Netflix Inc&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) new high-budget film &#8220;The Electric State&#8221; has received a tepid response from critics, despite the streaming service reportedly investing hundreds of millions in its production.



What Happened: The sci-fi movie, which premiered on Friday, has garnered a score of a mere 17% from 69 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie features Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, and is directed by the Russo brothers, who are renowned for their contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.



Estimates indicate that the film&#8217;s budget could have reached $320 million, positioning it among the most costly movies ever produced. 



This figure significantly surpasses the combined budgets of the 10 most recent Oscar winners for best picture, which collectively amount to less than $230 million, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-electric-state-netflix-budget-critics-reviews-2025-3">report</a>I Insider.



The Russo brothers have previously achieved success with high-budget films, including&nbsp;&#8220;Captain America: The Winter Soldier,&#8221;&nbsp;which grossed $714 million worldwide&nbsp;on a reported $170 million&nbsp;budget.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44342307/netflix-stock-up-1-3-after-key-signal-reversing-early-weakness">Netflix Stock Up 1.3% After Key Signal, Reversing Early Weakness</a>



 However, their recent endeavors&nbsp;outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly on streaming platforms, have not been as fruitful.



&#8220;The Electric State&#8221; is an adaptation of Simon Stålenhag&#8217;s 2018 illustrated novel of the same title, but critics have labeled the film as &#8220;derivative&#8221; and &#8220;soulless,&#8221; with &#8220;mind-numbingly repetitive&#8221; action sequences.



Netflix and the Russo brothers&nbsp;have not yet issued any comments in response to these critiques.



Why It Matters: The lukewarm reception of &#8220;The Electric State&#8221; raises questions about the sustainability of high-budget productions for streaming services. Despite the massive investment, the film&#8217;s poor critical response could impact its viewership and return on investment. 



This could potentially influence Netflix&#8217;s future decisions regarding the allocation of its budget for film productions. 



The Russo brothers&#8217; recent lackluster performances&nbsp;outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe&nbsp;also suggest a need for a strategic reassessment of their projects.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43098429/netflix-earnings-are-imminent-these-most-accurate-analysts-revise-forecasts-ahead-of-earnings-call">Netflix Earnings Are Imminent; These Most Accurate Analysts Revise Forecasts Ahead Of Earnings Call</a>

Entertainment

News

NFLX

Netflix's $320 Million 'The Electric State' Becomes Its Most Expensive and Most Disappointing Movie

The escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and its key trading partners are creating fresh <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/25/03/44262286/tariff-uncertainty-poses-major-risk-to-us-automakers-how-much-could-ford-gm-earnings-fall" rel="noreferrer noopener">concerns for the automotive industry</a>.



Goldman Sachs analyst warns tariffs pose a significant downside earnings risk for U.S. automakers and industrial tech companies, with potential reductions in vehicle production and rising costs for imported parts.



The U.S.&nbsp;Environmental Protection Agency&nbsp;(EPA) announced on Wednesday that it is starting the process to reverse dozens of Biden administration rules,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44295619/epa-targets-bidens-climate-policies-starts-process-to-reverse-passenger-vehicle-truck-emission-rules" rel="noreferrer noopener"> including vehicle emissions standards</a>.



The Federal Trade Commission requested a delay in its trial against&nbsp;Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), citing resource constraints due to recent cuts by the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/03/44310724/doge-cuts-to-ftc-sow-confusion-in-case-against-amazon" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Government Efficiency</a>.



U.S. President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;has indicated that&nbsp;Meta Platforms&nbsp;Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) could invest up to $60 billion in the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44323127/trump-suggests-meta-may-invest-up-to-60-billion-in-the-us-by-the-end-of-2025" rel="noreferrer noopener">United States by the end of the year</a>.



Earnings



SentinelOne Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/S#NYSE">S</a>) reported fourth-quarter revenue of $225.5 million, beating the&nbsp;consensus estimate of $222.25 million and adjusted earnings of four cents per share, beating<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/03/44291341/sentinelone-q4-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-shares-sink-on-soft-guidance" rel="noreferrer noopener"> estimates of one cent per share</a>.



UiPath, Inc. reported fourth-quarter&nbsp;earnings of&nbsp;nine&nbsp;cents per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of&nbsp;three&nbsp;cents and revenue of $424 million missed the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/03/44311004/uipath-stock-down-faces-caution-despite-margin-gains-analyst-doubtful-about-companys-ai-transition-capability" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of&nbsp;$425.36 million</a>.



Blink Charging (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLNK#NASDAQ">BLNK</a>) reported fourth-quarter&nbsp;losses of&nbsp;15 cents&nbsp;per share, which beat the consensus for losses of 17 cents, and revenue of $30.18 million missed the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/03/44318350/blink-charging-shares-up-slightly-after-q4-results-heres-why" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst consensus estimate of&nbsp;$30.52 million</a>.



Rubrik (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RBRK#NYSE">RBRK</a>) reported fourth-quarter&nbsp;losses of&nbsp;61 cents per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate for losses of 80 cents and revenue of $258.1 million beat the analyst <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/03/44317342/rubrik-stock-climbs-after-strong-q4-results-q1-guidance-above-estimates" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of&nbsp;$233.1 million</a>.



Technology



Tech billionaire and venture capitalist&nbsp;Peter Thiel is considering writing a book about ancient prophecies, the Antichrist, and Armageddon—and he believes we're ignoring what may be the most dangerous threat of all: the rise of global<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44238979/palantir-cofounder-peter-thiel-might-write-a-book-about-ancient-prophecies-the-antichrist-and-armageddon-he-thinks-were-ignoring-the-real-threat" rel="noreferrer noopener"> authoritarianism disguised as peace</a>.



NVIDIA Corporation&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) teamed up with&nbsp;Microsoft Corporation&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) to introduce neural shading support in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44305160/revolutionizing-gaming-nvidia-and-microsofts-neural-shading-brings-ai-to-graphics" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft DirectX preview for April</a>.



Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) is eyeing the production of an affordable version of its popular&nbsp;Model Y in Shanghai. The company plans to commercialize in 2026 at its Shanghai <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/03/44330619/tesla-bets-on-low-cost-evs-in-china-after-february-sales-hit-two-year-low" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gigafactory for its China market.</a>



SpaceX's&nbsp;Crew-10 astronaut launch for&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;was postponed due to a hydraulics glitch. The&nbsp;Elon Musk-led rocket manufacturing company has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44296357/spacex-crew-10-astronaut-launch-to-bring-back-stuck-astronauts-delayed-due-to-hydraulics-issue-says-nasa" rel="noreferrer noopener">rescheduled the mission for Friday, March 14</a>.



Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) Google&nbsp;is doubling down with a possible $115 million acquisition of eye-tracking <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44267530/while-apple-reportedly-mulls-over-ar-glasses-google-bets-big-on-eye-tracking-tech-with-115-million-adhawk-acquisition-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">startup&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44267530/while-apple-reportedly-mulls-over-ar-glasses-google-bets-big-on-eye-tracking-tech-with-115-million-adhawk-acquisition-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">AdHawk Microsystems</a>.



Meta&nbsp;won an emergency legal ruling to block the promotion of a memoir written by a&nbsp;former high-ranking employee&nbsp;who claims the company ignored sexual harassment complaints and quietly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44294128/meta-silences-whistleblower-who-worked-with-mark-zuckerberg-and-sheryl-sandberg-book-alleges-harassment-and-shady-china-strategy" rel="noreferrer noopener">built censorship tools for China</a>.



Gaming



Nintendo Co., Ltd. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTDOY#OTC">NTDOY</a>) went all out for&nbsp;MAR10 Day&nbsp;this year, unveiling a packed celebration full of game discounts,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44212558/nintendos-mar10-day-bash-includes-a-349-switch-bundle-trip-to-super-nintendo-world-and-alarm-clocks-that-talk-back-heres-what-you-need-to-know" rel="noreferrer noopener"> travel sweepstakes, and more</a>.



Smartphones



Apple Inc.&#8217;s&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) services chief&nbsp;Eddy Cue&nbsp;shared insights into&nbsp;Apple TV+&#8217;s&nbsp;selective content strategy while praising the global success of "Severance,&#8221; calling it one of the most culturally<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/03/44212936/eddy-cue-praises-severance-for-breaking-through-the-noise-globally-says-apple-tv-isnt-going-to-throw-20-shows-on-the-wall-hoping-one-will-stick" rel="noreferrer noopener"> impactful shows of recent years</a>.



Apple is preparing for what&nbsp;Mark Gurman&nbsp;described as "one of the most dramatic software overhauls" in the iPhone maker's history, with iOS 19 set to transform the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44240980/iphones-after-ios-19-will-feature-a-very-different-look-heres-whats-apple-might-change" rel="noreferrer noopener">smartphone's interface later in 2025</a>.



On March 11,&nbsp;Nothing&nbsp;will begin shipping its new&nbsp;Phone&nbsp;(3a) series, offering premium features under $500—but with a few trade-offs that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44214865/nothing-launches-phone-3a-and-3a-pro-with-flagship-specs-under-500shipping-starts-march-11-but-no-wireless-charging-or-ip68-rating" rel="noreferrer noopener">budget buyers should consider</a>.



Samsung Electronics Co.&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNLF#OTC">SSNLF</a>) has reassured fans that the beloved&nbsp;S Pen&nbsp;isn&#8217;t going away, even though its absence from major product <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44268878/samsung-says-s-pen-isnt-going-anywhere-but-if-thats-true-why-did-it-disappear-from-the-galaxy-s25-ultra-launch" rel="noreferrer noopener">announcements stirred some doubts</a>.



Artificial Intelligence



As China&#8217;s AI race accelerates, the viral autonomous agent&nbsp;Manus AI&nbsp;has partnered with&nbsp;Alibaba Group Holding Ltd&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) Qwen&nbsp;team to develop a localized <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44267707/chinas-viral-ai-agent-manus-which-is-being-compared-with-deepseek-taps-alibabas-qwen-for-local-expansion-heres-what-you-need-to-know" rel="noreferrer noopener">version tailored for Chinese users</a>.



China&#8217;s&nbsp;Manus AI&nbsp;is being hyped as the next big leap in agentic AI—maybe even a &#8220;DeepSeek moment&#8221;—but early testers say the platform <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44214424/move-over-deepseek-not-so-fast-chinas-manus-ai-goes-viral-but-early-users-say-it-crashes-loops-and-fumbles-the-basics" rel="noreferrer noopener">might be more sizzle than substance</a>.



OpenAI&nbsp;CEO&nbsp;Sam Altman&nbsp;spoke candidly at a private Morgan Stanley event, revealing what he believes investors are still <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44297444/sam-altman-warns-ai-will-be-deflationary-but-says-openais-biggest-constraint-isnt-data-or-demand-its-gpus" rel="noreferrer noopener">underestimating about artificial intelligence</a>.

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Consumer Tech News (Mar 10-Mar 14): Manus AI Creating Hype, Tesla Eyes Affordable Version Model Y In China & More

The week was a rollercoaster ride in the world of cryptocurrency. From a trader&#8217;s devastating $5 million loss in meme coins to the nearing conclusion of the Ripple-SEC lawsuit, the crypto space was buzzing with activity. The introduction of the Bitcoin Act of 2025 in the House of Representatives and Binance CEO&#8217;s optimism about pro-crypto policies also made headlines. Let&#8217;s dive into the details.



Trader&#8217;s $5 Million Loss In Meme Coins



A trader, known only as 0xforeverblind, turned nothing into a whopping $5 million during the crypto bull run, only to lose it all in meme coins. Despite his initial success, the trader&#8217;s investments in meme coins like Popcat, Gigachad, Mumu The Bull, and Retardio collapsed by 90-95%, leading to his massive loss.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44260478/i-lost-everything-trader-turns-0-into-5-million-loses-it-all-with-meme-coins-that-were-supposed-to-become-the-next-dogecoin-shiba-inu">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44267582/us-house-committee-favors-stablecoin-regulation-to-strenthen-dollar-advocates-against-cbdc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">House Committee Favors Stablecoin Regulation To ‘Strengthen' Dollar: Majority Whip Says CBDCs Against ‘American Values'</a>



Ripple-SEC Lawsuit Nears Conclusion



The long-standing legal battle between the SEC and&nbsp;Ripple Labs&nbsp;over the alleged $1.3 billion unregistered XRP sale may soon come to an end. The key point of contention is whether XRP's utility and trading status align more with a commodity, like Ethereum, rather than a security.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44314642/ripple-sec-lawsuit-nears-end-will-xrp-be-classified-as-commodity-like-ethereum">Read the full article here.</a>



Bitcoin Act of 2025 Introduced



U.S. Congressman Nick Begich introduced the Bitcoin Act of 2025 in the House. The bill proposes acquiring 1 million BTC over five years, with a 20-year holding period, without taxpayer funding. The bill acknowledges Senator Cynthia Lummis for her advocacy of Bitcoin and financial innovation.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44261690/bitcoin-act-of-2025-introduced-in-the-house-of-representatives">Read the full article here.</a>



Binance CEO Optimistic About Pro-Crypto Policies



Binance CEO Richard Teng expressed optimism about the pro-cryptocurrency policies introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump. Teng believes this shift marks a turning point for the industry, which faced significant challenges during Joe Biden&#8217;s tenure.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44300120/binance-ceo-richard-teng-hails-donald-trumps-bitcoin-reserve-xrp-ethereum-solana-digital-asset-stockpile">Read the full article here.</a>



Strategy Files For $21B To Fund Bitcoin Acquisition



Strategy Inc. announced that it has filed to offer up to $21 billion in preferred stock to raise funds for Bitcoin purchases. The sales agreement involves issuing 8.00% Series A perpetual strike preferred stock with a par value of $0.001 per share.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44220378/strategy-files-for-21b-in-preferred-stock-to-fund-bitcoin-acquisition">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44268317/sec-postpones-approval-of-several-crypto-spot-etfs-says-influential-analyst" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dogecoin, XRP ETF Filings Delayed By SEC But Influential Analyst Says ‘Relatively High' Odds Of Approval</a></li>
</ul>



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>

Cryptocurrency

Media

MSTR

Crypto Trader's $5 Million Loss, Ripple-SEC Lawsuit, Bitcoin Act Of 2025: This Week In Crypto

These large-cap stocks were the worst performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?



<ol>
<li>Teradyne (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TER#NASDAQ">TER</a>) shares dipped 20.08%. The company agreed to acquire Photonic IC Testing Company Quantifi Photonics <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44236516" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for an undisclosed amount</a>. Analysts cut price <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ter/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forecasts for the company</a>.</li>



<li>Trade Desk (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TTD#NASDAQ">TTD</a>) stock tumbled 16.90%, probably amid economic worries driven by tariffs and trade policies.</li>



<li>Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) shares dipped 15.79% amid a decline in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44287858" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin due to tariff uncertainty</a>.</li>



<li>SailPoint, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAIL#NASDAQ">SAIL</a>) shares fell 15.19%.</li>



<li>Genmab (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GMAB#NASDAQ">GMAB</a>) shares decreased 15.04% after Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) decided not to exercise its option to receive a worldwide license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize HexaBody-CD38. Genmab will not <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44221409" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pursue further clinical development</a>.</li>



<li>Interactive Brokers Group, Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBKR#NASDAQ">IBKR</a>) stock fell 12.52%, probably due to overall market concerns amid tariff uncertainty.</li>



<li>Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAL#NYSE">DAL</a>) stock plummeted 12.26% after the company cut its first-quarter<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44244750" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> revenue and profit guidance</a>.</li>



<li>Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADBE#NASDAQ">ADBE</a>) shares declined 12.16% after the company issued the second quarter and FY25 adjusted EPS guidance, with its midpoint below estimates. Several analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44302063" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">also revised the price forecast</a>.</li>



<li>Expedia Group Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXPE#NASDAQ">EXPE</a>) stock fell 12.05%, probably amid a broader sell-off in travel-related stocks <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44259915" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44259915" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Delta Air Lines&#8217;s</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44259915" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> guidance cut</a>.</li>



<li>Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>) shares dipped 11.66%. The company announced <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44252567" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">operating data for February</a>.</li>



<li>United Airlines Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UAL#NASDAQ">UAL</a>) stock was down 11.11% after B of A Securities and Barclays cut their <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ual/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">respective price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>



<li>Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) stock fell 10.70% last week amid overall market weakness due to continued tariff uncertainty.</li>
</ol>



Photo by Useacoin on Shutterstock



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/03/44347715/applovin-super-micro-computer-and-intel-among-top-10-large-cap-gainers-last-week-mar-10-mar-14-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Applovin, Super Micro Computer And Intel Among Top 10 Large-Cap Gainers Last Week (Mar 10-Mar 14): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
</ul>

Movers

Trading Ideas

ADBE

COIN

EXPE

GMAB

HOOD

IBKR

SAIL

Coinbase, Apple And Robinhood Are Among Top Large-Cap Losers Last Week (Mar 10-Mar 14): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

These mid-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?



<ol>
<li>D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QBTS#NYSE">QBTS</a>) stock escalated 95.95%  after the company reported a 502% year-over-year increase <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44301722" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in fourth-quarter bookings to $18.3 million</a>.</li>



<li>Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PTGX#NASDAQ">PTGX</a>) stock jumped 42.84% after the company announced topline results from its Phase 2b ANTHEM-UC study of icotrokinra in ulcerative colitis. The study met its primary <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44220449" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endpoint in all dose groups evaluated</a>. Several analysts raised the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ptgx/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>



<li>Veren Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRN#NYSE">VRN</a>) shares upped 24.24% after the company inked a merger deal with Whitecap Resources Inc. for an all-share transaction valued at around C$15 billion <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44223155" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">($10.4 billion), including net debt</a>.</li>



<li>IonQ Inc.&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IONQ#NYSE">IONQ</a>) stock rose 21.65%. The company disclosed that it now owns or controls nearly 400 granted and pending <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44246776" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum networking patents globally</a>.</li>



<li>Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGTI#NASDAQ">RGTI</a>) stock grew 20%, probably amid a rebound from weakness earlier this week. The sector may be seeing a boost following softer-than-expected February inflation figures.</li>



<li>Semtech Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMTC#NASDAQ">SMTC</a>) stock increased 18.21% after the company reported better-than-expected <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44317455" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fourth-quarter financial results</a>. Several analysts revised the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/smtc/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>



<li>Orla Mining Ltd. (AMEX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORLA#AMEX">ORLA</a>) stock rose 15.52%.</li>



<li>Hesai Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSAI#NASDAQ">HSAI</a>) stock increased 15.45% after the company secured a multi-year deal with Mercedes-Benz <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44262398" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">to supply Lidar sensors</a>.</li>
</ol>



Image via D-WAVE



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/03/44347715/applovin-super-micro-computer-and-intel-among-top-10-large-cap-gainers-last-week-mar-10-mar-14-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Applovin, Super Micro Computer And Intel Among Top 10 Large-Cap Gainers Last Week (Mar 10-Mar 14): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/03/44347748/coinbase-apple-and-robinhood-are-among-top-large-cap-losers-last-week-mar-10-mar-14-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coinbase, Apple And Robinhood Are Among Top Large-Cap Losers Last Week (Mar 10-Mar 14): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
</ul>

Mid Cap

HSAI

IONQ

ORLA

PTGX

QBTS

RGTI

SMTC

D-Wave Quantum And IonQ Are Among Top Mid-Cap Stock Gainers Last Week (Mar 10-Mar 14): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

It was a busy week for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) with a series of events that kept the tech giant in the spotlight. From a secretive court hearing in the UK to the launch of a Metallica concert experience for its Vision Pro headset, Apple made headlines for various reasons. Let&#8217;s dive into the major stories.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Apple&#8217;s Secret Court Hearing In The UK</h3>



On Friday, a private court hearing believed to be an appeal by Apple against a UK government demand for backdoor access to its encrypted cloud systems took place in London. The public and media were not allowed to attend the hearing, which reportedly centered on a controversial &#8220;technical capability notice&#8221; issued to Apple by the British government.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/03/44344993/apple-reportedly-fights-uk-governments-unacceptable-encryption-order-behind-closed-doors-no-press-or-public-allowed">Read the full article here.</a>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Metallica Concert Experience On Vision Pro</h3>



Apple is hoping to rekindle interest in its struggling Vision Pro headset with a virtual concert featuring Metallica. The immersive 25-minute concert, filmed with 14 ultra-high-resolution 180-degree cameras and powered by Spatial Audio, will be available to Vision Pro users.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44270009/apple-doubles-down-on-vision-pro-with-metallica-concert-experience-but-can-rock-legends-save-a-3499-headset-thats-already-being-scaled-back">Read the full article here.</a>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">iPhone 16e Outperforms iPhone SE</h3>



The newly released iPhone 16e has seen strong initial sales, outperforming the third-generation iPhone SE by 60% in its first three days. However, analysts predict that this won&#8217;t be enough to counterbalance Apple&#8217;s declining sales in China this year.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44345384/apples-new-iphone-16e-outsells-iphone-se-by-60-but-analysts-say-it-wont-stop-china-sales-from-sliding-in-2025">Read the full article here.</a>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Apple Stock Under Pressure</h3>



Apple&#8217;s stock is facing significant selling pressure, with shares down 10.85% year-to-date, 8.22% in the past month, and 1.56% on Friday alone.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/03/44284821/apple-stock-takes-a-bite-out-of-investors-as-siri-fumbles-ai-race">Read the full article here.</a>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Major Overhaul For iPhones After iOS 19</h3>



Apple is reportedly planning one of the most dramatic software overhauls in its history. The upcoming iOS 19 is expected to transform the iPhone&#8217;s interface, featuring significant updates in icons, menus, apps, system buttons, and windows. The design is said to be loosely based on the Vision Pro's visionOS interface.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44240980/iphones-after-ios-19-will-feature-a-very-different-look-heres-whats-apple-might-change">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44345022/ray-dalio-has-a-chilling-warning-for-president-trump-debt-crisis-is-imminent-and-an-issue-of-paramount-importance">Ray Dalio Has A Chilling Warning For President Trump: Debt Crisis Is Imminent, And An Issue Of &#8216;Paramount Importance&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



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

Apple's Secretive UK Court Hearing, Metallica Concert On Vision Pro, iPhone 16e, And Major Overhaul In Store: This Week In Appleverse

The week was rife with significant developments in the tech world, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). From SoftBank Group&#8217;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>) announcement of a massive AI data center in Japan to Apple Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) struggle in the AI race, the stories were as diverse as they were impactful. Here&#8217;s a quick round-up of the top stories.



SoftBank&#8217;s $676 Million AI Data Center



On Friday,&nbsp;SoftBank Group revealed plans to acquire assets from Sharp Corp to build a large-scale AI data center. The investment firm will spend approximately $676 million on the project, which aligns with its strategic partnership with OpenAI. The AI data center, set to begin operations in 2026, will be built on a vast area of land and buildings at the Sharp Sakai Factory.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44327422/softbank-to-build-676-million-ai-data-center-in-japan-linked-to-openai-partnership">Read the full article here.</a>



Block&#8217;s AI Performance Boost with Nvidia



Block Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYZ#NYSE">XYZ</a>), led by CEO Jack Dorsey, became the first U.S. company to deploy Nvidia Corp.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) new AI clusters. Dorsey expects the implementation to be 30 times more powerful than current ones, thanks to Nvidia's DGX SuperPOD with GB200 systems.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44299872/jack-dorseys-block-first-us-company-to-deploy-nvidias-ai-cluster-predicts-30x-performance-boost">Read the full article here.</a>



Sam Altman&#8217;s AI Warning



OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, speaking at a private Morgan Stanley event, warned that AI will be deflationary. He also highlighted that the biggest constraint for OpenAI isn&#8217;t data or demand, but GPUs.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44297444/sam-altman-warns-ai-will-be-deflationary-but-says-openais-biggest-constraint-isnt-data-or-demand-its-gpus">Read the full article here.</a>



Nvidia&#8217;s Valuation Drop



Despite impressive Q4 earnings,&nbsp;Nvidia&#8217;s stock has seen a significant drop in 2025. The chipmaker&#8217;s valuation is now 41% cheaper compared to November 2022, when ChatGPT was launched, and 85% cheaper from its record high valuations in July 2023.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44298732/nvidia-valuation-drops-after-2025-rout-ai-chipmakers-price-declines-41-from-its-peak-when-chatgpt-was-launched">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple&#8217;s AI Race Fumble



Apple&#8217;s shares are under significant selling pressure, with the company struggling in the AI race. The stock is down 10.85% year-to-date, 8.22% in the past month, and 1.56% on Friday alone.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/03/44284821/apple-stock-takes-a-bite-out-of-investors-as-siri-fumbles-ai-race">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44345022/ray-dalio-has-a-chilling-warning-for-president-trump-debt-crisis-is-imminent-and-an-issue-of-paramount-importance">Ray Dalio Has A Chilling Warning For President Trump: Debt Crisis Is Imminent, And An Issue Of &#8216;Paramount Importance&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



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

SFTBF

Softbank's AI Data Center, Block's AI Boost, Altman's Warning, Nvidia's Valuation Drop, And Apple's Fumble: This Week In Artificial Intelligence

The past week was a rollercoaster ride for the markets, with recession fears, record gold prices, and escalating trade wars dominating headlines. The Nasdaq and S&amp;P 500 hit six-month lows, while gold soared to new heights.



Meanwhile, China imposed tariffs on its largest U.S. import, soybeans, and other agricultural products, causing a stir in the market. Amidst all this, there was a glimmer of hope as tech stocks and Bitcoin rebounded following Ukraine&#8217;s acceptance of a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal with Russia.



Recession Fears Drive Markets Lower



The Nasdaq 100 and S&amp;P 500, tracked by SPDR S&amp;P 500, saw significant declines this week, with tech giants like Tesla, Inc. and Palantir Technologies, Inc. leading the downward trend. President Donald Trump&#8217;s acknowledgment of a potential U.S. recession in a Fox News interview added to the market&#8217;s concerns.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/03/44227856/nasdaq-sp-500-hit-6-month-lows-as-recession-fears-grow-whats-driving-markets-monday">Read the full article here.</a>



Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44195821/taiwan-semiconductor-chief-says-us-expansion-driven-by-ai-and-smartphone-boom-warns-of-supply-shortage" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taiwan Semiconductor Chief Says US Expansion Not Driven By Political Pressure, But AI Boom, Warns of Supply Shortage</a>



Gold Hits Record Highs Amid Trade War Fears



Gold continued its strong rise, hitting a fresh record as investors sought safe havens amidst mounting trade tensions and economic uncertainty. Spot gold, tracked by the SPDR Gold Trust, traded at $2,969 per ounce, marking its third consecutive session of gains.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/03/44308014/gold-hits-record-highs-as-trade-war-fears-fuel-safe-haven-demand-mining-stocks-soar">Read the full article here.</a>



China Imposes Tariffs On Major US Agricultural Imports



In retaliation to President Donald Trump&#8217;s additional 10% levy on Chinese imports, China imposed tariffs on major U.S. agricultural imports, including soybeans. This move is likely to impact many agricultural product manufacturers, suppliers, and related businesses, such as Bunge Global and Archer-Daniels Midland.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44217379/china-hits-soybeans-with-tariffs-its-largest-us-import-along-with-other-agri-products-here-a-list-of-stocks-and-etfs-that-could-be-impacted">Read the full article here.</a>



Markets Bounce Back As Ukraine Accepts Ceasefire Proposal



Markets rebounded as Ukraine signaled its readiness to accept a U.S.-backed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia. This development was seen as a step towards de-escalation, triggering a relief rally in riskier assets like stocks and cryptocurrencies.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44260839/tech-stocks-bitcoin-strongly-rebound-as-ukraine-backs-us-proposal-for-30-day-ceasefire-with-russia">Read the full article here.</a>



Warren Buffett&#8217;s Take On Tariffs



Legendary investor Warren Buffett characterized tariffs as "an act of war" and a consumer tax. His comments came amidst market turmoil following President Donald Trump&#8217;s implementation of 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44070257/warren-buffett-calls-tariffs-an-act-of-war-warns-they-function-as-a-tax-on-goods-amid-market-turmoil">Read the full article here.</a>



Also Read:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44194807/coinbase-analyst-sees-crypto-spring-ahead-calls-recent-pullback-a-buying-opportunity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coinbase Is the ‘Blue Chip' Of Crypto, Analyst Likes It On Pullback</a></li>
</ul>



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>

Economics

Recession Fears, Gold Records, And Trade Wars: This Week In Economics

Wall Street wrapped up its fourth consecutive week in the red, a losing streak not seen since May 2022, and the S&amp;P 500 index officially entered correction territory after sliding 10% <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/03/44317410/sp-500-enters-technical-correction-as-trade-war-fears-rattle-markets">from its February highs.</a>



Investor anxiety remains high, fueled by the looming impact of trade tariffs touted by President Donald Trump and deep, abrupt spending cuts spearheaded by the DOGE office under Elon Musk.



February's inflation data brought positive news, reinforcing expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts this year. The Consumer Price Index rose 2.8% year-over-year, easing from 3% in January and coming in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/03/44274165/inflation-cools-more-than-expected-in-february-strengthens-the-case-for-fed-rate-cuts">below economist forecasts of 2.9%.</a> Similarly, wholesale inflation remained unchanged on a monthly basis, marking a stark slowdown from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/03/44300810/us-producer-inflation-stalls-in-february-as-services-costs-drop-eggs-price-skyrockets">January's 0.6% surge.</a>



Yet, even these cooled-than-expected inflation prints failed to reignite risk appetite, as markets remained firmly focused on policy developments from the White House.



On Thursday, President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 200% tariff on European wines and alcoholic beverages unless the European Union removes its 50% <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/03/44301835/trump-threatens-200-tariff-on-european-wine-alcohol-stocks-react">duty on American whiskey.</a>



Earlier in the week, the White House also announced tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum will double to 50%, with a warning that auto tariffs could surge if Canada does not roll back its retaliatory duties. Trump further reaffirmed his commitment to reciprocal tariffs on global trade partners, set to take effect on April 2.



Consumer sentiment is reflecting the economic turbulence of a regime shift.



On Friday, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/03/44331170/us-consumer-confidence-plunges-as-inflation-fears-hit-highest-level-since-1993">University of Michigan's latest survey</a> showed a sharp decline in consumer confidence, with future economic expectations sinking to their lowest since July 2022 and long-term inflation expectations soared to their highest level since 1993 — a troubling sign consumers are bracing for persistent price pressures.



Against this backdrop, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/03/44308014/gold-hits-record-highs-as-trade-war-fears-fuel-safe-haven-demand-mining-stocks-soar">gold is once again shining</a> as a safe-haven asset, drawing investors seeking protection. The yellow metal — as tracked by the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>) — surged to fresh all-time highs of $3,000 per ounce, securing gains for 10 of the past 11 weeks.



At the end of the week, markets rebounded amid confirmation that a government shutdown would be averted and the absence of trade-related headlines from Trump. 



The Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold interest rates steady next week, but fresh economic projections may start to outline a stagflation scenario, characterized by slowing growth and stubbornly high inflation.



You might have missed…



Tariffs Threaten Automakers: Trade uncertainty threatens U.S. automakers, potentially slashing Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) and General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/25/03/44262286/tariff-uncertainty-poses-major-risk-to-us-automakers-how-much-could-ford-gm-earnings-fall">earnings amid tariff concerns.</a>



Photo: Shutterstock Professional via Shutterstock

Macro Economic Events

Commodities

Econ #s

Federal Reserve

Stocks Enter Correction Zone, Tariff Fears Hammer Consumer Confidence, Inflation Worries Hit 32-Year Highs: This Week In Markets

The past week has been a whirlwind of news for&nbsp;Tesla, Inc., with the electric vehicle giant making headlines for a variety of reasons. From a surprising switch in Baltimore to allegations of rebate manipulation in Canada, Tesla&#8217;s journey has been anything but smooth. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia&#8217;s ride-hailing giant,&nbsp;Grab Holdings, is making strides in the autonomous vehicle sector. Let&#8217;s dive into the details.



Baltimore Ditches Tesla for Ford



In a surprising turn of events, the city of Baltimore has decided to reverse a deal with Tesla that was set in 2024. The city had initially planned to use Tesla&#8217;s electric vehicles for police and other government officials. However, the deal has now been cancelled, with no political reasons cited for the change.



<a href="https://in.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/03/44238200/tesla-out-ford-in-city-of-baltimore-goes-in-a-different-direction-reversing-ev-deal-from-2024">Read the full article here.</a>



Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44136859/asml-faces-uncertainty-as-us-sanctions-on-china-cut-demand-stock-down-24-in-12-months" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chip Equipment Maker ASML Faces Uncertainty As US Sanctions On China Impact Demand</a>



Tesla Accused Of Gaming Canada&#8217;s EV Rebate Program



Tesla is under scrutiny in Canada, with four of its stores suspected of exploiting the country&#8217;s EV rebate program. The stores reportedly sold an average of 30 cars per hour over three days, claiming over half of the rebate funds.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44213295/tesla-suspected-of-ev-rebate-manipulation-in-canada-amid-sudden-sales-surge-tesla-gamed-the-system-says-industry-body">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump&#8217;s Tesla Purchase Could Boost Sales



President Donald Trump&#8217;s recent acquisition of a Tesla Model S Plaid for White House staff use could potentially drive up the company&#8217;s sales, according to Gary Black, Managing Partner of The Future Fund LLC.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44268275/trump-buys-tesla-model-s-plaid-gary-black-calls-endorsement-potentially-huge-says-it-could-drive-1-7-million-sales">Read the full article here.</a>



Musk&#8217;s Optimism Vs Munster&#8217;s Prediction



While Tesla CEO Elon Musk expects the company&#8217;s output to double in the next few years, Gene Munster, Managing Partner at Deepwater Asset Management, predicts a drop in deliveries before a surge in 2026.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44293798/elon-musk-expects-tesla-output-to-double-over-next-couple-of-years-but-gene-munster-predicts-number-to-drop-before-a-surge-in-2026">Read the full article here.</a>



Grab Eyes Autonomous Future



Grab Holdings has teamed up with four global self-driving firms to explore autonomous solutions for its mobility and delivery services across Southeast Asia. The companies include China&#8217;s WeRide Inc and Zelos, Boston&#8217;s Motional, and South Korea&#8217;s Autonomous A2Z.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44224370/grab-teams-up-with-global-self-driving-firms-eyes-future-of-ride-hailing-in-southeast-asia">Read the full article here.</a>



Also Read:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/03/44174628/ai-chip-leaders-nvidia-amd-broadcom-slide-amid-marvell-earnings-and-us-policy-concerns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI Chip Leaders Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom Slide Amid Marvell Earnings and US Policy Concerns</a></li>
</ul>



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>

Tesla's Rollercoaster Ride, Grab's Autonomous Ambitions: This Week In Mobility

As the week drew to a close, the business world was buzzing with a series of impactful stories. From Elon Musk&#8217;s concerns over tariffs to escalating trade tensions and the looming threat of a government shutdown, there was no shortage of headlines to keep investors on their toes.



Tesla, SpaceX Raise Tariff Concerns



Both Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, have voiced concerns over tariffs. They warn that retaliatory measures could negatively impact their respective industries. In letters to U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer, the companies urged for a consideration of the broader economic impacts when shaping trade strategies.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44342569/tesla-spacex-warn-tariffs-could-harm-us-innovation-and-industry">Read the full article here.</a>



Canada&#8217;s Retaliatory Tariffs Draw Criticism



Canada&#8217;s introduction of retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. has drawn criticism from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The move comes in response to the Trump administration&#8217;s recent trade measures targeting Canadian exports. Lutnick expressed dissatisfaction with Canada&#8217;s approach in an interview ahead of a meeting with Canadian officials.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44344906/canadas-retaliatory-tariffs-against-us-draw-commerce-secretary-howard-lutnicks-ire-who-thinks-they-are-tone-deaf-the-british-didnt-respond-the-m">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump Optimistic About Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire



President Donald Trump expressed optimism that Russia and Ukraine could soon reach a ceasefire agreement. However, concerns remain on both sides about the proposed ceasefire.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/03/44333033/trump-boasts-very-good-chance-of-russia-ukraine-ceasefire-but-zelenskyy-says-putin-broke-deals-25-times-before">Read the full article here.</a>



Schumer Warns of Government Shutdown Impact



Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer expressed concerns about a potential government shutdown. He warned that such an event could significantly empower Donald Trump and suggested that Elon Musk supports a shutdown to dismantle essential government programs.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44320221/chuck-schumer-says-a-government-shutdown-will-give-trump-the-keys-to-the-city-state-and-country-and-elon-musk-the-chance-to-destroy-government-services">Read the full article here.</a>



AOC Responds to Shutdown Debate



Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) responded to House Speaker Mike Johnson&#8217;s claim that Democrats were responsible for the looming government shutdown. She countered by emphasizing that Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House and stated that if Republicans need Democrats, they need to negotiate with Democrats.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44293219/aoc-claps-back-at-mike-johnson-as-senate-moves-closer-to-government-shutdown-if-you-need-democrats-then-you-need-to-negotiate">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44345022/ray-dalio-has-a-chilling-warning-for-president-trump-debt-crisis-is-imminent-and-an-issue-of-paramount-importance">Ray Dalio Has A Chilling Warning For President Trump: Debt Crisis Is Imminent, And An Issue Of &#8216;Paramount Importance&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



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

Politics

Elon Musk's Tariff Concerns For Tesla And Space, Trade Tensions, And Government Shutdown Threats: This Week In Politics

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.



This week, U.S. stock markets tumbled into correction territory, with the S&amp;P 500 dropping over 10% from February highs. Investor fears surged over President Donald Trump's tariff hikes on Canadian steel and aluminum, fueling recession concerns and a potential global slowdown.



Consumer confidence plummeted, with the University of Michigan's index falling 11% to 57.9, its lowest since 2022. Trade tensions, government layoffs, and immigration restrictions stoked worries about reduced spending and a weakening job market.



Despite the turmoil, markets rebounded Friday, with the Dow Jones gaining over 200 points as utilities, tech, and energy stocks rallied. However, consumer staples and financials lagged, underscoring persistent economic uncertainty.



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



In <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/03/44317205/docusign-q4-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-billings-up-11-shares-move-higher-despite-soft-guidance">"DocuSign Q4 Earnings: Revenue Beat, EPS Beat, Billings Up 11%, Shares Move Higher Despite Soft Guidance"</a>, by Adam Eckert, DocuSign Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DOCU#NASDAQ">DOCU</a>) reports a 9% revenue increase to $776.3 million and adjusted earnings per share of 86 cents, surpassing expectations, with billings up 11%, though shares rose despite soft guidance.



In <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44301722/d-wave-quantum-stock-rallies-on-strong-q4-booking-growth-and-optimistic-outlook">"D-Wave Quantum Stock Gains On Strong Q4 Booking Growth, Optimistic Outlook"</a> by Nabaparna Bhattacharya, D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QBTS#NYSE">QBTS</a>) reports a 502% year-over-year increase in Q4 bookings to $18.3 million and anticipates Q1 2025 revenue to exceed $10 million, driven by the sale of an Advantage quantum computer.



In <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44323837/radius-recycling-lands-merger-deal-at-115-premium-shares-skyrocket">"Radius Recycling Lands Merger Deal At 115% Premium, Stock Skyrockets"</a> by Lekha Gupta, Radius Recycling Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RDUS#NASDAQ">RDUS</a>) agrees to a $1.34 billion acquisition by Toyota Tsusho America, offering $30 per share—a 115% premium—causing Radius shares to surge 109% premarket.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/25/03/44313558/nvidia-stock-reached-all-time-highs-after-jensen-huangs-ces-keynote-will-next-weeks-gtc-spark-another-surge">Nvidia Stock Reached All-Time Highs After Jensen Huang's CES Keynote — Will Next Week's GTC Spark Another Surge?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/03/44302205/why-intel-stock-is-surging-thursday">Why Intel Stock Is Surging Thursday</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44317256/bitcoin-to-hit-250k-by-end-of-2025-tim-draper-predicts-will-be-the-dominant-currency-of-the-world">Bitcoin To Hit $250K By End Of 2025 Tim Draper Predicts: ‘Will Be The Dominant Currency Of The World'</a>



The Bears



In <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/03/44237691/magnificent-7-sheds-over-750-billion-in-market-cap-in-one-day-is-big-techs-honeymoon-over">"Magnificent 7 Sheds Over $750 Billion In Market Cap In One Day: Is Big Tech's Honeymoon Over?"</a> by Hayden Buckfire, the Magnificent Seven tech companies, including Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), collectively lost approximately $780 billion in market capitalization on Monday, driven by investor concerns over a potential recession and President Donald Trump's proposed tariff plans.



In <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/03/44286296/trump-media-technology-stock-drops-50-since-inauguration-day">"Trump Media &amp; Technology Stock Drops 50% Since Inauguration Day"</a> by Erica Kollmann, Trump Media &amp; Technology Group Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>) shares have fallen 50% since President Donald Trump's inauguration, closing at $19.50, amid market volatility and policy uncertainties.



In <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44274151/palantirs-stock-takes-a-hit-but-will-aipcon-defense-deals-be-the-comeback-catalyst">"Palantir's Stock Takes A Hit: Will AIPCon And Defense Deals Be The Comeback Catalyst?"</a> by Surbhi Jain, Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) shares have declined 33.51% over the past month, trading below key moving averages, as investors await potential catalysts from the upcoming AIPCon and recent defense contracts.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/03/44307671/is-high-flying-ionq-stock-a-disaster-in-the-making-shares-slide-as-short-seller-raises-red-flags">Is High-Flying IonQ Stock A ‘Disaster In The Making'? Shares Slide As Short Seller Raises Red Flags</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/03/44256996/terawulf-stock-tanks-death-cross-spells-trouble-for-bitcoin-miner">TeraWulf Stock Tanks: Death Cross Spells Trouble For Bitcoin Miner</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44229052/oracle-stock-stumbles-into-q3-earnings-will-buyers-step-in-as-it-nears-oversold-territory">Oracle Stock Stumbles Into Q3 Earnings: Will Buyers Step In As It Nears Oversold Territory</a>



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



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Markets

DOCU

PLTR

RDUS

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: DocuSign, Magnificent 7, Palantir — And Tariffs Keep Roiling Markets

These ten large-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?



<ol>
<li>Rubrik Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RBRK#NYSE">RBRK</a>) shares jumped 23.17% after it reported upbeat fourth-quarter results, and several analysts revised the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44334469" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>



<li>Applovin Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>) stock upped 17.21%, probably because the tech sector rebounded from weakness earlier this week.</li>



<li>Summit Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMMT#NASDAQ">SMMT</a>) shares jumped 16.93% after Evercore ISI Group initiated coverage on the stock with an Outperform rating and<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/smmt/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> announced a price forecast of $30</a>.</li>



<li>Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) stock jumped 16.52% after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44302205" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">company announced a new CEO</a>.</li>



<li>Venture Global (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VG#NYSE">VG</a>) stock rose 16.03% after Form 4 filings showed multiple insider stock purchases.</li>



<li>GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEV#NYSE">GEV</a>) shares rose 14.01% after the company announced it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PyroGenesis Inc. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PYRGF#OTC">PYRGF</a>) for technologies to replace fossil <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44253227" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fuels with electric plasma</a>.</li>



<li>Samsara Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IOT#NYSE">IOT</a>) shares were up 11.96%</li>



<li>Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AR#NYSE">AR</a>) shares increased 11.68%, probably due to rising oil prices supported by a weaker dollar.</li>



<li>Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) stock gained 10.28% last week after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44274133" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">it unveiled new</a> Intel Xeon 6-Powered servers for enhanced AI with 40% more memory and 144 CPU cores.</li>



<li>ConocoPhillips (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COP#NYSE">COP</a>) shares increased 9.18% amid strength in oil and natural gas prices.</li>
</ol>



Image via Shutterstock

INTC

PYRGF

SMCI

SMMT

Applovin, Super Micro Computer And Intel Among Top 10 Large-Cap Gainers Last Week (Mar 10-Mar 14): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

In the aftermath of US airstrikes in Yemen, which led to a minimum of 31 fatalities, the Houthi rebel group has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41196317/trump-urges-israel-to-target-iran-nuke-sites-hit-nuclear-first-and-worry-about-the-rest-later">issued a warning of retaliation.</a>



What Happened: A series of airstrikes were launched by the US in Yemen on Saturday. This resulted in the death of at least 31 individuals and left 101 others injured, as per the Houthi health ministry. The Houthi group has promised to react with &#8220;more escalation.&#8221;



President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered the airstrikes on regions in Yemen under Houthi control. He pledged to use "overwhelming lethal force" until the rebel group stopped attacks on shipping along a crucial maritime corridor.



As per the report <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/houthis-vow-retaliate-us-strikes-death-toll-rcna196605">by </a>NBC News, the Houthis, who are backed by Iran and have seized a part of Yemen including its capital, Sanaa, started launching missiles and drones as a response to the war in Gaza. The group reported explosions in Sanaa and Saada, a Houthi stronghold near the Saudi border, with additional airstrikes early Sunday.



Nasr el-Din Amer, the Houthi spokesperson, revealed that the majority of the casualties from the airstrikes were women and children. The Houthis have committed to continuing their operations "until the blockade on Gaza is lifted."



Trump also issued a warning to Iran to stop supporting the rebel group, holding the country "fully accountable" for the actions of its proxy Houthi group. Iran provides the Houthis with financial support, training, and equipment.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41703497/iran-flexes-nuclear-muscle-threatens-us-with-tooth-breaking-retaliation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iran Flexes Nuclear Muscle, Threatens US With ‘Tooth-Breaking' Retaliation</a>



In a Truth Social post, Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114167864888304754">wrote</a>, &#8216;To Iran: Support for the Houthi terrorists must end IMMEDIATELY! Do NOT threaten the American People, their President, who has received one of the largest mandates in Presidential History, or Worldwide shipping lanes. If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable and, we won't be nice about it!&#8217;



Hossein Salami, the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, declared that Iran would "respond decisively and destructively" to any enemy threats. However, he also distanced Iran from the Houthis, emphasizing that the group makes their strategic decisions independently.



Why It Matters: The escalating tensions and threats of retaliation from the Houthi group highlight the volatile situation in Yemen. The US airstrikes and the subsequent response from the Houthis have intensified the conflict in the region. 



This development could potentially impact the geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, with the involvement of Iran adding another layer of complexity. 



The US&#8217;s stance against Iran&#8217;s support for the Houthis also underscores the strained relations between the two nations.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/03/44211072/iran-dismisses-trumps-nuclear-negotiation-proposal-accuses-us-of-coercion">Iran Dismisses Trump&#8217;s Nuclear Negotiation Proposal, Accuses US of Coercion</a>

Global

Houthi Retaliation Threats Follow US Airstrikes In Yemen, Trump Warns Iran To 'BEWARE'

A small business owner recently took to Reddit to vent about an employee who couldn't understand why his hours were being cut. The reason was indeed &#8220;because of the tariffs,&#8221; but the employee was baffled.



&#8220;He asked, condescendingly, why Canada and China having to pay us an extra tax would slow down sales on the consumer end,&#8221; the business owner wrote. &#8220;Said it shouldn't make a difference on packaging.&#8221;



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The <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/smallbusiness/comments/1j9c3an/does_anybody_else_have_that_employee_or_those/">post</a> titled, &#8220;Does anybody else have that employee, or those employees, who just can't grasp the impact of the tariffs?&#8221; shared on r/smallbusiness, quickly gained traction, sparking a heated discussion about tariffs, economic literacy, and the real-world consequences of policy decisions. Many commenters expressed frustration over how common it is for people to misunderstand tariffs and taxes in general.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who Really Pays the Price?</h2>



For years, some politicians have claimed that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42383874/expert-slams-trumps-tariff-policies-as-completely-and-utterly-wrong-but-says-we-dont-think-they-are-going-to-do-anything">tariffs are a tax on foreign countries</a>. But business owners and economists alike know that's not how it works. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44070257/warren-buffett-calls-tariffs-an-act-of-war-warns-they-function-as-a-tax-on-goods-amid-market-turmoil">Tariffs are a tax on imports</a>, which means U.S. businesses pay more for the goods they bring in. Those higher costs then get passed on to consumers or result in businesses cutting expenses—like labor.



&#8220;I had just placed a few orders at increased pricing, so I gave him the most top-to-bottom explanation I could,&#8221; the Reddit poster continued. &#8220;He was shocked that tariffs were just an extra tax on us and that the U.S. doesn't just have the capability to produce EVERYTHING.&#8221;



That realization hit hard. &#8220;At the end, he said that's not what he thought when he voted for them.&#8221;



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Broader Issue</h2>



The post resonated with many small business owners who have struggled to explain basic economic concepts to employees, customers, and even fellow business owners.



&#8220;The amount of time I have spent explaining how <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/01/42757069/i-dont-care-what-tax-bracket-youre-in-suze-orman-insists-youd-be-crazy-to-have-anything-other-than-a-roth-retirement-account">tax brackets</a> work to people and their inability to grasp the concept is astonishing,&#8221; one commenter wrote.



Another chimed in: &#8220;Most people don't even understand their own income taxes. Corporate taxes and international business are way outside of their comfort zone.&#8221;



Others pointed out that financial education in schools is lacking, leaving many Americans ill-equipped to understand economic policies that affect them.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Real-World Consequences</h2>



Tariffs aren't just abstract political debates—they have tangible effects on businesses and workers. Several small business owners in the thread shared how tariffs have disrupted their supply chains, raised costs, and led to layoffs.



One business owner in the solar industry said <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44269301/trumps-25-tariffs-on-steel-and-aluminum-imports-take-effect-eu-retaliates-us-steel-nucor-century-aluminum-and-other-domestic-stocks-cheer">tariffs on aluminum and steel</a> have made <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/partner/tech/25/02/43943892/from-tariffs-to-funding-freezes-solar-installs-are-getting-pricier-save-up-to-4000-with-monalee-befo">solar panel installations significantly more expensive</a>. &#8220;The average residential system now costs an extra $2,000,&#8221; they wrote. &#8220;Tried to explain it to [my manager], and he argued that customers shouldn't be paying the price for tariffs. Don't really have much of a choice when our material prices go up 20%+.&#8221;



Another commenter shared that their company had to lay off nearly half its staff due to declining sales and uncertainty caused by tariffs. &#8220;Our domestic sales have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43949339/consumer-confidence-plummets-in-february-sharp-decline-marks-third-consecutive-monthly-drop">fallen off a cliff</a> since the third quarter. At least 65% month to month. International sales are far worse.&#8221;



See Also: Hasbro, MGM Resorts, and Sketchers Use this Pre-IO AI Marketing Firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">and You Can Own a Piece of it From $0.55/Share</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Misinformation and Frustration</h2>



A recurring theme in the discussion was frustration over how tariffs are portrayed in politics and the media. Many commenters blamed politicians for spreading misinformation about who actually pays tariffs.



&#8220;The number of people who couldn't even be bothered to Google ‘How do tariffs work?' in the fall is astounding,&#8221; one user commented.



Another pointed out that even high-ranking officials seem confused about tariffs. &#8220;My own congresswoman does not understand how tariffs work, which is ridiculous.&#8221;



Some argued that the confusion isn't accidental. &#8220;Almost all the politicians understand. They just know it's better for them to play dumb,&#8221; one commenter suggested.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Lesson in Economics</h2>



For the small business owner who started the discussion, the experience has been eye-opening—but also exhausting. &#8220;I'm sick of explaining tariffs and wish that people were better at doing their own research,&#8221; he admitted.



Read Next:



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<li>This Startup Is On The Brink Of A Huge Disruption To The $654 Billion Industry – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/venhub-adv">Invest In It Before It Fulfills 800 Pre-Orders</a></li>
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'Wait, Tariffs Are Just A Tax On Us?'—Employee Shocked As Small Business Owner Cuts His Hours 'Because Of The Tariffs'

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44242181/elon-musk-admits-juggling-between-tesla-doge-is-difficult-says-running-businesses-with-great-difficulty-as-tsla-stock-plunges-50-in-3-months">Elon Musk</a> has no patience for nonsense. If you're not saying something valuable, he'll simply leave—mid-conversation, no apologies. That's according to "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary, who recently shared his blunt take on Musk's relentless focus.



In a <a href="https://x.com/kevinolearytv/status/1898025859279417623">post on X last week</a>, O'Leary compared Musk to another legendary figure: Steve Jobs. Both, he said, operate on a different wavelength—one where distractions are cut ruthlessly, and efficiency is king.



O'Leary broke it down like this: "Signal" is the time spent advancing your goals. "Noise" is everything else—distractions, useless meetings, pointless small talk. Waste too much time on the latter, and you lose. Simple as that.



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According to O'Leary, both tech visionaries Jobs and Musk mastered this balance.&nbsp;



It's not personal. It's about efficiency.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">‘We Don't Do Market Research at Apple'</h2>



O'Leary, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/04/38319759/kevin-oleary-says-working-for-steve-jobs-was-brutal-he-was-not-a-nice-guy-but-oleary-still-admires-h">who worked with Jobs at Apple</a>, shared a story to illustrate this mindset. Every quarter, he and other executives would meet at Apple's headquarters. Jobs, he said, was brutally focused.



"Steve was not a nice guy," O'Leary recalled. During one meeting, a product manager working on "Oregon Trail" suggested spending $2 million on market research to determine which product features would be best. Jobs shut her down instantly.



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



"We don't do market research at Apple," Jobs told her. "Nobody knows what they want until I tell them what they want. Then they buy it because I said so."



The woman left the meeting in tears. O'Leary was stunned.



"I told him, ‘Steve, you're an a&#x2A;&#x2A;hole.'"



Jobs didn't care. Instead, he fired back: "Are you making a boatload of money? Are we growing share faster than anybody else? Shut up and go to work."



O'Leary called Jobs "85% signal, 15% noise"—meaning he still let some distractions slip through. But the results? Unmatched.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Musk Is ‘100% Signal'—And Doesn't Care What You Think</h2>



Then there's Musk. O'Leary says he's never met <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/01/43335267/some-employees-survive-but-a-whole-lot-dont-says-elon-musks-biographer-about-his-demon-mode-in-which-hes-coldly-brutal-to-people">anyone more laser-focused</a>.



"One other guy that is 100% signal, and I've never met anybody like him, is Elon Musk. No noise. 100% signal," he said.



Musk doesn't just cut out distractions—he eliminates them entirely. "Walks away from you if you're boring him in a conversation," O'Leary said. "Doesn't give a sh&#x2A;t."



That kind of mindset might come off as arrogant, but O'Leary sees it differently: It's what makes Musk and Jobs exceptional.



Both built <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44267293/kevin-o-leary-says-hed-have-turned-down-investing-in-tesla-if-elon-musk-pitched-the-company-on-shark-tank-i-would-say-youre-crazy">world-changing companies</a> by ignoring distractions, cutting through the noise, and making decisions with absolute confidence. And in Musk's case, if you can't keep up? He's already moved on.



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Personal Finance

Kevin O' Leary Says Elon Musk Will Walk Away Mid Conversation If He Gets Bored, He 'Doesn't Give A Sh*t'—'I've Never Met Anybody Like Him'

Elon Musk shared a throwback on X, recalling a 2009 lunch where legendary investor Charlie Munger told a table full of people that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/02/43531005/elon-musk-recalls-a-lunch-where-charlie-munger-listed-all-the-reasons-tesla-would-fail-made-me-quite-sad-but-i-told-him-i-agreed">Tesla was destined to fail</a>. Musk, always blunt about Tesla's early struggles, admitted at the time that the odds were stacked against the company.&nbsp;



But despite Munger's doubts, Musk pushed forward. Years later, even Munger had to admit that Tesla's success was nothing short of a "minor miracle."



Yet, for all his skepticism about Tesla, Munger wasn't against all electric vehicles. In fact, he was one of the biggest advocates for BYD, a Chinese EV and battery manufacturer that Berkshire Hathaway backed. Munger raved about BYD's achievements, calling it his "best investment" shortly before his death in 2023.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Genius Who Overestimates Himself</h2>



Munger's views on Musk were always a mix of admiration and caution. At the 2014 Daily Journal shareholders meeting, he acknowledged Musk's intelligence but also pointed out his tendency to push the limits of reality.



"He's a genius, and I don't use that word lightly," Munger said. "He's also one of the boldest men who ever came down the pike. So put me down as saying I've always been afraid of the guy whose IQ is 190 and he thinks it's 250." He elaborated,&nbsp; "I like to think there's a little of that risk with Elon. He is a certified genius."



By 2020, Munger hadn't changed his stance much. At the Daily Journal shareholders meeting that year, he made it clear that while he wouldn't bet against Musk, he wasn't buying Tesla stock either. "My thoughts are two," Munger said. "I would never buy [Tesla], and I would never sell it short."



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Then came his now-famous warning: "Never underestimate the man who overestimates himself."



Munger acknowledged that Musk's confidence bordered on delusion—but sometimes, those delusional thinkers change the world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Munger Loved BYD but Snubbed Tesla</h2>



If Munger was so skeptical of Tesla, why was he all-in on BYD? In short, he saw BYD as a company with strong fundamentals, disciplined leadership, and a clear business strategy.&nbsp;



At the <a href="https://buffett.cnbc.com/video/2009/05/02/afternoon-session---2009-berkshire-hathaway-annual-meeting.html">2009 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting</a>—the same year as his notorious lunch with Musk—Munger marveled at BYD's rapid ascent, labeling it "unbelievable."



"They went into the automobile business with zero experience, very little capital, and they still created the best-selling model in China. This is not normal. This is a damn miracle," he said.



Munger saw BYD as a disciplined company that methodically built itself up, while Tesla, in his eyes, was fueled by Musk's relentless overconfidence.



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Legacy of Munger's Tesla Criticism</h2>



Tesla has had its ups and downs since that 2009 lunch. It defied the odds to become a global powerhouse, but in 2025, it's facing a sharp decline. Tesla's stock has dropped nearly 50% since mid-December, with analysts pointing to a mix of factors, including Musk's divisive political stances, declining global sales, and increased competition in the EV market. Some investors, like Ross Gerber, believe the company could face further struggles, while others see long-term opportunities in Tesla's robotaxi ambitions and AI-driven projects.



Munger remained consistent in his skepticism of Tesla throughout his life. His stance wasn't necessarily about Tesla's technology—it was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42976301/charlie-munger-said-his-family-only-owns-3-stocks-damn-right-theyre-rich-because-diversification-is-for-know-nothing-investors">about his investment philosophy</a>, which prioritized stable, disciplined companies over high-risk ventures led by larger-than-life personalities.



While <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44266805/trump-turns-white-house-into-tesla-showroom-says-elon-musk-was-treated-very-unfairly-heres-the-car-he-picked-for-himself">Tesla's future</a> remains uncertain, Munger's perspective on Musk—a genius who overestimates himself—continues to be a defining lens through which many view the billionaire today.



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Charlie Munger Called Elon Musk a 'Certified Genius' Who Exaggerates His IQ—But Warned: 'Never Underestimate the Man Who Overestimates Himself'

Mark Cuban wants to hire former U.S. Digital Service employees for his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/03/44211144/mark-cuban-reveals-the-thing-he-respects-most-about-elon-musk-what-hes-been-able-to-accomplish-is-insane-its-incredible">upcoming business venture</a>.



What Happened: Cuban is currently reviewing business proposals&nbsp;from former and current employees&nbsp;of&nbsp;the General Services Administration (GSA)&nbsp;and the White House. 



The goal is to back potential companies and help their workforce leverage the skills they gained while serving as federal government contractors, <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/12/mark-cuban-doge-technology-services-00227218">reports</a> Politico.



The new venture by Cuban aims to hire ex-members of the U.S. Digital Service, a federal agency&#8217;s internal IT consulting group, which was renamed as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by an executive order from President Donald Trump and placed under the control of Elon Musk. On February, 21 Digital Service employees chose to resign instead of aiding DOGE in cutting down federal expenditures, including through widespread layoffs.



"I think it's possible to out-Elon Elon, because the people he will bring in don't know what they don't know," Cuban told the outlet.



"A couple have a real chance to turn into small companies that can leverage their expertise," Cuban added, referring to some of the workers.



Cuban also intends to bring on board former employees of the 18F unit within the GSA, a unit tasked with updating and creating crucial tech services for the government. This unit was disbanded on March 1.



Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43245984/cuban-on-musk-i-have-no-problem-throwing-elon-under-the-bus-but-ill-save-it-for-when-its-truly-deser" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cuban on Musk: ‘I Have No Problem Throwing Elon Under the Bus, but I'll Save It for When It's Truly Deserved'</a>



Despite the financial hurdles previously encountered by 18F, Cuban is confident that his new firm will need to generate income from the private sector, along with federal funding. Until a more supportive federal government is established, the company may&nbsp;have to rely on state&nbsp;and local contracts, as suggested by a former 18F employee.



Thomas Shedd, a former Tesla engineer now leading Technology Transformation Services, told staff that 18F "was not and has not been fully cost coverable."



"Despite the losses the team was incurring, 18F with their recent hourly prices were on the very high end of the technology consulting market," Shedd said.



Why It Matters: Cuban&#8217;s move to hire former Tesla and government employees underlines the value of their unique skill sets, honed in both private and public sectors. 



This venture could potentially bridge the gap between government and private sector technology initiatives, fostering innovation and efficiency. 



The focus on generating private sector revenue also indicates a strategic approach to maintaining financial stability, even amidst changing government policies.



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Mark Cuban Wants to 'Out-Elon' Musk by Hiring US Digital Service Veterans

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