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<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/retirement-income-calculator">Retiring early </a>could be a dream for many. Allison Esposito Medina was one of many who was able to retire early.
Before re-entering the workforce years later, Medina wanted to make sure that she focused on a work-life balance that fit her new lifestyle.
What Happened: Medina lasted only <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-retirement-plans">five months in retirement,</a> but a decision to re-join the workforce needed to accommodate the new hobbies and activities the then 40-year-old had taken up.
&#8220;I worked at Foursquare and Google, and in 2014, I started my business, Tech Ladies. My goal was to help women in the industry find jobs, negotiate and network,&#8221; Medina wrote for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/15/40-year-old-who-retired-and-only-lasted-5-months-it-was-boring.html?forYou=true" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNBC</a>.
Median sold Tech Ladies in 2021, which came after a decade working in the New York tech scene.
After the sale of the company, helping with the transition and realizing she had enough saved, Medina decided to retire early at the age of 40.
Medina&#8217;s retirement lasted only five months. During retirement, Medina worked on a flower garden, started exercising, did volunteer work and went for walks with new friends made during a move from New York City to New Jersey.
&#8220;Five months in, my quality of life had vastly improved. But I had mixed feelings, and at time it felt boring.&#8221;
Medina decided to re-join the workforce with her business idea to launch an online community for Gen Z and Millenial pet owners.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/entrepreneurship/25/06/46026335/from-side-hustle-to-big-business-young-entrepreneur-makes-354000-a-month">How 25-Year-Old Tried 23 Side Hustles And Finally Built A $350,000/Month Business</a>
Why It&#8217;s Important:&nbsp;Medina&#8217;s trip back to the workforce this time around has been different, putting an emphasis on work-life balance while founding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.juniperpet.co/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Juniper</a>.
&#8220;I was proud of the mission, but I never exercised or took a vacation, and I rarely saw friends,&#8221; Medina recalled of her previous time working before retirement.
Medina shared the most valuable lesson she has learned, thanks to previously having an obsession with time and energy while running Tech Ladies.
&#8220;The most valuable lesson I learned is that you shouldn&#8217;t wait to do the things you dream about in retirement.&#8221;
Medina&#8217;s three questions she asked herself before founding Juniper were:
<ol start="1" class="wp-block-list">
<li>If you didn&#8217;t have to work, what is on your list of things you&#8217;d do that brings you joy?</li>
<li>How many hours a week would it take to actually do it?</li>
<li>What can you take off your plate to give yourself more time and energy to do it?</li>
</ol>
Medina said it&#8217;s important to &#8220;push yourself to be honest&#8221; about how much time you have.
Juniper was launched by Media in November 2023 after she started working on it in August of the same year.
Now, Medina works 40 hours instead of 80 in her past life. Her non-negotiables for work-life balance include having time to walk her dog, exercising and cooking every day, not skipping vacations and having weekends off.
&#8220;I want to build another successful company, but my definition of success now is accomplishing my goals without sacrificing my health, or the things that bring me joy and purpose.&#8221;
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/entrepreneurship/25/06/46120723/how-27-year-old-turned-side-hustles-into-700k-and-his-2-rules-for-getting-started">How 27-Year-Old Turned Side Hustles Into $700K—And His 2 Rules For Getting Started</a></li>
</ul>
If you enjoyed this story, check out more coverage on entrepreneurship and stories of success&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/benzinga-inspire" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">with Benzinga Inspire.</a>
This article was previously published by Benzinga and has been updated.

Entrepreneurship

Success Stories

Startups

She Retired At 40, Got Bored, And Came Back Smarter: Her 3 Millionaire Rules For A Life That Actually Works

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, could have been the world&#8217;s first trillionaire if he had retained his original company stock.
What Happened: The Forbes projection comes in light of Gates&#8217; public commitment to donate nearly all of&nbsp;his remaining wealth and wind&nbsp;down the Gates Foundation by&nbsp;2045. 
Gates, along with his ex-wife Melinda, have already donated $60.2 billion to the foundation since its inception in 2000, making them the second-largest philanthropists in America. 
Despite their philanthropic efforts, they remain among the world&#8217;s wealthiest, with an estimated net worth of&nbsp;$113 billion and $30.4 billion, respectively.
According to Forbes&#8217; <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattdurot/2025/05/09/bill-gates-would-be-a-trillionaire-if-hed-kept-all-his-microsoft-stock/">calculations</a>, if the Gates had not embarked on their philanthropic journey and retained all their Microsoft shares,&nbsp;their combined fortune would be&nbsp;a staggering&nbsp;$1.5 trillion. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/10/29194457/melinda-gates-on-divorce-with-bill-gates-unbelievably-painful-i-just-couldnt-stay-in-that-marriage-2">Melinda Gates On Divorce With Bill Gates: &#8216;I Just Couldn&#8217;t Stay In That Marriage&#8217;</a>
In this hypothetical&nbsp;scenario,&nbsp;Gates alone would likely be&nbsp;the first trillionaire, with a fortune of $1.2 trillion&nbsp;even after his 2021 divorce.&nbsp;
This sum would be over&nbsp;triple Elon Musk&#8216;s peak net&nbsp;worth. Melinda would be worth&nbsp;an estimated $300 billion, potentially&nbsp;making her the world&#8217;s third-richest person.
In reality, Gates has&nbsp;systematically sold and donated shares,&nbsp;diversifying his portfolio. Currently,&nbsp;his Microsoft ownership is an&nbsp;estimated 0.9 percent stake, valued&nbsp;at $28 billion. Melinda&#8217;s Microsoft&nbsp;shares are an estimated $&nbsp;380,000.
Why It Matters: The Gates have made significant contributions to global health and poverty alleviation through the Gates Foundation, distributing an estimated $47.7 billion.&nbsp;
Melinda has also launched Pivotal&nbsp;Philanthropies and committed an additional&nbsp;$12.5 billion for women's and&nbsp;girls' rights. Both remain committed&nbsp;to the Giving Pledge, which&nbsp;they co-founded with Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s&nbsp;chairperson Warren Buffett in 2010.&nbsp;
Their philanthropic efforts have had a significant impact on global issues, despite the potential personal wealth they could have amassed.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43581817/bill-gates-says-this-simple-trait-is-the-secret-to-his-success">Bill Gates Says This Simple Trait Is the Secret to His Success</a>
Image: Shutterstock/Alexandros Michailidis

News

MSFT

Bill Gates Could've Been The World's First Trillionaire — and Richer Than Elon Musk — If He'd Kept His Microsoft Stock

At 55, one school bus driver is weighing a tough decision that many people approaching <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/06/46024300/is-your-retirement-plan-just-a-hope-and-a-401-k">retirement</a> can relate to: Should she stick with a job she enjoys, or switch to a new one that offers a pension and free health insurance?
She shared her dilemma in a <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/retirement/comments/1lexwqs/struggling_with_new_job_offer_for_retirement/">Reddit forum</a>, explaining that the job she's considering offers something her current employer doesn't — a pension.&nbsp;
"The pension will take me 7 years to become fully vested," she wrote, adding that after 10 years, she'd qualify for a higher payout. "That would put me right at 65, and I could retire with the small pension and [Social Security]."
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</ul>
The catch? Switching jobs means starting over. And while the new job offers a lifetime pension, it also requires a longer commute, working summers, and losing some financial benefits she currently depends on.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What She Has Now</h2>
Right now, she drives a school bus part time. The pay is higher per hour, and the job comes with some perks that aren&#8217;t always obvious — like unemployment benefits during school breaks. She also contributes to a 401(k) and relies on her husband's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/health-care/25/06/46013434/dave-ramsey-asks-why-does-this-dang-medicare-feel-so-confusing-blames-government-then-offers-seniors-a-clear-path-forward">health insurance</a>.
Importantly, she enjoys her current role and isn't looking to leave because of dissatisfaction. "I enjoy my job and have nothing against my current employer at all," she said. "What pulls me toward this other employer is the pension and free health insurance for me, which means the hubby can drop me from his health insurance plan."
Trending: Invest early in CancerVax's breakthrough tech aiming to disrupt a $231B market. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/this-company-may-have-found-a-way-to-treat-cancer-by-tricking-the-bodys-immune-system-and-early-studies-show-some-promise-find-out-how-you-can-invest-in-the-future-of-cancer-treatment">Back a bold new approach to cancer treatment with high-growth potential.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What the New Job Offers</h2>
The new job would still involve driving a bus, but with a few key changes. She'd go from guaranteed four-hour days to six-hour days. Even though the hourly pay is lower, the increased hours could mean a slightly higher paycheck overall.
The real draw is the pension and free health coverage. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43432805/workers-long-for-the-day-pensions-make-a-comeback-83-say-everyone-deserves-a-pension-not-just-public-employees">Pensions</a> can be hard to come by these days, especially ones that offer a fixed monthly payment for life. But to earn that benefit, she'd need to stay for at least seven years. To maximize it, 10 years. That would mean working full time, through summers and breaks, until she's 65.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Others Are Saying</h2>
Comments on her post were mixed. Some encouraged her to take the pension while she still has time to vest, pointing out that "pensions are incredibly scarce these days, especially ones that have a lifetime payout." Others urged caution. "If it were me… I think I'd stay at the job I love and just try to max my 401(k) contributions."
See Also: GoSun's Breakthrough Rooftop EV Charger Already Has 2,000+ Units Reserved — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/meet-the-company-seeking-to-give-americans-energy-independence-and-learn-how-you-can-become-an-early-investor">Become an Investor in This $41.3M Clean Energy Brand Today</a>
One user raised a practical concern: pensions may not always be as secure as they seem. "They depend on the stability of your company and their competency level to keep your, and others, contributions safe," they said.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">No Easy Answer</h2>
This isn't a straightforward financial decision — it's a personal one. It involves weighing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44459879/suze-orman-warns-the-absolute-worst-thing-that-you-can-be-doing-right-now-is-panic-because-it-hurts-long-term-security">long-term security</a> against current comfort, and guaranteed income against the flexibility of a 401(k). While a pension sounds appealing, she's also aware that switching jobs at this stage of life comes with trade-offs.
For now, it seems that she's leaning toward staying where she is and increasing her retirement contributions. But as she put it, "I have time to think it over… but not forever."
Read Next: Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they&#8217;re on pace —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv"> here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a>

Personal Finance

Should She Start Over For A Pension? A 55-Year-Old School Bus Driver Weighs Guaranteed Retirement Pay Against Job Comfort

Michael Intrator, the CEO of AI startup&nbsp;CoreWeave, has seen his net worth double to a whopping $10 billion in a mere 12 days. This rapid wealth accumulation is unprecedented in the tech industry.
What Happened:&nbsp;CoreWeave&#8217;s stock has skyrocketed by nearly 300%&nbsp;in the last two months. This followed a rather unimpressive initial public offering (IPO) in March. 
The stock&#8217;s surge has greatly enriched its shareholders, including Intrator, a 56-year-old former hedge fund manager.
Bloomberg notes that Intrator&#8217;s net worth has soared&nbsp;from $5 billion to $10&nbsp;billion in less than two weeks. This is an extraordinary achievement, given that it usually takes a billionaire over three years to double their wealth.
Despite CoreWeave&#8217;s initial lackluster performance on the stock market, Intrator remained steadfast in his belief in the company&#8217;s potential to &#8220;generate enormous value.&#8221;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45712312/michael-saylor-called-scaramucci-from-a-yacht-and-it-changed-the-ending-of-his-book">Michael Saylor Called Scaramucci From a Yacht and It Changed the Ending of His Book</a>
CoreWeave&#8217;s other co-founders have also seen their wealth grow significantly. Bloomberg reports that the company&#8217;s chief strategy officer, Brian Venturo, is now worth $6.4 billion, while chief development officer, Brannin McBee, is worth $4.7 billion, <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/06/27/billionaire-ai-company-coreweave-ceo-double-wealth-five-to-ten-billion-michael-intrator-no-tech-background/">reports</a> Fortune.
The company&#8217;s success can be attributed to securing major&nbsp;tech companies as clients and&nbsp;partners,&nbsp;including Nvidia, OpenAI, and Microsoft.&nbsp;
Interestingly, all three founders come from finance backgrounds, not tech, highlighting that breaking into AI does not necessarily require a tech background.
Why It Matters: CoreWeave&#8217;s success story is a testament to the immense potential of AI technology and its ability to generate wealth rapidly. 
The company&#8217;s ability to secure partnerships with major tech companies, despite its founders&#8217; non-tech backgrounds, underscores the importance of strategic alliances and business acumen in the tech industry. 
This could potentially inspire more finance professionals to venture into the tech industry, particularly AI, thereby fostering greater diversity and innovation in the sector.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/entertainment/25/06/46042368/telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-to-leave-his-13-9-billion-fortune-to-his-100-children">Telegram CEO Pavel Durov To Leave His $13.9 Billion Fortune to His 100+ Children</a>
Image: Shutterstock/Odu Mazza

Markets

Here's How This AI CEO Just Doubled His Net Worth To $10 Billion—In Just Only 12 Days

Legendary Investor Warren Buffett had an extreme fear of public speaking in his younger days. If it weren&#8217;t for a $100 college course he took when he was 20 years old, the &#8220;Oracle of Omaha&#8221; might have shorted his own success.
What To Know: Buffett had an extreme fear of public speaking up until the age of 20, according to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/21/billionaire-warren-buffett-says-a-100-dollar-course-had-the-biggest-impact-on-his-success.html?utm_content=makeit&amp;utm_medium=Social&amp;utm_source=Facebook&amp;fbclid=IwAR214Hln3Hmu8MUDHCWsWv1Ogxu7wi-TK9fQr8Yo3_bw1ds91gwRc5W4COk#Echobox=1675694538">CNBC</a>.
"Just the thought of it made me physically ill.&nbsp;I would literally throw up,"&nbsp;Buffett told CNBC contributor and&nbsp;"Getting There" author&nbsp;Gillian Zoe Segal.
In his early college days, Buffett, chair and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>), would select certain classes to avoid having to present in front of his classmates. Furthermore, he designed his schedule so he wouldn't have to be in front of crowds.
He told Segal that he could barely even introduce himself whenever he found himself in a situation where he was required to speak in front of others. 
Buffett set out to change that when he saw an ad for a Dale Carnegie public speaking course at Columbia's Business School. He signed up and even wrote a check to cover the costs, but shortly after, he called it off.
"I just couldn&#8217;t do it. I was that terrified," the Berkshire CEO&nbsp;said.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46047056/ben-horowitz-once-told-columbia-grads-dont-follow-your-passion-but-contribution-instead-something-that-doesnt-coincide-with-the-opinion-of-elon-musk-kevin-oleary-jeff-bezos-and-warren-bu">Ben Horowitz Once Told Columbia Grads, &#8216;Don&#8217;t Follow Your Passion&#8217; But Contribution Instead: Something That Doesn&#8217;t Coincide With The Opinion Of Elon Musk, Kevin O&#8217;Leary, Jeff Bezos And Warren Buffett</a>
Not long after Buffett graduated, he came across the exact same ad in the paper and set out to sign himself up again, with one key difference in his approach.
"This time, I handed the instructor $100 in cash. I knew if I gave him the cash I&#8217;d show up," Buffett&nbsp;said.&nbsp;
He did show up, and he discovered that about 30 other people had the same problem&nbsp;he did, he said: "We all had trouble saying our&nbsp;own names."
By the time he finished the 12-week course, he was ready to put his skills to the test. He applied for a teaching position at the University of Omaha right away, knowing that if he didn't keep at it, he would risk giving up&nbsp;the progress he had made in the public speaking class.&nbsp;
"I just kept doing it, and now you can&#8217;t stop me from talking,"&nbsp;Buffett told Segal with a laugh.
The report indicates that the Berkshire CEO&nbsp;credits much of his&nbsp;<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/23/02/30740695/how-warren-buffetts-fund-manager-turned-70k-into-264m-in-a-perfect-world-nobody-would-know-about-t">success</a>&nbsp;to the public speaking class, which is&nbsp;a lot of praise for someone as successful as the Oracle himself.
According to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/">Bloomberg</a>, Buffett is the eighth-richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of $152 billion at the time of writing. His fund has historically outperformed the S&amp;P 500, delivering nearly 20% compounded annual returns since Buffett took control of Berkshire in 1965.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/financial-advisors/25/06/46067598/bill-gates-kids-were-stunned-to-find-warren-buffett-chowing-down-on-oreos-for-breakfast-after-a-sleepover-naturally-they-demanded-some-too">Bill Gates&#8217; Kids Were &#8216;Stunned&#8217; To Find Warren Buffett Chowing Down On Oreos For Breakfast After A Sleepover—Naturally, They Demanded Some Too</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/25/06/45995200/when-the-skies-rain-gold-warren-buffett-says-to-carry-a-washtub-heres-where-its-pouring-right-now">When The Skies &#8216;Rain Gold&#8217; Warren Buffett Says To Carry A Washtub – Here&#8217;s Where It&#8217;s Pouring Right Now</a></li>
</ul>
Some elements of this story were previously reported by Benzinga and it has been updated.
Image: Kent Sievers/Shutterstock.

General

Warren Buffett Would Probably Still 'Literally Throw Up' When Speaking In Front Of Crowds If He Didn't Take This $100 College Course

A 35-year-old nurse from Montreal recently stunned listeners of &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU9MAmr4VAQ">The Ramsey Show</a>&#8221; when he called in to share that he&#8217;s carrying a total of $1.8 million in debt, despite cutting out everything <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/06/46067665/the-real-budget-killer-isnt-big-purchases-its-the-20-here-20-there-habits-that-quietly-empty-your-account">from snacks to grooming</a>.
&#8220;I had my aha moment when I saw $22,000 going out in one month after doing a budget,&#8221; he told Dave Ramsey and co-host Rachel Cruze. With one child already and another on the way, he&#8217;s desperate to make changes, but feels stuck in a financial hole that&#8217;s quickly closing in.
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</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Triplex, Two Hondas And A Cousin&#8217;s Loan</h2>
The caller said he owes $680,000 on a triplex currently listed for $950,000, and another $590,000 on his family home, which he says is worth about $750,000. On top of that, he has two electric Hondas, each with loans of nearly $70,000, plus $35,000 in credit card and student loan debt. But the most striking part is that he borrowed $350,000 from a cousin to use as a down payment and to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/what-is-flipping-houses">renovate both properties</a>.
His household brings in $110,000 to $120,000 a year before taxes. About half of that comes from his wife, who will be going on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43716980/i-think-you-could-probably-freaking-struggle-through-dave-ramsey-shocked-by-new-mom-whose-husband-makes-975000-but-wont-let-her-quit-job">maternity leave</a> in 12 weeks. She&#8217;ll be receiving 70% of her salary for a year.
&#8220;I cut out everything from potato chips to haircuts, literally anything I could to curb the expenses,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I wish I could do more jobs a day, but my doctor says that because I&#8217;m bipolar, I need to have a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44157414/mark-cuban-once-shared-a-powerful-yet-humbling-take-on-work-life-balance-here-are-5-more-eye-opening-statements-from-jeff-bezos-jamie-dimon-and-elon-musk-that-will-make-you-rethink-your-lif">healthy work-life balance</a>.&#8221;
Trending: Invest early in CancerVax's breakthrough tech aiming to disrupt a $231B market. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/this-company-may-have-found-a-way-to-treat-cancer-by-tricking-the-bodys-immune-system-and-early-studies-show-some-promise-find-out-how-you-can-invest-in-the-future-of-cancer-treatment">Back a bold new approach to cancer treatment with high-growth potential.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ramsey And Cruze Push Back Hard</h2>
Ramsey and Cruze went straight to the point. &#8220;You sound like you&#8217;re walking around under a 400-pound weight,&#8221; Ramsey told him. &#8220;You sound scared to death.&#8221;
Ramsey urged the caller to sell the triplex immediately, ditch the expensive cars, and stop making financial decisions based on trying to keep his wife happy.
&#8220;You don&#8217;t get to be an investor in triplexes. That thing&#8217;s got to be priced in such a way that your real estate agent can sell it and get it gone,&#8221; Ramsey said. &#8220;We&#8217;re not worried about the environment right now. The environment I&#8217;m worried about is not being broke. Electric Hondas are gone. Bye-bye. We&#8217;re getting cheap cars.&#8221;
And regarding maternity leave, it&#8217;s a luxury they can&#8217;t afford: &#8220;I don&#8217;t really care what the Canadian government says. She gets to go to work. She&#8217;s broke. Broke people work.&#8221;
See Also: GoSun's Breakthrough Rooftop EV Charger Already Has 2,000+ Units Reserved — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/meet-the-company-seeking-to-give-americans-energy-independence-and-learn-how-you-can-become-an-early-investor">Become an Investor in This $41.3M Clean Energy Brand Today</a>
When the caller said his wife was only willing to sell everything except the house and the cars, Ramsey replied, &#8220;You've been running around trying to shovel things in her direction to keep her happy, like she's your child or something. That's not working.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Way Out Will Be Hard</h2>
Ramsey said that with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/42771996/this-is-unhinged-a-reddit-user-asks-others-for-extreme-acts-of-frugality-they-witnessed-and-the-replies-are-shockingly-entertaining">intense budgeting</a> and lifestyle changes, the couple could eventually dig out. &#8220;Mathematically, I can get you out if you did everything I told you to do. But I don&#8217;t know if you&#8217;ll do it or not.&#8221;
Cruze added that their entire life will have to look &#8220;completely different&#8221; in the next three to six months if they want to survive this.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gbr-savings-by-age">If You're Age 35, 50, or 60: Here&#8217;s How Much You Should Have Saved Vs. Invested By Now</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Dave Ramsey Caller Is Trying To Beat $1.8 Million In Debt With No Chips Or Haircuts—'My Doctor Says I Need A Healthy Work-Life Balance'

"The purest NBA guy" is how Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal described former Lakers teammate Mark Madsen on Fox Sports' "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81L2xNPdlf0">Fair Game</a>" in 2019.&nbsp;
He then quietly bought Madsen a custom $1,000 suit and arranged a discount on a pickup truck so the Stanford graduate could fit in among million-dollar wardrobes and luxury rides in the Lakers locker room.
The impromptu spree kicked off one of basketball's endearing mentor-rookie stories and still resonates in Berkeley two decades later.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From Rookie Pay To NBA Polish</h2>
According to <a href="https://hoopshype.com/player/mark-madsen/salary/">Hoopshype</a>, Madsen went 29th overall in the 2000 draft and signed a three-year contract worth more than $2.2 million, according to the <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jul-06-sp-48591-story.html">Los Angeles Times </a>at the time. That sum barely covered rent in Los Angeles, let alone the four-figure suits most veterans wore. So O'Neal asked the team tailor to cap an outfit at $1,000 and slipped the bill under Madsen's locker.
"He's the purest guy I've ever met in the NBA. I had to protect that," O'Neal said, adding that party invitations for the rookie were off-limits. Instead, he sealed the makeover by steering Madsen to a trusted car dealership, where a modest pickup came at a discount "because rookies need reliable, not flashy."
Trending: Invest early in CancerVax's breakthrough tech aiming to disrupt a $231B market. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/this-company-may-have-found-a-way-to-treat-cancer-by-tricking-the-bodys-immune-system-and-early-studies-show-some-promise-find-out-how-you-can-invest-in-the-future-of-cancer-treatment">Back a bold new approach to cancer treatment with high-growth potential.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mentor Magic and Championship Runs</h2>
The gesture cemented a bond as O'Neal and Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to league titles in 2001 and 2002. In 2001 alone, Los Angeles posted a 15–1 postseason, one of the most dominant runs in NBA history, according to <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2001.html">Basketball-Reference</a>.
Madsen <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/madsema01.html">averaged</a> just 2.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, but his sideline dance during the 2002 parade still loops on arena jumbotrons.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From Hardwood to Head Coach</h2>
After retiring, Madsen joined Utah Valley and then the Lakers as an assistant. In April 2023, he became head coach at the University of California. In his first season, Cal improved by 10 wins to finish with 13, despite grueling cross-country trips, <a href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/45027724/acc-report-cards-grades-2024-2025">ESPN reported</a>.&nbsp;
According to the <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/college/article/cal-men-earn-1st-acc-win-beat-virginia-behind-20017104.php">San Francisco Chronicle</a>, momentum peaked in January when Cal beat Virginia 75-61 for its first ACC win. "This is the opening of a new chapter," Madsen said afterward. He added Cal "is going to be a powerhouse in the ACC."
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Extending the Legacy</h2>
O'Neal, meanwhile, has extended that mentorship beyond teammates. In February, Clark County, Nevada, commissioners approved plans for a $24 million <a href="https://www.shaqfuradio.com/2025/02/19/shaqs-vegas-youth-center-moving-ahead/">Shaquille O'Neal Youth Development Complex</a> in Las Vegas.&nbsp;
Groundbreaking is set for late March or early April. The facility will include a regulation gym, STEAM classrooms and free meals, aiming to guide 1,000 local youths toward college and careers each year.
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Shaquille O'Neal Called Mark Madsen 'The Purest NBA Guy' — Then Got Him A $1,000 Custom Suit And Discounted Truck To Fit In On Rookie Pay

&#8220;How hard would it actually be for a millionaire to start from 0 again?&#8221; That was the question posed on Reddit&#8217;s <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/1ljgcus/how_hard_would_it_actually_be_for_a_millionaire/">r/NoStupidQuestions</a> recently. The scenario: no money, no contacts, no LinkedIn. Just experience and mindset. Would it be enough?
The post resonated widely and sparked hundreds of thoughtful responses from users across all walks of life.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Connections Matter More Than Grit</h2>
Most agreed that without connections, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44440238/can-you-guess-how-much-you-need-to-build-generational-wealth-some-say-its-less-than-what-it-takes-to-feel-rich">rebuilding wealth</a> would be extremely difficult, even for someone who had done it before. &#8220;Zero dollars, pretty easy for many of them. Zero rich friends and contacts, they&#8217;re probably f&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A;ed,&#8221; one user said without embellishing.
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Another top commenter wrote, &#8220;The biggest assets are your contact list and your reputation. If I know people, I can ask them for work, get credit, find buyers. Without that, you&#8217;re just another person.&#8221;
One Redditor argued that while a rich person might crash on a friend's guest bed, poor people often have no such help. &#8220;I was homeless for a brief but awful period&#8230; Within a month, I had exhausted all my options and was about to sleep on the sidewalk.&#8221;
Many pointed out that millionaire status often comes from owning a home and maxing out retirement accounts, not from running a successful company. &#8220;Millionaire at this point means HCOL homeowner,&#8221; one person said, referring to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45685741/the-cost-of-living-crisis-hits-hard-in-these-8-cities-where-you-need-to-earn-at-least-100k-to-live-c">high-cost-of-living areas</a>. Another added, &#8220;I&#8217;m technically a millionaire—about $1.6M net worth. If I had to produce $1M in cash&#8230; I&#8217;d be permanently worse off.&#8221;
People who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/04/38359250/invest-for-the-decades-not-the-years">took decades to save and invest</a> wouldn&#8217;t have the time or energy to start over. &#8220;It took me 25 years with a high-paying job that let me save near 50%. I&#8217;d be dead before I could do it again,&#8221; one commenter said.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Luck And Timing Play A Huge Role</h2>
Plenty of people stressed the importance of good fortune. To them, most millionaires did not start from zero. They had family support, education and safety nets. As someone noted, luck is a huge factor. Right place, right time, right idea. Without that, it&#8217;s just wishful thinking.
Even Mark Cuban, quoted by several Redditors, has said he believes he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44657251/mark-cuban-said-billionaires-who-claim-they-could-do-it-all-again-are-lying-their-a-off-youve-got-to-have-luck-and-timing-to-get-rich">could become a millionaire again but not a billionaire</a>. Becoming a billionaire often comes down to being in the right place at the right time and taking big risks that happened to pay off, more than it does to effort or ability.
One person, who supposedly went bust at 23, losing all of their $1.5 million and recouping their wealth by 30, and more so, said, &#8220;Ask any multimillionaire and they'll all tell you the same: The first million was the hardest to earn. What made it uniquely difficult is what they had to learn along the way. Everything after that is mostly copy and paste, while remembering past mistakes.&#8221;
In the end, while millionaire experience might help someone avoid common mistakes, it&#8217;s no substitute for capital, connections, and safety nets.&nbsp;
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Image: Shutterstock

Someone Asked, 'How Hard Would It Actually Be For A Millionaire To Start From 0 Again?' No Access To Old Networks, No LinkedIn, Nothing

Personal finance expert Suze Orman says she&#8217;s confident the stock market is headed higher, despite some alarming signs in the broader economy. In her recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoC3d8kt6e4">video</a>, she acknowledged that things feel unstable right now, but urged her audience to stay calm and take a long-term view.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Unusual Economic Signals</h2>
&#8220;There is something going on in this economy that I really don&#8217;t like,&#8221; Orman said, citing how traditional patterns are breaking. Typically, when markets drop, investors move into bonds, causing bond prices to rise and interest rates to fall. But that hasn&#8217;t been happening. &#8220;Interest rates in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45654448/bond-market-caught-between-rate-cut-hopes-and-fed-cautionwhat-investors-can-do-now">bonds</a> went up and up and up,&#8221; she said. &#8220;That isn&#8217;t what you want to see in normal markets.&#8221;
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Another red flag: the U.S. dollar. Orman explained that during times of global uncertainty, foreign money usually flows into the dollar, strengthening it. But instead, &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/45974992/everyone-now-hates-the-dollar-is-that-the-ultimate-buy-signal">the dollar has been getting weaker</a> and weaker and weaker.&#8221;
She suggested this could mean foreign investors are losing confidence in the U.S. &#8220;Maybe it&#8217;s that foreign countries don&#8217;t quite have the faith in us anymore that they used to. We haven&#8217;t exactly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44131125/tariff-update">been nice to them</a>.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shifting Her Own Strategy</h2>
With her own treasuries maturing, Orman said she is now choosing dividend-paying stocks instead of rolling her money back into treasuries. &#8220;Many <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-dividend-paying-stocks">dividend-paying stocks</a> right now are paying more in a dividend than the Treasury is paying in interest rates,&#8221; she said.
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She emphasized the importance of dollar-cost averaging: investing smaller amounts over time. This way, if stock prices fall, investors can buy more shares. &#8220;Even if it goes down because the markets go down&#8230; [your] income is fixed in the dividend, [so] your interest rate also goes up in there,&#8221; she explained.
One example she gave was Pfizer (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>), which has been trading around $24 a share with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/45601072/pfizers-7-5-dividend-income-haven-or-house-of-cards">dividend yield of about 7%</a>. &#8220;Now, is it possible that maybe they could cut the dividend? They&#8217;re not going to get rid of the dividend, as far as I&#8217;m concerned.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Staying Invested In The Future</h2>
Orman advised investors to focus on sectors that reflect the future, particularly artificial intelligence and technology. She specifically recommended ETFs like VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMH#NASDAQ">SMH</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>). &#8220;I want you to be investing in the future, not in the past anymore,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Artificial intelligence has absolutely changed the face of money and the face of the future.&#8221;
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Despite today's economic uncertainty, Orman remains optimistic. &#8220;Believe it or not, I have total belief that these markets are going to continue up without a shadow of a doubt,&#8221; she said. Even if she turns out to be only half right, she advised investors to act accordingly: invest 50% now and the rest later if prices fall.
&#8220;I&#8217;m still a total believer in the stock market. I think it is very, very possible you could see the [<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/45932660/exclusive-sp-500-new-all-time-highs-again-2025">S&amp;P 500</a>] skyrocket. I am a total believer in dividend-paying stocks,&#8221; she said. And if you don't need the income now, she added, &#8220;it is essential that you are reinvesting those dividends.&#8221;
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Image: Shutterstock

Suze Orman Believes The Stock Market Will Continue Climbing 'Without A Shadow Of A Doubt'

According to a report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu utilized his son&#8217;s wedding as a smokescreen for war preparations against Iran.
What Happened: Netanyahu announced his intention to attend his son&#8217;s wedding on June 16, a move that was actually a diversion to conceal Israel&#8217;s inaugural&nbsp;attack on Iran on June&nbsp;13. 
The Prime Minister&#8217;s family was kept in the dark about his plans to call off the wedding.
The clandestine operation, codenamed &#8220;Red Wedding&#8221;, was orchestrated to create the illusion that Israel was pursuing&nbsp;a diplomatic resolution to the&nbsp;conflict with the United States. 
Simultaneously, a covert missile strike was initiated, resulting in the death of&nbsp;Iranian nuclear scientists in their&nbsp;residences.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45940786/israeli-strikes-kill-9-iranian-scientists-continuing-mossads-decade-long-targeting-of-nuclear-program">Israeli Strikes Kill 9 Iranian Scientists, Continuing Mossad&#8217;s Decade-Long Targeting of Nuclear Program</a>
As per the report <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-iran-attack-operation-narnia-a2c38ace?mod=hp_lead_pos1">by</a> The Wall Street Journal, Netanyahu&#8217;s actions provoked a strong response from Israeli citizens. Detractors, including members of The Democrats party and journalists, accused him of being egocentric. This marked the second instance of his son&#8217;s wedding being deferred due to the war.
Subsequent to the attack, the U.S. carried out additional bombings on Iran&#8217;s nuclear facilities until a fragile ceasefire was negotiated on June 23. The condition of Iran&#8217;s nuclear apparatus and the longevity of the ceasefire are yet to be determined.
Why It Matters: This incident underscores the lengths to which political leaders may go to protect their national interests. 
The use of a personal event as a cover for military operations is a stark reminder of the complexities and deceptions that can be involved in international politics and warfare. 
The fallout from this operation and its impact on the region&#8217;s stability is yet to be fully understood.
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Image: Shutterstock

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Netanyahu Used Son's Wedding as Cover for War Preparations Against Iran: Report

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Happy Birthday Elon Musk! 54 Things You Might Not Know About Earth's Temporary Resident

A top-ranking executive at&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc. has leveled accusations of dishonesty against Sam Altman, the leader of OpenAI. 
What Happened: The allegations pertain to claims of $100 million signing bonuses offered by Meta to lure leading AI researchers away from OpenAI. Andrew Bosworth, Meta&#8217;s Chief Technology Officer, refuted Altman&#8217;s allegations during a company-wide meeting last week. 
Bosworth stated that Altman was implying that every individual was being offered such a lucrative package, a claim he deemed as an overstatement.
Altman had earlier sparked a debate by stating on the &#8220;Uncapped&#8221; podcast that Meta had started making significant offers to several members of his team. However, he also mentioned that none of their top talents had accepted these offers.
"Sam is just being dishonest here. He's suggesting that we're doing this for every single person… Look, you guys, the market's hot. It's not that hot," Bosworth said during the meeting. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45338125/openais-sam-altman-reaches-out-o-elon-musk-amid-ongoing-social-media-spat-lets-be-friends">OpenAI&#8217;s Sam Altman Reaches Out to Elon Musk Amid Ongoing Social Media Spat: &#8216;Let&#8217;s Be Friends&#8217;</a>
Contrary to Altman&#8217;s statements, a number of OpenAI researchers have since transitioned to Meta. Lucas Beyer, one of the researchers who made the switch, confirmed his move but denied receiving a $100 million sign-on bonus.
As per the report <a href="https://www.theverge.com/command-line-newsletter/694028/meta-openai-100-million-bonus-talent-war">by </a>The Verge, Bosworth contended that Altman&#8217;s claims were missing vital context and accused him of creating a niche market for a very select group of people in senior leadership roles. 
He suggested that Altman was blowing things out of proportion because Meta was successfully attracting talent from OpenAI.
"What Sam neglects to mention is that he's countering all these offers, creating a small market for a very, very small number of people who are for senior, senior leadership roles," Bosworth added.
Why It Matters: The allegations and counter-allegations between Meta and OpenAI highlight the intense competition in the AI industry for top talent. The claims of $100 million signing bonuses, whether true or exaggerated, underscore the high stakes involved in this sector. 
The movement of researchers from OpenAI to Meta, despite Altman&#8217;s assertions, indicates a shift in the balance of power. This development could potentially impact the future trajectory of AI research and development.
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Image: Shutterstock

Meta Exec Dismisses OpenAI's Sam Altman's Claims of $100 Million Signing Bonuses: 'Sam Is Just Being Dishonest Here'

In a 2017 interview, former Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/16/12/8845840/the-team-that-built-the-iphone-who-were-they-and-where-are-they-now">executives</a> recalled how building the first iPhone felt like "Fight Club"—total secrecy, intense pressure and a once-in-a-lifetime mission.
What Happened: More than a decade after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/01/30336631/the-iphone-was-unveiled-16-years-ago-heres-how-much-1-000-invested-in-apple-stock-after-the-debut-is">iPhone's launch</a>, key members of Apple's original team—including Scott Forstall, Tony Fadell, and Greg Christie—opened up about the secretive, high-stakes process of inventing one of the world's most iconic devices in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.
The project was code-named Project Purple and secrecy was paramount. "We put a poster up on the wall," said Forstall, referring to the poster of Brad Pitt and Edward Norton&#8217;s movie Fight Club. The first rule of Project Purple was you don't talk about Project Purple.
The team operated in complete isolation, even from other Apple employees. Hardware and software teams were often siloed and most of the company had no idea what was being built.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45830549/pierre-ferragu-takes-apple-to-task-for-dismissing-the-ai-revolution-has-its-head-in-the-sand" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pierre Ferragu Takes Apple To Task For Dismissing The AI Revolution: ‘Has Its Head In The Sand'</a>
"Not one person knew what iPhone was gonna look like right before that keynote. People thought they knew that Apple was doing the phone, but nobody knew what they were going to see that day," Christie recalled.
It wasn't just secret—it was grueling. "168 hours a week for two weeks," Forstall said, describing the round-the-clock sprint that ultimately nailed the iPhone's core interface.
Fadell also described the early prototype process as "a rollercoaster ride," with the first attempts at an iPod-like phone quickly abandoned.
The iPhone's breakthrough moment came when the then CEO Steve Jobs asked whether the company's multitouch technology—originally meant for a tablet—could be shrunk down for a phone.&nbsp;
The team mocked up a prototype the size of a ping-pong table. "It was like a Big Mac," Fadell said.
One of the hardest challenges? The keyboard. Forstall froze all other UI work until the software keyboard was fixed. The team built dozens of versions, he said. One engineer's predictive typing system ended up forming the foundation of the keyboard we still use today.
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Why It's Important: Apple first introduced the iPhone on Jan. 9, 2007, during the Macworld event in San Francisco, presenting it as a device that merged a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod and an internet communicator.
The company revealed plans to launch the iPhone in the U.S. in June 2007, followed by a rollout in Europe later that year and in Asia in 2008.
Priced at $499 and $599 in the U.S., the iPhone officially <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/20/10/18058216/heres-how-much-investing-1-000-in-apple-the-day-the-first-iphone-debuted-would-be-worth-today">hit the market on June 29</a>, 2007, marking a pivotal moment in the company&#8217;s product history.
Last month, Apple posted fiscal <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45152493/apple-reports-strong-q2-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-installed-base-hits-all-time-high-across-all-segments-100-billion-buyback-and-more">second-quarter revenue</a> of $95.36 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $94.53 billion. Revenue from iPhone sales came in at $46.84 billion, up from $45.96 billion in the same quarter last year.
However, the company is currently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46068152/whats-next-for-apple-chamath-palihapitiya-fires-back-dont-think-they-have-any-chance-of-anything-dismisses-glasses-and-ai-hopes">facing doubts about its ability</a> to stay ahead in the AI race, especially when compared to more agile startups and rivals like Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google and Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>).
Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings indicate a persistent decline in Apple&#8217;s performance 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 can be found 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/2025/06/27021053/Screenshot-2025-06-27-at-11.36.13%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-964353" /></a></figure>
Photo Courtesy: rnkadsgn on Shutterstock.com
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Tech

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GOOGL

Steve Jobs Took Secrecy To Fight Club Levels For This Critical Mission At Apple — 'People Thought They Knew…But Nobody Knew'

Global financier and longtime Trump associate Gentry Beach is reportedly negotiating for control of the Rubaya coltan mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Trump administration-backed initiative, accompanied by support from a consortium including the Swiss trading house Mercuria, shows the current preference for the US engagement with Africa through <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/rumors/25/05/45607960/dr-congo-to-finalize-minerals-deal-with-washington-in-june">high-stakes investment deals</a> rather than traditional diplomacy.
The US views these deals as a means to mitigate China's strategic dominance in Africa's mineral supply chains. "When the US stepped in, they wanted to frame their approach to a peace settlement differently than in the past," said one regional participant, quoted anonymously <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/91a66fc6-28e7-4320-a537-eeb8fac34f0d">by</a> the Financial Times. "They were looking at what the business and economic side of the deal would be that allows this region to prosper, so we don't get back into this all over."
The US-led negotiations aim to broker a peace deal between the DRC and neighboring Rwanda, whose backing of the M23 rebel group has fueled violence in eastern Congo. The talks include a proposed ceasefire and militia disarmament, with a draft agreement endorsed last week by the foreign ministers of both countries.
As reported by the Financial Times, the Rubaya mine is central to these efforts, potentially requiring over $500 million in investment, and is envisioned as a future legal export hub via a new smelter in Rwanda.
Beach, a former Morgan Stanley investment banker, a seasoned hedge fund manager, and a finance co-chair of Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, is the distinctive name in the Rubaya deal. Notably, he has previous experience in the region, having participated in a 2004 mining venture with the late NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo. Although Beach is close friends with Donald Trump Jr., the Trump family has no direct involvement in the Rubaya project, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Rubaya is among the most lucrative coltan deposits in the world. Coltan (short for columbite-tantalite) yields tantalum and niobium, critical elements in smartphones, aircraft engines, and missile components. In 2023, the DRC supplied roughly 40% of global coltan, according to the US Geological Survey. The mine has been a focal point in eastern Congo's decades-long conflict and was recently seized by M23 rebels, who have taxed its production.
Beyond coltan, the region is also rich in copper, cobalt, and gold, all of which are important to global clean energy supply chains. Recent initiatives include those of Blackwater founder Erik Prince, who was connected to a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44885311/blackwater-founder-reaches-a-security-deal-with-dr-congo">security deal</a> involving copper assets in the Katanga region.
Price Watch: iShares MSCI Global Metals &amp; Mining Producers ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PICK#BATS">PICK</a>) is up 8.09% year-to-date.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/06/46138446/investors-seek-gold-alternative-platinum-hits-1400-as-supply-deficit-deepens">Investors Seek Gold Alternative &#8211; Platinum Hits $1,400 As Supply Deficit Deepens</a>
Image: Shutterstock/rarrarorro

PICK

Trump Ally Eyes $500 Million Deal in Peace Plan for DR Congo

Celebrity investor <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/46064693/is-ai-going-to-replace-ceos-or-just-make-them-10-times-richer-kevin-oleary-says-itll-make-everyone-richer-if-they-learn-how-to-use-it">Kevin O'Leary</a> says the window to buy TikTok with its current Chinese-owned algorithm has officially closed. As a new 90-day deadline ticks down, O'Leary is sounding the alarm: TikTok's future in the U.S. hangs in the balance, and at the heart of it is a much bigger issue — who truly owns your personal data?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why the Sale Keeps Getting Delayed</h2>
TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, is under pressure from a U.S. law enacted last year that requires it to sell its TikTok assets in the U.S. or face a nationwide ban. The law was upheld by the Supreme Court, but enforcement has been repeatedly delayed. Most recently, President Donald Trump granted a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45988862/trump-extends-tiktok-divestment-deadline-again-says-xi-will-ultimately-approve-the-deal-amid-stalled-us-spinoff-talks">90-day extension</a> until September, marking the third postponement.
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While TikTok has continued to operate, critics say these delays are avoiding a key national security concern: the possibility that the Chinese government could access American user data. Beijing denies this, but many U.S. lawmakers remain skeptical.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">O'Leary: "The Deal Is Dead"</h2>
According to O'Leary, a new sale involving TikTok's existing algorithm is no longer on the table. "We know that we can&#8217;t buy the algorithm," he said in a video he <a href="https://x.com/kevinolearytv/status/1936233691967054333">posted to X</a>. "So we're gonna have to rewrite this whole thing."
O'Leary is part of a group led by billionaire Frank McCourt and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian proposing a new version of TikTok — one without Chinese-owned code. Their goal? Create a U.S.-based platform that puts data ownership in the hands of users, not corporations.
The alternative, O'Leary warns, is a legal minefield. "Every mothers' group and state attorney general is suing social media," he said. "All stemming from the fact that the platform owns the data and the customer doesn&#8217;t."
Trending: Tired of Grid Failures and Charging Deserts? This Startup Has a Solar Fix and $25M+ in Sales — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/meet-the-company-seeking-to-give-americans-energy-independence-and-learn-how-you-can-become-an-early-investor">Now Raising at $3/Share</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">"Chinese Honey" and the Battle Over AI Chips</h2>
O'Leary also tied the TikTok debate to the broader issue of U.S. technology exports, especially AI chips made by companies like Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>).
He used a bee analogy to explain: The chip is the queen bee, and software developers are the honeybees building AI — or "honey" — on that chip. O'Leary argued there will soon be only two types of AI: "American honey" and "Chinese honey."
"If you want the world running on Chinese honey, stop shipping American queen bee chips," he said. His point: limiting chip exports could backfire by encouraging foreign adversaries to build their own alternatives — like TikTok.
See Also: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wideradvisor-retirement-planning">Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation</a>.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Legal Deadline With Real Consequences</h2>
Unless Congress acts or a new buyer is found, TikTok could be pulled from U.S. app stores after the September deadline. O'Leary believes this is likely the "last extension."
As lawmakers debate national security, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/06/45922827/the-dollar-is-crumbling-and-hedge-fund-analyst-says-a-new-global-trade-is-brewing">global trade</a>, and personal privacy, the clock keeps ticking.
One thing is clear: TikTok's fate is tied not just to politics, but to a fundamental question about the future of the internet — who controls the data, and who gets to decide?
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.

NVDA

Kevin O'Leary Says TikTok Deal Is Dead — And U.S. Law Must Finally Decide Who Owns Your Data

Each week, Benzinga&#8217;s Stock Whisper Index uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/stock-whisper-index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface and deserve attention</a>.
Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.
Read Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/45750724/exclusive-mays-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-where-do-apple-palantir-coreweave-nvidia-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: May's 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do Apple, Palantir, CoreWeave, Nvidia Rank?</a>
Here's a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending June 27:
Prologis (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLD#NYSE">PLD</a>): The logistics real estate company saw increased interest from readers during the week. The company was recently named to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/46144750/44-public-companies-make-times-most-influential-list-coinbase-ufc-nintendo-netflix-and-more-stocks-investors-can-buy">TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list</a> in the "Leaders" category. Investors may be gearing up for second quarter financial results, which are set for July 16. The company has beaten funds from operation estimates from analysts in four straight quarters, while revenue has missed analyst estimates in six straight quarters. Prologis could be fitting several themes for investors with a dividend payment and operating in the growing logistics REIT market. The stock was nearly flat on the week, as seen on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0627">Benzinga Pro chart </a>below and shares are up only 1.3% year-to-date in 2025.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0627"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="498" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172832/Screenshot-471.png" alt="" class="wp-image-965471" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172832/Screenshot-471.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172832/Screenshot-471-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172832/Screenshot-471-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>
Global-E Online (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLBE#NASDAQ">GLBE</a>): The ecommerce solutions company saw strong interest from readers during the week with the stock price up 6%. The company<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45410991/global-e-q1-sales-up-30-gmv-soars-34-extends-strategic-partnership-with-shopify"> reported first-quarter financial results</a> in May with sales beating analyst estimates. The company saw 30% year-over-year sales growth and gross merchandise value also rose 34% year-over-year in the quarter. Global-E Online also reported growth in its Adjusted EBITDA with the operating loss narrowing. The company reiterated its full year guidance after the quarter. Along with financial results, Global-E Online also announced a new three-year strategic partnership with Shopify, extending an existing long-term partnership for first-party and third-party solutions.
"We had another quarter of strong results,&nbsp;demonstrating our ability to grow fast even within macroeconomic turbulent times with Q1 results coming in at or above the midpoints across our guidance," founder and CEO&nbsp;Amir Schlachet&nbsp;said. &nbsp;
Schlachet said the company's pipeline is very active and the company is seeing increased interest in its services.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0627"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="993" height="499" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172847/Screenshot-472.png" alt="" class="wp-image-965472" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172847/Screenshot-472.png 993w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172847/Screenshot-472-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172847/Screenshot-472-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 993px) 100vw, 993px" /></a></figure>
Agilent Technologies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/A#NYSE">A</a>): The life sciences and diagnostics company saw increased interest from investors during the week, which comes after the company reported quarterly financial results <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/05/45669099/agilent-braces-for-potential-us-eu-tariff-hike-maintains-annual-outlook">last month</a>. Agilent reported 6% year-over-year sales growth, which beat analyst estimates. The company beat revenue estimates from analysts for a fourth straight quarter and ninth time out of the last 10 quarters. The company's earnings per share also beat analyst estimates, which kept a streak of more than 10 straight quarters beating estimates in place. Agilent reaffirmed earnings per share guidance for the full year and raised its full-year sales guidance, saying that it will be able to mitigate most of the impacts of tariffs.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0627"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="499" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172902/Screenshot-473.png" alt="" class="wp-image-965473" style="width:920px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172902/Screenshot-473.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172902/Screenshot-473-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172902/Screenshot-473-768x385.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>
Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AA#NYSE">AA</a>): Investors showed increased interest in the metals company ahead of its July 16 second-quarter financial results. Analyss expect the company to report earnings per share of 57 cents and revenue of $2.96 billion. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in four straight quarters and seven of the last 10 quarters overall. Revenue has been more mixed with a miss in the last quarter and five beats and five misses over the last 10 quarters. Investors are likely looking to hear more on the impact of tariffs for the company. Alcoa reported $20 million in additional costs in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44853254/alcoa-shares-gain-after-mixed-q1-results-eps-beat-revenues-miss">the first quarter</a> due to the impact of tariffs on Canadian aluminum imports. The forecast for the second quarter impact from tariffs <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44858454/alcoa-warns-tariffs-could-cost-425-million-annually-this-is-the-most-material-impact-says-ceo">was $90 million.</a>
&#8220;This is the most material impact to Alcoa, as approximately 70% of our aluminum produced in Canada is destined for U.S. customers,&#8221; Alcoa CEO William Oplinger said.
He estimated the annual cost of the 25% tariff could reach as high as $425 million.
Investors will likely want to hear that these numbers have not gone up and that higher metals prices and demand could help offset some of the increased costs.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0627"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="504" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172921/Screenshot-474.png" alt="" class="wp-image-965474" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172921/Screenshot-474.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172921/Screenshot-474-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172921/Screenshot-474-768x389.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>
Comfort Systems USA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIX#NYSE">FIX</a>): The HVAC and electrical company saw increased interest from investors with shares at all-time highs. While most investors may not be familiar with the company, Comfort Systems has shown consistent growth and has a history of beating analyst estimates. Second quarter financial results are expected in June. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $4.78, up from $3.74 in last year's second quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in more than 10 straight quarters. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly revenue of $1.97 billion, up from $1.54 billion in last year's second quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates in two straight quarters and nine of the last 10 quarters overall. Analysts have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/FIX/analyst-ratings">raised price targets</a> on the stock in recent months and the new quarterly results could see more analyst action.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0627"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="506" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172936/Screenshot-475.png" alt="" class="wp-image-965476" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172936/Screenshot-475.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172936/Screenshot-475-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27172936/Screenshot-475-768x389.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>
Stay tuned for next week&#8217;s report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0627" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>
Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/45827517/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-68" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">June 6</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/45938888/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-69" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">June 13</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/46043300/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-70">June 20</a></li>
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Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Secretly Monitor But Don't Talk About Yet

Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) is the top performer in the S&amp;P 500 for June, surging 43% and reaching its highest level since<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/06/46131195/cathie-woods-thursday-crypto-moves-ark-unloads-nearly-25-million-in-coinbase-block-stocks"> its 2021 IPO. </a>
The rally follows the stock's inclusion in the index at the end of May and is supported by positive regulatory updates and new product launches. Coinbase's momentum began in April and marks its third consecutive monthly gain.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46130084/cathie-woods-alpha-surge-250-million-circle-windfall-big-amd-buys?utm_source=articleShare">Cathie Wood&#8217;s Alpha Surge: $250 Million Circle Windfall, Big AMD Buys</a>
What To Know: Analysts credit Coinbase's strength to its S&amp;P 500 inclusion, the Senate's passage of the GENIUS Act and the strong performance of Circle Internet Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRCL#NASDAQ">CRCL</a>), according to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/27/coinbase-is-best-performing-stock-in-sp-500-in-june-and-may-move-higher.html">CNBC</a>.&nbsp;
Coinbase benefits from a revenue-sharing agreement with Circle, allowing it to capture all revenue from USDC (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDC</a>) held on its platform and nearly half of other USDC revenues—without incurring Circle's operating costs.
Coinbase has expanded its crypto services, launching a crypto-backed credit card with American Express, partnering with Shopify for stablecoin payments and collaborating with JPMorgan on a deposit token using its Base blockchain.&nbsp;
What Else: Coinbase <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/46123211/whats-going-on-with-coinbase-global-stock-thursday">shares surged further</a> on Thursday after the company announced the upcoming launch of US-regulated perpetual-style futures for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and Ether, (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)&nbsp; set to begin July 21.&nbsp;
This marks a major milestone, as such products have been largely unavailable to US traders, who have typically relied on offshore exchanges.&nbsp;
Coinbase's move aims to capture a significant share of this market by providing a domestic, regulated alternative.&nbsp;
The announcement coincided with Bernstein raising its price target on Coinbase stock from $310 to $510, citing rapid growth in derivatives and strong non-trading revenues from staking and the Base blockchain.&nbsp;
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46117473/sofi-stock-gets-supercharged-with-return-to-crypto?utm_source=articleShare">SoFi Stock Gets Supercharged With Return To Crypto</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock&nbsp;

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Fintech news covering the emerging Financial Technology services sector

Fintech

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$BTC

$ETH

$USDC

COIN

CRCL

Coinbase Stock Is S&P 500's Best Performer For June: How It Got There

Billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates has suggested that playing sports could be a major factor in the success of women in the C-suite.
What Happened: At the Power of Women&#8217;s Sports Summit, French Gates highlighted the correlation between women in leadership positions and their participation in sports. She noted that women who played sports, especially those who didn&#8217;t mind failing, were more likely to end up in the C-suite, <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/06/27/billionaire-philanthropist-melinda-french-gates-no1-skill-that-gen-alpha-girls-high-school-ceo-career-advice/">reported</a> Fortune.
&#8220;The only correlation they can find of women in the C suite, the CEO spot, it that they all played sport—or the majority played sport,&#8221; French Gates said.
She added, &#8220;And the thesis is (we don't know why that is) they didn't mind failing. You step out of bounds playing soccer, you go right back to it. You lose the tennis match sometimes. You learn to fail and that failing is okay.&#8221;
She added that playing sports helps in developing qualities such as resilience and self-confidence, which are crucial for success in the boardroom. This view was supported by tennis legend&nbsp;Billie Jean King&nbsp;and research from EY, which revealed that 94%&nbsp;of women in the C-suite are former athletes.
SEE ALSO: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46132007/amazon-google-not-far-behind-but-dan-ives-says-microsoft-clearly-leading-in-these-segments-600-price" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon, Google Not Far Behind, But Dan Ives Says Microsoft &#8216;Clearly Leading&#8217; In These Segments — $600 Price Target Is &#8216;Probably&#8217; Conservative</a>
Why It Matters: CEOs often credit their sports backgrounds for developing key leadership skills like confidence, teamwork, and discipline. A McKinsey report supports this view, highlighting overlaps between executive and athletic traits such as time management, resilience, and a growth mindset.
The insights shared by Gates and King come at a time when the corporate world is witnessing a shift in attitudes and work culture, especially with the upcoming Gen Z workforce. Gen Z, which is set to<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/financial-advisors/25/06/46129668/gen-zs-gig-economy-mindset-prioritizing-flexibility-skill-development-and-work-life-balance-in-corporate-america"> make up</a> 30% of the workforce by 2030, prioritizes work-life balance, flexibility, and skill development.
Moreover, top banker Jamie Dimon&#8217;s call for an overhaul of the U.S. education system and underlines the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/education/25/06/46007465/jamie-dimon-sounds-alarm-on-skills-gap-calls-for-overhaul-of-us-education-system">need for schools</a> to adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing workforce. The emphasis on sports as a platform for developing crucial life skills could potentially align with these evolving educational and corporate trends.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>READ MORE: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46125266/thank-you-elon-musks-longtime-aide-reportedly-fired-days-after-public-praise" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Thank You, Elon:&#8217; Musk&#8217;s Longtime Aide Reportedly Fired Days After Public Praise</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Melinda French Gates Reveals The No. 1 Skill Women Need To Reach The C-Suite: 'You Learn To Fail And That Failing Is...'

Following a series of sobering near-miss incidents in U.S. airports, most recently when a Southwest Airlines (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUV#NYSE">LUV</a>) plane came close to departing from a taxiway in Orlando, air carriers are focusing now on what could be the most priceless upgrade since in-flight Wi-Fi: cockpit alerts that scream at pilots before they undertake something disastrous.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/06/46151058/jpmorgans-new-etf-smashes-records-with-2-billion-kick-off">JPMorgan&#8217;s New ETF Smashes Records With $2 Billion Kick Off</a>
At the forefront of this air safety upgrade is Honeywell (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HON#NASDAQ">HON</a>), which has created a Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS) that&#8217;s now in use across almost all of Southwest&#8217;s 800-strong Boeing 737 fleet, according to WSJ. And although this upgrade is, first and foremost, about ensuring passengers and crew are safe, it also represents a possible investment opportunity few are discussing: a boost in demand for avionics and safety technology, and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">ETFs that contain them</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wake-Up Call In The Cockpit</h2>
Honeywell&#8217;s system provides real-time voice and text alerts when pilots make hazardous maneuvers, such as turning onto an incorrect runway, landing too rapidly, or trying to take off from a taxiway. 
It&#8217;s not only Southwest becoming serious about safety. Other airlines such as Alaska Airlines (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALK#NYSE">ALK</a>) are bringing the system on board as well, with Airbus and Boeing (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) allegedly working on their own in-house alert systems. With the FAA considering new proposals to mandate safety alerts on new planes, and potentially retrofits in the future, this might be only the start.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The ETF Angle: Follow The Beep</h2>
A number of large ETFs already provide exposure to aviation safety vendors such as Honeywell, and if the industry experiences an upgrade supercycle, these funds could be winners:
iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#BATS">ITA</a>): Top holding is Honeywell, followed by Boeing and Raytheon (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>). Traces defense and aerospace production companies, including safety systems and avionics.
Up 29% YTD, ITA may experience additional tailwinds if cockpit safety standards become an international standard.
SPDR S&amp;P Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XAR#NYSE">XAR</a>): Equal-weighted, providing more widespread exposure to mid-cap stocks that might include specialty avionics providers.
Comprises participants on next-gen safety software, hardware, and even autonomous flight system development.
Global X Future Analytics Tech ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIQ#NASDAQ">AIQ</a>): Not aerospace-focused, but exposed to companies embedding AI in safety and risk-reduction systems. 
As cockpit notifications become more sophisticated with AI-based pattern recognition, funds such as AIQ might soon be cleared for takeoff.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Now?</h2>
Let&#8217;s link the dots:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Increasing pilot shortages translate into more dependence on safety technology.</li>
<li>Busy airports and tighter flight schedules raise the margin for error.</li>
<li>High-profile accidents (such as the Air Canada near-miss at San Francisco or the 2006 Comair crash) are spurring regulators and carriers into action.</li>
<li>Public perception: Airlines are keen to demonstrate that they&#8217;re spending money on safety amid growing concern.</li>
</ul>
In short, the cockpit alert boom is not merely a safety tale, it&#8217;s a story about tech adoption, and in the markets, that&#8217;s where the actual jet fuel resides.
For the moment, cockpit warnings might be barking alarms within aircraft, but shareholders might find themselves tuning in as well. Aviation safety technology is taking to the skies quietly, and the ETFs that have exposure to it could be up next for a smooth ride.
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46151686/nvidia-just-became-the-worlds-most-valuable-stock-is-it-time-for-a-semiconductor-etf-rethink">Nvidia Just Became The World&#8217;s Most Valuable Stock; Is It Time For A Semiconductor ETF Rethink?</a></li>
</ul>

Sector ETFs

ETFs

iShares Dow Jones US Aerospace & Defense Index Fund

Runway Ready: Can Aviation Safety Tech Be The Next Frontier For Aerospace ETFs?

Benzinga examined the prospects for <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">many investors' favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here's a look at some of our top stories.
Wall Street surged this week as easing geopolitics and a potential pause in U.S.-China tariffs lifted sentiment. The S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs, boosted significantly by Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), whose stock jumped by about 10% to record its highest valuation — $3.8 trillion — overtaking Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) as the world's most valuable company
The tech rally reflected strong earnings from Nvidia's AI-centric chip business and supplier Micron (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>), while broader market gains were bolstered by renewed risk appetite in equities.
Next week, investors will track the June jobs report, rhetoric on tariffs — including the July 8 "Liberation Day" deadline — and upcoming July 4 tax‑and‑spending legislative actions that could influence rates and yields.
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week's most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.

The Bulls
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46081553/nvidias-jensen-huang-sparks-quantum-stock-frenzy">"Nvidia's Big Moment Is Back—Stock Soared 500% The Last Time This Happened"</a>, by Piero Cingari, reports that Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) is forming a bullish golden cross — a 50-day moving average crossing above the 200‑day — after recovering from earlier tariff-induced weakness, which historically has preceded massive rallies, with gains as high as 800%, fueled by easing U.S.-China trade tensions and strong earnings.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/06/46104401/micron-q3-earnings-revenue-eps-beat-estimates-data-center-revenue-guidance-ai-demand">"Micron Q3 earnings: Revenue, EPS beat estimates as data center revenue doubles, strong guidance on rising AI‑driven demand"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>) delivered a strong Q3 with $9.3 billion in revenue (beating $8.87 billion estimates) and $1.91 adjusted EPS (versus $1.60 expected); data-center revenue more than doubled, and the company forecast Q4 revenue of $10.7 billion and EPS of $2.50 amid surging AI memory demand.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/46098312/palantir-stock-hits-all-time-high-whats-going-on">"Palantir stock hits all‑time high: what's going on?"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) shares reached record highs — up roughly 500% over the past year and 93% year-to-date — driven by strong momentum (Benzinga Pro momentum score of 99), surging AI and government contracts including a $795 million U.S. Army deal, and positive Wall Street sentiment such as Loop Capital's raised price target.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/06/46084802/blackberry-stock-climbs-after-better-than-expected-q1-report-details">BlackBerry Stock Climbs After Better-Than-Expected Q1 Report: Details</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/06/46120819/platinum-miners-forecasts-stocks">Platinum's Biggest Rally In 40 Years: These 6 Mining Stocks Could Be Top Gainers</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/46129177/pony-ai-stock-pops-on-report-uber-is-in-talks-with-travis-kalanick-to-invest-in-potential-deal">Pony AI Stock Pops On Report Uber Is In Talks With Travis Kalanick To Invest In Potential Deal</a>

The Bears
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/06/46080036/hims-crashes-on-novo-glp-1-fallout-buy-the-dip-or-bail">"HIMS crashes on Novo GLP‑1 fallout: buy‑the‑dip or bail?"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, reports that Hims &amp; Hers Health Inc. (NYSE: HIMS) shares plunged 34% after Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) ended their partnership over claims of unapproved Wegovy compounding, with analysts warning that legal risk and lofty valuation may outweigh oversold technicals.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/health-care/25/06/46116103/altimmune-stock-sinks-after-mid-stage-data-from-fatty-liver-candidate">"Altimmune stock sinks after mid‑stage data from fatty liver candidate"</a>, by Vandana Singh, reports that Altimmune Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALT#NASDAQ">ALT</a>) shares plunged after its Phase 2b trial showed pemvidutide resolved MASH in over half of treated patients (59.1% at 1.2 mg and 52.1% at 1.8 mg) with significant liver‑fat reduction, but missed the fibrosis endpoint — prompting broad investor concern.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/space/25/06/46055895/ast-spacemobile-stock-downgraded-rocket-lab-prepares-electron-launch-space-stock-countdown">"AST SpaceMobile stock downgraded, Rocket Lab prepares Electron launch: Space stock countdown"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASTS#NASDAQ">ASTS</a>) was downgraded by Scotiabank to Sector Perform with a $45.40 target, even as Rocket Lab Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RKLB#NASDAQ">RKLB</a>) gears up for another Electron launch — factors highlighting heightened volatility in space stocks.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/06/46083155/aerovironment-stock-sinks-despite-better-than-expected-q4-report-heres-why">AeroVironment Stock Sinks Despite Better-Than-Expected Q4 Report: Here's Why</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/06/46128371/concentrix-stock-slips-after-mixed-q2-results-details">Concentrix Stock Slips After Mixed Q2 Results: Details</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/46118143/unity-software-stock-is-sliding-today-whats-going-on">Unity Software Stock Is Sliding Today: What's Going On?</a>

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