The inflation lull that helped President Donald Trump keep pressure on the Federal Reserve is over as June's data show the tariffs are finally hitting consumer prices—and Fed Chair Jerome Powell was wise <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/federal-reserve">to hold his ground.</a>



The most closely watched inflation gauge by the central bank, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, jumped to 2.6% year-over-year, up from 2.3% in May and topping expectations of 2.5%. That's the highest annual rate since February.



Core PCE, which strips out food and energy and directly informs the Fed's rate decisions, held firm at 2.8%, unchanged from the upwardly revised May reading and above forecasts of 2.7%, underscoring the persistence of underlying inflation.



On a monthly basis, both headline and core inflation rose 0.3%, accelerating from 0.2% the prior month. 



These sequential increases suggest a broadening in price pressures, consistent with the delayed impact of tariffs imposed earlier this year.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Consumer Spending Still Strong, No Signs Of Stress From Labor Market</h3>



Despite hotter inflation, there's no evidence yet of weakening demand. 



Personal spending climbed 0.3% month-over-month, up from a flat reading in May, though slightly below the 0.4% forecast.



Personal income increased 0.3%, bouncing back from a 0.4% drop in May and beating expectations of a 0.2% gain, indicating that households remain in solid financial shape.



Weekly jobless claims came in at 218,000 for the week ending July 26, basically unchanged from the previous week and better than the 224,000 expected. Continuing claims also surprised to the downside at 1.946 million, below the forecast of 1.96 million.



The data reinforces Powell's argument that a "modestly restrictive" policy stance remains appropriate—and that the Fed was right not to pre-commit to a rate cut in September, despite relentless pressure from the White House.



For now, the Federal Reserve has room to breathe. But as the next rounds of jobs and inflation data approach, the case for easing—or staying put—will only grow more complex.



Following Thursday's hotter-than-expected PCE inflation report, markets now assign just a 39% chance of a September rate cut—down sharply from 65% before the Fed's decision on Wednesday.



The U.S. dollar index – as tracked by the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>) – has rallied for five straight sessions thus far. Another gain today would extend the longest winning streak since August 2023.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46736975/powell-holds-rates-copper-crashes-after-tariff-change-trump">Powell Puts Breaks On September Rate Cut—And Trump Triggers A Metal Market Crash </a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

Macro Economic Events

Currency ETFs

Forex

Econ #s

Economics

Federal Reserve

ETFs

Trump's Inflation Honeymoon Is Over—And Powell's Patience Pays Off

U.S. stock futures rose on Thursday after ending on a mixed note on Wednesday. Futures of major benchmark indices were higher, except for the small-cap gauge Russell 2000.



President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States has reached a "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46744534/trump-pleased-with-450b-south-korea-tariff-deal-seoul-to-accept-us-cars-agriculture-economist-warns-americans-pay-the-15-tariff">Full and Complete Trade Deal</a>" with the Republic of Korea, worth $450 billion.



Jerome Powell announced the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee&#8217;s decision to keep the interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, with Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46733603/fed-holds-trump-powell-waller-bowman-interest-rates">dissenting the decision</a>. This was the first dual dissent from Fed board members since 1993. 



Apart from this, Wall Street is also bracing itself as the tech giants, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) will be reporting earnings today.



Meanwhile, the 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.36% and the two-year bond was at 3.93%. The CME Group's FedWatch <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">tool</a>&#8216;s projections show markets pricing a 59% likelihood of the Federal Reserve keeping the current interest rates unchanged for the Sept. 17 decision. 



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Futures</td><td>Change (+/-)</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>0.39%</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>1.00%</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq 100</td><td>1.34%</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>-0.17%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, were higher in premarket on Thursday. The SPY was up 1.10% at $640.85&nbsp;\, while the QQQ advanced 1.38% to $575.87, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



Cues From Last Session:



On Wednesday, information technology and utilities stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session higher, while materials, real estate, and energy stocks recorded the biggest losses among S&amp;P 500 sectors.



U.S. stocks settled lower overall, after Federal Reserve Chair Powell stated &#8220;no decision&#8221; had been made on a September rate cut.



Individually, Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WING#NASDAQ">WING</a>) shares jumped around 27% after reporting better-than-expected second-quarter EPS and sales. Conversely, Avis Budget Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAR#NASDAQ">CAR</a>) fell 15% following worse-than-expected quarterly EPS and sales.



On the economic data front, U.S. pending home sales declined by 0.8% from the previous month in May, following a 1.8% gain in April.



The U.S. economy expanded at an annualized rate of 3% in the second quarter, rebounding from a 0.5% contraction in the previous quarter. Private businesses in the U.S. added 104,000 jobs in July, surpassing market estimates of a 75,000 increase.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Index</td><td>Performance (+/-)</td><td>Value</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq Composite</td><td>-0.15%</td><td>21,129.67</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>-0.12%</td><td>6,362.90</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>-0.38%</td><td>44,461.28</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>-0.47%</td><td>2,232.40</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Insights From Analysts:



Brian Rehling, the head of global fixed income strategy at Wells Fargo, said that market sentiment is favorable for risk assets, but things can always change.



He advised the investors to &#8220;consider rebalancing portfolios to take advantage of all-time highs in many markets.&#8221;



He highlighted that risk assets continue to hit new milestones, underscoring a resilient economy. The S&amp;P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) recently hit new all-time highs.



&#8220;It's hard to find a risk asset that has not done well this year with major indexes up significantly year-to-date, highlighting a favorable backdrop for investors,&#8221; he said.



According to him, several factors are contributing to this positive momentum.



He said, &#8220;Corporate earnings have exceeded expectations at the highest rate in recent years, particularly in technology and health care. Recent trade developments, including deals with the European Union and Japan, have helped alleviate some global trade uncertainties, supporting market sentiment. Additionally, the Federal Reserve is likely to lower interest rates this fall, which would be conducive to growth, encouraging business expansion and consumer spending.&#8221;



Overall, these elements, as per Rehling, paint an encouraging picture for risk assets where innovation in areas like artificial intelligence continues to drive value creation.



However, he highlighted that &#8220;Markets do not rise indefinitely without interruptions; periodic pullbacks — such as corrections of 10% or more — are a normal part of the cycle and occur somewhat regularly.&#8221;



Meanwhile, Ryan Detrick of Carson Research highlighted in a memo that one of the most popular economic indicators is the Conference Board's Leading Economic Index (LEI), and it currently points to a recession.



However, he pointed out that this index did not reflect the overall economy and cited his own proprietary LEI.



&#8220;Right now, our version of the LEI says the U.S. economy is growing below trend, i.e., it's slowing, but the index is nowhere close to recession-like levels. At least for now,&#8221; he stated.



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



Upcoming Economic Data



Here&#8217;s what investors will keep an eye on Thursday:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The initial jobless claims data for the week ended July 26, the second quarter&#8217;s Employment Cost Index data, June personal income, spending, and the headline and core PCE Index data will all be released at 8:30 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>July&#8217;s Chicago Business Barometer (PMI) will be out by 9:45 a.m. ET.</li>



<li></li>
</ul>



Stocks In Focus:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>) was up 0.22% in premarket on Thursday as analysts expect it to report earnings of $1.58 per share on revenue of $11.31 billion before the opening bell.</li>



<li>Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) was slightly below the flatline by 0.005% as it is expected to report earnings after the closing bell. Analysts estimate earnings of $1.42 per share on revenue of $89.04 billion.</li>



<li>Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) jumped 3.44% as analysts expect it to report earnings of $1.31 per share on revenue of $161.87 billion before the opening bell.</li>



<li>Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) jumped 11.50% after reporting better-than-expected second-quarter financial results, issuing third-quarter sales guidance above estimates.</li>



<li>Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) gained 8.53% after reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter financial results and issuing a strong forecast for the current quarter.</li>



<li>Arm Holdings Plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>) declined 6.54% as it missed the first-quarter revenue estimate of $1.055 billion, with the sales coming in at $1.053 billion. The adjusted earnings of 35 cents per share were in line with the analyst estimates.</li>



<li>Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) fell 4.88% despite better-than-expected third quarter results as its phone-related sales rose 7% to $6.33 billion, lower than the analyst estimate of $6.48 billion</li>



<li>VerifyMe Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRME#NASDAQ">VRME</a>) surged 50.10% after its subsidiary, PeriShip Global, LLC (a logistics provider), entered into a UPS Digital Channel Program Agreement with United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPS#NYSE">UPS</a>) and UPS Worldwide Forwarding, Inc.</li>



<li>Confluent Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CFLT#NASDAQ">CFLT</a>) dropped 29.66% after announcing a $200 million investment aimed at expanding its global partner ecosystem.</li>



<li>IMPINJ Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PI#NASDAQ">PI</a>) climbed 21.10% after reporting second-quarter results as its revenue and adjusted EPS exceeded the company&#8217;s guidance.</li>



<li>Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) was 2.60% higher as Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest acquired 3,351 AMD shares. This purchase aligns with AMD's recent momentum, as the company raised the price of its MI350 AI chip by $10,000, bringing it to $25,000 per unit.</li>
</ul>



Commodities, Gold, And Global Equity Markets:



Crude oil futures were trading higher in the early New York session by 0.07% to hover around $70.05 per barrel.



Gold Spot US Dollar rose 1.12% to hover around $3,312.99 per ounce. Its last record high stood at $3,500.33 per ounce. The U.S. Dollar Index spot was lower by 0.10% at the 99.7160 level.



Asian markets ended on a mixed note on Wednesday, as Japan's Nikkei 225 and India's S&amp;P BSE Sensex indices rose. While China&#8217;s CSI 300, Hong Kong's Hang Seng, South Korea's Kospi, and Australia's ASX 200 indices fell. European markets were mostly higher in early trade.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46748274/qualcomm-is-biggest-beneficiary-for-smart-glasses-powering-designs-for-meta-oakley-ray-ban-best-one-for-now-says-expert">Qualcomm Is &#8216;Biggest Beneficiary&#8217; For Smart Glasses—Powering Designs For Meta, Oakley, Ray-Ban: &#8216;Best One For Now,&#8217; Says Expert</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Equities

$BTC

AAPL

AMZN

CFLT

MSFT

QCOM

VRME

WING

Stock Market Today: S&P 500, Nasdaq To Open Higher After Robust Meta, Microsoft Earnings—Investors Await Apple, Amazon Results

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) added over $400 billion in market capitalization after reporting robust earnings results on Wednesday, powered by artificial intelligence progress and roadmap, which is more than several big companies listed on the stock exchanges.



Check out <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSFT">MSFT</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/META">META</a> stock prices here. 



What Happened: Satya Nadella-led Microsoft soared after reporting its results during after-hours on Wednesday, adding nearly $265 billion, whereas Mark Zuckerberg&#8216;s Meta Platforms also rallied after its results, adding nearly $175 billion in investor wealth.



These Magnificent 7 companies together gained about $440 billion in market capitalization, which compares to the total market cap of $503.19 billion of another Big Tech firm, Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>).



This single-day after-hours addition of $440 billion surpassed the market cap of big U.S. firms like Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>) at $411.32 billion, Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) at $402.81 billion, Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) at $374.30 billion and Home Depot Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HD#NYSE">HD</a>) at $370.19 billion.



In fact, only 20 firms worldwide had a market cap of over $440 billion according to the data by companiesmarketcap.com.



<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">Insane that MSFT and META together went up after-hours more than the entire market cap of Europe. <a href="https://t.co/culmVOxvLy">https://t.co/culmVOxvLy</a>&mdash; Steve Hou (@stevehou0) <a href="https://twitter.com/stevehou0/status/1950681575483420758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46513468/bitcoin-miner-iren-could-surge-1572-as-sotp-valuation-pegs-300-target-hedge-fund-manager-eric-jackson-says-were-cooking-with-gas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Miner IREN Could Surge 1,572% As SOTP Valuation Pegs $300 Target — Hedge Fund Manager Eric Jackson Says, ‘We're Cooking With Gas'</a>



Why It Matters: These hyperscalers, operating massive and highly scalable data centers to deliver cloud computing and other digital services worldwide, while leveraging AI, have led to a positive outlook by investors and experts alike.



Meta reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46739277/meta-beats-q2-earnings-estimates-issues-strong-guidance-shares-surge-to-new-highs">second-quarter</a> revenue of $47.52 billion, beating estimates of $44.58 billion, with earnings of $7.14 per share versus expectations of $5.79. 



Microsoft reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46738585/microsoft-q4-earnings-highlights-double-beat-ceo-says-cloud-and-ai-is-the-driving-force">fourth-quarter</a> revenue of $76.44 billion, exceeding the $73.80 billion estimate, with EPS of $3.65 compared to $3.37 expected. 



Wedbush Securities&#8217; Daniel Ives also hailed the earnings by these technology giants and said that their results validated his &#8220;AI Revolution bull thesis into next few years.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">There are some moments that will remembered in the market for many years&#8230;last night was one of them with the eye popping results from Microsoft and Meta. These massive results seen by Microsoft and Meta further validate our AI Revolution bull thesis into next few years &#x1f525;&#x1f3c6;&#x1f402;&#x1f37f;&mdash; Dan Ives (@DivesTech) <a href="https://twitter.com/DivesTech/status/1950861493005611411?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



CNBC&#8217;s &#8216;Mad Money&#8217; host Jim Cramer, who began his career at Goldman Sachs more than four decades ago, compared his early impression of Wall Street talent to<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46747314/jim-cramer-says-zuckerberg-and-nadella-are-smarter-than-his-once-admired-goldman-sachs-my-head-is-spinning-after-meta-microsoft-earnings"> Zuckerberg, Nadella,</a> and their tech executives. 



&#8220;When I went to work at Goldman Sachs 43 years ago, I thought everyone was so darned smart. They were. But not at the level of a Zuckerberg or a Nadella,&#8221; he said.



&#8220;My head is spinning as I try to take in what they teach. They are extraordinary,&#8221; he 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">When I went to work at Goldman Sachs 43 years ago i thought everyone was so darned smart. They were. But not at the level of a Zuckerberg or a Nadella. My head is spinning as i try to take in what they teach. They are extraordinary. Li and Hood are no slouches. So damn proud!&mdash; Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcramer/status/1950712861308719445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Price Action: Shares of Microsoft jumped by 8.64% in premarket on Thursday, while Meta soared by 12.12%.



MSFT had gained 22.61% on a year-to-date basis, while it was up 22.68% over the past year. Meta, on the other hand, was up 16.02% YTD and 46.41% over a year.



Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings indicate that MSFT maintains a strong momentum across the short, medium, and long term. However, the stock scores poorly on value rankings. Additional performance details are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-3/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-3/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="153" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31070833/edge-jul-31-msft-1024x153.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1008864" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31070833/edge-jul-31-msft-1024x153.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31070833/edge-jul-31-msft-300x45.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31070833/edge-jul-31-msft-768x115.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31070833/edge-jul-31-msft.png 1281w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings indicate that META also maintains a strong price trend across the short, medium, and long term. However, the stock scores badly on value rankings as well. Additional performance details are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-3/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-3/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="157" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31070821/edge-jul-31-meta-1024x157.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1008862" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31070821/edge-jul-31-meta-1024x157.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31070821/edge-jul-31-meta-300x46.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31070821/edge-jul-31-meta-768x118.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/31070821/edge-jul-31-meta.png 1290w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, were higher in premarket on Thursday. The SPY was up 0.93% at $640.35, while the QQQ advanced 1.36% to $575.76, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/hedge-funds/25/07/46687204/warren-buffett-has-56-of-his-258-billion-portfolios-value-exposed-to-ai-here-are-the-5-stocks-that-are-leveraging-ai-within-berkshires-holdings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett Has 56% Of His $258 Billion Portfolio's Value Exposed To AI: Here Are The 5 Stocks That Are Leveraging AI Within Berkshire's Holdings</a></li>
</ul>



Image Credit: Imagn Images

News

COST

NFLX

PLTR

Microsoft, Meta Stocks Add $440 Billion In A Day—Nearly Matching Netflix's Entire $503 Billion Market Cap

While the Federal Reserve&#8217;s decision to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46736975/powell-holds-rates-copper-crashes-after-tariff-change-trump">hold interest rates steady</a> was widely anticipated, a rare dual dissent and nuanced language in the FOMC statement have left experts divided on whether Chair Jerome Powell will hold steady through 2025 or embark on aggressive rate cuts.



What Happened: Highly critical of the Fed, Louis Navellier, the founder and chief investment officer at Navellier &amp; Associates, asserted, &#8220;The Fed lives in a delusional world. They&#8217;re not reading the data.&#8221;



He contends that despite a weakening economy and five straight months of inflation coming in below expectations, the Fed is reluctant to act. Navellier boldly predicts the Fed &#8220;has to cut six times,&#8221; starting in September, to bring the federal funds rate to 3%.



He attributes falling inflation to factors like &#8220;deflation in China&#8221; and a global economic slowdown, making price increases difficult.



Conversely, Bill Adams, the chief economist for Comerica Bank, highlighted the FOMC&#8217;s shift in language, acknowledging that &#8220;growth of economic activity moderated in the first half of the year.&#8221;



Despite this, Comerica forecasts the Fed to &#8220;hold the federal funds target unchanged for the next two decisions.&#8221; Adams notes that Chair Powell emphasized the need for more jobs and inflation data, stating, &#8220;We have made no decisions about September. We don't do that in advance.&#8221;



However, others see a September cut as increasingly likely. Chris Zaccarelli, the chief investment officer for Northlight Asset Management, observed that Chairman Powell &#8220;dropped some hints in his press conference that a rate cut was more likely at the next meeting in September.&#8221;



Jeffrey Roach, the chief economist for LPL Financial, concurred, stating the committee &#8220;set the stage to take action at the next meeting. If economic conditions weaken, the committee will likely cut rates by a quarter point in September.&#8221;



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46513468/bitcoin-miner-iren-could-surge-1572-as-sotp-valuation-pegs-300-target-hedge-fund-manager-eric-jackson-says-were-cooking-with-gas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Miner IREN Could Surge 1,572% As SOTP Valuation Pegs $300 Target — Hedge Fund Manager Eric Jackson Says, ‘We&#8217;re Cooking With Gas&#8217;</a>



Why It Matters: The internal friction within the Fed, marked by Governors Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46733603/fed-holds-trump-powell-waller-bowman-interest-rates">dissenting in favor</a> of an immediate 25-basis-point cut, underscores the divergent views.



While President Donald Trump&#8216;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46336115/as-trump-calls-for-3-percentage-point-rate-cut-too-late-jerome-powell-to-resign-june-fed-minutes-show-uncertainty-reigns-supreme">pressure for cuts</a> is evident, experts largely agree that Powell&#8217;s legacy and independence from political influence will guide the Fed&#8217;s decisions.



The path ahead remains uncertain, with market participants eagerly awaiting incoming data to discern if Powell will maintain his patient stance or yield to growing calls for more aggressive easing.



Price Action: The CME Group's FedWatch <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">tool</a>&#8216;s projections show markets pricing a 60.8% likelihood of the Federal Reserve keeping the current interest rates unchanged for the Sept. 17 decision. 



The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, were trading higher in premarket on Thursday. The SPY was up 1.02% at $640.91, while the QQQ advanced 1.36% to $640.91, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/hedge-funds/25/07/46687204/warren-buffett-has-56-of-his-258-billion-portfolios-value-exposed-to-ai-here-are-the-5-stocks-that-are-leveraging-ai-within-berkshires-holdings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett Has 56% Of His $258 Billion Portfolio&#8217;s Value Exposed To AI: Here Are The 5 Stocks That Are Leveraging AI Within Berkshire&#8217;s Holdings</a></li>
</ul>



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



Image Credit: Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

'Delusional World:' Analyst Slams Jerome Powell's Inaction As Experts Debate Possibility Of Six Cuts Starting September

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) is paying distinguished engineers up to $2.4 million annually, according to leaked internal compensation documents, revealing the software giant&#8217;s escalating investment in top-tier technical talent amid Silicon Valley&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46654858/alibaba-cloud-founder-says-true-innovation-doesnt-need-expensive-hires-as-mark-zuckerbergs-meta-rolls-out-hundred-million-dollar-packages">heated artificial intelligence hiring war</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pay Structure Spans 14 Levels</h2>



Internal Microsoft documents <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-pay-guidelines-new-hire-offers-exception-2025-7">obtained</a> by Business Insider detail compensation ranges across 14 engineering levels, from entry-level positions starting at $83,000 to Level 70 distinguished engineers earning maximum salaries of $408,000 plus substantial stock awards.



The highest-tier Level 70 engineers receive on-hire stock awards up to $1.9 million and annual stock grants reaching $1.476 million, according to the May-updated guidelines.



Combined with salaries and bonuses, total compensation approaches $2.4 million for elite technical talent.



Microsoft did not immediately respond to&nbsp;<a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga</a>'s request for comment.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46747335/palantir-alum-recalls-2020-all-nighter-that-won-over-tyson-foods-after-cto-called-demo-impossible-during-pandemic-supply-chain-crisis">Palantir Alum Recalls 2020 All-Nighter That Won Over Tyson Foods After CTO Called Demo &#8216;Impossible&#8217; During Pandemic Supply Chain Crisis</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Geographic Pay Differentials Drive Costs Higher</h2>



The company maintains separate &#8220;main&#8221; and &#8220;high&#8221; salary ranges based on location. Engineers at Microsoft&#8217;s Redmond, Washington headquarters fall under the main tier, while those in high-cost areas like San Francisco receive premium compensation packages.



Entry-level engineers (Levels 57-59) earn between $83,000-$163,600, depending on location and experience. Senior engineers begin at Level 63 with salaries ranging from $145,000-$237,600, while principal-level positions start at Level 65 with compensation between $172,800-$282,000.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AI Talent War Intensifies Competition</h2>



The compensation structure includes carve-outs for &#8220;competitive situations&#8221; where recruiters can seek approval for higher offers, reflecting the industry&#8217;s fierce competition for AI specialists.



Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) has reportedly offered packages worth $20 million annually to lure researchers from competitors, including Microsoft, OpenAI and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>). OpenAI CEO Sam Altman claimed Meta is providing $100 million signing bonuses, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46623904/mark-zuckerbergs-mafioso-poaching-style-at-meta-sparks-ai-talent-war-sam-altman-says-bring-it-on">though Meta executives dispute these figures</a>.



The talent shortage affects approximately 2,000 researchers globally <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46623904/mark-zuckerbergs-mafioso-poaching-style-at-meta-sparks-ai-talent-war-sam-altman-says-bring-it-on">capable of building foundational AI models</a>, driving unprecedented compensation inflation across Silicon Valley as companies race to secure artificial intelligence dominance.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46745342/samsungs-chip-profits-crash-94-ai-demand-tesla-deal-hbm3e-ramp-offer-hope-for-2h-comeback-as-trump-hits-south-korea-with-15-tariff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Samsung's Chip Profits Crash 94% — AI Demand, Tesla Deal, HBM3E Ramp Offer Hope For 2H Comeback As Trump Hits South Korea With 15% Tariff</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Tech

Microsoft Is Paying Up To $2.4 Million For Top Tech Talent—Leaked Docs Show Amid AI Talent Arms Race

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that President Donald Trump's new children's savings program "is a back door for privatizing Social Security," a remark at a Breitbart News forum that revived a long-fraught debate Republicans have largely avoided in recent years.



What Happened: Hours later, Bessent sought to steady the message, saying the accounts created under the law "will supplement the sanctity of Social Security's guaranteed payments."



<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">Trump Baby Accounts are an additive benefit for future generations, which will supplement the sanctity of Social Security's guaranteed payments. This is not an either-or question: our Administration is committed to protecting Social Security and to making sure seniors have more…&mdash; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecScottBessent/status/1950675795866988545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Bessent also posted that the administration remains committed to protecting seniors, adding in his evening clarification that it is "not an either-or" proposition, a point he emphasized after his earlier comment ricocheted across Capitol Hill. His X post arrived as the controversy eclipsed the rollout of the policy and prompted questions about whether the White House was shifting toward market-based retirement savings.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/07/46716370/could-trump-accounts-turn-american-babies-into-tomorrows-millionaires-heres-what-experts-say">Could Trump Accounts Turn American Babies Into Tomorrow&#8217;s Millionaires? Here&#8217;s What Experts Say</a>



The law established &#8216;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45938365/trumps-1000-baby-account-aligns-with-billionaire-investor-warren-buffetts-start-young-philosophy">Trump Accounts</a>,&#8217; tax-advantaged savings for children born in the United States that receive a potential $1,000 Treasury seed and allow post-tax contributions up to $5,000 a year, with rules modeled on IRAs. According to a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-child-savings-bessent-privatizing-social-security-97607050cfed0c423833ee7da88b4830">report</a> by the Associated Press, supporters say the balances can build over time and broaden wealth. Critics warn the structure nudges retirement security away from Social Security's guarantees.



Why It Matters: Democrats seized on Bessent's phrasing, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) saying the comment signaled an intent to revive privatization efforts that voters have repeatedly rejected. &#8220;A stunning admission,&#8221; Schumer said in a Senate speech. &#8220;Bessent actually slipped, told the truth: Donald Trump and government want to privatize Social Security.&#8221;



The Treasury Department later said to AP that the child accounts are an additive program that works in conjunction with Social Security and that the federal benefit "always will be" a critical safety net, seeking to quell backlash.



Bessent's comment at the forum cut against Trump's repeated campaign assurances that he would protect the program, even as Republicans explore new savings vehicles. For now, Treasury says the accounts expand wealth-building without replacing Social Security, while the administration insists its goal is to leave retirees with "more money."



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46747584/trump-blasts-canada-over-palestine-stance-says-it-makes-striking-a-trade-deal-with-ottawa-very-hard">Trump Blasts Canada Over Palestine Stance, Says It Makes Striking A Trade Deal With Ottawa &#8216;Very Hard&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Image Via Jasper Colt / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Politics

Chuck Schumer Says Scott Bessent 'Slipped' And 'Told The Truth' About Trump's Social Security Privatization Plan

President Donald Trump called for an investigation into Former House Speaker, Rep.&nbsp;Nancy Pelosi&#8216;s&nbsp;(D-Calif.) stock trading activities during a White House briefing on Wednesday, alleging she used insider information to generate exceptional market returns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trump Supports Congressional Trading Ban</h2>



When asked about Sen.&nbsp;Josh Hawley&#8216;s&nbsp;(R-Mo.) legislation to ban congressional stock trading, Trump expressed conceptual support while targeting Pelosi specifically.



&#8220;Nancy Pelosi became rich by having inside information. She made a fortune with her husband, and I think that&#8217;s disgraceful,&#8221; Trump stated during the briefing.



The proposed HONEST Act, previously known as the PELOSI Act, would prohibit Congress members, presidents, and vice presidents from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46748554/nancy-pelosi-backs-proposal-to-ban-congressional-stock-trading-named-after-her-proud-to-support-it-no-matter-what-they-decide-to-name-it">trading individual stocks</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pelosi&#8217;s Portfolio Performance Under Scrutiny</h2>



Trump highlighted Pelosi&#8217;s market performance, claiming she achieved &#8220;the highest return of anybody practically in the history of Wall Street save a few.&#8221;



According to reports, the Pelosi family&#8217;s combined net worth <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46748554/nancy-pelosi-backs-proposal-to-ban-congressional-stock-trading-named-after-her-proud-to-support-it-no-matter-what-they-decide-to-name-it">reached approximately $413 million in 2024</a>, up from $370 million the previous year. Their portfolio gained 65% in 2023 and 54% in 2024, outperforming many hedge funds.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46748648/figma-could-become-a-meme-stock-beyond-all-comprehension-warns-elon-musks-x-product-head-nikita-bier">Figma Could Become A &#8216;Meme Stock Beyond All Comprehension,&#8217; Warns Elon Musk&#8217;s X Product Head Nikita Bier</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Previous Trading Controversies</h2>



The criticism stems from well-timed trades by Paul Pelosi, Nancy&#8217;s venture capitalist husband. Notable transactions include selling 5,000 Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) shares before a Federal Trade Commission antitrust investigation and disposing of 2,000 Visa Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>) shares worth $500,000-$1 million in July, months before a Department of Justice <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/41060712/trump-wants-nancy-pelosi-prosecuted-over-husband-pauls-visa-stock-sale-before-doj-lawsuit-you-th">lawsuit against the payment processor</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pelosi Backs Trading Restrictions</h2>



Despite the attacks, Pelosi <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46748554/nancy-pelosi-backs-proposal-to-ban-congressional-stock-trading-named-after-her-proud-to-support-it-no-matter-what-they-decide-to-name-it">publicly supported the congressional trading ban</a>, stating she would back legislation &#8220;no matter what they decide to name it.&#8221;



&#8220;If legislation is advanced to help restore trust in government and ensure that those in power are held to the highest ethical standards, then I am proud to support it,&#8221; Pelosi said.



The bipartisan effort addresses growing concerns about congressional trading advantages, with several lawmakers achieving returns <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46748554/nancy-pelosi-backs-proposal-to-ban-congressional-stock-trading-named-after-her-proud-to-support-it-no-matter-what-they-decide-to-name-it">ranging from 70% to 149% in recent years</a>.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46745342/samsungs-chip-profits-crash-94-ai-demand-tesla-deal-hbm3e-ramp-offer-hope-for-2h-comeback-as-trump-hits-south-korea-with-15-tariff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Samsung&#8217;s Chip Profits Crash 94% — AI Demand, Tesla Deal, HBM3E Ramp Offer Hope For 2H Comeback As Trump Hits South Korea With 15% Tariff</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Joey Sussman from Shutterstock

Trump Says Nancy Pelosi 'Became Rich By Having Inside Information,' Calls For Investigation Amid Congressional Stock Trading Ban Legislation

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed some decline in the overall market sentiment, while the index remained in the &#8220;Greed&#8221; zone on Wednesday.



U.S. stocks settled lower on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones index falling more than 150 points during the session after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said "no decision" has been made on a September rate cut.



On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.50% as expected, yet two members broke ranks to support a rate cut, marking the most divided Fed meeting in over three decades.



Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WING#NASDAQ">WING</a>) shares jumped around 27% on Wednesday after the company reported better-than-expected second-quarter EPS and sales. Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAR#NASDAQ">CAR</a>) fell 15% following worse-than-expected quarterly EPS and sales.



On the economic data front, U.S. pending home sales declined by 0.8% from the previous month in May, following a 1.8% gain in April. The U.S. economy expanded at an annualized rate of 3% in the second quarter following a 0.5% contraction in the previous quarter. Private businesses in the U.S. added 104,000 jobs in July, compared to market estimates of a 75,000 increase.



Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a negative note, with materials, real estate and energy stocks recording the biggest losses on Wednesday. However, information technology and utilities stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session higher.



The Dow Jones closed lower by 172 points to 44,461.28 on Wednesday. The S&amp;P 500 fell 0.12% to 6,362.90, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.15% to 21,129.67 during Wednesday's session.



Investors are awaiting earnings results from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>) today.



What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?



At a current reading of 66.7, the index remained in the &#8220;Greed&#8221; zone on Wednesday, versus a prior reading of 68.1.



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 class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/dividends/25/07/46733987/wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts-give-their-take-on-3-energy-delivering-high-dividend-yields-2">Wall Street&#8217;s Most Accurate Analysts Give Their Take On 3 Energy Delivering High-Dividend Yields</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Pre-Market Outlook

Dow Falls Over 150 Points After Powell's Comments On Rate Cuts: Investor Sentiment Declines, But Fear Index Remains In 'Greed' Zone

Leading cryptocurrencies felt the pinch on Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said &#8220;no decision&#8221; has been made on a September rate cut.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Cryptocurrency</th><th>Gains +/-</th><th>Price (Recorded at 9:30 p.m. ET)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>+0.02%</td><td>$117,946.09</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>+0.61%</td><td>$3,811.10</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>-1.85%</td><td>$0.2195</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



What Happened: Bitcoin dipped below $116,000 late afternoon but recouped the gains overnight. Ethereum extended its gains overnight following the afternoon pullback, even as trading volume cooled off.



A White House advisory group formed under President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46723859/trumps-advisors-just-laid-out-a-crypto-blueprint-heres-whats-in-it">released a cryptocurrency blueprint</a> urging federal agencies to clarify rules concerning digital assets.



Meanwhile, cryptocurrency liquidations hit $432 million in the last 24 hours, with Ethereum alone accounting for $101 million.&nbsp;



Interestingly, Bitcoin's rise to $120,000 could liquidate $430 million worth of BTC short positions on Binance.



Bitcoin's open interest rose by 1.23% in the last 24 hours. When the spot price is sideways and open interest is increasing, it typically precedes a breakout in either direction.



Despite the weakness, "greed" sentiment persisted in the market, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index.



Top Gainers (24 Hours)



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Cryptocurrency</th><th>Gains +/-</th><th>Price (Recorded at 9:30 p.m. ET)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Ethena (ENA)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+10.29%</td><td>$0.6258</td></tr><tr><td>Conflux (CFX)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+8.22%</td><td>$0.2215</td></tr><tr><td>Curve DAO Token (CRV)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+8.18%</td><td>$1.04 </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.86 trillion, contracting 0.24% in the last 24 hours.



Major stock averages closed lower on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 171.71 points, or 0.38%, to close at 44,461.28. The S&amp;P 500 dipped 0.12% to end at 6,362.90. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was the silver lining, gaining 0.15% to end at 21,129.67.



The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.50%, as expected, followed by hawkish comments from Powell.



Powell said that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46736975/powell-holds-rates-copper-crashes-after-tariff-change-trump">"no decisions" have been made</a> about a rate cut in September, pouring cold water on investors' hopes. The odds of a 25 basis point cut fell to 43% from 63% the day before, <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">according </a>to the CME FedWatch tool.&nbsp;



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



Analyst Notes: Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader Michaël van de Poppe suggested that the cryptocurrency market dip following no change in rate cuts is temporary.



"I think it&#8217;s a great chance to accumulate. Could be that we fall deeper, but not for long. August/September new ATHs," the analyst predicted.



<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 has been the biggest FOMC meeting ever! Haha, not. Anyways, markets are moving down as there&#39;s still no rate cut and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> lost the range. I think it&#39;s a great chance to accumulate. Could be that we fall deeper, but not for long. August/September new ATHs. <a href="https://t.co/TDUbqlBsJY">pic.twitter.com/TDUbqlBsJY</a>&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1950643093554008135?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Another cryptocurrency-focused trader, Tom Tucker, spotted Bitcoin forming a bullish pennant on its daily chart.



A bullish pennant is a continuation chart pattern, indicating resumption of an uptrend after a pause or consolidation period.



"With the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index still in the greed zone at 63, and Bollinger Bands tightening, a breakout could be near. Target on breakout? $143,550," Tucker projected.



<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/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> is trading in a tight range, forming a bullish pennant on the daily chart. With the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index still in the greed zone at 63, and Bollinger Bands tightening, a breakout could be near. Target on breakout? $143,550 <a href="https://t.co/i5Z4CUFO0b">pic.twitter.com/i5Z4CUFO0b</a>&mdash; Tom Tucker (@WhatzTheTicker) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhatzTheTicker/status/1950631755268141396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Photo Courtesy: Yalcin Sonat On Shutterstock.com



Read Next:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/previews/25/07/46742773/coinbase-q2-preview-can-white-house-momentum-bitcoin-all-time-highs-help">Coinbase Q2 Preview: Can White House Momentum, Bitcoin All-Time Highs Help?</a></li>
</ul>

Cryptocurrency

$DOGE

$ETH

Bitcoin, Ethereum Move Sideways, Dogecoin Falls Amid Jerome Powell's Hawkish Tone On Rate Cuts: Analyst Says Dip Temporary Before BTC Highs

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) may look to outside partners to help finance its ballooning infrastructure investments in 2026, as it ramps up spending on artificial intelligence <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43962882/meta-gears-up-for-ai-dominance-with-200-billion-data-center-project-report">and data centers</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meta Eyes Financial Partners Amid Soaring AI Costs</h2>



During the company's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46739277/meta-beats-q2-earnings-estimates-issues-strong-guidance-shares-surge-to-new-highs">second-quarter 2025 earnings</a> call, CFO Susan Li addressed questions around how Meta plans to fund what could exceed $100 billion in capital expenditures next year.



"We certainly expect that we will finance some large share of that ourselves," Li said. "But we&#8217;re also exploring ways to work with financial partners to co-develop data centers."



Li noted that while Meta has not finalized any transactions, the company sees an opportunity in attracting external capital to support large-scale infrastructure.



"We generally believe that there will be models here that will attract significant external financing… while providing us with flexibility should our infrastructure requirements change over time," she added.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46727737/palo-alto-networks-stock-is-falling-today-whats-going-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palo Alto Networks Stock Is Falling Today: What's Going On?</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Alphabet, Microsoft Also In Infrastructure Race<div aria-setsize="-1" class="c-virtual_list__item" tabindex="0" role="listitem" id="message-list_1753933665.285679" data-qa="virtual-list-item" data-item-key="1753933665.285679" style="box-sizing: inherit; width: 891px; position: absolute; outline-style: none; color: rgb(209, 210, 211); font-family: Slack-Lato, Slack-Fractions, appleLogo, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; white-space-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgb(26, 29, 33); top: 2388.06px;"><div role="presentation" class="c-message_kit__background c-message_kit__background--hovered p-message_pane_message__message c-message_kit__message" data-qa="message_container" data-qa-unprocessed="false" data-qa-placeholder="false" style="box-sizing: inherit; background: rgba(var(--sk_foreground_min_solid,248,248,248),1); user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; line-height: 1.46668;"><div role="document" aria-roledescription="message" class="c-message_kit__hover c-message_kit__hover--hovered" data-qa-hover="true" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><div class="c-message_kit__actions c-message_kit__actions--above" style="box-sizing: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="c-message_actions__container c-message__actions" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; z-index: 1; display: inline-flex; position: absolute; top: -28px; right: 17px;"><div class="c-message_actions__group" role="group" aria-label="Message actions" data-qa="message-actions" style="box-sizing: inherit; background: rgba(var(--sk_primary_background,255,255,255),1); border: unset; --saf-0: rgba(var(--sk_foreground_low,29,28,29),.13); box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px var(--saf-0),0 1px 3px 0 #00000014; border-radius: 12px; margin-left: 8px; padding: 4px; line-height: 1; display: flex;"><button class="c-button-unstyled c-icon_button c-icon_button--size_small c-message_actions__button c-icon_button--default" data-qa="add_reaction" aria-label="Add reaction…" aria-keyshortcuts="r" data-focus-key="message_actions" data-focus-metadata="{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;D04ANC5GSER&quot;,&quot;params&quot;:{&quot;messageContainerType&quot;:&quot;Channel&quot;},&quot;uiState&quot;:{&quot;ts&quot;:&quot;1753933665.285679&quot;,&quot;button&quot;:&quot;reaction&quot;}}" data-sk="tooltip_parent" type="button" ><svg data-u1u="true" data-qa="add-reaction" aria-hidden="true" viewBox="0 0 20 20" class=""><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M15.5 1a.75.75 0 0 1 .75.75v2h2a.75.75 0 0 1 0 1.5h-2v2a.75.75 0 0 1-1.5 0v-2h-2a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.5h2v-2A.75.75 0 0 1 15.5 1m-13 10a6.5 6.5 0 0 1 7.166-6.466.75.75 0 0 0 .152-1.493 8 8 0 1 0 7.14 7.139.75.75 0 0 0-1.492.152A7 7 0 0 1 15.5 11a6.5 6.5 0 1 1-13 0m4.25-.5a1.25 1.25 0 1 0 0-2.5 1.25 1.25 0 0 0 0 2.5m4.5 0a1.25 1.25 0 1 0 0-2.5 1.25 1.25 0 0 0 0 2.5M9 15c1.277 0 2.553-.724 3.06-2.173.148-.426-.209-.827-.66-.827H6.6c-.452 0-.808.4-.66.827C6.448 14.276 7.724 15 9 15" clip-rule="evenodd"></path><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M10 3a7 7 0 1 0 3.394 13.124.75.75 0 0 1 .542-.074l2.794.68-.68-2.794a.75.75 0 0 1 .073-.542A7 7 0 0 0 10 3m-8.5 7a8.5 8.5 0 1 1 16.075 3.859l.904 3.714a.75.75 0 0 1-.906.906l-3.714-.904A8.5 8.5 0 0 1 1.5 10M6 8.25a.75.75 0 0 1 .75-.75h6.5a.75.75 0 0 1 0 1.5h-6.5A.75.75 0 0 1 6 8.25M6.75 11a.75.75 0 0 0 0 1.5h4.5a.75.75 0 0 0 0-1.5z" clip-rule="evenodd"></path><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M10.457 2.56a.75.75 0 0 1 .814.15l7 6.75a.75.75 0 0 1 0 1.08l-7 6.75A.75.75 0 0 1 10 16.75V13.5H6c-1.352 0-2.05.389-2.43.832-.4.465-.57 1.133-.57 1.918a.75.75 0 0 1-1.5 0V14c0-2.594.582-4.54 2-5.809C4.898 6.941 6.944 6.5 9.5 6.5h.5V3.25c0-.3.18-.573.457-.69M3.052 12.79C3.777 12.278 4.753 12 6 12h4.75a.75.75 0 0 1 .75.75v2.235L16.67 10 11.5 5.015V7.25a.75.75 0 0 1-.75.75H9.5c-2.444 0-4.023.434-5 1.309-.784.702-1.29 1.788-1.448 3.481" clip-rule="evenodd"></path><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M4.25 4.25A2.75 2.75 0 0 1 7 1.5h6a2.75 2.75 0 0 1 2.75 2.75v12.793c0 1.114-1.346 1.671-2.134.884L10 14.31l-3.616 3.616c-.788.787-2.134.23-2.134-.884zM7 3c-.69 0-1.25.56-1.25 1.25v12.19l3.649-3.65a.85.85 0 0 1 1.202 0l3.649 3.65V4.25C14.25 3.56 13.69 3 13 3z" clip-rule="evenodd"></path><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M10 5.5A1.75 1.75 0 1 1 10 2a1.75 1.75 0 0 1 0 3.5m0 6.25a1.75 1.75 0 1 1 0-3.5 1.75 1.75 0 0 1 0 3.5m-1.75 4.5a1.75 1.75 0 1 0 3.5 0 1.75 1.75 0 0 0-3.5 0" clip-rule="evenodd"></path></svg></button></div></div></div></div></div></div><div aria-setsize="-1" class="c-virtual_list__item" tabindex="-1" role="presentation" id="message-list_bottomSpacer" data-qa="virtual-list-item" data-item-key="bottomSpacer" style="box-sizing: inherit; width: 891px; position: absolute; color: rgb(209, 210, 211); font-family: Slack-Lato, Slack-Fractions, appleLogo, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; white-space-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgb(26, 29, 33); top: 2418.06px;"></div></h2>



Meta is one of several tech giants racing to scale AI infrastructure globally. It posted second-quarter revenue of $47.52 billion, surpassing <a href="http://benzinga.com/quote/META/earnings">analyst expectations</a> of $44.58 billion.



Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46587283/alphabet-q2-earnings-revenue-eps-beat-estimates-google-parent-raises-capex-outlook-due-to-strong-and-growing-cloud-demand">reported earnings last week</a>, has also raised its 2025 capital expenditure forecast to around $85 billion, citing "strong and growing demand" for its cloud products and services.



On Wednesday, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46738585/microsoft-q4-earnings-highlights-double-beat-ceo-says-cloud-and-ai-is-the-driving-force">fourth-quarter earnings</a> and projected $30 billion in capital expenditures for the current fiscal first quarter, driven by surging sales in its Azure cloud segment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Data Center Demand Set To Explode</h2>



A global surge in data center construction is underway to meet the soaring computing demands of AI leaders like Meta, Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) and Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>).



Goldman Sachs projects <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46471676/meta-palantir-amazon-ai-datacenter-growth">global data center demand</a> will grow 50% by 2027, rising from 62 GW to 92 GW, largely driven by AI workloads, which are expected to account for 28% of usage by then.



By 2030, data center power demand could climb 165%, making the sector one of the world&#8217;s top 10 electricity consumers.



Price Action: Meta shares dipped 0.68% on Wednesday but surged 11.49% in after-hours trading, reaching $775.10, per <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.



According to Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings, META maintains strong upward momentum across short, medium and long-term timeframes. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'">Additional performance insights are available here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/30233520/Screenshot-2025-07-31-at-9.00.45%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1008220"/></a></figure>



Photo Courtesy: Skorzewiak on Shutterstock.com



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45396297/cathie-wood-dumps-palantir-as-stock-touches-peak-prices-bails-on-soaring-flying-taxi-maker-archer-aviation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cathie Wood Dumps Palantir As Stock Touches Peak Prices, Bails On Soaring Flying-Taxi Maker Archer Aviation</a></li>
</ul>



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

GOOG

GOOGL

Meta CFO Susan Li Says Company May Tap External Financing For 2026 AI Infrastructure As CapEx Heads Toward $100 Billion

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States has reached a &#8220;Full and Complete Trade Deal&#8221; with the Republic of Korea, worth $450 billion. 



What Happened: In a Truth Social post on Wednesday night, Trump said, &#8220;South Korea will provide "$350 Billion Dollars for Investments owned and controlled by the United States, and selected by myself, as President,&#8221; as part of the deal. 



Additionally, the deal includes a commitment from South Korea to purchase &#8220;$100 Billion Dollars of LNG, or other Energy products,&#8221; Trump said, adding that more investment details will be revealed &#8220;within the next two weeks&#8221; during a scheduled White House meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/07/46686877/drug-prices-to-get-more-expensive-under-trumps-eu-trade-deal-as-pharma-faces-billions-in-added-costs-report">Drug Prices To Get &#8216;More Expensive&#8217; Under Trump&#8217;s EU Trade Deal As Pharma Faces Billions In Added Costs: Report</a>



As part of the deal, Trump says, South Korea will &#8220;be completely OPEN TO TRADE with the United States,&#8221; adding that the country &#8220;will accept American product including Cars and Trucks, Agriculture, etc.&#8221;



He also notes that as part of this arrangement, imports from South Korea will be charged a 15% tariff, while American goods will not be subject to a tariff.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1002" height="1024" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/30213535/Screenshot-2025-07-31-at-7.05.24-AM-1002x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1008080" style="width:519px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/30213535/Screenshot-2025-07-31-at-7.05.24-AM-1002x1024.png 1002w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/30213535/Screenshot-2025-07-31-at-7.05.24-AM-293x300.png 293w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/30213535/Screenshot-2025-07-31-at-7.05.24-AM-768x785.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/30213535/Screenshot-2025-07-31-at-7.05.24-AM.png 1166w" sizes="(max-width: 1002px) 100vw, 1002px" /></figure>



Why It Matters: Economist Peter Schiff, once again, noted that the 15% tariffs charged on South Korean imports will be paid by American importers, and not South Korea. 



He says, even if these costs aren&#8217;t passed on to consumers, the importer&#8217;s profits will take a hit. &#8220;One way or another, Americans pay,&#8221; he says, adding that the winners are foreigners, who will now get to buy goods that Americans can no longer afford.



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter 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">Trump&#39;s tariffs are being paid by American importers. If they don&#39;t raise their prices to cover these increased costs, their profits will tax a huge hit. One way or another, Americans pay. The winners will be foreing consumers, who get to buy what Americans can no longer afford.&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1950722262572613915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



This marks another major trade deal in recent days, after the European Union, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia. However, the United States has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46716020/trump-is-yet-to-sign-a-trade-deal-with-over-85-of-humanity-here-are-the-major-countries-that-are-yet-to-sign">yet to sign</a> a trade deal with the vast majority of humanity. 



Photo Courtesy: Joey Sussman on Shutterstock.com



Read More:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46680463/jim-cramer-lauds-trumps-tariff-playbook-calls-japan-and-eu-trade-deals-clean-victories-our-country-ran-the-table-on-both">Jim Cramer Lauds Trump&#8217;s Tariff Playbook: Calls Japan And EU Trade Deals Clean Victories — &#8216;Our Country Ran The Table On Both&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

Asia

Government

Global

Markets

Trump 'Pleased' With $450 Billion South Korea Tariff Deal, Seoul To Accept US Cars, Agriculture: Economist Warns Americans 'Pay' The 15% Tariff

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell held firm on monetary policy, calling the central bank's current stance &#8220;modestly restrictive&#8221; and reiterating that no decision has been made about a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/federal-reserve">rate cut in September.</a>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The SPY ETF is moving fast. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SPY">See real-time price here.</a></li>
</ul>



On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.50% as expected, yet two members broke ranks to support a rate cut, marking the most divided Fed meeting in over three decades.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Powell Doesn&#8217;t Concede On September Rate Cut</h3>



Speaking after the July Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Powell said inflation remains "a bit above 2%," even when excluding the recent tariff-driven spike in goods prices. 



Despite softening in some economic indicators, Powell emphasized that policy must remain tight enough to prevent those price increases from becoming embedded.



Markets and the Trump administration have been pressuring the Fed to begin cutting interest rates this fall. But Powell resisted those calls, stressing that two more rounds of jobs and inflation data will arrive before the next meeting.



"We have made no decisions about September," he said. "We don't do that in advance."



Powell explained that the Fed is trying to time its next move efficiently: "If we move too soon, we may not finish the job on inflation. If we move too late, we risk unnecessary damage to the labor market."



Asked whether current data would justify a cut in September if trends hold steady, Powell declined to answer directly. "We're going to need to see the data," he said. "It can go in many different directions."



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tariff Effects Are Real—But Still Evolving</h3>



Powell acknowledged that higher tariffs, particularly those imposed earlier this year, are beginning to filter through to consumer prices. The Fed estimates that around $30 billion in tariff revenue is being collected monthly, much of which is now appearing in goods inflation. Powell cited the June Consumer Price Index report as evidence.



"Companies feel that they have every intention of putting this through to the consumer," Powell said. "But they may not be able to in many cases."



While he called it a "reasonable base case" that these price increases are a one-time shift, Powell warned that the inflationary impact could still prove more persistent—a risk the Fed is monitoring closely.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Labor Market Holding, But Under Pressure</h3>



Despite ongoing strength in headline numbers, Powell admitted the labor market is "in balance" largely because both labor demand and supply are slowing in tandem. Private-sector job creation has decelerated in recent months, though unemployment remains low at 4.1%.



"There are downside risks to the labor market," Powell said. "It's worth paying close attention."



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions: Stocks Fall, Dollar Rallies, Copper Suffer Historic Fall</h3>



Markets swung lower as Powell struck a cautious tone on interest rates, dashing hopes for a near-term cut. Wall Street&#8217;s rate-cut bets for September fell to 45%, down from 68% immediately after the Fed's July policy statement.



The S&amp;P 500 declined 0.5%, on pace for its third straight loss—its longest losing streak since late April. Small caps, which are more sensitive to interest rates, underperformed, with the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) down 1%.



The U.S. dollar index surged 1%, extending its rally to five consecutive sessions, the strongest five-day gain since mid-2022, as traders unwound short positions.



Copper markets saw unprecedented volatility. Prices plunged 19.4%, marking the steepest one-day drop since the metal began trading on financial markets in 1988. The selloff followed President Donald Trump's tariff adjustments, which excluded refined copper, prompting a reversal of pre-tariff hoarding strategies.



The updated tariff plan will apply to semi-finished copper goods, such as wires and pipes, but will exclude ore, cathodes, and concentrates, which account for the majority of U.S. copper imports. Traders had been front-loading shipments ahead of Friday's 50% levy, fueling a rapid unwind.



Other metals also suffered losses. Gold fell 1.6% to $3,272 an ounce, hitting a one-month low. Silver dropped 3.4% to $36.85, while platinum sank 7.4% to $1,290.



Crypto followed suit: Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) lost 1.7% to $116,000 and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) dipped 2% to $3,719.



Copper On A Free Fall After Trump&#8217;s Tariff Correction



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="560" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/30153814/image-491-1024x560.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1007837" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/30153814/image-491-1024x560.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/30153814/image-491-300x164.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/30153814/image-491-768x420.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/30153814/image-491-1536x840.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/30153814/image-491-2048x1120.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/07/46730519/exxon-chevron-could-be-wall-streets-best-kept-secrets-this-quarter">Exxon, Chevron Could Be Wall Street&#8217;s Best-Kept Secrets This Quarter </a></li>
</ul>



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Large Cap

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Commodities

Powell Puts Breaks On September Rate Cut—And Trump Triggers A Metal Market Crash

Cryptocurrency trading company Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) reports second-quarter financial results<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings"> after market close Thursday.</a>



COIN shares are trending up modestly. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COIN" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">See real-time price here.</a>



Here are the earnings estimates and key items to watch.



Earnings Estimates: Analysts expect Coinbase to report second-quarter revenue of $1.69 billion, up from $1.45 billion in last year's second quarter according to data<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0730"> from Benzinga Pro.</a>



The company missed analyst estimates in the first quarter but has beaten estimates in nine of the last 10 quarters overall.



Analysts expect Coinbase to report second quarter earnings per share of $1.35, up from $1.07 in last year's second quarter. The company missed analyst estimates in the first quarter, but has beaten analyst estimates in eight of the past 10 quarters.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46721901/jpmorgan-partners-with-coinbase-to-expand-crypto-access-for-80m-customers">JPMorgan Partners With Coinbase To Expand Crypto Access For 80M Customers</a>



Key Items to Watch: Analysts have been raising their<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COIN/analyst-ratings"> price targets on Coinbase </a>stock with optimism for the cryptocurrency sector as Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) hit all-time highs and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) gained momentum in recent weeks.



Bills in Congress as part of "Crypto Week" are likely to be a key topic as the cryptocurrency sector moves forward and Coinbase has been pushing for regulation in the sector.



Another key area to watch is stablecoin USDC (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDC</a>), which is part of a partnership between Coinbase and Circle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRCL#NYSE">CRCL</a>).



JPMorgan analyst Kenneth B. Worthington<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46690257/forget-bitcoin-coinbases-secret-weapon-fuels-growth-for-free"> recently said</a> that the USDC unit of Coinbase could be underestimated by investors.



&#8220;We see USDC economics as particularly attractive,&#8221; Worthington said, pointing to high margins and future growth.



Stablecoins have become a key talking point of bills in Congress for cryptocurrency.



Partnerships signed by Coinbase with major banks like JPMorgan and PNC could also be a talking point in the company's earnings results and guidance. The company continues to sign partnerships with key names in the financial world as companies explore more use cases for cryptocurrency.



Cryptocurrencies outside of Bitcoin and Ethereum could also be worth watching in Coinbase's report. In <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45302422/coinbase-q1-earnings-highlights-revenue-eps-miss-2025">the first quarter, </a>the company highlighted Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) and XRP Token (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) as seeing increased trading volume.



Subscription and services revenue will be a key area to watch as this high-margin revenue has helped offset quarters with lower crypto trading revenue. The company is guiding for this revenue to be in a range of $600 million to $680 million, versus a total of $698.1 million in the first quarter.



After growing quarter-over-quarter, Coinbase's guidance forecasts a drop in the second quarter.



Coinbase's report comes a day after Robinhood Markets, which highlighted crypto trading growth in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46739502/robinhood-q2-double-beat-crypto-revenue-nearly-doubles">its recent quarter</a> results. Robinhood saw its cryptocurrency trading revenue up 98% year-over-year and its cryptocurrency trading volume up 32% year-over-year in its fourth fiscal quarter.



While Robinhood and Coinbase don't offer all of the same products, both have high usage among retail traders and likely see similar growth in the crypto sector during bull markets like parts of 2025 have been.



COIN Price Action: Coinbase stock closed Wednesday up 1.63% to $377.48 versus a 52-week trading range of $142.58 to $444.65. Coinbase stock is up 50% year-to-date in 2025.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/options/25/07/46725185/what-the-options-market-tells-us-about-coinbase-global">What the Options Market Tells Us About Coinbase Global</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

Earnings

Previews

Trading Ideas

$SOL

$USDC

$XRP

COIN

CRCL

Coinbase Q2 Preview: Can White House Momentum, Bitcoin All-Time Highs Help?

Artificial intelligence may be making more headlines in the financial media than in the technology press – and for good reason.



Take natural gas stocks, which are capturing the attention of big whale investors primarily because of AI-fueled demand from power technology data centers, where natural gas, the cleanest of all fossil fuels, is expected to play a significant role.



That could mean big business for natural gas players, who have already pushed the S&amp;P GSCI Natural Gas Index up 54% over the past year.&nbsp;



Growth has slowed somewhat in 2025 due to lower European Union imports, tepid growth in the liquified natural gas (LNG) sector and storage injection issues in the EU and Asia. Still, the AI infusion is expected to ignite a surge in the natural gas sector in the second half of 2025, particularly in 2026.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Get Access To The Leaderboards That Reveal Tomorrow's Top Stocks</h2>



Updated daily, Benzinga's Top Stock Leaderboards highlight our best buys right now. Spot breakout opportunities before the crowd catches on—without the noise. Get access now and start using the same research trusted by hedge funds, analysts, and serious traders. Get started <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge/?">HERE</a>.



"The rapid growth of AI and the construction of new AI-driven data centers are dramatically increasing electricity demand," said Christian Harris, financial analyst at the UK-based Investing.co, which is a trading and investment tutorial platform. "The IEA projects electricity demand from data centers to more than double by 2030, with renewable and natural gas leading the new capacity mix due to their cost and dispatchability."



The link to natural gas stems from data centers being energy-intensive and needing around-the-clock, reliable power. "That's something natural gas provides exceptionally well, given its ability to ramp up quickly and supply steady power," Harris said.



While renewables and nuclear energy are on the rise, natural gas remains the immediate go-to, as it's more readily available and scalable. Harris expects this trend to continue for the next several years, "with natural gas prices seeing moderate upward pressure as a result, particularly in the U.S., where infrastructure is strong." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Three Natural Gas Stocks For The AI Revolution</h2>



With the rising demand for energy resources like natural gas in data centers, which sector is likely to gain the most significant benefits? Here's a short list.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">GE Vernova</h3>



GE Vernova (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEV#NYSE">GEV</a>) stands out for its leadership in natural gas power infrastructure, which is essential for data centers. Vernova shares are already outperforming (up 98% year-to-date). The stock is priced at a hefty $652, but with plenty of room for growth.



A case in point: the energy transition company reported second-quarter earnings per share of $1.86, beating the consensus estimate of $1.69. Revenue came in at $9.11 billion, exceeding Wall Street's expectations of $8.78 billion,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/price-target/25/07/46608274/ge-vernova-analysts-increase-their-forecasts-after-better-than-expected-q2-ear?utm_source=MarketWatch"> Benzinga reported</a>.



&#8220;We had a productive second quarter, positioning us well to accelerate growth and margin expansion,&#8221; said CEO Scott Strazik. &#8220;We grew our backlog by more than $5 billion and increased Gas Power slot reservation agreements from 50 to 55 gigawatts.&#8221;



Analysts are bullish on the stock for the long haul, with Baird analyst Ben Kallo recently issuing an Outperform rating while raising the price target from $568 to $706. Meanwhile, Susquehanna analyst Charles Minervino maintained the stock with a Positive rating and hiked the price target from $662 to $736.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">EQT Corp.</h3>



Rob Thummel, managing director and senior portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital, calls the Pittsburgh-based EQT Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQT#NYSE">EQT</a>) one of the lowest-cost producers of natural gas in the U.S. He says the company has a great management team that has positioned it for future growth.



"Last week, EQT announced an agreement to supply natural gas to the largest natural gas-powered data center campus in Homer City, Pa.," Thummel said. "Ironically, the Homer City data campus in Pennsylvania used to be a coal-fired power plant that is being redeveloped into a natural gas-powered data center campus."



The stock is up 16% year-to-date, while both JP Morgan and Wells Fargo have recently issued Buy calls on EQT shares. Morgan Stanley made the same call, with a $69 price target. The stock is currently trading at $53 per share.



EQT is also seeing some significant whale activity, with Stanley Druckenmiller‘s Duquesne Family Office LLC recently taking a new position in the stock,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/hedge-funds/25/07/46386374/stanley-druckenmillers-duquesne-dumps-palantir-bets-big-on-this-dividend-play-which-has-surged-nearly-50-in-2025"> Benzinga reported</a>.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Williams Companies</h3>



Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Williams Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) operates one of the largest natural gas pipeline infrastructure networks in the U.S.



"Pipelines operate with large economic moats," Thummel said. &#8220;WMB is no different, offering investors an above-average dividend yield of 3.5% with dividend growth expectations of 6%-plus."



Williams&#8217; cash flows should also rise as its fee-based pipelines will benefit from higher natural gas volumes.&nbsp;



"Additionally, Williams is building natural gas-powered generation infrastructure to support a data center campus in New Albany, Ohio, Thummel noted. "This electricity generation facility is behind the meter, meaning that it's not connected to the electrical grid; instead, it supplies all electricity generated directly to the data center campus." 



Williams has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 10.98% on an annualized basis, producing an average annual return of 25.21%, as<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/news/25/07/46545771/heres-how-much-you-would-have-made-owning-williams-companies-stock-in-the-last-5-years?utm_source=MarketWatch&amp;utm_campaign=partner_feed&amp;utm_medium=partner_feed&amp;utm_content=site&amp;mod=mw_quote_news"> reported by Benzinga</a>.



Photo: Shutterstock

Opinion

3 Natural Gas Stocks That Are Booming Because Of AI

Technology giant Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) reported fourth-quarter financial results<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings"> after market close Wednesday.</a>



Here are the key highlights.



What Happened: Microsoft reported fourth-quarter revenue of $76.44 billion, up 17% year-over-year. The revenue total beat a Street consensus estimate of $73.80 billion according to data from Benzinga Pro.



The company reported fourth-quarter earnings per share of $3.65, beating a Street consensus estimate of $3.37.



Here's a look at Microsoft's revenue by reporting segment:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Productivity and Business Processes: $33.1 billion, +16% year-over-year</li>



<li>Intelligent Cloud: $29.9 billion, +26% year-over-year</li>



<li>More Personal Computing: $13.5 billion, +9% year-over-year</li>
</ul>



The company reported that Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud revenue increased by 18% year-over-year. Microsoft 365 Consumer cloud revenue was up 20% year-over-year in the quarter.



Within the Intelligent Cloud segment, revenue from Azure and other cloud services increased by 39% year-over-year.



Xbox content and services revenue was up 13% year-over-year in the quarter.



Overall cloud revenue was $46.7 billion in the quarter, representing a 27% year-over-year increase across various segments.



The company's full fiscal year revenue was $281.7 billion, up 15% year-over-year. Full-year earnings per share were $13.64, up 16% year-over-year.



"Cloud and AI is the driving force of the business transformation across every industry and sector," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said. "We're innovating across the tech stack to help customers adapt and grow in this new era."



Nadella said Azure surpassed the $75 billion revenue milestone for the full fiscal year, representing a 34% year-over-year increase.



The company will provide an update on guidance during its earnings call, which can be viewed below.



MSFT Price Action: Microsoft stock is up 7.2% to $550.01 in after-hours trading versus a 52-week trading range of $344.79 to $518.29.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46678233/satya-nadella-touts-copilot-mode-in-edge-can-microsoft-finally-leverage-ai-to-snag-browser-dominance-from-google-chrome">Satya Nadella Touts Copilot Mode In Edge, Can Microsoft Finally Leverage AI To Snag Browser Dominance From Google Chrome?</a></li>
</ul>



<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="Microsoft Earnings Call Q4 2025 &#x7C; $MSFT &#x7C; &#x1f534; WATCH LIVE" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/49kmWquV4Fk?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>



Photo: Shutterstock

Movers

Microsoft Q4 Earnings Highlights: Double Beat, CEO Says 'Cloud And AI Is The Driving Force'

Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) is once again in the limelight before its second quarter results today after markets close, but this time it&#8217;s not merely stock pickers who are sitting up. Even ETF investors are on high alert, particularly those with exposure via Big Tech and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">AI-themed ETFs</a>. 



With <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/previews/25/07/46703548/meta-q2-preview-11-straight-revenue-beats-on-line-with-stock-near-all-time-highs">Meta expecting to report its 11th consecutive revenue beat</a>, some high-conviction ETFs may witness substantial movements. Revenues forecasted by the company stand between $42.5–$45.5 billion. Moreover, analysts expect earnings per share of $5.86, up from $5.16 in last year&#8217;s second quarter.



META is trading in the upper third of its 52-week range. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/META" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Check the latest price here.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AI &amp; Big Tech ETFs Surfing On Meta Momentum</h2>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAGS#BATS">MAGS</a>) Built to balance equally the so-called Magnificent Seven, MAGS is a condensed bet on the largest U.S. tech giants. Meta represents one-seventh of the fund, providing it with significant clout. As Meta continues to invest billions in AI and automation software such as Advantage+ for advertisers, MAGS finds itself a first choice among investors looking for direct access to the AI-enriched core of U.S. tech.</li>



<li>Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) Meta is among the top 10 holdings in QQQ, representing more than 3% of the fund. QQQ, which is one of the most liquid and most traded ETFs, normally responds rapidly to an earnings beat or miss from key components. An upbeat Meta report would push QQQ, particularly considering its exposure to other AI leaders such as Microsoft and Nvidia.</li>



<li>Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLC#NYSE">XLC</a>) XLC provides one of the cleanest ETF plays on Meta, with the stock representing more than 18% of the fund&#8217;s weighting. That&#8217;s at the top. For investors directly wagering on Meta&#8217;s leadership in social media and digital advertising, XLC offers focused exposure within the larger communication services space.</li>
</ol>



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46726306/new-york-times-gets-new-ai-partner-for-20-25-million">New York Times Gets New AI Partner For $20-$25 Million</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What To Watch</h2>



Meta&#8217;s 2025 capital spending plans, projected at $64–$72 billion and possibly increasing further, are the sign of a full-throated AI buildout. That would render AI-intensive ETFs more vulnerable to Meta&#8217;s rhythm on monetization and infrastructure return on investment. Threads, WhatsApp and Business AI products continue to be key focuses for future revenue sources.



ETF investors aren&#8217;t riding shotgun; they&#8217;re tactically exposed. Be it equal-weight AI exposure in MAGS, tech broad brushes in QQQ or laser-specific Meta allocation in XLC, Meta&#8217;s second-quarter results can drive near-term ETF flows and longer-term sector sentiment.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/emerging-market-etfs/25/07/46728565/tesla-battery-pivot-sparks-etf-rotation-america-in-china-out">Tesla Battery Pivot Sparks ETF Rotation: America In, China Out?</a></li>
</ul>

Specialty ETFs

MAGS

Meta's AI Firepower Could Ignite Magnificent Seven ETFs

Anticipation was sky-high heading into a politically charged Federal Reserve meeting, after months of relentless pressure from President Donald Trump to deliver rate cuts, but the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/federal-reserve">central bank didn't budge.</a>



Yet what unfolded behind closed doors revealed one of the most profound internal cracks in decades.



The Federal Open Market Committee held interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.50% in its July decision, as widely anticipated by the market.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Two Fed Governors Break Ranks</h2>



For the first time since 1993, two permanent members of the Fed's Board of Governors—Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller—explicitly dissented, favoring an immediate 25 basis-point rate cut. 



That kind of internal division hasn't been seen since Alan Greenspan's tenure, when Governors Wayne Angell and Lawrence Lindsey opposed the Committee's easing bias in December of that year.



The dissent highlights growing friction not just between Chair Jerome Powell and Washington, but within his own leadership circle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Fed&#8217;s Official Line: Still Not Time to Cut</h2>



In its post-meeting statement, the Fed noted that "recent indicators suggest that growth of economic activity moderated in the first half of the year." 



Still, the labor market remains strong, the unemployment rate is low, and inflation "remains somewhat elevated."



The Committee reiterated its standard forward guidance, stating that it would continue to monitor data and stands ready to act "as appropriate if risks emerge that could impede" its goals. That leaves the door open for a potential shift in September.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions</h2>



Traders now see a 62% chance of a 25 basis-point rate cut at the September meeting, up from 58% earlier in the day, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool.



The U.S. dollar index (DXY) trimmed daily gains, while Treasury yields slipped. 



Gold, as tracked by the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>), edged slightly higher but remained down by 0.8% for the day.



Wall Street held broadly steady, with the S&amp;P 500 – tracked by the Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) – up 0.2% at 6,385 points.



Attention now turns to Powell's press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET, where investors will parse every word for clues about the Fed's next steps.



For now, the Fed has said &#8220;not yet&#8221; on rate cuts—but the internal fractures suggest "not yet" could quickly become "soon" if economic momentum cools or political heat intensifies.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46720292/us-gdp-q2-economy-us-trump-fed-interest-rates-dollar">US Economy Roars Back With 3% Growth, Handing Trump A Timely Victory </a></li>
</ul>



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Fed Skips Rate Cut Again—But Reveals Something We Haven't Seen Since 1993

Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) may be fashionably late, but it's arriving with style — and a plan to bend the market to its will.



Despite planning to show up in 2026, six years after Samsung Electronics Co (OTCPK: SSNLF) debuted its first foldable phone, Apple's long-rumored book-style foldable iPhone could open the door to $65 billion in revenue and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AAPL/earnings">deliver high-single-digit EPS</a> gains by 2029, according to JPMorgan's Samik Chatterjee.



Track Apple&#8217;s stock trajectory <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AAPL">here</a>.



With foldables still a niche segment — making up just ~1.5% of global smartphone sales — Apple's entrance could be the jolt the market needs. Samsung may own up to 56% of the foldable space, but Apple's entry with the iPhone 18 Fold might flip the dynamics, especially with a crease-free display and $1,999 price tag designed to woo premium buyers.



Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46680504/apple-faces-18-month-deadline-to-deliver-on-ai-says-analyst">Apple Faces 18-Month Deadline To Deliver On AI, Says Analyst</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From Fold To Flip: Apple's Late But Loaded</h2>



Samsung's six-year head start has allowed it to fine-tune its foldables, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 leading a product line that shipped about 10 million units in 2024. Still, Apple has something Samsung doesn't: a fiercely loyal user base, deep ecosystem and a track record of turning latecomer moves into gold, such as iPod, iPad and the Apple Watch.



JPMorgan expects Apple to sell 10 to 15 million foldable iPhones in 2027, ramping to 45 million units by 2029, echoing the success of the iPhone Pro Max.



Half those early buyers may even be Android switchers, lured by Apple's polish and prestige.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Niche No More?</h2>



Foldables have struggled to break out, but Apple's presence alone could mainstream the segment. As volume scales, JPMorgan sees price premiums falling, helping drive adoption. 



And behind the scenes, Amphenol Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APH#NYSE">APH</a>) and Corning Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLW#NYSE">GLW</a>) could benefit from increased hardware content.



Apple might be late — but if history is any guide, it's still very much in control of the playbook.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46680613/apple-to-shut-down-china-retail-store-for-first-time-ever-citing-shifting-mall-landscape-amid-consumer-slowdown">Apple To Shut Down China Retail Store For First Time Ever, Citing Shifting Mall Landscape Amid Consumer Slowdown</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: jamesteohart via Shutterstock.com

Analyst Color

Long Ideas

Analyst Ratings

SSNLF

Six Years Late, Apple's Foldable iPhone Could Still Flip Everything

U.S. stocks inched higher midday Wednesday, as investors digested upbeat economic data while keeping an optimistic tone ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy decision and a wave of key tech earnings <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46693997/wall-street-earnings-preview-microsoft-apple-meta-amazon-mastercard-visa">due after the bell. </a>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The QQQ ETF is on track for a fourth consecutive monthly gain. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/QQQ">See the chart here.</a></li>
</ul>



The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.2%, the Nasdaq added 0.4%, and the Dow Jones hovered near the flatline. Small-cap stocks outperformed, with the Russell 2000 up 0.6%. 



Markets widely expect the Federal Reserve to keep rates steady at 4.25%-4.50%, but with two policymakers already showing preference for a cut, the decision could mark the most divided vote since 1993.



On the trade front, former President Donald Trump announced a new 25% tariff on Indian imports, set to take effect Aug. 1. 



Advance GDP data showed the U.S. economy grew at an annualized 3.0% in the second quarter of 2025, a sharp rebound from the previous quarter's 0.5% contraction and well above the 2.4% consensus, powered by strong consumer spending and a decline in imports. 



In the labor market, private payrolls rose by 104,000 in July, the strongest gain since March and a solid beat on the 75,000 forecast—reversing a contraction in June. 



Commodities were in focus as WTI crude extended its rally, surging 1.5% on the day to hit $70 a barrel, driven by geopolitical tensions following Trump's new 10-day ultimatum to Russia over peace talks with Ukraine. The three-day gain now totals over 8%.



Gold slipped 1% to $3,290 per ounce as the U.S. dollar strengthened on the back of robust economic data. Meanwhile, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) held steady around $118,000.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Major Indices</td><td>Price</td><td>1-day %chg</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>2,257.27</td><td>0.6%</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq 100</td><td>23,396.45</td><td>0.4%</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>6,384.59</td><td>0.2%</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>44,654.85</td><td>0.0%</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated by 12:05 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>



According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a> data:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The&nbsp;Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) inched 0.1% higher to $584.81.</li>



<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) flattened at $446.50.</li>



<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;rose 0.3% to $569.07.</li>



<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) rallied 0.7% to $224.19.</li>



<li>The&nbsp;Utilities&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLU#NYSE">XLU</a>) outperformed, up 1%; the&nbsp;Energy&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) lagged, down 1%.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) climbed 2.3%, poised to break a seven-day losing streak, after JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) announced a partnership with the crypto exchange that will allow Chase credit card holders to fund their Coinbase wallets and purchase cryptocurrencies. </li>



<li>Stocks moving on earnings reports included:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Visa Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>) up 0.8%</li>



<li>UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) flat</li>



<li>Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BKNG#NASDAQ">BKNG</a>) up 1.2%</li>



<li>Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADP#NASDAQ">ADP</a>) up 1.9%</li>



<li>Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) up 0.7%</li>



<li>Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MO#NYSE">MO</a>) up 2.0%</li>



<li>Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TT#NYSE">TT</a>) down 7.8%</li>



<li>Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDLZ#NASDAQ">MDLZ</a>) down 6.0%</li>



<li>Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITW#NYSE">ITW</a>) down 2.0%</li>



<li>Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RSG#NYSE">RSG</a>) down 5.0%</li>



<li>American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AEP#NASDAQ">AEP</a>) up 3.8%</li>



<li>Vertiv Holdings Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRT#NYSE">VRT</a>) up 1.6%</li>



<li>Garmin Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GRMN#NYSE">GRMN</a>) down 5.5%</li>



<li>Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EA#NASDAQ">EA</a>) up 7.2%</li>



<li>Entergy Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETR#NYSE">ETR</a>) up 3.2%</li>



<li>Verisk Analytics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRSK#NASDAQ">VRSK</a>) down 4.8%</li>



<li>The Hershey Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) up 2.3%</li>



<li>WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) up 0.5%</li>



<li>Tradeweb Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TW#NASDAQ">TW</a>) up 4.9%</li>



<li>GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEHC#NASDAQ">GEHC</a>) down 4.9%</li>



<li>Arch Capital Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACGL#NASDAQ">ACGL</a>) down 1.0%</li>



<li>Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ODFL#NASDAQ">ODFL</a>) down 8.8%</li>



<li>Humana Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HUM#NYSE">HUM</a>) up 7.4%</li>



<li>Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXPN#NASDAQ">EXPN</a>) up 5.1%</li>



<li>Smurfit Westrock plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMUR#NYSE">SMUR</a>) down 2.1%</li>



<li>PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPG#NYSE">PPG</a>) down 4.9%</li>



<li>Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEVA#NYSE">TEVA</a>) up 3.6%</li>



<li>Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ESS#NYSE">ESS</a>) down 4.7%</li>



<li>Teradyne, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TER#NASDAQ">TER</a>) up 21.2%</li>



<li>Fortive Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTV#NYSE">FTV</a>) up 0.9%</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stocks slated to report earnings after the close:</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>)</li>



<li>American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AWK#NYSE">AWK</a>)</li>



<li>Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AR#NYSE">AR</a>)</li>



<li>AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVB#NYSE">AVB</a>)</li>



<li>Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BHC#NYSE">BHC</a>)</li>



<li>C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHRW#NASDAQ">CHRW</a>)</li>



<li>Carvana Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVNA#NYSE">CVNA</a>)</li>



<li>Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTSH#NASDAQ">CTSH</a>)</li>



<li>Confluent, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CFLT#NASDAQ">CFLT</a>)</li>



<li>DexCom, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DXCM#NASDAQ">DXCM</a>)</li>



<li>eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EBAY#NASDAQ">EBAY</a>)</li>



<li>Equinix, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQIX#NASDAQ">EQIX</a>)</li>



<li>Everest Group, Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EG#NYSE">EG</a>)</li>



<li>Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXR#NYSE">EXR</a>)</li>



<li>F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FFIV#NASDAQ">FFIV</a>)</li>



<li>Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FICO#NYSE">FICO</a>)</li>



<li>FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FE#NYSE">FE</a>)</li>



<li>Ford Motor Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>)</li>



<li>GFL Environmental Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GFL#NYSE">GFL</a>)</li>



<li>Guardant Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GH#NASDAQ">GH</a>)</li>



<li>Hologic, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOLX#NASDAQ">HOLX</a>)</li>



<li>Host Hotels &amp; Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HST#NASDAQ">HST</a>)</li>



<li>Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IRT#NYSE">IRT</a>)</li>



<li>Invitation Homes Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INVH#NYSE">INVH</a>)</li>



<li>Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>)</li>



<li>Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)</li>



<li>MGM Resorts International (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MGM#NYSE">MGM</a>)</li>



<li>Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAA#NYSE">MAA</a>)</li>



<li>Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)</li>



<li>Public Storage (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSA#NYSE">PSA</a>)</li>



<li>Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PRU#NYSE">PRU</a>)</li>



<li>PTC Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PTC#NASDAQ">PTC</a>)</li>



<li>QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>)</li>



<li>Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFM#NASDAQ">SFM</a>)</li>



<li>The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALL#NYSE">ALL</a>)</li>



<li>Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TYL#NYSE">TYL</a>)</li>



<li>UDR, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UDR#NYSE">UDR</a>)</li>



<li>Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTR#NYSE">VTR</a>)</li>



<li>VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VICI#NYSE">VICI</a>)</li>



<li>Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>)</li>
</ul>



Now Read



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46720292/us-gdp-q2-economy-us-trump-fed-interest-rates-dollar">US Economy Roars Back With 3% Growth, Handing Trump A Timely Victory </a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

ACGL

BKNG

CHRW

CTSH

CVNA

DXCM

EBAY

EQIX

FFIV

FICO

GEHC

GRMN

HOLX

INVH

LRCX

MDLZ

ODFL

SBUX

TEVA

VICI

VRSK

EXPN

SMUR

Stocks Rise Ahead Of Fed Meeting, Oil Jumps To $70: What's Moving Markets Wednesday?

An Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) analyst says iPhone demand will be the key item to watch when the technology giant reports third-quarter financial results Thursday<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings"> after market close.</a>



The Apple Analyst: Wedbush analyst Dan Ives maintains an Outperform rating on Apple with a price target of $270.



The Analyst Takeaways: Ives expects a mini rebound for China iPhone sales in Q3.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/07/46588868/apple-stock-to-get-boost-20-at-a-time-inside-tech-giants-latest-plan-to-monetize-user-base">Apple Stock To Get Boost $20 At A Time?: Inside Tech Giant&#8217;s Latest Plan To Monetize User Base</a>



"Our Asia checks have showed stable iPhone demand globally this quarter…with some improvement in the China market which is a key theme for Apple," Ives said.



China is a "persistent growth headwind" for Apple, Ives said in a new investor note, due to increased competition. "This quarter is just the appetizer for the main event, which is the launch of iPhone 17 in September."



Ives anticipates that the iPhone 17 will exhibit accelerated unit growth for Apple, driven by pent-up demand from consumers. He also estimates that 20% of the 1.5 billion iPhones worldwide have not had an upgrade in over four years.



The analyst said Apple's Services segment is another area to watch and should provide upside in the quarter.



Outside of the iPhone and Services, Ives calls AI the "elephant in the room" for Apple.



The rest of the tech world is focused on monetizing AI right now, Ives says. However, Apple's AI growth strategy has been "invisible."



"Apple's WWDC event in June felt like an episode out of Back to the Future with barely no mention of AI while every other tech company and developer in the world is focused on AI."



An AI monetization strategy for Apple could be worth up to $75 per share, he adds. But "time is ticking" to figure out a plan.



Ives said one option is for Apple to acquire Perplexity, which he said would be a "no brainer deal."



"The reality now is that AI technology on the enterprise and consumer landscape are happening at such a rapid pace Apple will not be able to catchup with an internally built solution to turn Siri into the next AI gateway for consumers."



Ives said Apple CEO Tim Cook could be the CEO for another five years, but without an acquisition or AI strategy, his legacy could be defined by current negative items like missing AI strategy, tension with President Donald Trump on supply chain and navigating tariffs on the iPhone.



"It's time for Cook and Cupertino to face the new reality of this quickly morphing AI driven tech landscape…because if they do not change it will be a historic strategic black eye for Apple in our view."



AAPL Price Action: Apple stock trades at $211.17 on Wednesday versus a 52-week trading range of $169.21 to $260.10. Apple stock is down 13.4% year-to-date.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/07/46664749/is-apple-sinking-warren-buffetts-portfolio-the-oracle-of-omahas-winning-streak-faces-collapse">Is Apple Sinking Warren Buffett&#8217;s Portfolio? The Oracle Of Omaha&#8217;s Winning Streak Faces Collapse</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Price Target

Reiteration

Apple Stock Will Get Q3 Boost From iPhones, Analyst Says This Is The 'Elephant In The Room'

The Symbol JVSAR was not found. Here are some similar symbols and popular symbols to consider.

JVSAR Page Not Found - Benzinga

Symbol Similar to: JVSAR

Top Gaining Stocks

Noticias

SOCIO/CONTRIBUIDOR

BENZINGA GLOBAL