Day

Ripple, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44647456/bitcoin-xrp-diversion">the blockchain-based payments firm</a> behind XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>), is raising fresh concerns over the UK's sluggish approach to crypto regulation, arguing that it's leaving British banks unwilling to engage with digital assets.



What Happened: At a policy summit held in London, Cassie Craddock, Ripple's Managing Director for the UK and Europe, said that the country's banking institutions remain hesitant to adopt Ripple's services due to lingering uncertainty around crypto laws.



"It's still difficult to access basic banking services because of this uncertainty," she <a href="https://www.dlnews.com/articles/regulation/why-ripple-says-uk-banks-will-not-engage-with-it/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=organic_social&amp;utm_campaign=">said</a>, adding that large banks continue to keep their distance.



Craddock recalled being dismissed by major banks during earlier attempts to introduce Ripple's solutions. "Back in 2017, financial institutions would hear us out and then never return our calls," she said. 



Although conditions have since improved in the EU, where banks are increasingly embracing digital asset services under the new Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, the UK has made less progress.



While the new Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has restarted work on a regulatory framework, Ripple says the pace remains too slow.



"We need clarity sooner rather than later if we want to benefit from the pro-crypto stance we're seeing in the U.S.," Craddock told DL News, referencing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44363340/crypto-leaders-step-up-pressure-on-sec-as-trumps-policies-reshape-regulatory-landscape">recent policy shifts</a> under President Trump's administration.



Ripple says its expansion in Europe has accelerated thanks to clearer regulation across the bloc. 



According to Craddock, banks on the continent are now facing client demand for digital asset services—leading them to seek out platforms like Ripple. 



In contrast, UK institutions are holding back due to a lack of confidence in the regulatory environment. 



"They don't feel secure enough to get involved," she said.



While large banks hesitate, Ripple is finding more interest among smaller fintechs and startups in the UK looking to leverage its cross-border payment tools.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44644270/bitcoin-will-benefit-from-tariff-chaos-arthur-hayes-says">Bitcoin Will Benefit From Tariff Chaos, Arthur Hayes Says</a>



Why It Matters: The firm is increasingly shifting its hiring strategy to focus on the United States.



CEO Brad Garlinghouse has previously stated that 75% of new roles will be U.S.-based to align with the friendlier policy environment there.



Despite this, Ripple says it continues to invest in its UK and European operations. 



The company is also one of several awaiting regulatory approval from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 



Since 2020, the FCA has only approved 14% of the 351 crypto firms that have applied for registration, a rate that has drawn criticism from the industry.



In response, the FCA maintains that its low approval rate reflects strict adherence to anti-money laundering standards, rather than resistance to innovation. 



"We're not anti-innovation," FCA Chief Executive Nikhil Rathi said last week. "We want the UK to be an attractive destination."



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Image: Shutterstock

Ripple Warns: This Country Is Falling Behind In The Crypto Race

Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, has attributed the recent stock market decline to the Chinese AI tool DeepSeek rather than President Donald Trump&#8216;s policies.



What Happened: During an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, Bessent emphasized that the market downturn began with the announcement of DeepSeek.



He stated, &#8220;For everyone who thinks these market declines are all based on the President&#8217;s economic policies, I can tell you that this market decline started with the Chinese AI announcement of DeepSeek.&#8221;



"…What&#8217;s happening with the market I&#8217;d say it&#8217;s more a Mag 7 problem, not a MAGA problem,&#8221; Bessent added. The &#8220;Mag 7&#8221; refers to seven high-performing tech stocks that had previously driven the market higher.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44655719/trump-tariffs-erode-5-trillion-in-market-cap-in-2-days-as-china-retaliates-jerome-powell-warns-of-inflation">Trump Tariffs Erode $5 Trillion In Market Cap In 2 Days As China Retaliates, Jerome Powell Warns Of Inflation</a>



Despite a 10% drop in U.S. stocks following Trump&#8217;s new global tariff regime announcement, Bessent downplayed the impact of these policies. He also reiterated the administration&#8217;s commitment to a &#8220;strong dollar&#8221; policy, dismissing claims that tariffs were meant to weaken the dollar.



The dollar has declined nearly 6% against major currencies since Trump&#8217;s inauguration.



Why It Matters: The market&#8217;s reaction to President Trump&#8217;s tariff announcement has been significant. The U.S. markets faced a severe downturn, with S&amp;P 500 companies<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44655719/trump-tariffs-erode-5-trillion-in-market-cap-in-2-days-as-china-retaliates-jerome-powell-warns-of-inflation"> losing $5 trillion in value</a> since the tariffs were announced.



This has led to concerns about potential global turmoil and negative impacts on consumers, as highlighted by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in an interview with CNBC. Ballmer warned that the escalating tariffs could have far-reaching effects on the economy.



Furthermore, a Goldman Sachs analyst has pointed out that Trump&#8217;s<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44652222/trumps-tariffs-may-shift-us-spending-from-goods-to-services-creating-uncertainty-for-ecommerce-and-advertising-industries-analyst-warns"> tariffs could shift U.S. spending</a> from goods to services, creating uncertainty for e-commerce and advertising industries. This uncertainty is expected to slow corporate decisions and impact economic activity for the remainder of the year.



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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Equities

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Says Stock Market Decline Is Due To China's DeepSeek, Not Trump's Policies: 'Mag 7 Problem, Not A MAGA Problem'

The S&amp;P 500 descends into correction territory following President Trump&#8216;s tariff declarations.



What Happened: Stock prices plummeted in response to President Trump&#8217;s sweeping 10% tariffs&nbsp;on all U.S. trading partners&nbsp;announced the day before. 



This move has sparked concerns over a potential trade war and heightened inflation, both of which could steer the U.S. towards an economic slowdown. Consequently, the S&amp;P 500 has now dipped over 11% from its February peak, indicating its entry into correction territory.



Renowned investor Warren Buffett, in his 2017 <a href="https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/2017ltr.pdf">letter </a>to shareholders, recommended a 19th-century poem as a tool to maintain composure during stock market downturns.



"There is simply no telling how far stocks can fall in a short period." But should a major decline occur, he continued, "heed these lines" from&nbsp;Rudyard Kipling's classic <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46473/if---">poem </a>"If," Buffett wrote. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44211240/warren-buffett-on-debt-and-donald-trumps-money-moves-trump-never-went-right">Warren Buffett on Debt and Donald Trump&#8217;s Money Moves: Trump &#8216;Never Went Right&#8217;</a>



Buffett drew from Rudyard Kipling&#8217;s 1895 poem, "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs. If you can wait and not be tired by waiting. If you can think and not make thoughts your aim. If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you. Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it."



"No one can tell you when these will happen. The light can at any time go from green to red without pausing at yellow," Buffett wrote in 2017.



Why It Matters: Buffett perceives downturns as &#8220;extraordinary opportunities&#8221; and encourages investors to adhere to their long-term plans and continue investing, irrespective of whether a decline is temporary or extended. 



He underscores that downturns are frequently succeeded by the market resuming its upward trend, and advises investors to seize these opportunities.



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Success Stories

Buffett's Warning as Stocks Plunge: 'The Light Can at Any Time Go From Green to Red'

Most people dream about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44133292/it-takes-money-to-make-money-is-an-excuse-broke-people-make-dave-ramseys-response-to-caller-seeking-advice-about-200k-inheritance">inheriting a chunk of money</a> or property. What they don't talk about? The fallout. The phone calls. The "we were so close" relatives who magically reappear when there's money on the table. Just ask Jeffrey.



At 32, Jeffrey <a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/company/newsroom/ramsey-syndication/Dave-Says--You-Haven--39-t-Done-Anything-Wrong">wrote to Dave Ramsey</a> with what seemed like a classic personal finance win: debt-free except for his house, a close bond with his grandmother, and a surprise inheritance. She left him everything—her home, property, and about $300,000 in cash. But instead of congratulations, he got side-eyes and accusations from family members who claim he turned their grandmother against them.



"I never asked her for anything," he wrote. "I just helped take care of her."



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Ramsey's response? Straight to the point: "It was your grandmother's stuff, so it was her decision. Period."



And he didn't stop there. While offering compassion, he cut through the guilt trip others were laying on thick. "No one in your family—even you—deserved anything from her," he wrote. "She could've spread it around, but she didn't. She had her reasons."



That's not just tough love—it's true.



When someone dies, their will speaks for them. It's not a group vote. And despite how common inheritance drama is, most Americans won't even receive one. According to <a href="https://news.northwesternmutual.com/2024-08-06-As-90-Trillion-Great-Wealth-Transfer-Approaches,-Just-1-in-4-Americans-Expect-to-Leave-an-Inheritance">Northwestern Mutual's 2024 Planning &amp; Progress Study</a>, just 26% of Americans expect to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/41987495/the-greatest-wealth-transfer-in-history-is-here-but-72-of-americans-say-theyre-not-ready-for-it">leave behind an inheritance</a> at all. And yet, when someone does leave something meaningful behind, everyone seems to believe they were supposed to be on the list.



Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>



But Jeffrey didn't ask to be. He helped care for his grandmother because she needed him—not because he expected anything in return.



According to a <a href="https://agewave.com/what-we-do/landmark-research-and-consulting/research-studies/leaving-a-legacy-a-lasting-gift-to-loved-ones/">2018 Merrill Lynch and Age Wave study</a>, two-thirds of Americans agreed that heirs who provided care to aging parents or relatives should receive more than those who didn't. That's exactly the situation Jeffrey was in. He didn't just get her money—he earned her trust.



Still, guilt has a way of creeping in—especially when the people around you are angry. Ramsey understood that. "This is a hard position for you to be in, Jeffrey," he wrote. But he didn't leave room for doubt about who was owed what. "The others aren't entitled to what she had just because they're relatives or they want it."



Some might wonder if Jeffrey should divide the inheritance just to keep the peace. Ramsey didn't say no—but he made it clear that it's a personal choice, not a moral obligation. "This has probably crossed your mind, so I'll go ahead and say it," he wrote. "Generally speaking, it's possible to transfer part of your inheritance to someone else even if it's not specified in the will or trust."



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Jeffrey could do that if he wants. But depending on the state, he might need court approval to make it happen. And if the family wants to contest the will, they can try. But that doesn't mean it'll end well.



"One possible outcome is you might have to spend the money she left fighting them in court," Ramsey warned.



So yes, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/06/39556597/dave-ramseys-sage-advice-to-36-year-old-who-inherited-millions-do-not-put-money-in-something-you">Jeffrey inherited the house</a>. He inherited $300,000. But he also inherited the drama—the accusations, the pressure, the tension no one wants to talk about at the next holiday dinner. It's the kind of situation that shows how quickly people can rewrite family history when there's a dollar sign involved.



But according to Ramsey, there's one thing that shouldn't get lost in all of this: his grandmother already made her decision.



"The lady left what she left. There's no more."



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32-Year-Old Tells Dave Ramsey He Feels Guilty After Being Only One To Inherit Grandma's Home and $300K — 'No One Deserved Anything From Her'

Global markets plunged in the first week of the new quarter after President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on Wednesday—an event <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44616760/donald-trump-sets-reciprocal-tariffs-on-key-trade-partners-in-historic-policy-shock">he dubbed "Liberation Day."</a>



Trump unveiled a set of retaliatory tariffs with differentiated rates depending on the trading partner. The announcement sparked backlash from analysts, who criticized the methodology and raised fears of retaliation <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44647999/trumps-tariff-war-could-take-us-tech-industry-back-a-decade-while-china-steam-rolls-ahead-analyst-says">from global trade partners.</a>



China, the country with which the U.S. has the largest trade deficit, was hit with a steep 34% tariff, prompting Beijing to respond with similar countermeasures by the end of the week. The escalation marked the beginning of a new global trade war between the world's two largest economies.



Other key trading partners were also targeted: the European Union faced a 20% tariff, Japan 24%, and India 26%. Canada and Mexico were spared, as long as their exports complied with USMCA provisions.



The surprise severity of the measures sent shockwaves through markets, surpassing even the most pessimistic forecasts. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44645518/strong-jobs-report-offers-hope-but-will-it-be-enough-to-counter-tariff-turmoil">A strong March jobs report</a> offered little reassurance to investors, who remain focused on the looming economic fallout from rising tariffs.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Trillions Of Wealth Evaporates As Stocks Crash </h3>



Trillions of dollars in market value were wiped <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44631916/wall-street-wipes-out-2-trillion-apple-eyes-worst-day-since-covid-19-pandemic-oil-plummets-whats-driving-markets-thursday">out from Wall Street</a>. 



The S&amp;P 500 Index recorded its worst weekly decline since March 2020, when markets were devastated by the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns.



With the S&amp;P 500 plunging 10.5% over Thursday and Friday, this marks only the fourth time such a sharp two-day drawdown has occurred in modern market history—joining October 1987, September 2008, March 2020, and now April 2025.



The Nasdaq 100 plunged more than 20% from its February all-time high, officially <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44647678/nasdaq-100-enters-bear-market-dow-in-correction-territory-as-traders-anxiously-await-powell-remarks">entering bear market territory.</a>



Mega-cap tech stocks led the rout, with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) posting its worst two-day drop since October 2008. 



Financial stocks also suffered steep losses, with double-digit declines across JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Citigroup Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>), Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), and others.



Oil prices bore the brunt of the sell-off. Crude dropped 10% on the week, hitting a four-year low, pressured by weakening demand expectations and a surprise announcement from OPEC+. The cartel disclosed plans for a larger-than-expected production hike starting in May, raising fears of an oversupply in global energy markets.



On Friday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell failed to soothe market concerns, reiterating "no hurry" on interest rate cuts and highlighting that the new <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44648681/powell-cites-tariff-driven-inflation-risks-shrugs-off-trumps-call-for-perfect-time-to-cut-rates">tariffs could fuel inflation.</a>



Meanwhile, Trump continued to publicly pressure the central bank, stating that now is the "perfect time" to lower interest rates.



Also on Friday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the tariff plan, attributing the roots of the market collapse instead to China's DeepSeek AI breakthrough.



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Trump Tariffs Trigger Wall Street Bloodbath, S&P 500 Notches Worst Weekly Drop Since 2020: This Week In Markets

Each week,&nbsp;Benzinga's Stock Whisper Index&nbsp;uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/stock-whisper-index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface and deserve attention</a>.



Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.



Read Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/04/44597684/exclusive-marchs-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-where-do-tesla-nvidia-apple-applovin-stock-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: March&#8217;s 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, Applovin Stock Rank?</a>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Here&#8217;s a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending April 4:</h1>



Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOLD#NYSE">GOLD</a>): For the second-straight week, a gold stock makes its way on the Stock Whisper Index. Readers are paying increased attention to gold stocks with the price of gold at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/03/44308014/gold-hits-record-highs-as-trade-war-fears-fuel-safe-haven-demand-mining-stocks-soar">record highs</a>. 



Barrick Gold is expected to report first-quarter financial results later this month. Analysts expect the company to post earnings per share and revenue growth from the year-over-year period. Barrick has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in two of the last three quarters, but only four of the past 10 quarters overall. The company has missed revenue estimates in seven of the past 10 quarters, including two straight quarters. With improving prices for gold, investors will be waiting to see if Barrick's financials improved and what the company is saying about the future.



The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59">Benzinga Pro chart</a> below shows shares dropping slightly on the week in the midst of tariffs from President Donald Trump.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="501" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181219/Screenshot-374.png" alt="" class="wp-image-856512" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181219/Screenshot-374.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181219/Screenshot-374-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181219/Screenshot-374-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



Prologis Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLD#NYSE">PLD</a>): The industrial and logistics real estate company saw increased interest from readers during the week. 



The company is set to report first-quarter financials on April 16. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $1.38, up from $1.28 per share in last year's first quarter. Prologis has beaten earnings estimates in three straight quarters. 



Analysts expect the company to report first-quarter revenue of $2.04 billion, up from $1.83 billion in last year's first quarter. The company has missed analyst estimates for revenue in five straight quarters and seven of the past 10 quarters overall. Prologis will also host its annual shareholder meeting on May 8, which could provide back-to-back months of company news and catalysts.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="498" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181238/Screenshot-375.png" alt="" class="wp-image-856513" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181238/Screenshot-375.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181238/Screenshot-375-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181238/Screenshot-375-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>



 Ecolab Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>): The cleaning and sanitation company saw strong interest from readers during the week, which comes with Baird maintaining a Neutral rating and lowering the price target from $288 to $277. 



The company is expected to report first-quarter financial results later this month. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $1.50, up from $1.34 in last year's first quarter; it has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in nine straight quarters. Analysts expect the company to report revenue of $3.70 billion, down from $3.75 billion in last year's first quarter. Ecolab beat analyst estimates for revenue in the fourth quarter and has beaten the estimate in five of the last 10 quarters.



"We enter 2025 confident in our ability to deliver continued strong performance in a dynamic environment. Growth in the United States, our largest and most profitable region, continues to be very strong," Ecolab CEO Christophe Beck <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43626120/ecolab-q4-solid-eps-growth-industrial-and-institutional-acceleration-2025-momentum-and-more">said </a>after fourth-quarter financial results.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="501" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181253/Screenshot-376.png" alt="" class="wp-image-856514" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181253/Screenshot-376.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181253/Screenshot-376-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181253/Screenshot-376-768x385.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



Nutanix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTNX#NASDAQ">NTNX</a>): The cloud software company saw increased interest from readers during the week. 



In February, Nutanix<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/44007219/nutanix-q2-revenue-rises-16-margins-expand-as-cloud-business-gains-momentum"> reported second-quarter results</a> that included revenue up 16% year-over-year and earnings per share of 56 cents. Both figures beat analyst estimates and led to several analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NTNX/analyst-ratings">raising their price targets </a>on the stock. Nutanix also raised its full-year revenue, operating margin and free cash flow estimates. The company will <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/03/3055224/0/en/Nutanix-Announces-2025-NEXT-Event-Lineup-Shape-the-Next-Era-of-AI-Cloud-Native-and-Hybrid-Multicloud-Innovation.html">host </a>the NEXT 2025 event covering sectors like AI and the cloud from May 7 to May 9.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="503" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181309/Screenshot-377.png" alt="" class="wp-image-856515" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181309/Screenshot-377.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181309/Screenshot-377-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181309/Screenshot-377-768x387.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



Xylem Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYL#NYSE">XYL</a>): The water technology company saw increased interest from investors during the week. The company will report first-quarter financial results on April 29. 



Analysts expect earnings per share and revenue to increase from last year's first quarter. Xylem beat analyst estimates for earnings per share in the fourth quarter and has beaten estimates in eight of the past 10 quarters overall. The company has beaten analyst revenue estimates in eight of the past 10 quarters.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="502" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181324/Screenshot-378.png" alt="" class="wp-image-856516" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181324/Screenshot-378.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181324/Screenshot-378-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181324/Screenshot-378-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



Stay tuned for next week's report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0403" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>



Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44209284/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-56" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">March 7</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44333602/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">March 14</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44448522/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">March 21</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59">March 28</a></li>
</ul>



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