Major U.S. stock markets are set to close Jan. 9 to honor the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, who died at the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/movers-shakers/24/12/42716329/jimmy-carter-the-39th-us-president-who-championed-human-rights-and-peace-in-the-middle-east-had-died">age of 100 Sunday.</a>



What Happened: The New York Stock Exchange, which is owned by the Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ICE#NYSE">ICE</a>), confirmed Monday it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42717748/will-markets-be-closed-for-former-president-jimmy-carters-funeral-heres-what-investors-should-know">will close markets </a>on Jan. 9 as part of President Joe Biden's declaration of a National Day of Mourning for Carter.



Carter served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981 and was the oldest living president until his death Sunday.



"Jimmy Carter, with humble roots as a farmer and family man, devoted his life to public service and defending our freedom," NYSE Group President Lynn Martin said.



Martin said the NYSE will honor Carter's "lifetime of service" to the nation with the market closing on the National Day of Mourning and to coincide with his state funeral on Jan. 9 in Washington, D.C.



The U.S. flag above the NYSE will fly at half-staff throughout the mourning period.



The Nasdaq (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NDAQ#NASDAQ">NDAQ</a>) will also close operations on Jan. 9 to honor Carter's life and legacy.



"We mourn the loss of President Carter and will be closing our U.S. markets during the National Day of Mourning to celebrate his life and honor his legacy," Nasdaq President Tal Cohen said.



Read Also<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/10/41130171/jimmy-carter-at-100-5-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-rock-roll-president">: Jimmy Carter At 100: 5 Things You Didn&#8217;t Know About The Rock &amp; Roll President</a>



Why It's Important: The announcements from the NYSE and Nasdaq follow an American tradition of closing the stock markets after presidents die.



Major stock markets previously closed on Dec. 5, 2018 to coincide with the National Day of Mourning for former President George H.W. Bush. The markets were also closed on Jan. 2, 2007 to honor the life of former President Gerald R. Ford.



The major stock markets close to honor the lives of former presidents and have also closed due to natural disasters and national emergencies in the past.



Markets closed on April 9, 1968 for the National Day of Mourning for Martin Luther King Jr., the only non-president to receive the stock market honor. Markets are now closed every MLK Day, which is celebrated on the third Monday of January.



With the Jan. 9 closure, the stock markets will be closed three days in January: New Year's Day (Jan. 1), the National Day of Mourning (Jan. 9) and MLK Day (Jan. 20).



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42716729/jimmy-carter-to-receive-state-funeral-trump-calls-him-truly-a-good-man-biden-mourns-loss-of-extraordinary-leader">Jimmy Carter To Receive State Funeral: Trump Calls Him &#8216;Truly A Good Man,&#8217; Biden Mourns Loss Of &#8216;Extraordinary Leader&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Photo via Shutterstock.

News

Politics

Markets

NDAQ

Markets Will Close For President Jimmy Carter's State Funeral: What You Need To Know

MicroStrategy Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) extends its Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) acquisition strategy, announcing on Monday its latest purchase of 2,138 BTC for approximately $209 million to bring the company&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42665877/microstrategy-to-hold-special-shareholder-vote-to-support-the-42-billion-bitcoin-acquisition-strategy">total holdings to 446,400 BTC</a>.



What Happened: MicroStrategy&#8217;s Executive Chairman Michael Saylor <a href="https://x.com/saylor/status/1873716433919803868">announced</a> the acquisition on X, having purchased the Bitcoin at an average price of $97,837 per coin.



Saylor highlighted MicroStrategy&#8217;s performance, noting a &#8220;BTC Yield of 47.8% QTD and 74.1% YTD.&#8221; 



As of Dec. 29, MicroStrategy&#8217;s total Bitcoin holdings were acquired for about $27.9 billion at an average price of $62,428 per Bitcoin.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42720351/ethereum-to-outperform-bitcoin-in-q1-2025-for-these-3-reasons-whale-trader-says">Ethereum To Outperform Bitcoin In Q1 2025 For These 3 Reasons, Whale Trader Says</a>



Why It Matters: This latest purchase marks the eighth consecutive week of Bitcoin acquisitions for MicroStrategy, although the volume of purchases has decreased compared to previous weeks. 



Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-30/microstrategy-buys-209-million-of-bitcoin-as-purchases-lessen?sref=TBDibEcD">highlighted</a> the decreasing volume, which possibly comes as a response to the recent price fluctuations that saw Bitcoin briefly surpass $100,000 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42656507/bitcoin-price-decisively-back-below-100000-what-is-going-on">before settling back down</a>.



MicroStrategy&#8217;s aggressive Bitcoin strategy has propelled the company to new heights, with its market capitalization exceeding $80 billion and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42503221/microstrategy-shares-surge-nearly-7-amid-nasdaq-100-inclusion-and-bitcoins-new-record-high">securing its place in the Nasdaq 100 Index</a>. 



The inclusion in this prestigious index is expected to boost the company&#8217;s visibility and attract significant inflows from major ETFs.



The company&#8217;s success has not been without controversy. 



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42138209/microstrategy-trading-at-insane-256-premium-to-bitcoin-holdings-research-shows">Research by BitMEX</a> published on Nov.22 noted that MicroStrategy is trading at a 256% premium to the net asset value of its Bitcoin holdings. 



This extreme valuation disparity has led some analysts to question the sustainability of the company&#8217;s strategy and the rationality of investor behavior.



Despite these concerns, MicroStrategy remains committed to its Bitcoin-centric approach. 



The company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41818982/will-microstrategys-42-billion-bitcoin-bet-boost-mstr-stock-further">aims to raise $42 billion</a> over the next three years through stock sales and convertible debt offerings to fund further Bitcoin purchases, having already surpassed two-thirds of its equity goals in just two months.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42717267/2024s-cryptocurrency-champions-these-top-performers-surpass-bitcoin-in-a-year-of-unprecedented-gains">Bitcoin, Dogecoin Trail These 2024 Crypto Champions: Here Are The Top Performers Of The Year</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

MSTR

MicroStrategy Drops Another $209 Million On Bitcoin, Extends Buying Streak To 8 Weeks

Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) is cooling off after a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PLTR/news">blistering 2024 run</a>. The stock dipped 4.22% on Friday, followed by a 1.8% slide in pre-market trading Monday, as investors cashed in gains amid broader market turmoil.



The question now: Does this pullback present a buying opportunity, or is it the start of a deeper correction?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tech&#8217;s Year-End Stumble</h2>



Palantir isn't alone in feeling the heat. The Nasdaq 100 sank 2.2% on Friday, dragged down by megacap names like Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) which was down 4.55%, Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) which dipped 2.89% and Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) which was down 2.44%. The broader S&amp;P 500 also retreated, reflecting a tech-heavy sell-off fueled by profit-taking, tax-loss harvesting and year-end portfolio rebalancing.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42717000/palantir-was-not-part-of-cool-kids-club-says-dan-ives-as-stock-surges-376-institutional-investors-were-stuck">Palantir Was Not Part Of &#8216;Cool Kids Club,&#8217; Says Dan Ives, As Stock Surges 376%: &#8216;Group Think&#8217; Mentality Of Institutional Investors Gave Retail The Edge</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PLTR Stock's Pullback: Blip Or Bigger Trend?</h2>



Despite the recent dip, PLTR stock's technicals remain robust. The stock has soared 376.96% year-to-date, including a 205.56% gain over the past six months. Even with the recent hiccup, PLTR stock is up 19.11% over the past month.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent123024&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="630" height="493" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/30055556/Screenshot-2024-12-30-at-4.25.32-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-711199" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/30055556/Screenshot-2024-12-30-at-4.25.32-PM.png 630w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/30055556/Screenshot-2024-12-30-at-4.25.32-PM-300x235.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 630px) 100vw, 630px" /></a></figure>



<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent123024&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>



From a technical perspective:



<ul>
<li>Moving Averages: PLTR stock trades well above its eight-day ($78.52), 20-day ($74.94) and 50-day ($62.38) simple moving averages—clear bullish signals.</li>



<li>Relative Strength Index (RSI) and Moving Average Convergence/Divergence (MACD) indicator: With an RSI of 60.84 and a bullish MACD of 4.92, PLTR stock is not showing signs of overbought territory just yet.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What's Next For PLTR Stock?</h2>



The year-end sell-off feels more like a necessary breather than a red flag for Palantir.



For investors eyeing the long term, the dip might be a gift-wrapped opportunity. With Palantir maintaining strong momentum and bullish technical signals, this pullback could be a chance to get in before the next leg higher. Just keep an eye on macro factors like bond yields and institutional flows — they'll dictate whether &#8216;buy-the-dip&#8217; thesis holds water.



So, is it time to pounce? For believers in Palantir's story, the answer might just be yes.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42717777/nvidia-was-blue-chip-star-of-2024-but-trailblazers-in-the-small-cap-universe-charted-exhilarating-gains-here-are-the-chart-toppers">Nvidia Was Blue Chip Star Of 2024, But Trailblazers In the Small Cap Universe Charted Exhilarating Gains — Here Are The Chart Toppers</a></li>
</ul>



Photo by Spyro the Dragon on Shutterstock

Technicals

Tech

Trading Ideas

MSFT

NVDA

PLTR

TSLA

Palantir Stock Slips On Profit-Taking: Is It Time To Buy The Dip?

Beginning on Jan. 20, 2025, a network of powerful billionaires will exert unparalleled influence over the U.S. government, according to former Labor Secretary <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/robert-reich">Robert Reich</a>. He names venture capitalist <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/peter-thiel">Peter Thiel</a> as a central figure in what Reich describes as a &#8220;billionaire brain trust&#8221; poised to shape key aspects of policy and governance in President-elect <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&#8216;s second term.



Thiel, co-founder of Palantir Technologies, PayPal and an early Facebook investor, has cultivated relationships with influential figures now securely inside Trump's political orbit, noted the Clinton-era labor secretary in a <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/what-are-they-really-seeking?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=365422&amp;post_id=153507615&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=true&amp;r=wlhj&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email">Sunday newsletter</a> on Substack. Among them is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/jd-vance">J.D. Vance</a>, who worked at Thiel's investment fund, Mithril Capital, before <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/08/40221033/peter-thiel-launched-j-d-vances-venture-capital-career-but-a-former-colleague-says-he-was-rarely-in">launching his own</a>. Thiel also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/11/41865349/future-vice-president-jd-vance-has-a-powerful-silicon-valley-backer">financed Vance's 2022 Senate campaign</a> and introduced him to Trump.



Then there&#8217;s Tesla CEO <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a> who once worked at PayPal alongside Thiel who, via his Founders Fund, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/11/35953853/elon-musks-neuralink-secures-43m-in-fresh-funding-led-by-peter-thiels-founders-fund-amid-controversi">invested heavily</a> in Musk&#8217;s ventures, including <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/spacex">SpaceX</a>, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/the-boring-company">Boring Company</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/neuralink">Neuralink</a>.



Musk, who is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42715951/trump-backs-immigration-visas-musk-praises-his-stance-and-says-rising-tide-lifts-all-boats">shaping up to be</a> one of the President-elect&#8217;s most important advisers, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42378550/musk-kicked-in-more-than-a-quarter-billion-dollars-to-trump-and-gop">reportedly</a> donated up to a quarter of a billion dollars to Trump's 2024 election campaign. Along with billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk was tapped <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41927289/trump-appoints-elon-musk-and-vivek-ramaswamy-to-lead-doge-targeting-bureaucracy-and-65-trillion-federal-spending-we-will-not-go-gently">to lead</a> the so-called <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/department-of-government-efficiency">Department of Government Efficiency </a>(DOGE).



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42713690/musk-and-ramaswamy-back-foreign-tech-workers-sparking-rift-in-maga-trump-camp-twitter-firestorm">Musk And Ramaswamy Back Foreign Tech Workers, Sparking Rift In MAGA Trump Camp &amp; Twitter Firestorm</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Silicon Valley Execs In The White House</h2>



Thiel's influence extends to billionaire David Sacks, a fellow PayPal colleague who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42356067/venture-capitalist-david-sacks-appointed-as-white-house-ai-crypto-czar-by-trump">Trump recently appointed</a> as the &#8220;White House A.I. &amp; Crypto Czar.&#8221; Two high-profile leaders at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz were recently offered White House jobs — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42639812/trump-taps-sriram-krishnan-as-senior-ai-advisor-to-work-closely-with-ai-and-crypto-czar-david-sacks">Sriram Krishnan</a> to head up the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Scott Kupor as director of the Office of Personnel Management.



Other Thiel Silicon Valley allies include Jim O'Neill, who Trump tapped to be the deputy director of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Michael Kratsios to head the Antitrust Division at the Justice Dept., <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-names-kratsios-parker-tech-013000420.html">reported</a> Yahoo! News on Dec. 22. Trump named former Uber executive Emil Michael as undersecretary for research and engineering, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/23/trump-taps-silicon-valley-execs-for-key-administration-roles.html">according</a> to CNBC.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What's The Ultimate Plan, If Any?</h2>



Reich suggests that Thiel and his associates appear to be seeking a rollback of reforms dating back to the New Deal era. In his essay, Reich draws parallels between today's billionaire influence and the Gilded Age of the 1920s — a period of extreme inequality that culminated in the Great Depression.



"If America learned anything from the first Gilded Age and the fascism that grew like a cancer in the 1930s,&#8221; Reich wrote, &#8220;it should have been that gross inequalities of income and wealth fuel gross inequalities of political power — as Musk, Thiel, Sachs, and other oligarchs are putting on full display — which in turn generate strongmen who destroy both democracy and freedom."



Now Read: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42714387/tech-titans-warm-up-to-donald-trump-who-says-everybody-wants-to-be-my-friend-claims-bill-gates-asked-to-come-to-mar-a-lago">Tech Titans Warm Up To Donald Trump, Who Says &#8216;Everybody Wants To Be My Friend,&#8217; Claims Bill Gates Asked To Come To Mar-a-Lago</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, Shutterstock

Government

Elon Musk, Peter Thiel And Billionaires' Influence In Trump's White House: Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich's Warning

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) shares closed down by 4.95% on Friday and slipped another 1.35% in pre-market trading Monday, pausing what has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSLA/news">an electrifying 2024</a>. 



With year-to-date gains of 73.76% and a 105.69% surge over the past six months, is this dip a buying opportunity — or a warning sign for investors?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tesla&#8217;s Q4 Delivery Buzz Meets Profit-Taking Blues</h2>



Tesla's recent stumble comes as the EV giant gears up to report its fourth-quarter delivery numbers. Wall Street <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/watch-these-tesla-price-levels-as-stock-hits-brakes-ahead-of-q4-deliveries-report-8767370">anticipates</a> 511,000 vehicles, up 10% from the prior quarter and 5% year-over-year. If these numbers hold, this Elon Musk-led company&#8217;s 2024 total deliveries could reach 1.8 million vehicles, narrowly missing 2023's figure of 1.81 million.



Adding to the mix, speculation about the Cybertruck's potential launch in China stirred excitement, only to be promptly squashed by Tesla China, which denied any plans for a Jan. 1 debut.



Meanwhile, macro headwinds loom. The Federal Reserve&#8217;s hawkish stance on interest rates could weigh on vehicle sales, as rising borrowing costs discourage financing—a critical factor for the auto sector.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42717968/teslas-referral-benefits-to-reduce-starting-2025">Tesla&#8217;s Referral Benefits In North America To Reduce Starting 2025: Here&#8217;s What You Should Know</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tesla Stock Chart: Mixed Messages For Traders</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent123024&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="630" height="493" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/30072328/Screenshot-2024-12-30-at-5.47.57-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-711302" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/30072328/Screenshot-2024-12-30-at-5.47.57-PM.png 630w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/30072328/Screenshot-2024-12-30-at-5.47.57-PM-300x235.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 630px) 100vw, 630px" /></a></figure>



<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent123024&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>



Tesla's technical indicators present a fascinating puzzle:



<ul>
<li>Bearish near-term signals: TSLA stock trades below its eight-day simple moving average (SMA) ($444.49), a potential red flag.</li>



<li>Bullish longer-term signals: TSLA stock remains above its 20-day ($412.95), 50-day ($338.59) and 200-day ($236.36) SMAs, keeping optimism alive.</li>



<li>Momentum indicators: A robust moving average convergence/divergence (MACD) indicator of 31.46 and a relative strength index (RSI) of 58.59 suggest the stock isn't overbought—yet.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What's Next For TSLA Stock?</h2>



Tesla's trajectory depends on its fourth quarter delivery performance and investor appetite for high-growth names in a challenging macro environment. 



While the stock's recent pullback reflects profit-taking and cautious positioning, the longer-term bullish indicators hint at potential upside if deliveries beat expectations.



For now, the EV leader's stock faces a critical juncture. A stellar delivery report could recharge the rally, but elevated interest rates and bearish near-term technicals pose risks. Investors may want to buckle up for volatility ahead.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42719784/tesla-bull-urges-investors-to-do-their-own-research-ceos-are-paid-to-be-optimistic">Tesla Bull Urges Investors To Do Their Own Research: &#8216;&#8230;CEOs Are Paid To Be Optimistic&#8230;&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Photo via Shutterstock.

Tesla Stock Takes A Breather: Is The Rally Losing Charge?

Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) is back in the spotlight after a Boeing 737-800 operated by South Korea&#8217;s JejuAir crashed at Muan International Airport on Sunday, tragically killing 179 of 181 passengers and raising fresh questions about the aerospace manufacturer's safety record.



What Happened: The crash comes amid Boeing&#8217;s ongoing challenges, including a 30% stock decline in 2024 and production restrictions imposed by federal regulators following January&#8217;s Alaska Airlines door plug incident on a 737 MAX aircraft, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/korea-plane-crash-boeing-51abcf86c1a4d01b94ad17b30f5fc774">reported</a> Associated Press on Sunday.



JejuAir&#8217;s shares plunged 7.67% to 7,570 ($5.14) South Korean won following the crash, while Boeing&#8217;s stock, already down 28.22% year-to-date, faces uncertain trading as markets process the incident&#8217;s implications.



Aviation consultant and former Delta Air Lines chief pilot Alan Price emphasized that the 737-800 involved in Sunday&#8217;s crash differs from the troubled MAX variant, calling it &#8220;a very proven airplane&#8221; with a strong safety record.



&#8220;We are in contact with Jeju Air regarding flight 2216 and stand ready to support them. We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew,&#8221; Boeing wrote on X on Sunday. 



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://t.co/TIrIUBw4RB">pic.twitter.com/TIrIUBw4RB</a>&mdash; The Boeing Company (@Boeing) <a href="https://twitter.com/Boeing/status/1873240531771285768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/12/42710358/veteran-investor-bets-big-on-sp-500-hitting-7000-by-end-of-2025-these-sectors-could-lead-the-charge">Veteran Investor Bets Big On S&amp;P 500 Hitting 7,000 By End Of 2025: These Sectors Could Lead The Charge</a>



Why It Matters: The incident adds to Boeing&#8217;s recent setbacks, including a seven-week machinists strike that disrupted production of key aircraft models and January&#8217;s FAA manufacturing oversight restrictions. The company has struggled to rebuild its reputation following two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people and led to $23 billion in losses.



Under new leadership since CEO David Calhoun&#8216;s departure in August, Boeing has initiated safety improvement discussions among 70,000 employees. The cause of Sunday&#8217;s crash remains under investigation by South Korean authorities.



Market analysts note that while distinct from previous 737 MAX issues, the crash could further impact investor confidence in Boeing as it competes with European rival Airbus for market share in the commercial aviation sector.



Price Action: Boeing Co.&#8217;s stock is trading down 4.15% at $173.50 during Robinhood&#8217;s overnight trading service. On Friday, the stock closed at $180.72, up 0.19% for the day, before edging higher by 0.10% in after-hours trading to $180.90. Year to date, Boeing&#8217;s stock has fallen significantly, down 28.22%, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.



Boeing has a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BA/analyst-ratings">consensus price target</a> of $197.85 from 23 analysts, with a high of $260 and a low of $85. The latest ratings from JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, and RBC Capital average $158.33, implying a 12.47% downside.



Boeing&#8217;s 30-day average trading volume stands at 10.71 million shares, with a 52-week range of $137.03 to $264.66. The company has a market capitalization of $135.34 billion, and its 14-day Relative Strength Index is at 77.4, indicating overbought conditions.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/29201756/Screenshot-2024-12-30-at-6.46.58%E2%80%AFAM-1024x365.png" alt="" class="wp-image-710436" style="width:763px;height:auto"/></figure>



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/movers-shakers/24/12/42716329/jimmy-carter-the-39th-us-president-who-championed-human-rights-and-peace-in-the-middle-east-had-died">Jimmy Carter, Former U.S. President, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Dies At 100</a></li>
</ul>



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

Equities

Boeing In Spotlight After Fatal 737-800 Crash In South Korea, Stock Declined 28% Amid Deepening 2024 Challenges

U.S. stock futures declined on Monday after ending <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42711387/wall-streets-santa-rally-at-risk-palantir-dethrones-nvidia-consumer-confidence-pulls-back-this-week-in-the-markets">lower </a>on Friday. All four index futures slipped in trade.



Although ‘Santa Rally' has not picked up pace despite rising over 1% on Christmas Eve, the S&amp;P 500 index is on its way to registering a robust 20% plus return for the second consecutive year in 2024.



The 10-year and two-year Treasury notes yielded 4.59% and 4.30%, respectively. The probability of having no change in the interest rates for the upcoming Jan. 31, 2025, FOMC meeting was at 88.8%, according <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">to</a> CME Group&#8217;s FedWatch tool.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>Futures</td><td>Change (+/-)</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq 100</td><td>-0.18%</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>-0.21%</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>-0.21%</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>-0.02%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



In premarket trading on Monday, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) was down 0.23% to $593.66 and the Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) fell 0.20% to $521.43, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



Cues From The Last Session



U.S. stock markets experienced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/12/42717902/dow-dips-over-300-points-but-records-weekly-gain-greed-index-remains-in-fear-zone">lower</a> close on Friday as major indices retreated following gains on a weekly basis. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by over 300 points, while Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) suffered losses.



The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 42,992.21, down approximately 0.77%, whereas, the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also experienced declines, falling by 1.11% and 1.49%, respectively.



All sectors within the S&amp;P 500 ended the day in negative territory. Consumer discretionary, communication services, and information technology sectors recorded the most significant losses.



On the economic front, U.S. wholesale inventories decreased by 0.2% in November. The U.S. trade deficit in goods widened to $102.86 billion.



Despite Friday&#8217;s losses, major indices still recorded positive returns for the week. The Dow Jones gained approximately 0.4%, ending a three-week losing streak. The S&amp;P 500 added 0.7%, and the Nasdaq rose by about 0.8%.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>Index</td><td>Performance (+/-)</td><td>Value</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq Composite</td><td>-1.49%</td><td>19,722.03</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>-1.11%</td><td>5.970.84</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>-0.77%</td><td>42,992.21</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>-1.56%</td><td>2,244.59</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Insights From Analysts



Chamath Palihapitiya, the billionaire investor, and former Facebook executive, explained in an X post that greater concentration in a few stocks increases the risks of investing.



He highlighted the inequality in the weight of the stocks within the S&amp;P 500 index and said, "If there is any market volatility, the lack of diversification could cause massive impairment."



Kevin Gordon, the director and senior investment strategist at Charles Schwab shared a graphic showing the top ten stocks in the S&amp;P 500 represent 40% of the index market capitalization.



<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">This needs to be fixed or it will end in disaster. Why? Average Americans buy S&amp;P 500 index ETFs, in part, because Buffett told them to. They were told they would pay very little and get diversification in the 500 best companies on earth to ride out storms. But as… <a href="https://t.co/YEYhjvrSg7">https://t.co/YEYhjvrSg7</a>&mdash; Chamath Palihapitiya (@chamath) <a href="https://twitter.com/chamath/status/1873144394100187263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



As the ‘Magnificent Seven&#8217; stock led the market lower on Friday, Louis Navellier of Navellier &amp; Associates in his note said, "The Santa Claus rally is in serious doubt now." But he quipped that "It certainly appears to be a bit of profit-taking."



Reinstalling confidence among investors Navellier added that Friday's selloff should not be worrisome and the ‘B team' of traders were getting rid of their inventory before the weekend.



"Investors shouldn&#8217;t worry about the sell-off – it&#8217;s just what we call inventory cleaning. But there is a sell-off today, and if you did want to buy, it's not a bad time to nibble. Normally, we rally going into New Year&#8217;s, and we normally rally in the new year. So, if we don&#8217;t, it means we have to wait until the A team comes back, which will of course be after the New Year&#8217;s holiday," he added.



The 10-year Treasury yield hit 4.631% during Friday's session, which was its highest level since May 30, 2024. However, it is currently yielding 4.59% on Monday.



Talking about the spiking yields, Ed Yardeni, the president at Yardeni Research said in a note "The Bond Vigilantes are sending a loud warning message. They aren&#8217;t convinced Donald Trump, the new sheriff coming to town, will maintain fiscal law and order any better than the old sheriff. They are also losing their confidence in Jerome Powell, the deputy in charge of monetary law and order."



According to Navellier, "The bond vigilantes have been pushing the narrative that the Trump tariffs are going to be inflationary, but the reality is that a strong U.S. dollar causes the prices of commodities and imported goods to decline."



Yardeni, in his note, mentioned that a pullback in the markets may have already started. "We still think that the 10-year yield should trade around 4.50% plus/minus 25bps in 2025. But we can&#8217;t rule out a move back up to last year&#8217;s high of 5.00% early next year. That&#8217;s another reason why we expect a stock market pullback/correction that might have started already. The S&amp;P 500 peaked at a record 6090.27 on Dec. 6," he said.



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



Upcoming Economic Data



A few important data points will be released in this truncated week that will help investors determine the future course of action.



<ul>
<li>On Monday, Chicago Business Barometer (PMI) data for December will announced at 9:45 a.m., ET.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>November's pending home sales data will be released at 10:00 a.m., ET.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>On Tuesday, November's S&amp;P Case-Shiller home price index for 20 cities will be announced at 9:00 a.m., ET.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>No data is slated to be released on Wednesday, Jan. 1, owning to a New Year's holiday.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>On Thursday, initial jobless claims till Dec. 28 will be announced at 8:30 a.m., ET.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Construction spending data for November will be released at 10:00 a.m., ET.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>On Friday, ISM manufacturing data for December will be announced at 10:00 a.m., ET.</li>
</ul>



Stocks In Focus:



<ul>
<li>CEL-SCI Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVM#NYSE">CVM</a>) was down 43.34% in premarket trade after it priced its $5 million public offering of 16.13 million common shares at 31 cents per share.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>CCSC Technology International (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCTG#NASDAQ">CCTG</a>) was up 31.71% after its earnings on Friday. Its revenue surged by 22.9% year-over-year to $9.2 million for the third quarter.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Citius Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTXR#NASDAQ">CTXR</a>) was down 16.58% after reporting a net loss of $39.4 million, or $5.97 per share for the full year ended Sept. 30, versus a year-ago net loss of $32.5 million, or $5.57 per share.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Genius Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GNS#NYSE">GNS</a>) was up 15.81% in premarket after posting first-half revenue of $4.9 million, down from $11.8 million in the year-ago period. Its net assets surged 177% to $54.6 million from $19.7 million as of Dec. 31, 2023.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Intrusion Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTZ#NASDAQ">INTZ</a>) was up 125.93% in premarket after Dow Newswire reported Streeterville Capital has acquired a 9.8% stake in the company.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Amplitech Group Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMPG#NASDAQ">AMPG</a>) was up 24.17% as it raised $5.8 million in gross proceeds for the company before fees and expenses were deducted. It was a direct offer of 1,871,000 shares of common stock at $3.10 per share to institutional investors.</li>
</ul>



Commodities, Gold And Global Equity Markets:



Crude oil futures were lower in the early New York session by 0.18% to hover around $70.47 per barrel.



The gold spot index was down by 0.25% to $2,625.56 per ounce. The Dollar Index was down 0.05% to 107.947 level.



Asian markets were mostly lower on Monday as Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225, Australia&#8217;s ASX 200, and South Korea&#8217;s Kospi declined. Whereas, China&#8217;s CSI 300 ended higher. European markets were mixed.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42678368/sp-500-hits-57-all-time-highs-in-record-breaking-2024-magnificent-7-drive-30-of-nasdaqs-surge">S&amp;P 500 Hits 57 All-Time Highs In Record-Breaking 2024: Magnificent 7 Drive 30% Of Nasdaq&#8217;s Surge</a> </li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Market Summary

Futures

Economics

Pre-Market Outlook

AMPG

CCTG

CTXR

INTZ

US Stock Futures Slip After Friday's Fall: 'Santa Rally' In Doubt? Analyst Calls It A Bit Of Profit-Taking

On Friday, December 27, U.S. markets closed lower, with Wall Street ending the week in a broad sell-off that broke the Dow&#8217;s recent winning streak. Rising Treasury yields and widespread profit-taking significantly impacted tech and growth stocks, including major players like Tesla and Nvidia. The sell-off also affected the top-performing S&amp;P 500 stocks of the year, disrupting the anticipated year-end rally. Analysts attributed the decline to portfolio rebalancing and growing concerns over tech valuations amid shifting market conditions.



In economic data, U.S. wholesale inventories fell 0.2% in November to $902 billion, reversing a 0.1% gain in October and missing expectations of a 0.2% rise. Meanwhile, the U.S. trade deficit in goods widened to $102.86 billion, exceeding forecasts of $100.7 billion.



All 11 major S&amp;P sectors declined, with 2024&#8217;s top-performing indexes—consumer discretionary, information technology, and communication services—leading the losses.



The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.77% and closed at 42,992.21, the S&amp;P 500 closed lower by 1.11% at 5,970.84, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.49% to finish at 19,722.03.



Asia Markets Today



<ul>
<li>On Monday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 declined 0.77% and ended the session at 39,968.00, led by losses in the Paper &amp; Pulp, Rubber, and Transportation Equipment sectors.</li>



<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 closed lower by 0.32% at 8,235.00, led by losses in the A-REITs, Utilities and Financials sectors.</li>



<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 declined 0.64% to 23,661.10, and Nifty 500 was down 0.42%, closing at 22,351.95, led by losses in the Metals, Capital Goods, and Real Estate sectors.</li>



<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite rose 0.21% to close at 3,407.33, while the Shenzhen CSI 300 gained 0.45%, finishing the day at 3,999.05.</li>



<li>Hong Kong Hang Seng closed the session lower by 0.24% at 20,041.42.</li>
</ul>



Eurozone at 06:00 AM ET



<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 was down 0.01%.</li>



<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX rose 0.01%.</li>



<li>France&#8217;s CAC gained 0.11%.</li>



<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 traded lower by 0.20%.</li>
</ul>



Commodities at 06:00 AM ET



<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 0.20% at $70.46/bbl, and Brent was down 0.26% at $73.60/bbl.</li>



<li>Oil prices remained steady in thin holiday trading as markets awaited U.S. and Chinese economic data. Optimism for China&#8217;s growth and low global oil stockpiles supported demand outlook for 2025.</li>



<li>Natural Gas futures rose by 11.38% to $3.77. Ukraine has threatened to cease allowing Russian gas to flow across its territory from January 1 while at war. This could trigger retaliation from European Union territories that get gas supplies from Russia via pipeline.</li>



<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.23% at $2,625.04, Silver was down 0.02% to $29.062 and slid 0.11% to $4.1178.</li>
</ul>



U.S. Futures at 06:00 AM ET



Dow futures were down 0.16%, S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.22%, and Nasdaq 100 futures slid 0.20%.



Forex at 06:00 AM ET



<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index was down 0.12% to 107.86, USD/JPY fell 0.07% to 157.71, and USD/AUD fell 0.35% to 1.6029.</li>



<li>The dollar held firm, supported by rising U.S. yields and expectations of prolonged high rates, while the yen hovered near five-month lows amid diverging central bank policies.</li>
</ul>



Photo via Shutterstock

Asia

Emerging Markets

Eurozone

Commodities

Forex

ADIV

AGOV

ASHR

BBEU

BOIL

CQQQ

EEMA

FLAX

IEMG

IEUR

KDIV

SPEM

USDU

Geopolitical Tensions Trigger Natural Gas Futures 11% Jump, Asia And Europe Markets Mixed - Global Markets Today While Us Slept

EV giant Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) said on Saturday that the company will reduce benefits as part of its referral program in North America starting next year.



What Happened: &#8220;Current Referral Program benefits are valid through Dec 31 as well (will be reduced starting Jan 1),&#8221; the company announced in a post on social media platform X. 



Tesla&#8217;s referral program aims to reward new and existing customers of the company. Existing customers can gain benefits by referring other first-time customers and new customers by making purchases with referrals. 



<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">To make things easier for those on the fence If taking delivery by Dec 31: &#x1f1fa;&#x1f1f8; – 3 months of free Supercharging + FSD Supervised – Current FSD Supervised owners can transfer to new vehicle (except non-Foundation <a href="https://twitter.com/cybertruck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cybertruck</a>) &#x1f1e8;&#x1f1e6; – 0% APR available when purchasing FSD Supervised…&mdash; Tesla North America (@tesla_na) <a href="https://twitter.com/tesla_na/status/1873123516918448277?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Why It Matters: Late in November, Tesla <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/11/42207185/tesla-sweetens-referral-program-allowing-customers-to-earn-up-to-10000-as-elon-musks-ev-giant-races-to-500k-q4-delivery-target">updated its referral program</a> to include enhanced discounts and rewards. 



Customers could earn $1,000 for each successful referral, while the new buyer could receive&nbsp;up to $2,000 off a&nbsp;new Tesla. Additionally, those who&nbsp;take delivery before the end&nbsp;of 2024 will benefit from three&nbsp;months of free FSD (Supervised)&nbsp;and unlimited Supercharging, the company then said. 



However, these benefits are valid only through the end of this quarter and are possibly aimed at increasing the company&#8217;s deliveries this year as compared to 2023.



For the full year 2023, Tesla delivered 1,808,581 vehicles around the globe. To mark a growth over last year, the company has to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42571913/tesla-registrations-drop-by-nearly-41-in-november-in-eu-dragging-down-optimism-for-over-500000-ev-deliveries-in-q4">deliver at least 514,926 vehicles</a> in the three months through the end of December. Tesla has never delivered over 500,000 EVs in a quarter to date, making this an ambitious target.



Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/24/12/42717337/spacex-kicks-off-post-christmas-operations-with-double-launch-eyes-134-missions-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SpaceX Kicks Off Post-Christmas Operations With Double Launch, Eyes 134 Missions In 2024</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Tesla

Tesla's Referral Benefits In North America To Reduce Starting 2025: Here's What You Should Know

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed some easing in the fear level, while the index remained in the &#8220;Fear&#8221; zone on Friday.



U.S. stocks settled lower on Friday, with the Dow Jones index dipping more than 300 points during the session. Shares of Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) tumbled around 5%, while Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) lost 2% on Friday. However, major indexes still recorded gains last week.



The blue-chip index gained around 0.4% last week, ending a three-week losing streak, while the S&amp;P 500 added 0.7%. The Nasdaq, meanwhile, rose about 0.8% during the week.



On the economic data front, U.S. wholesale inventories declined by 0.2% month-over-month to $902 billion in November compared to a revised 0.1% gain in the previous month and versus market estimates of a 0.2% increase. The U.S. trade deficit in goods increased to $102.86 billion in November, from a revised gap of $98.3 billion in the previous month and versus market estimates of a $100.7 billion deficit.



All sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a negative note, with consumer discretionary, communication services, and information technology stocks recording the biggest losses on Friday.



The Dow Jones closed lower by around 334 points to 42,992.21 on Friday. The S&amp;P 500 fell 1.11% to 5,970.84, while the Nasdaq Composite dipped 1.49% to 19,722.03 during Friday's session.



What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?



At a current reading of 34.3, the index remained in the &#8220;Fear&#8221; zone on Friday, versus a prior reading of 33.3.



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



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42700627/how-to-earn-500-a-month-from-rpm-international-stock-ahead-of-q2-earnings">How To Earn $500 A Month From RPM International Stock Ahead Of Q2 Earnings</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Earnings

Dow Dips Over 300 Points But Records Weekly Gain: Greed Index Remains In 'Fear' Zone

Leading cryptocurrencies declined Sunday as the "Santa Claus Rally" faded heading into the New Year.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>-1.25%</td><td>$93,670.65</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+1.15%</td><td>$3,338.32</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>-3.03%</td><td>$0.3142</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



What Happened: Bitcoin slipped below $93,000 in the evening but recovered to $93,600 as traders purchased the dip.



The market has dramatically reversed course since the leading cryptocurrency teased the $100,000 level on Christmas.



Bitcoin was down 2.79% in December, <a href="https://www.coinglass.com/today">compared to gains</a> of 4.76% for the month on average.



Ethereum followed a similar trajectory until a brief surge late in the evening, which resulted in 24-hour gains for the cryptocurrency.



Nearly $160 million was liquidated from the market in the last 24 hours, with long liquidations accounting for $117 million.



Bitcoin's Open Interest fell 0.16% in the last 24 hours, coinciding with the drop in price.



However, traders were hopeful of a price rebound as the number of long positions for the coin exceeded shorts, according to the Long/Short Ratio.



The "Greed" sentiment weakened from 73 to 65, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index, implying lower buying interest ahead of New Year.



Top Gainers (24-Hours)



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Ethena (ENA)</td><td>+7.55%</td><td>$1.00</td></tr><tr><td>FTX Token (FTT)</td><td>+5.48%</td><td>$3.58</td></tr><tr><td>Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL)</td><td>+5.12%</td><td>$3.56</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.27 trillion, following a drop of 2.02% in the last 24 hours.



Stock futures ticked lower Sunday evening. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures fell 49 points, or 0.11%, as of 8:35 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 dipped 0.07%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures was down slightly by 0.01%.



Blue-chip averages were set to end 2024 on a high, with the S&amp;P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 25.89% and 14%, respectively.



See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>



Analyst Notes: Noted cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez spotted a buy signal on Bitcoin's hourly chart using the TD Sequential indicator.



However, he cautioned that the reversal thesis would be validated only if&nbsp; $93,000 is held as support.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The TD Sequential indicator presented a buy signal on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> hourly chart, anticipating a price rebound if, only if, the $93,000 support holds. <a href="https://t.co/bQZIt5rzAO">pic.twitter.com/bQZIt5rzAO</a>&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1873459716514533521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Another well-known chartist, Rekt Capital, noted the flipping of old support levels as resistance, confirming the downside.



$94,250 on the daily would need to be lost for the price to drop into the low $90,000s," the analyst added. 



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BTC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BTC</a> Old supports are acting as new resistance As a result, technically, the breakdown has been confirmed But the follow-through in bearish downside continuation ever since has been relatively limited thus far $94250 on the Daily would need to be lost for price to drop into… <a href="https://t.co/HiCeSyGroA">https://t.co/HiCeSyGroA</a> <a href="https://t.co/fNGbcWrHdZ">pic.twitter.com/fNGbcWrHdZ</a>&mdash; Rekt Capital (@rektcapital) <a href="https://twitter.com/rektcapital/status/1873410654343741662?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Photo by Avi Rozen on Shutterstock



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Movers

$DOGE

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Bitcoin, Dogecoin Dip, Ethereum Gains As 'Santa Rally' Loses Steam: Here's Why Things Could Look Up For BTC In 2025

President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have mourned the passing of former President Jimmy Carter.



What Happened: On Sunday, Biden paid tribute to Carter in a statement on X. He touched on Carter&#8217;s extraordinary contributions to the world over six decades, referring to him as a dear friend of the nation and the world.



<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">Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian. <a href="https://t.co/Ki7Rhbent0">pic.twitter.com/Ki7Rhbent0</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1873503977792225522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



&#8220;Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian,&#8221; said the president.



Biden acknowledged Carter&#8217;s compassion and moral clarity, which drove him to work tirelessly in various fields, including disease eradication, peacebuilding, civil rights advancement, promotion of free and fair elections, housing for the homeless, and advocacy for the underprivileged. His efforts brought about global change.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42696536/nikki-haley-blasts-doge-co-head-vivek-ramaswamy-for-his-take-on-american-culture-all-you-have-to-do-is-look-at-the-border-and-see-how-many-want-what-we-have?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nikki Haley Blasts DOGE Co-Head Vivek Ramaswamy For His Take On &#8216;American Culture&#8217; — &#8216;All You Have To Do</a>



Carter&#8217;s love for his wife Rosalynn was also highlighted, with their relationship being defined as the epitome of partnership. The statement expressed solace in knowing that the couple is reunited once again.



&#8220;We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts,&#8221; said Biden.



The Biden family expressed their gratitude to the Carter family and their staff for their service and assured that their legacy would continue. The statement ended with a call to the nation&#8217;s youth to learn from Carter&#8217;s life of purpose and humility.



An official state funeral will be held in Washington D.C. to honor the late James Earl Carter, Jr., the 39th President of the United States, according to Biden&#8217;s statement.



Separately, President-elect Trump said in a statement on Truth Social that while he &#8220;strongly disagreed&#8221; with Carter philosophically and politically he realized that Carter &#8220;loved and respected&#8221; the country and all it stands for. 



&#8220;He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect. He was a truly good man and, of course, will be greatly missed,&#8221; said Trump.



Trump acknowledged Carter as &#8220;very consequential&#8221; and said this was the case even after he left office. The incoming president also extended &#8220;warmest condolences&#8221; on behalf of Melania Trump in his statement.



Why It Matters: Carter, born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, was the eldest son of Bessie Lillian Carter and James Earl Carter Sr. Before his political career, he was a peanut farmer and a U.S. Navy lieutenant. He was elected governor of Georgia in 1970 and U.S. president in 1976. Known as the nation&#8217;s oldest living president, Carter was a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. His <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/movers-shakers/24/12/42716329/jimmy-carter-the-39th-us-president-who-championed-human-rights-and-peace-in-the-middle-east-had-died">passing at the age of 100</a> marks the end of an era of dedicated public service and humanitarianism.



Trump has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/01/36653960/donald-trump-takes-a-dig-at-jimmy-carter-through-his-wifes-funeral-gets-slammed-nothing-is-sacred-or">criticized in the past</a> for taking digs at Carter, particularly for making comments about the funeral of former first lady Rosalynn Carter. On another occasion Trump had said Carter &#8220;wasn't a great president&#8221; but compared with Biden he was one of the &#8220;great presidents.&#8221;



In September, Carter had turned 100 and received a message from Biden in which the sitting president said, &#8220;I admire you so darn much.&#8221;



Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock



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

General

Jimmy Carter To Receive State Funeral: Trump Calls Him 'Truly A Good Man,' Biden Mourns Loss Of 'Extraordinary Leader'

Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president, who was also the nation's oldest living president, died on Sunday at age 100.



Prior to his life in politics, Carter was a peanut farmer and a U.S. Navy lieutenant. He was elected governor of Georgia in 1970 and U.S. president&nbsp;in 1976.



James Earl Carter Jr. was born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, and was the eldest son of Bessie Lillian Carter and James Earl Carter Sr.



Carter had three younger siblings: Gloria Spann, Ruth Stapleton and Billy Carter.



Carter attended Plains High School in 1941 and briefly studied engineering at Georgia Southwestern College before transferring to the Naval ROTC program at Georgia Institute of Technology. Carter earned admission to the Naval Academy in 1943 and graduated&nbsp;in the top 10 percent of his class.



Carter was assigned to serve on the USS Wyoming in 1946. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1952 before resigning in 1953 to manage his family farm following the death of his father.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/17/03/9132457/a-history-of-businessmen-in-politics">A History Of Businessmen In Politics</a>



Carter&#8217;s career in politics began when he served as chairman of the Sumter County Board of Education in the early 1960s. Within eight years, Carter became governor of Georgia, where he championed government efficiency, ecology and continued desegregation in the South.



Carter defeated incumbent Republican Gerald Ford in the 1976 U.S. presidential election and remains the last Democrat to win the majority of the Southern states in the general election.



During his one term as president, Carter created 8 million jobs and cut the budget deficit despite near-record inflation and interest rates. He established the Department of Education, strengthened Social Security, appointed record minority applicants to federal jobs, expanded national parks&nbsp;and combatted an energy crisis by proposing a plan to decrease the consumption of petroleum and increase the use of nuclear power.



In addition, Carter championed human rights, helped bring peace between Egypt and Israel, completed a nuclear limitation treaty with the Soviet Union and improved diplomatic relations with China.



As a presidential candidate and as president, Carter also supported the LGBTQ community at a time when few public officials did. For example, in 1978, Carter urged California voters to defeat Proposition 6 (aka the Briggs Initiative), which would have barred gays and lesbians from teaching in the state's public schools. Voters rejected the anti-gay and lesbian <a href="https://qvoicenews.com/2023/02/19/jimmy-carter-has-been-longtime-lgbtq-ally/">measure</a> by more than 1 million votes.



When Carter ran for reelection in 1980, he was the first Democrat to endorse a gay rights plank in the party's platform.



A combination of domestic economic trouble, extremely high inflation and a hostage situation at the U.S. embassy in Iran weighed on Carter&#8217;s popularity among the U.S. electorate, and he was defeated by Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/21/11/12677966/this-day-in-market-history-jimmy-carter-blocks-iranian-oil-imports">This Day In Market History: Jimmy Carter Blocks Iranian Oil Imports</a>



Following his stint in the White House, Carter focused his efforts on championing human rights causes around the world. Carter and his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center in 1982 with the goal of alleviating human suffering and advancing human rights initiatives. Over the years, the Carter Center has promoted and supported global democratic elections and worked to reduce and treat the spread of disease in impoverished regions. Carter was also well-known for his volunteer work supporting Habitat for Humanity.



Twenty years after he left office, Carter earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts in peace, democracy, human rights, and social and economic development.



Carter is the author of 30 books, including the 2006 New York Times Best Seller &#8220;Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.&#8221; Carter&#8217;s passion for music was portrayed in the 2020 documentary &#8220;Jimmy Carter: Rock &amp; Roll President.&#8221;



Carter is survived by his children Amy, Jack, Donnel&nbsp;and James Carter.&nbsp;His <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/23/11/35865944/former-first-lady-and-mental-health-champion-rosalynn-carter-dies-at-96">wife&nbsp;Rosalynn died</a> on Nov. 19, 2023 at 96.



Contributors: Elizabeth Balboa, Anthony Noto Photo: Jimmy Carter in 1977, Photo by Bernard Gotfyd, courtesy Library of Congress

Movers & Shakers

Jimmy Carter, Former U.S. President, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Dies At 100

President-elect Donald Trump has accused several Black celebrities of receiving payments for endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president earlier this year.



What Happened: Trump took to Truth Social to voice his allegations that Democrats shelled out significant sums to secure endorsements from celebrities such as Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Al Sharpton.



In the <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113730668242093044">post</a>, Trump raised questions about the legality of these purported payments, quoting figures of $11,000,000, $2,000,000, and $500,000. Yet, there is no solid evidence to back up these allegations.



&#8220;Are the Democrats allowed to pay $11,000,000, $2,000,000, and $500,000 to get the ENDORSEMENT of Beyoncé, Oprah, and Reverend Al? I don't think so! Beyoncé didn't sing, Oprah didn't do much of anything (she called it &#8216;expenses&#8217;), and Al is just a third rate Con Man. So what is going on here??? Totally against the law, and I have heard there are many others!!!&#8221; he wrote in the post.



Documents from the Federal Election Commission show that $1 million was paid to Winfrey&#8217;s Harpo Productions during the campaign. Both Winfrey and the Harris campaign have refuted any claims of payment for endorsements, explaining any celebrity-related payments as &#8220;ancillary costs for that performance.&#8221;



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/42154761/majority-of-americans-approve-of-trumps-second-term-agenda">Majority of Americans Approve of Trump&#8217;s Second-Term Agenda</a>



Similarly, Beyoncé, who publicly supported Harris and performed at a campaign event, has been the subject of payment rumors. These rumors have been denied by Beyoncé&#8217;s mother, Tina Knowles, who stated that the artist covered much of the cost for her team, <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-rages-at-oprah-beyonce-and-al-sharpton-over-kamala-harris-endorsements-what-is-going-on-here/">reports</a> Mediaite.



Two payments totaling $500,000 to Sharpton&#8217;s National Action Network have also been under scrutiny. The Harris campaign has clarified that these payments were part of a broader voter mobilization initiative.



Why It Matters: The allegations made by Trump have sparked a debate on the legality and ethics of paid endorsements in political campaigns. While the celebrities and the Harris campaign have denied any wrongdoing, the lack of concrete evidence to support Trump&#8217;s claims leaves room for speculation. 



The controversy also highlights the significant role of celebrity endorsements in shaping public opinion during elections, further emphasizing the need for transparency in campaign financing.



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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Image: Shutterstock

Donald Trump Claims Black Celebrities Were Paid for Kamala Harris Endorsements

A growing trend has emerged in the aftermath of Florida's historic hurricane season: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/06/39316404/could-this-developers-hurricane-resistant-housing-save-florida-real-estate">investors are snatching up</a> hurricane-damaged homes, particularly in neighborhoods like St. Petersburg's Shore Acres.



Fox 13 Tampa Bay first reported on this on Dec. 13, highlighting both the opportunities and risks of this phenomenon. While some see this as an opportunity to rebuild and revitalize, others are raising red flags about the quality of repairs – and whether future buyers will unknowingly inherit homes with hidden issues.



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Albert Jasuwan of JAS Builders explained to Fox 13 that many investors are focused on waterfront properties now valued at $800,000 or less. "The main thing investors are focusing on is lifting homes and rebuilding them," Jasuwan said. The emphasis on rebuilding has made these properties attractive to investors hoping to flip them for a profit.



In Shore Acres, the numbers tell a clear story. Kevin Batdorf, a local realtor and president of the Shore Acres Civic Association, shared that of the 40 homes sold in the neighborhood since the hurricane, 38 were purchased by investors. "My biggest concern is that investors are going in and, as we say in the business, slapping lipstick on a pig to resell them," Batdorf said.



The phrase "slapping lipstick on a pig" highlights concerns that some of these repairs may be superficial, leaving deeper structural or water damage unresolved.&nbsp;



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For buyers, this could mean costly surprises, particularly when securing insurance for these homes. "The biggest concern is for the person who buys it from the investor because they won't be aware of how bad the damage was and may not be able to get insurance," Batdorf warned.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/08/40262059/suze-orman-ditches-homeowners-insurance-after-getting-an-absurdly-high-quote-28-000-for-a-2-100-">Florida's home insurance market</a> is in a tough spot and recent hurricanes have only worsened things. Homeowners are facing skyrocketing premiums, with some seeing increases as high as 400% over the past few years.



The situation has become so dire that many major insurers, like Farmers Insurance, have pulled out of the state entirely, leaving <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/07/39578712/charlie-munger-said-he-and-warren-buffett-always-self-insure-you-should-too-if-you-can-afford-it">homeowners with fewer options</a>.



Trending: Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, and<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/marcus-millichap-backed-platform-makes-it-easy-to-invest-in-real-estate"> this platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000 offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today!</a>



Still, there's another side to the story. Real estate agent Paige (last name not provided) offered a more optimistic view to the news outlet, suggesting that experienced investors might be better equipped to handle the complexities of rebuilding. "You can trust what they're doing; they probably have more experience and are going to get it done the right way," Paige said. She contrasted this with inexperienced individuals who might make mistakes that could ultimately impact property values in the neighborhood.



This debate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/06/39459662/the-poison-pill-facing-florida-condo-owners">emphasizes a larger issue: transparency</a>. Future buyers must thoroughly vet any hurricane-damaged home, ideally with the help of a structural engineer or inspector familiar with storm-related damage. Some experts call for more robust disclosure requirements on the seller&#8217;s side to ensure buyers understand the extent of prior damage and repairs.



As Florida continues to rebuild before the next storm season, this trend highlights the fine line between revitalization and risk. For now, the advice for prospective buyers is clear: do your homework and don't rely on appearances alone. After all, no one wants to pay top dollar for a home only to discover it's still reeling from the last storm.



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Real Estate

'Slapping Lipstick on a Pig' – Investors Are Snatching Up Hurricane-Damaged Homes in Florida To Flip, But Concerns Rise Over Repair Quality

Grant Cardone, the entrepreneur and motivational speaker known for his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/08/40166983/grant-cardone-says-earning-400-000-a-year-is-embarrassing-as-a-human-being-asks-how-do-you-make-">bold takes on money and success</a>, recently <a href="https://x.com/GrantCardone/status/1870514005896564786">tweeted</a> a powerful statement: &#8220;America should have the wealthiest middle class in the world bar none!&#8221;



The tweet sparked conversations about the current state of America's middle class. Cardone's sentiment is clear – the U.S. middle class should set the global standard for wealth. But is that vision realistic in today's economic landscape?



<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">America should have the wealthiest middle class in the world bar none!&mdash; Grant Cardone (@GrantCardone) <a href="https://twitter.com/GrantCardone/status/1870514005896564786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2024</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 Shrinking Majority</h2>



Over the past five decades, the U.S. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/41102547/is-your-income-higher-than-the-average-middle-class-household-heres-what-theyre-earning">middle class has steadily shrunk</a>. According to <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/04/20/how-the-american-middle-class-has-changed-in-the-past-five-decades/">Pew Research</a>, the proportion of adults living in middle-class homes decreased from 61% in 1971 to 50% in 2021. Meanwhile, the proportion of adults in higher and lower income brackets increased, indicating growing income disparity. The upper-income tier grew from 14% in 1971 to 21% in 2021, while the lower-income tier expanded from 25% to 29%.



Although household incomes have risen since 1970, middle-class earnings haven't grown as much as those of upper-income households. From 1970 to 2020, the median income for middle-class households grew by 50%, while for upper-income households, it grew by 69%. This <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/05/38762342/how-much-do-you-need-to-join-the-richest-1-it-may-be-less-than-you-realize">concentration of wealth among the richest</a> Americans has widened the economic gap.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Defines the Middle Class?</h2>



Being middle class <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/02/37264496/what-does-it-mean-to-be-middle-class-hint-its-more-than-how-much-you-make">isn't just about income</a> but financial stability. A Washington Post survey found that most people agree it's also about financial security. To truly be middle class, you need to have a steady job, save money, pay bills without stress, handle a $1,000 emergency without going into debt, have health insurance and plan for a comfortable retirement.



Sadly, only about one-third of Americans meet all these standards. This shows that being middle class is more than just income; it's about having stability and being prepared for life's challenges.



Trending: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?



The middle class has always been a key part of the U.S. economy. In 1970, middle-class households earned 62% of the country&#8217;s income. By 2020, that number had dropped to 42%. Meanwhile, upper-income households' share of total income rose from 29% to 50%.



This <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/02/36941891/the-wealth-gap-widens-the-5-richest-billionaires-got-2x-richer-as-5-billion-people-continue-to-get-p">growing gap between rich and poor</a> can hurt the economy. A strong middle class drives spending, keeps the economy growing and makes society more stable. Cardone's idea of a wealthy middle class highlights the importance of closing the gap and giving more people the chance to succeed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who's Moving Up the Income Ladder?</h2>



Certain groups have made progress over the past 50 years: older adults (65+) saw their share in the upper-income tier rise from 7% in 1971 to 16% in 2021, thanks to factors like Social Security, education and increased workforce participation. Black adults maintained their middle-class share at 47%, even as other racial groups saw declines. Married individuals and dual earners are likelier to be in the upper-income tier, highlighting the financial advantages of combined household incomes.



Trending: Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they&#8217;re on pace —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv"> here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Can Cardone's Vision Become Reality?</h2>



Grant Cardone's vision of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/40711869/how-rich-are-you-heres-the-net-worth-that-defines-upper-middle-and-lower-class">thriving middle class</a> is essential for America's long-term economic health. To make it happen, the country needs to take big steps to reduce income inequality, improve access to education and create policies that help families build financial security.



The U.S. middle class was once a global benchmark. Cardone's statement reminds us of its importance and challenges us to reimagine what's possible. With the right focus and effort, America's middle class could become the wealthiest in the world – bar none.



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<li>The number of ‘401(k)' Millionaires is up 43% from last year —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/401k-millionaires"> Here are three ways to join the club.</a></li>
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Grant Cardone Says, 'America Should Have The Wealthiest Middle Class In The World, Bar None'

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