Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ: QQQ)

Últimas noticias sobre Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:QQQ)

Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1

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The Trust holds the Portfolio and cash and is not actively managed by traditional methods, which typically involve effecting changes in the Portfolio on the basis of judgments made relating to economic, financial and market considerations. To maintain the correspondence between the composition and weights of the securities in the Trust and the stocks in the Nasdaq-100 Index, the Trustee adjusts the Securities from time to time to conform to periodic changes in the identity and/or relative weights of Index Securities. The composition and weighting of the securities portion of a Portfolio Deposit are also adjusted to conform to changes in the Index. Changes to the Index are made after the close of the market

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Sin las Siete Magníficas, el S&amp;P 500 apenas ha avanzado en 10 años. El peso de estas acciones sigue distorsionando el mercado.

El S&amp;P 500 sin las Siete Magníficas apenas ha crecido en 10 años, según Goldman Sachs

powell trump fed shutter

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Trump exige fuertes recortes de tasas a la Fed y critica a Powell, mientras evita confirmar posibles ataques contra Irán.

Trump presiona a la Fed por recortes de tasas y lanza advertencia críptica sobre Irán

S&P 500

El S&amp;P 500 ante el conflicto entre Israel e Irán, pero el análisis de 25 guerras sugiere rebote a largo plazo.

El S&amp;P 500 cae por tensión Israel-Irán: ¿oportunidad de compra según expertos?

Poseidon Network

ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF

Direxion Daily Magnificent 7 Bear 1X Shares

Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares

QUIZAM MEDIA CORP by Quizam Media Corporation

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Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF

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Invesco NASDAQ Next Gen 100 ETF

Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF

Victory Portfolios II VictoryShares Nasdaq Next 50 ETF

Tradr 2X Long Innovation 100 Quarterly ETF

Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF

Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF

Direxion Daily Magnificent 7 Bull 2X Shares

Investment Managers Series Trust II TRADR 2X LONG TRIPLE Q WEEKLY ETF

Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund - Closed End Fund

Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller may have just handed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">ETF investors </a>a mid-summer plot twist. 
In a Friday interview with CNBC, Waller said the U.S. central bank could start cutting interest rates as early as July, a stark pivot after six straight months of holding the line.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is set to meet on July 29–30, and while a rate cut is far from guaranteed, Waller's comments have given markets, and particularly rate-sensitive ETFs, fresh fuel for speculation.
"We could do this as early as July," said Waller, who noted that inflation and GDP are now hovering near the Fed's long-run targets. He also estimated that the current benchmark rate is about 1.25 to 1.5 percentage points above the "neutral" level.
That's Fed-speak for: we might have over-tightened, and it could be time to ease up.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/06/46029255/alliancebernsteins-emop-etf-targets-growth-in-emerging-markets">AllianceBernstein&#8217;s EMOP ETF Targets Growth In Emerging Markets</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ETF Sectors That Could Rally On Rate Cuts</h2>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Real Estate ETF: REITs, which are highly sensitive to interest rate changes due to their dependence on financing, have underperformed in the higher-rate environment. A dovish pivot could breathe life into real estate ETFs like Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VNQ#NYSE">VNQ</a>) and iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IYR#NYSE">IYR</a>) as rate cut expectations build.</li>
</ul>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Utilities ETFs: Often seen as bond proxies because of their stable dividends, utility stocks tend to outperform when rates fall. If the Fed starts easing, utilities ETFs like Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLU#NYSE">XLU</a>) could attract income-hungry investors looking to lock in relatively higher yields.</li>
</ul>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Tech and Growth ETFs: Lower interest rates boost the net present value of future earnings — a key tailwind for growth-heavy ETFs. High-duration tech plays, many of which are concentrated in funds like Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) and ARK Innovation ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#BATS">ARKK</a>), could benefit as the cost of capital falls and investor risk appetite grows.</li>
</ul>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Bond ETFs: Treasury ETFs with longer durations could rally on falling yields, particularly if the Fed signals a steady easing cycle. The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) has already seen slight upward price action in anticipation of policy shifts, and Waller's remarks could intensify that trend.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">But Wait, The Fed's Still Divided</h2>
Despite <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/45714800/feds-christopher-waller-signals-caution-on-rate-cut-amid-tariff-driven-inflation-risks">Waller's optimism</a>, not everyone at the Fed is reaching for the rate-cut button. At the most recent policy meeting, seven Fed officials indicated they expect no cuts this year, according to Bloomberg. Others are sticking to the expectation of two cuts before year-end, a classic case of monetary policy déjà vu.
Then there's the geopolitical wildcard: Waller cautioned that any rate easing would come with caveats, especially if shocks, like Middle East escalations, reignite inflation.
That means inflation hedge ETFs like the iShares TIPS Bond ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TIP#NYSE">TIP</a>) or broad commodity funds like Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DBC#NYSE">DBC</a>) may still be worth holding in a diversified strategy.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Trump Factor: A Political Sideshow?</h2>
President Donald Trump, who remains a vocal critic of the Fed, has been hammering the central bank to cut rates, suggesting it would help reduce ballooning interest costs on the government's debt. The Treasury has already shelled out $776 billion in interest payments over the past eight months, more than what the U.S. spent on defense.
But Waller didn't mince words: the Fed doesn't exist to make the government&#8217;s debt cheaper.
"Our mandate from Congress tells us to worry about unemployment and price stability," Waller said. "It does not tell us to provide cheap financing to the US government."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bottom Line</h2>
Waller's comments suggest that the Fed is growing increasingly comfortable with the idea of normalizing rates, or at least dipping a toe into the water. For ETF investors, that opens the door to rebalancing toward sectors poised to benefit from falling rates, even as the inflation story continues to lurk in the background.
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46017496/israel-iran-conflict-lifts-crude-above-77-what-it-means-for-oil-etfs">Israel-Iran Conflict Lifts Crude Above $77: What It Means For Oil ETFs</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

REIT

Specialty ETFs

ARKK

PowerShares DBmmodity Index Optimum Yield Diversified Fund

iShares Trust Dow Jones US Real Estate Fund Index

iShares Trust Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund

Fed Rate Cuts To Come 'As Early As July'? Dovish Turn Sparks ETF Rebound Hopes

Large Cap

Economics

Markets

$BTC

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

S&P 500 Extends Retreat From Highs, Bitcoin Falls Below $103,000: What's Driving Markets Friday?

As Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) prepares to launch its highly anticipated robotaxi service in Austin on Sunday, June 22, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives has predicted a transformative future for the company, pegging its artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous driving technology at a staggering $1 trillion valuation.
What Happened: In a post on X, Ives hailed the upcoming rollout as the start of a &#8220;golden era of autonomous&#8221; for Tesla, underscoring Elon Musk's vision to pivot the company toward driverless vehicles and AI innovation.
Ives' bullish forecast comes as Tesla gears up to debut its robotaxi service, a milestone first hinted at by Musk in January. The launch follows reports of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system logging over <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38120491/elon-musk-reacts-as-tesla-celebrates-1b-miles-driven-with-fsd-software-wont-be-long-before-10b-miles">1 billion miles</a> of supervised autonomy data by 2024, fueling optimism among investors. 
However, the move has sparked contention. On June 18, a group of Democratic <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46010756/texas-lawmakers-urge-elon-musks-tesla-to-delay-june-22-robotaxi-launch-till-september-report">Texas lawmakers urged Tesla</a> to delay the launch until September, when a new autonomous-driving law takes effect, citing safety concerns over the technology's readiness. 
Despite the lawmakers' request, Ives remains undeterred, suggesting the AI-driven future could significantly boost Tesla's market value in the coming years.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The golden era of autonomous for Tesla officially kicks off on Sunday in Austin. We view this autonomous chapter as one of the most important for Musk and Tesla&#8230;as we believe the AI future at Tesla is worth $1 trillion to the valuation alone over the next few years. &#x1f525;&#x1f3c6;&#x1f402;&#x1f3af;&#x1f37f;
&mdash; Dan Ives (@DivesTech) <a href="https://twitter.com/DivesTech/status/1936003899879833828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46016347/this-stock-just-popped-30-in-5-days-now-expert-says-it-looks-potentially-explosive" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This Stock Just Popped 30% In 5 Days — Now Expert Says It ‘Looks Potentially Explosive&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Robotaxis are steadily growing in the U.S., as Alphabet Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) Waymo announced it will be further expanding its presence in California.
TSLA shares were 1.79% higher in premarket on Friday. The stock was down 15.09% year-to-date, but it has returned 77.37% over the year.
About 27 analysts tracked by Benzinga, covering TSLA, have a consensus target price of $309.76 apiece, with a ‘hold&#8217; rating.
The targets range from $19.05 to $500, and the recent ratings by Piper Sandler, Morgan Stanley, and Baird imply a 15.01% upside for the stock.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSLA/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="385" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20074722/ANR-Tesla-new-fresh-1-1024x385.png" alt="" class="wp-image-955946" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20074722/ANR-Tesla-new-fresh-1-1024x385.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20074722/ANR-Tesla-new-fresh-1-300x113.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20074722/ANR-Tesla-new-fresh-1-768x288.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20074722/ANR-Tesla-new-fresh-1.png 1161w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows that Tesla had a stronger price trend over the short, medium, and long term. Its momentum ranking was solid; however, its value ranking was poor at the 9.62th percentile. The details of other metrics are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-4/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-4/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="160" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20074658/TESLA-EDGE-NEW-FRESH-1024x160.png" alt="" class="wp-image-955945" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20074658/TESLA-EDGE-NEW-FRESH-1024x160.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20074658/TESLA-EDGE-NEW-FRESH-300x47.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20074658/TESLA-EDGE-NEW-FRESH-768x120.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20074658/TESLA-EDGE-NEW-FRESH.png 1156w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, were mixed in premarket on Friday. The SPY was down 0.29% at $595.68, while the QQQ rose 0.19% to $529.16, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46021366/mark-cuban-corrects-elizabeth-warren-as-she-slams-jnj-pfe-for-higher-prices-and-zero-taxes-on-bi">Mark Cuban Corrects Elizabeth Warren As She Slams JNJ, PFE For Higher Prices And Zero Taxes On Big Pharma: &#8216;PBMs Corrupt Healthcare&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Tech

GOOGL

Tesla's AI Future Is Worth $1 Trillion, Says Dan Ives: 'Golden Era Of Autonomous' Begins With Robotaxi Launch

The S&amp;P 500 index growth sans the Magnificent 7 stocks is almost negligible over the last 10 years, as the market capitalization of these stocks dominates the index.
What Happened: According to a Goldman Sachs graph shared by the Markets &amp; Mayhem, the Magnificent 7 stocks have driven the S&amp;P 500 growth since 2014, with their index rising from 500 to over 3500.
While the remaining 493 stocks stagnated near 500, reflecting a 2024 study by Goldman Sachs showing the stocks accounted for over 30% of the S&amp;P 500&#8217;s <a href="https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/is-the-sp-too-concentrated">market cap</a>. 
This concentration aligns with the Pareto principle, where 20% of assets drive 80% of returns, supported by a 2018 ScienceDirect <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378437105001950">study</a> on stock market indices that found power-law distributions in extreme variations, suggesting the Magnificent 7&#8217;s dominance is a natural outcome of market-cap weighting rather than an anomaly. Thus, according to this graph, if an investor invested in the S&amp;P 500, excluding the Magnificent 7 stocks, they&#8217;d have virtually negligible returns. 
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Wow. If you net out the Mag 7 from the S&amp;P 500, the remaining 493 stocks have barely gone anywhere in over a decade (comparatively speaking). Chart: Goldman Sachs <a href="https://t.co/0q8kYpA3St">https://t.co/0q8kYpA3St</a> <a href="https://t.co/RE2RDL8ZcP">pic.twitter.com/RE2RDL8ZcP</a>
&mdash; Markets &amp; Mayhem (@Mayhem4Markets) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mayhem4Markets/status/1931060432821010860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Filip Felician Dames, the founder of a venture capital fund, Cherry Ventures, explained that the research and development, or R&amp;D spending, by Magnificent 7 stocks was a significant determinant of the company&#8217;s &#8220;future earnings power.&#8221;
&#8220;We need more innovation and risk-taking mentality,&#8221; he added.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">R&amp;D spend is a main predictor of future earnings power. Today, Mag7 are investing more in R&amp;D than all listed companies in Europe put together. We need more innovation and risk-taking mentality to narrow the gap. <a href="https://twitter.com/WSJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WSJ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WSJTech?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WSJTech</a>
&mdash; Filip Dames (@filipdames) <a href="https://twitter.com/filipdames/status/1935673496295657883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Meanwhile, looking at the valuation of these seven firms using the price-to-sales ratio, Amazon.com Inc. was the cheapest at 0.38, while Microsoft Corp. was the most expensive at 0.92.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Among the biggest AI names, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24AMZN&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$AMZN</a> seems to be the cheapest Mag 7, even beating <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24GOOGL&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$GOOGL</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NVDA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$NVDA</a> is priced in pretty decent already IMO. <a href="https://t.co/3dsqPTDVrg">pic.twitter.com/3dsqPTDVrg</a>
&mdash; Ravi (@ravisRealm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ravisRealm/status/1934458417072267758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46013679/dan-ives-says-market-is-massively-underestimating-this-ai-play-urges-investors-to-look-beyong-mag-7">Dan Ives Says Market Is &#8216;Massively Underestimating&#8217; This AI Play, Urges Investors To Look Beyond Mag 7</a>
Why It Matters: Comparatively, the Magnificent 7 stocks haven&#8217;t performed well in 2025. Only Nvidia Corp., Microsoft, and Meta Platforms Inc. beat the -1.33% year-to-date return of the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAGS#BATS">MAGS</a>) and the 1.91% return of the S&amp;P 500 index.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Stocks</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One-Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)</td>
<td>5.18%</td>
<td>11.24%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>)</td>
<td>-19.38%</td>
<td>-6.25%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)</td>
<td>14.73%</td>
<td>7.75%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)</td>
<td>-3.50%</td>
<td>14.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>)</td>
<td>-8.73%</td>
<td>-2.10%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)</td>
<td>16.11%</td>
<td>38.68%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)</td>
<td>-15.09%</td>
<td>77.37%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">More Mag 7 relative strength.. best since Feb 20 <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24MAGS&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$MAGS</a> <a href="https://t.co/0rmrrrp1Qf">pic.twitter.com/0rmrrrp1Qf</a>
&mdash; Mike Zaccardi, CFA, CMT &#x1f356; (@MikeZaccardi) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeZaccardi/status/1934705246451675484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
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According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) was trading above its short and long-term simple dialing moving averages with a relative strength index at 57.35, which was in a neutral zone.
Despite the largely bullish chart, its momentum indicator was reflecting a key bearish crossover signal as its MACD line of 7.1 was below the signal line of 8.3 with a negative histogram value of 1.2.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20032837/SPY-stock-tech-new-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-955591" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20032837/SPY-stock-tech-new-1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20032837/SPY-stock-tech-new-300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20032837/SPY-stock-tech-new-768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20032837/SPY-stock-tech-new-1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20032837/SPY-stock-tech-new.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Price Action: The SPY and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, declined slightly on Wednesday. The SPY was down 0.015% at $597.44, while the QQQ was 0.017% lower at $528.99, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
On Friday, the futures of the S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones, and the Nasdaq 100 indices were trading lower.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
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Photo courtesy: Jack Hong / Shutterstock.com

What If You Invested In S&P 500 Excluding Mag 7? Here's How NVDA, AMZN, AAPL And Others Have Performed In The Last Year

U.S. futures were trading lower on Friday after a day&#8217;s break on Thursday. Futures of major benchmark indices were trading lower.
Investors stayed on edge due to the continuing Iran-Israel conflict and the possibility of U.S. intervention, especially after the White House announced President Donald Trump would decide within <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/25/06/46018884/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-rangebound-as-white-house-says-decision-on-iran-israel-conflict-in-two-weeks-analyst-says-this-is-the-right-combination-for-bullish-btc-momentum-to-retur">two weeks</a>.
Both the NYSE and Nasdaq were closed Thursday for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/06/46010720/are-markets-open-on-juneteenth-this-year-heres-whats-open-and-whats-closed-on-june-19">Juneteenth</a> but will reopen Friday for regular trading. 
The 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.40% and the two-year bond was at 3.94%. The CME Group's FedWatch <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">tool</a>&#8216;s projections show markets pricing a 91.7% likelihood of the Federal Reserve keeping the current interest rates unchanged in its July meeting. 
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Futures</td>
<td>Change (+/-)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>-0.23%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>-0.24%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>-0.23%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>-0.20%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, were slightly lower in premarket on Friday. The SPY was down 0.49% at $594.51, while the QQQ declined 0.22% to $527.84, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Cues From Last Session:
On Wednesday, most S&amp;P 500 sectors ended in the red, with energy, materials, and communication services stocks seeing the largest declines.
Conversely, information technology and utilities shares defied the broader market downturn, closing the session with gains.
U.S. stocks overall finished mixed, after the U.S. Federal Reserve l<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46011863/jerome-powell-blames-trump-tariffs-for-inflation-analyst-claps-back-says-fed-is-overplaying-the-card">eft interest rates unchanged</a> at its recent meeting. 
Guild Holdings Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GHLD#NYSE">GHLD</a>) shares surged over 25% after announcing a definitive agreement for acquisition by a fund managed by Bayview Asset Management.
Economically, U.S. initial jobless claims decreased by 5,000 to 245,000 in the week ending June 14, aligning with estimates. However, U.S. housing starts dropped 9.8% month-over-month to an adjusted annual rate of 1.256 million units in May.
The Dow Jones index ended 44 points or 0.10% lower at 42,171.66, whereas the S&amp;P 500 index fell 0.031% to 5,980.87. Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.13% to 19,546.27, and the small-cap gauge, Russell 2000, gained 0.52% to end at 2,112.96.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Index</td>
<td>Performance (+/-)</td>
<td>Value</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq Composite</td>
<td>0.13%</td>
<td>19,546.27</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>-0.031%</td>
<td>5,980.87</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>-0.10%</td>
<td>42,171.66</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>-0.52%</td>
<td>2,112.96</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Insights From Analysts:
According to the Senior Global Market Strategist at Wells Fargo, Scott Wren, &#8220;volatility creates opportunities,&#8221; especially when the outlook doesn't call for a recession and an accompanying contraction in earnings.
&#8220;When stocks are down because the economy is slowing, buying opportunities often result, particularly for longer-term investors whose goal is building wealth over time. Our view is that the U.S. economy and earnings growth are both going to slow down in coming quarters, but neither the economy nor earnings are going to actually contract.&#8221;
The U.S. usually leads the rest of the world into an economic slowdown or recession and then leads the world back out into a period of growth, he explained, adding that &#8220;We don't think this time will be different. Hard to time, yes, but different, likely not.&#8221;
Wren also suggests investors keep a couple of key points in mind for a summer that could see larger-than-usual market swings.
First, with the S&amp;P 500 Index nearing its year-end target, Wren believes now is the time to trim stock portfolios, not liquidate them. He favors reducing international equity holdings, U.S. small-cap equities, and cyclical equity sectors like Industrials and Materials.
Second, Wren anticipates that once &#8220;summer policy fireworks begin&#8221; and both equity and bond prices retreat, opportunities will emerge to deploy cash into markets and sectors with strong long-term growth prospects. His favorites for these additions include U.S. large- and mid-cap equities, along with large-cap sectors such as Information Technology, Communication Services, Energy, Financials, and Utilities.
Meanwhile, on the Fed&#8217;s Wednesday decision, Jamie Cox, the managing partner at Harris Financial Group, said, "The Fed continues to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46011863/jerome-powell-blames-trump-tariffs-for-inflation-analyst-claps-back-says-fed-is-overplaying-the-card">overplay the inflation story</a> and isn't paying attention to burgeoning demand weakness." &#8211;
Northlight Asset Management CIO, Chris Zaccarelli, on the other hand, explained that the Fed was waiting to see if tariffs increase inflation or the jobs market starts to falter, and whichever part of their dual mandate is impacted first will likely guide whichever direction they take, "although the bias is still toward cutting rates (or at least keeping rates unchanged; not raising rates)."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-trade-futures">How to Trade Futures</a> 
Upcoming Economic Data
Here&#8217;s what investors will keep an eye on Friday:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>June&#8217;s Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey will be out by 8:30 a.m., and May&#8217;s U.S. leading economic indicators will be released by 10:00 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
Stocks In Focus:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Accenture PLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACN#NYSE">ACN</a>) was up 2.16% in premarket on Friday as analysts expect it to report quarterly earnings of $3.32 per share on revenue of $17.30 billion, before the opening bell.</li>
<li>Carmax Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KMX#NYSE">KMX</a>) advanced 2.44% as analysts expect it to report quarterly earnings of $1.16 per share on revenue of $7.47 billion, before the opening bell.</li>
<li>Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DRI#NYSE">DRI</a>) was down 1.68% as analysts expect it to report quarterly earnings of $2.97 per share on revenue of $3.26 billion, before the opening bell.</li>
<li>Kroger Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) gained 1.40% as analysts expect it to report quarterly earnings of $1.46 per share on revenue of $45.19 billion, before the opening bell.</li>
<li>APi Group Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APG#NYSE">APG</a>) jumped 6.15% and United States Steel Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/X#NYSE">X</a>) was 0.24% higher as the former will replace the latter in the S&amp;P MidCap 400 before the opening of trading on Tuesday, June 24.</li>
<li>Galaxy Digital Inc. (TSE: GLXY) surged 8.14% after the digital asset and AI infrastructure company announced a 29 million share offering last month to fund the continued expansion of high-performance computing infrastructure at its Helios data center campus in West Texas.</li>
<li>FuelCell Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCEL#NASDAQ">FCEL</a>) rose 3.29% on news of technical collaboration with NuScale Power to develop an integrated simulator for hydrogen production.</li>
<li>Smith &amp; Wesson Brands Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SWBI#NASDAQ">SWBI</a>) dropped 1342% after reporting the fourth-quarter revenue of $140.8 million, missing analyst estimates of $152.41 million. The company reported adjusted earnings of 20 cents per share in the fourth quarter, missing estimates of 23 cents per share.</li>
<li>Gorilla Technology Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GRRR#NASDAQ">GRRR</a>) jumped 14.41% after reporting first-quarter adjusted earnings of 23 cents, improved from a loss of $1.47 per share in the prior year's quarter.</li>
</ul>
Commodities, Gold, And Global Equity Markets:
Crude oil futures were trading higher in the early New York session by 0.54% to hover around $73.90 per barrel.
Gold Spot US Dollar fell 0.50% to hover around $3,353.57 per ounce. Its last record high stood at $3,500.33 per ounce. The U.S. Dollar Index spot was lower by 0.33% at the 98.5780 level.
Asian markets ended on a mixed note on Friday as Australia's ASX 200 and Japan's Nikkei 225 indices fell. While China&#8217;s CSI 300, South Korea's Kospi, Hong Kong's Hang Seng, and India's S&amp;P BSE Sensex indices advanced. European markets were mostly higher in early trade.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46016347/this-stock-just-popped-30-in-5-days-now-expert-says-it-looks-potentially-explosive">This Stock Just Popped 30% In 5 Days — Now Expert Says It &#8216;Looks Potentially Explosive&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: godongphoto / Shutterstock.com

FCEL

GHLD

GLXY

GRRR

SWBI

US Stocks Likely To Open Lower Amid Iran-Israel Conflict: Accenture, Kroger Stocks In Focus Ahead Of Earnings

A heated debate over the U.S. healthcare system erupted on X, pitting billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban against Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) over the root causes of soaring drug prices.
What Happened: The clash, unfolding as of Friday, has reignited discussions on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and Big Pharma's tax practices, with the Senate poised to address reform amid rising public scrutiny.
Enter Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner and founder of Cost Plus Drugs, who fired back with a pointed correction.
In a post quoting Warren, Cuban argued that PBMs—not Big Pharma—are the true culprits behind inflated drug prices.
&#8220;PBMs corrupt healthcare,&#8221; he wrote, explaining that these intermediaries control formularies and manipulate prices to maximize rebate revenue, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45487788/trumps-drug-price-order-hits-pbms-hardest-cvs-cigna-unh-in-focus-as-experts-highlight-racket-and-pricing-distortion">three major PBMs</a> negotiating over 90% of rebates for commercial insurance plans. 
Warren, in her post, had blamed pharmaceutical giants like Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) for charging Americans the &#8220;highest drug prices in the world&#8221; while paying &#8220;zero dollars in federal taxes.&#8221;
Citing data from her Senate Finance Committee role, Warren highlighted how these companies, alongside AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>), Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>), and Merck &amp; Co Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), have exploited tax loopholes from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to shield billions in profits.
&#8220;Republicans want to make it worse. I&#8217;m fighting back,&#8221; she declared, sharing <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/17/pfizer-merck-jj-others-face-scrutiny-over-tax-loophole-extension.html">a</a> CNBC headline and urging action against what she calls a &#8220;rigged tax system.&#8221; 
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">No. It&#39;s because PBMs corrupt healthcare. Big Pharma wishes they could set their own pricing. They don&#39;t. PBMs control formularies and manipulate prices, in exchange for providing pharma access to patients. It&#39;s how they maximize rebate revenue. In fact, 3 PBMs NEGOTIATE… <a href="https://t.co/GpN4mnzvOM">https://t.co/GpN4mnzvOM</a>
&mdash; Mark Cuban (@mcuban) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1935705831930298562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46013679/dan-ives-says-market-is-massively-underestimating-this-ai-play-urges-investors-to-look-beyong-mag-7">Dan Ives Says Market Is ‘Massively Underestimating' This AI Play, Urges Investors To Look Beyond Mag 7</a>
Why It Matters: Cuban has been a c<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44674382/mark-cuban-says-big-insurance-companies-and-pbms-control-healthcare-costs-everyone-has-to-kiss-their-a-and-accept-the-complications">ritic of the healthcare system</a>, saying that it should be simple. According to him, it&#8217;s become overly complicated by big insurance companies and PBMs.
These groups, he says, act as middlemen, controlling not just the costs but also the accessibility of care.
He blames PBMs for lack of transparency, inflated specialty drug prices, rebate distortion, formulary restrictions, and &#8220;Sh–ing on&#8221; on independent pharmacies.
Some significant firms engaged in the PBM business listed in the U.S. include;
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Stocks</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>)</td>
<td>51.15%</td>
<td>9.57%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cigna Group. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>)</td>
<td>14.54%</td>
<td>-6.95%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>)</td>
<td>-39.11%</td>
<td>-36.60%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Meanwhile, here is how some pharmaceutical sector ETFs have performed;
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Pharma ETFs</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPH#NASDAQ">PPH</a>)</td>
<td>1.69%</td>
<td>-4.48%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>)</td>
<td>-0.49%</td>
<td>-1.85%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PJP#NYSE">PJP</a>)</td>
<td>-3.23%</td>
<td>-1.64%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPH#NYSE">XPH</a>)</td>
<td>-4.06%</td>
<td>2.61%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care Index ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KURE#NYSE">KURE</a>)</td>
<td>20.55%</td>
<td>22.94%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTXH#NASDAQ">FTXH</a>)</td>
<td>-5.44%</td>
<td>-6.27%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical &amp; Medical (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PILL#NYSE">PILL</a>)</td>
<td>-23.49%</td>
<td>-14.63%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, were mixed in premarket on Friday. The SPY was down 0.30% at $595.67, while the QQQ was 0.015% higher at $529.07, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46016347/this-stock-just-popped-30-in-5-days-now-expert-says-it-looks-potentially-explosive">This Stock Just Popped 30% In 5 Days — Now Expert Says It ‘Looks Potentially Explosive'</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Insurance

ABBV

AMGN

FTXH

iShares Dow Jones US Pharmaceuticals Index Fund

KURE

PILL

Merrill Lynch Pharmaceutical HOLDRs Trust

Mark Cuban Corrects Elizabeth Warren As She Slams JNJ, PFE For Higher Prices And Zero Taxes On Big Pharma: 'PBMs Corrupt Healthcare'

Analysts are pointing out that the GENIUS Act, which was passed in the Senate on Tuesday, could increase the competition for the large payment networks like Visa Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>) and Mastercard Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>).
What Happened: The act establishes a regulatory framework for dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies, also known as Stablecoins, in the U.S.
According to Mark Hines, the investment director and founder at Herrick Lake Investments, internet companies like Stripe and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) could quickly adopt stablecoin-based payments and bypass networks like Visa and Mastercard with lower fees.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24V&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$V</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24MA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$MA</a> will face big and growing competition from Internet companies that will use <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stablecoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stablecoin</a> to bypass them and with lower fees. &#x2A;(think <a href="https://twitter.com/stripe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@stripe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24AMZN&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$AMZN</a> and many more).
&mdash; Mark D. Hines (@hinesmarkd) <a href="https://twitter.com/hinesmarkd/status/1935434622256447995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
In an earlier post, Hines added that &#8220;Dear $V and $MA, Stablecoin $COIN is coming for you. You will both grow slower. You may be forced to reduce fees. You&#8217;re both great businesses, but change is coming. Sincerely, Disruption.&#8221;
Donald Trump, in a Truth social post, called for the quick passage of the GENIUS Act. &#8220;The House will hopefully move LIGHNING FAST, and pass a &#8216;clean&#8217; GENIUS Act. Get it to my desk, ASAP &#8212; NO DELAYS, NO ADD ONS.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="933" height="489" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19061507/image-298.png" alt="" class="wp-image-955026" style="width:537px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19061507/image-298.png 933w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19061507/image-298-300x157.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19061507/image-298-768x403.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 933px) 100vw, 933px" /></figure>
Meanwhile, Rebound Capital on <a href="https://substack.com/@reboundcapital/note/c-127282505">Substack</a> had a contrarian view as it said that &#8220;there is still a long way to go before stablecoins start hurting their bottom line.&#8221; 
Tether (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDT</a>) and USD Coin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDC</a>) are common cryptocurrencies that are pegged to the U.S. dollar. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the GENIUS Act might <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45989307/senate-passes-genius-act-coinbases-brian-armstrong-calls-it-big-milestone-scott-bessent-says-passage-could-drive-stablecoins-into-a-3-7-trillion-market">help stablecoins grow</a> into a $3.7 trillion market by the end of the decade. 
Former Bank of England economist Dan Davies warned that stablecoins could pose a &#8220;systemic risk&#8221; to U.S. banks and the dollar. He compared stablecoin issuers to banks that lack the oversight and safeguards of traditional institutions.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46011863/jerome-powell-blames-trump-tariffs-for-inflation-analyst-claps-back-says-fed-is-overplaying-the-card"> Jerome Powell Blames Trump Tariffs For Inflation—Analyst Claps Back, Says Fed Is &#8216;Overplaying&#8217; The Card</a>
Why It Matters: According to the data highlighted by Fiscal.ai (formerly FinChat), Visa, Mastercard, and American Express Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>) alone process ~$28 trillion in combined volume each year.
This has consistently grown since 2012, with Visa having the highest share of payment processing.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The 3 largest payment networks process ~$28 trillion in combined volume each year. That figure has grown at a 7.5% CAGR since 2013. What&#39;s stopping this from continuing?<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24V&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$V</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24MA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$MA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24AXP&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$AXP</a> <a href="https://t.co/mXA9lIAPhX">pic.twitter.com/mXA9lIAPhX</a>
&mdash; Fiscal.ai (formerly FinChat) (@fiscal_ai) <a href="https://twitter.com/fiscal_ai/status/1934713868615602442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
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As the bill <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/06/45972264/senate-advances-stablecoin-bill-a-defining-moment-for-crypto-market-regulation">heads to the House</a> in the U.S., debate is expected on several key issues: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Should non-bank fintechs be allowed to issue stablecoins?</li>
<li>What counts as a valid reserve asset?</li>
<li>Who will enforce compliance — the Fed, OCC, or a new digital asset authority?</li>
</ul>
Price Action: Visa stock has advanced by 8.26% in 2025 and gained 22.96% over the year; on the other hand, Mastercard has returned 3.13%year-to-date and 19.05% over the year.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows that Visa had a stronger price trend over the short, medium, and long term. Its momentum ranking was strong, and its value ranking was good at the 11.39th percentile. The details of other metrics are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-4/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-4/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="157" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19053435/V-Edge--1024x157.png" alt="" class="wp-image-954997" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19053435/V-Edge--1024x157.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19053435/V-Edge--300x46.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19053435/V-Edge--768x118.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19053435/V-Edge-.png 1159w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows that MA had a stronger price trend over the short, medium, and long term. Its momentum ranking was strong, and its value ranking was poor at the 11.42nd percentile. The details of other metrics are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-4/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-4/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="155" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19053358/MA-Edge--1024x155.png" alt="" class="wp-image-954994" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19053358/MA-Edge--1024x155.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19053358/MA-Edge--300x46.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19053358/MA-Edge--768x116.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19053358/MA-Edge-.png 1167w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, declined slightly on Wednesday. The SPY was down 0.015% at $597.44, while the QQQ was 0.017% lower at $528.99, according to<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"> Benzinga Pro</a> data.
During the market close on Thursday, the futures of the S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones, and the Nasdaq 100 indices were trading lower.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/25/06/46000636/warren-buffetts-real-estate-business-sounds-alarm-overpriced-homes-need-reductions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett's Real Estate Business Sounds Alarm: ‘Overpriced' Homes Need Reductions</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

$USDC

$USDT

USDT

As Trump Says 'Get It to My Desk' For 'GENIUS' Stablecoin Bill, Analysts Warn Of Disruption To Payment Giants Visa And Mastercard

Experts have been betting on the growth prospects of Oscar Health Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OSCR#NYSE">OSCR</a>) as the stock surged by 16.51% on Wednesday and 32.56% in the last five trading sessions.
What Happened: According to an X post shared by Ruth Capital, Oscar Health&#8217;s fundamentals are strong as it reported robust revenue in its first quarter with a $1 billion free cash flow. Additionally, the post highlights the company&#8217;s ties with President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, underscoring the downside, Ruth Capital explains extreme volatility, and earnings from government subsidies could affect the stock.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">the more I read about <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24OSCR&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$OSCR</a> &#8211; the more I start to like it: &#8211; 56% YoY total revenue growth &#8211; USD 1B FCF which is 25% of their entire market cap &#8211; USD 1B+ cash &#8211; massive EPS bump &amp; FWD/PE of 13 &#8211; chart similar to <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24HIMS&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$HIMS</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24PLTR&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$PLTR</a> in early days &#8211; massive cult/retail following…
&mdash; Ruth Capital (@ruth_capital) <a href="https://twitter.com/ruth_capital/status/1935322160953729160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Jake Ruth, the co-founder of Stock Unlock, shared his personal story on X, as he has been holding the company&#8217;s shares since he was an employee at the firm.
He highlights that &#8220;the fact this is becoming a retail meme stock is the best thing that&#8217;s ever happened to my net worth.&#8221;
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<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I was a software engineer at Oscar <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24OSCR&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$OSCR</a> for 4.5 years 2017 &#8211; 2021 (after the IPO). Most of my coworkers sold their shares, I&#39;ve held mine through it all. The fact this is becoming a retail meme stock is the best thing that&#39;s ever happened to my net worth. Simulation is real. <a href="https://t.co/yLxGdXkNIH">pic.twitter.com/yLxGdXkNIH</a>
&mdash; Jake Ruth (@JakeMRuth) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeMRuth/status/1935395806338760792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Oscar Health&#8217;s connection to Trump is primarily through Joshua Kushner, the co-founder and vice-chairman of Oscar Health and brother of Jared Kushner, who served as a senior advisor to President Trump. Jared Kushner is married to Trump&#8217;s daughter, Ivanka Trump. Therefore, Oscar Health has an indirect connection to the Trump family through Joshua Kushner&#8217;s familial relationship.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45993387/trumps-tariffs-trigger-layoffs-monopoly-maker-hasbro-slashes-jobs-these-companies-are-cutting-to">Trump's Tariffs Trigger Layoffs: Monopoly Maker Hasbro Slashes Jobs — These Companies Are Cutting Too</a>
Why It Matters: Technical analysis of Oscar Health paints a largely bullish picture for the stock. According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>, its price of $18.77 apiece is higher than the short and long-term simple daily moving averages.
Its momentum indicator, MACD, was also bullish as the MACD line was at 0.40, above the signal line of 0.12 and a positive histogram value of 0.28. This meant that the stock&#8217;s 12-day exponential moving average was trading above the 26-day EMA.
However, the relative strength index of 70.94 meant that the stock was overbought and the prices could correct.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19033824/OSCAR-TECH-CHART-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-954868" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19033824/OSCAR-TECH-CHART-1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19033824/OSCAR-TECH-CHART-300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19033824/OSCAR-TECH-CHART-768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19033824/OSCAR-TECH-CHART-1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19033824/OSCAR-TECH-CHART.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
The stock has surged by 38.52% in 2025 and gained just 4.05% over the year.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows that OSCR had a stronger price trend over the short, medium, and long term. Its momentum ranking was moderate, and its value ranking was good at the 72.03th percentile. The details of other metrics are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-4/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-4/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="153" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19033728/oscar-edge-1024x153.png" alt="" class="wp-image-954867" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19033728/oscar-edge-1024x153.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19033728/oscar-edge-300x45.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19033728/oscar-edge-768x115.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19033728/oscar-edge.png 1150w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, declined slightly on Wednesday. The SPY was down 0.015% at $597.44, while the QQQ was 0.017% lower at $528.99, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
During the market close on Thursday, the futures of the S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones, and the Nasdaq 100 indices were trading lower.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/25/06/46000636/warren-buffetts-real-estate-business-sounds-alarm-overpriced-homes-need-reductions">Warren Buffett's Real Estate Business Sounds Alarm: ‘Overpriced' Homes Need Reductions</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock

OSCR

This Stock Just Popped 30% In 5 Days — Now Expert Says It 'Looks Potentially Explosive'

Dan Ives&#8216; new artificial intelligence exchange-traded fund (ETF) holds securities beyond the Magnificent 7 stocks, as he believes in looking past valuations for investments in the technology sector.
What Happened: The Dan IVES Wedbush AI Revolution ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVES#NYSE">IVES</a>), managed by the Wedbush analyst, started trading on June 4, earlier this month.
Ives <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/06/45774136/wedbush-launches-ai-revolution-etf-backed-by-dan-ives-proprietary-tech-picks">boasts of the fund</a> by saying that it just doesn&#8217;t have the top four, five Magnificent 7 names, but stocks which investors wouldn&#8217;t even thematically consider as an AI name today. 
"I believe the market is still massively underestimating what the growth is going to look like for the AI revolution in tech," he told CNBC.
According to him, tech trade remains significant even for the investors who missed out on its growth in the past few years.
"If you focus just on valuation, you miss every transformational tech stock of the last 20 years," Ives said.
Ives says Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) will be the &#8220;epicenter&#8221; of the AI theme, while highlighting other &#8216;AI 30&#8217; stocks which are part of his fund.
Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>), Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>), SoundHound AI Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOUN#NASDAQ">SOUN</a>), and Innodata Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INOD#NASDAQ">INOD</a>) are a few notable names that are a part of his ETF&#8217;s &#8216;AI 30&#8217; basket.
Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), and Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) are the top three holdings of the IVES fund.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45993387/trumps-tariffs-trigger-layoffs-monopoly-maker-hasbro-slashes-jobs-these-companies-are-cutting-too">Trump&#8217;s Tariffs Trigger Layoffs: Monopoly Maker Hasbro Slashes Jobs — These Companies Are Cutting Too</a>
Why It Matters: The &#8216;AI 30&#8217; stocks, which are a part of the IVES ETF, hold the AI plays from multiple industries. They include hyperscalers, cybersecurity, consumer platforms, and robotics. According to Ives, the list was compiled from his deep dives into major AI players.
The ETF has $183 million in assets under management as of June 17 close. Ives said that the AI space was experiencing a "golden age."
The Dan IVES Wedbush AI Revolution ETF has risen by 2.76% since its inception. A comparable index, S&amp;P Kensho Global Artificial Intelligence Enablers, rose 6.08% on a month-to-date basis.
Meanwhile, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, declined slightly on Wednesday. The SPY was down 0.015% at $597.44, while the QQQ was 0.017% lower at $528.99, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/25/06/46000636/warren-buffetts-real-estate-business-sounds-alarm-overpriced-homes-need-reductions">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Real Estate Business Sounds Alarm: &#8216;Overpriced&#8217; Homes Need Reductions</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

AVGO

INOD

IVES

ORCL

PLTR

SOUN

Dan Ives Says Market Is 'Massively Underestimating' This AI Play, Urges Investors To Look Beyong Mag 7

The Federal Reserve bumped its median forecast for core inflation, which has left analysts divided as some believe that the central bank is overplaying the inflation story, while others say the impact of inflation cannot be overstated.
What Happened: Despite acknowledging that inflation data was &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46006680/powell-holds-line-on-interest-rates-blames-tariff-uncertainty-for-delay-in-cuts">encouraging</a>,&#8221; Jerome Powell noted during his press conference on Wednesday that the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46004338/no-rate-cuts-yet-fed-flags-slower-growth-sticky-inflation">inflation median forecast</a> has risen from 2.5% forecast in December, 2.8% in March, to 3.1% now. &#8220;That&#8217;s due to the effects of the tariffs.&#8221; 
Jeffrey Buchbinder, the chief equity strategist, and Jeffrey Roach, the chief economist at LPL Financial, said in their note that &#8220;Inflation&#8217;s importance to financial markets cannot be overstated.&#8221;
They explained, &#8220;Higher inflation can constrain economic growth, tighten financial conditions, drive interest rates higher, and even restrain stock valuations,&#8221; adding that it also &#8220;dampens the present value of future earnings and, historically, correlates with lower stock valuations.&#8221;
However, Jamie Cox, the managing partner at Harris Financial Group, said, &#8220;The Fed continues to overplay the inflation story and isn&#8217;t paying attention to burgeoning demand weakness.&#8221;
&#8220;Concerns from the Fed around deteriorating economic conditions and rising inflation remain roughly balanced and potentially keeping Fed policy changes in the abyss for the foreseeable future,&#8221; said Charlie Ripley, senior investment strategist for Allianz Investment Management.
Northlight Asset Management CIO, Chris Zaccarelli, on the other hand, explained that the Fed was waiting to see if tariffs increase inflation or the jobs market starts to falter, and whichever part of their dual mandate is impacted first will likely guide whichever direction they take, &#8220;although the bias is still toward cutting rates (or at least keeping rates unchanged; not raising rates).&#8221;
Meanwhile, Eric Teal, CIO at Commercia Bank, said that &#8220;The economy is less rate sensitive, and we believe a significant amount of easing would be required to impact consumer behavior.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45993387/trumps-tariffs-trigger-layoffs-monopoly-maker-hasbro-slashes-jobs-these-companies-are-cutting-to">Trump&#8217;s Tariffs Trigger Layoffs: Monopoly Maker Hasbro Slashes Jobs — These Companies Are Cutting Too</a>
Why It Matters: Craig Shapiro, a macro strategist at Bear Traps Report, said in an X post after the conference that &#8220;Powell wasn&#8217;t as dovish as I would have thought.&#8221;
He was skeptical of even two rate cuts by the end of the year, saying, &#8220;Frankly it&#8217;s not even clear to me that he (Powell)is a 2 cuts guy for 2025.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Powell wasn&#39;t as dovish as I would have thought. Frankly it&#39;s not even clear to me that he is a 2 cuts guy for 2025 The Fed sees an economy that has begun to slow with deteriorating labor market momentum and says that still elevated policy uncertainty from tariffs primarily… <a href="https://t.co/sLEOVtGpD7">https://t.co/sLEOVtGpD7</a>
&mdash; Craig Shapiro (@ces921) <a href="https://twitter.com/ces921/status/1935426398069690823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Price Action: Major benchmark indices closed mixed after Wednesday&#8217;s announcement of holding the interest rate steady at 4.25%-2.75%.
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, declined slightly on Wednesday. The SPY was down 0.015% at $597.44, while the QQQ was 0.017% lower at $528.99, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
During the market close on Thursday, the futures of the S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones, and the Nasdaq 100 indices were trading lower.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/25/06/46000636/warren-buffetts-real-estate-business-sounds-alarm-overpriced-homes-need-reductions">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Real Estate Business Sounds Alarm: &#8216;Overpriced&#8217; Homes Need Reductions</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Domenico Fornas / Shutterstock.com

Jerome Powell Blames Trump Tariffs For Inflation—Analyst Claps Back, Says Fed Is 'Overplaying' The Card

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) criticized President Donald Trump&#8216;s tariff policies on Wednesday, arguing they prevent the Federal Reserve from delivering the lower interest rates Americans need.
What Happened: &#8220;Americans deserve lower interest rates and lower costs, but Donald Trump and his reckless tariffs are standing in the way of that relief,&#8221; Warren wrote on X. &#8220;The Fed is getting boxed out by the President&#8217;s chaotic economic policies.&#8221;
Warren&#8217;s comments follow the Fed&#8217;s decision to hold rates at 4.25%-4.50% for the fourth consecutive meeting. Fed Chair Jerome Powell cited tariff-induced inflation concerns as a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46004338/no-rate-cuts-yet-fed-flags-slower-growth-sticky-inflation">key factor preventing rate cuts</a>.
The Fed raised its core Personal Consumption Expenditure inflation forecast to 3.1% for 2025, up from 2.8% in March. Powell directly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46004338/no-rate-cuts-yet-fed-flags-slower-growth-sticky-inflation">attributed this increase to tariff effects</a>, noting &#8220;we&#8217;re beginning to see some effects&#8221; on goods prices, particularly personal computers and audiovisual equipment.
Powell said <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46006680/powell-holds-line-on-interest-rates-blames-tariff-uncertainty-for-delay-in-cuts">business surveys indicate</a> &#8220;many companies do expect to put all or some of the effect of tariffs through to the next person in the chain. And ultimately, to the consumer.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Americans deserve lower interest rates and lower costs, but Donald Trump and his reckless tariffs are standing in the way of that relief. The Fed is getting boxed out by the President&#39;s chaotic economic policies. <a href="https://t.co/FKfO5tGHlN">pic.twitter.com/FKfO5tGHlN</a>
&mdash; Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenWarren/status/1935455623908348265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/45988985/israel-says-it-struck-iranian-centrifuge-site-missile-factories-near-tehran-with-over-50-jets-to-disrupt-weapons-program">Israel Says It Struck Iranian Centrifuge Site, Missile Factories Near Tehran With Over 50 Jets To Disrupt Weapons Program</a>
Why It Matters: The Fed&#8217;s dot plot maintains expectations for two rate cuts in 2025, unchanged from March projections. However, 2026 expectations dropped to two cuts from three previously.
Markets initially declined during Powell&#8217;s press conference, with the Nasdaq 100 tracked by Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) dropping 180 points from session highs before recovering on Trump&#8217;s Middle East comments.
Warren <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45785851/elizabeth-warren-says-trumps-one-big-beautiful-bill-will-rip-away-health-coverage-from-16-million-americans-just-so-jeff-bezos-can-buy-a-third-ya">previously clashed with Trump</a> over his &#8220;One Big Beautiful Bill,&#8221; which the Congressional Budget Office estimates would add $2.4 trillion to the national debt over 10 years while potentially removing health coverage from 16 million Americans.
The Fed projects real GDP growth at 1.4% in 2025, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46004338/no-rate-cuts-yet-fed-flags-slower-growth-sticky-inflation">down from 1.7% in March</a>, while unemployment is expected to rise to 4.5%. Powell emphasized there&#8217;s &#8220;no rush&#8221; to ease policy given current economic uncertainties.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45988762/palantir-rejects-surveillance-claims-after-being-compared-to-nazi-collaborators-touts-pltrs-transparent-lineage">Palantir Rejects Surveillance Claims After Being Compared To Nazi Collaborators, Touts PLTR&#8217;s &#8216;Transparent Lineage&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Sheila Fitzgerald / Shutterstock.com

Politics

Elizabeth Warren Says Americans 'Deserve' Lower Interest Rates, But Trump's 'Reckless' Tariffs Stand In The Way: 'The Fed Is Getting Boxed Out'

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell defended the decision to keep interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, saying inflation has eased but not enough to warrant cuts, especially with trade and geopolitical <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46004338/no-rate-cuts-yet-fed-flags-slower-growth-sticky-inflation">risks clouding the outlook.</a>
"Incoming inflation data has been encouraging," Powell said during his press conference, pointing to three consecutive months of positive readings, "but inflation is still running somewhat above our 2% longer-run objective."
Asked why the Fed cut rates in December but didn't move now despite similar inflation, Powell pointed to the evolving inflation forecast: "We saw a 2.5% forecast in December, 2.8% in March and 3.1% now&#8230; That's due to the effects of the tariffs."
Powell made clear that tariffs—particularly those tied to recent changes in trade policy—remain a significant source of uncertainty. He noted that "we're beginning to see some effects" of tariffs on prices, especially in goods like personal computers and audiovisual equipment, but emphasized that the full impact may take months to filter through.
Powell added that business surveys indicate "many companies do expect to put all or some of the effect of tariffs through to the next person in the chain. And ultimately, to the consumer."
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Powell Downplays Tensions In The Middle East</h3>
Addressing tensions in the Middle East, Powell said energy price spikes are possible but typically fade without lasting inflationary impact. 
"We haven't seen anything like the 1970s," he said, noting the U.S. economy is now far less reliant on foreign oil.
The Fed now sees core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation at 3.1% in 2025, up from 2.8% in March, and 2.5% in December. 
The Fed dot plot sees potential for two rate cuts in 2025, unchanged from March, and two more in 2026, a slight downward revision from the prior two cuts. 
While several committee members penciled in no rate cuts this year, Powell clarified that no path is locked in. "It's the least unlikely path in a situation like this where uncertainty is very high," he said. "Certainly, a hike is not the base case at all."
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Markets Recover On Powell-Driven Slide As Trump Comments On Iran</h3>
Markets initially interpreted Powell's comments as hawkish, sending the U.S. Dollar Index up 0.4% within 30 minutes of his press conference. Treasury yields erased session declines, with the 10-year yield recovering to 4.39%.
The Nasdaq 100 – as tracked by the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) – dropped 180 points from its session peak during Powell's remarks but recovered sharply after President Donald Trump made surprise comments on the Middle East.
The S&amp;P 500 and the Dow Jones posted similar intraday swings.
Speaking from the White House, Trump fueled geopolitical tension by suggesting regime change in Iran was possible and hinting at imminent military decisions. 
"Anything could happen. Iran wants to come to the White House. I may do that," Trump said, adding that a meeting on the Iran-Israel conflict was scheduled within the hour.
"We&#8217;re long beyond ceasefire," he said in response to comments from French President Emmanuel Macron, adding, "We&#8217;re looking for total victory and no nuclear weapon."
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chart: Tech Stocks Reactions To Fed Meeting, Powell Remarks</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="528" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18154816/image-294-1024x528.png" alt="" class="wp-image-954490" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18154816/image-294-1024x528.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18154816/image-294-300x155.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18154816/image-294-768x396.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18154816/image-294-1536x792.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18154816/image-294-2048x1056.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/health-care/25/06/45997946/stock-market-strategy-investing-analysis-healthcare-stocks-united-health">Nobody Wants To Touch Healthcare Stocks Now – That Might Be A Big Mistake</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy of the Federal Reserve.

Macro Economic Events

Federal Reserve

Why Powell Held Rates Steady, And What Trump's Iran Comments Could Mean For Markets

Macro Notification

News

General

Fed Leaves Key Overnight Interest Rate Unchanged

U.S. stocks inched higher by midday Wednesday, as traders weighed geopolitical uncertainty and awaited the Federal <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/45978856/federal-reserve-rate-cuts-trump-tariffs-what-to-watch-wednesday">Reserve's June policy decision. </a>
President Donald Trump declined to offer a clear response on whether the U.S. would directly intervene in the escalating <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45988135/bernie-sanders-slams-israels-illegal-attack-on-iran-says-absolutely-imperative-that-the-united-states-not-be-dragged-into-this-war">Israel-Iran conflict</a>.
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold rates steady at 4.25%-4.50% for a fourth consecutive meeting. Yet, investor focus is centered on the updated Summary of Economic Projections. 
Economists anticipate the new dot plot will reflect a median expectation of just one rate cut in 2025—down from two in March—alongside modest upward revisions to inflation and downward adjustments to growth forecasts.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The S&amp;P 500 hovered slightly above the 6,000 mark.</li>
<li>The Nasdaq 100 gained over 100 points to trade around 21,860.</li>
<li>Small caps outperformed, with the Russell 2000 climbing 1%.</li>
</ul>
On a sector basis, consumer discretionary led gains, while energy stocks declined, reversing Tuesday's strength.
Among megacaps, Visa Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>) and Mastercard Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>) slid after the U.S. Senate passed a bill introducing a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45995223/genius-stablecoin-bill-clears-senate-but-trumps-crypto-profits-loom-over-momentum">regulatory framework for stablecoins</a>. Meanwhile, Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) surged 12% to a four-month-high.
In the bond market, Treasury yields declined, with the 30-year yield falling to 4.85%. Oil prices dropped 1.8% to $72 per barrel after Trump's noncommittal stance on Iran dented expectations of a supply shock. 
Gold rose 0.2%, silver slipped 0.7%, and Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) held steady at $104,800.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,124.02</td>
<td>1.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>21,832.28</td>
<td>0.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,006.16</td>
<td>0.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>42,375.03</td>
<td>0.4%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated by 12:05 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The&nbsp;Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) rose 0.4% to $551.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) inched 0.4% higher to $424.77.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;rose 0.4% to $531.28.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) rallied 1.1% $210.91.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Communication Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLC#NYSE">XLC</a>) outperformed, up 0.6%; the&nbsp;Energy&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) lagged, down 0.6%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) rallied 3.8% after the chipmaker company appointed Greg Ernst as new chief revenue officer as well as three new engineers. </li>
<li>Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) dropped 2%, erasing Tuesday's gains, as Trump's comments prompted investors to scale back exposure to defense contractors.</li>
<li>Jabil Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JBL#NYSE">JBL</a>) soared 3.85%, extending all-time highs following Tuesday&#8217;s 9% rally amid stronger-than-expected earnings. </li>
<li>Wolfspeed Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WOLF#NYSE">WOLF</a>) plunged 17% after announcing plans to enter a prepackaged bankruptcy agreement with lenders, including Apollo Global Management. The company aims to streamline its Chapter 11 process and will seek creditor approval before officially filing.</li>
<li>Grail Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GRAL#NASDAQ">GRAL</a>) surged 12% after reporting encouraging results from its latest cancer detection test.</li>
</ul>
Now Read:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/45993369/mohamed-el-erian-warns-feds-path-forward-is-clouded-by-trump-tariffs-and-israel-iran-conflict">Mohamed El-Erian Warns Fed&#8217;s Path Forward Is Clouded By Trump Tariffs And Israel-Iran Conflict </a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Bonds

Commodities

COIN

GRAL

INTC

WOLF

Wall Street Rises Ahead Of Fed, Payment Stocks Fall On Stablecoin Bill: What's Driving Markets Wednesday?

Warren Buffett&#8216;s real estate business underscored the need for homeowners to reduce prices as the Home Builder Confidence index fell to a 30-month low in June 2025.
What Happened: Berkshire Hathaway Inc.&#8216;s (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>) Home Services blog highlighted that if the sellers had few to no showings or offers, it's likely &#8220;overpriced&#8221; to homebuyers.
The blog post suggested accepting and understanding the current home market prices, upcycle homes for quicker sales, and reviewing the marketing by better staging and photography.
&#8220;A price reduction should send the right message to the marketplace—that your home is well worth its asking price,&#8221; it stated.
This comes as the Home Builder Confidence index fell to 32, which was the worst in nearly 30 months since December 2022's — 31 reading and April 2020's — 30 reading.
It was the third-worst figure since 2012 in June. &#8220;The weak retail report suggests that weak consumer demand helped hold down inflation in May,&#8221; said Bill Adams, the chief economist for Comerica Bank.
Reiterating the point from Berkshire Hathaway Home Services&#8217; post, Charlie Bilello of Creative Planning highlighted that &#8220;37% of builders cut home prices to boost sales, the highest share on record.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The US Housing Market Index (a measure of homebuilder confidence) moved down to 32 in June, its lowest level since December 2022 and before that April 2020. 37% of builders cut home prices to boost sales, the highest share on record. <a href="https://t.co/z61a2uYkob">pic.twitter.com/z61a2uYkob</a>
&mdash; Charlie Bilello (@charliebilello) <a href="https://twitter.com/charliebilello/status/1935160225419448637?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45969197/mark-cuban-floats-bold-healthcare-plan-zero-premiums-to-insurance-companies-with-a-cash-pay-revolution">Mark Cuban Floats Bold Healthcare Plan: ‘Zero Premiums To Insurance Companies' With A Cash-Pay Revolution</a>
Why It Matters: The S&amp;P 500 Real Estate Index is up 2.82% on a year-to-date basis and 8.78% over the last year. However, it has declined 1.30% over the last month.
Here are a few real-estate ETFs for investors to consider.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ETFs</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VNQ#NYSE">VNQ</a>)</td>
<td>1.46%</td>
<td>6.64%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Schwab US REIT ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHH#NYSE">SCHH</a>)</td>
<td>1.82%</td>
<td>6.57%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLRE#NYSE">XLRE</a>)</td>
<td>3.65%</td>
<td>8.52%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares US Real Estate ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IYR#NYSE">IYR</a>)</td>
<td>2.11%</td>
<td>8.32%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares Core US REIT ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USRT#NYSE">USRT</a>)</td>
<td>-0.04%</td>
<td>7.13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DFA Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DFGR#NYSE">DFGR</a>)</td>
<td>5.75%</td>
<td>8.14%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RWR#NYSE">RWR</a>)</td>
<td>-0.50%</td>
<td>4.76%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Buffett&#8217;s Berkshire Class B shares, on the other hand, have risen 7.18% on a year-to-date basis and 18.51% over a year.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows that Berkshire had a weak price trend over the short and medium term but a strong price trend over the long term. Its momentum ranking was solid, and its value ranking was also sturdy at the 74.92th percentile. The details of other metrics are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="155" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18034844/BRK-EDGE-neww-1024x155.png" alt="" class="wp-image-953436" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18034844/BRK-EDGE-neww-1024x155.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18034844/BRK-EDGE-neww-300x45.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18034844/BRK-EDGE-neww-768x116.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18034844/BRK-EDGE-neww.png 1036w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Price Action: The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, fell on Tuesday. The SPY was down 0.85% at $597.53, while the QQQ declined 0.98% to $529.08, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
On Wednesday, the future of the S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones, and the Nasdaq 100 indices were trading higher.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45971247/trumps-plan-to-take-on-apple-samsung-with-a-smartphone-is-a-fairytale-dan-ives-warns-it-could-be-a-money-loser-for-his-company">Trump's Plan To Take On Apple, Samsung With A Smartphone Is A ‘Fairytale': Dan Ives Warns — It Could Be A Money-Loser For His Company</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.com

DFGR

SCHH

USRT

XLRE

Warren Buffett's Real Estate Business Sounds Alarm: 'Overpriced' Homes Need Reductions

Just hours before the Federal Reserve's June policy meeting, President Donald Trump launched a fresh attack on Fed Chair Jerome Powell while sidestepping direct confirmation of a potential U.S. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/middle-east">military strike on Iran.</a>
What Happened: Speaking outside the White House on Wednesday, Trump renewed his call for sharply lower interest rates. He argues that the U.S. should be "two to two and a half points lower" given what he described as a low-inflation environment.
"We have almost no inflation. We have only success. I&#8217;d like to see interest rates get down now," Trump said, blaming Powell for the high cost of refinancing U.S. debt. 
He claimed that just a one-point reduction would deliver meaningful relief on refinancing federal debt, while a two-point cut would save even more over long-term maturities.
"We'd be saving $700 billion, $800 billion—trillions over time,&#8221; he says.
Trump describes Powell as someone who "refuses to lower the Fed" and "is not a smart person." Trump went further, accusing Powell of personal bias, saying, "I think he hates me.&#8221;
Read Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/45978856/federal-reserve-rate-cuts-trump-tariffs-what-to-watch-wednesday"> No Rate Cuts Yet, Fed Wants To See Where Tariffs Land: Here&#8217;s What To Watch Wednesday</a> 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What About Europe? </h3>
Trump also pointed to Europe's more aggressive monetary easing in 2025.
"Europe had 10 cuts. We had none," he said, adding that some countries with lower rates "can't carry our suitcase."
The remarks come as markets expect the Fed to hold its benchmark rate steady in the 4.25%-4.50% range for the fourth straight meeting, while the updated dot plot may show fewer cuts than traders had previously hoped.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Iran Rejects Trump&#8217;s Demands</h3>
When Trump reiterated his demand for an "unconditional surrender," calling Iran "schoolyard bullies" with long-standing hostile intentions, it did nothing to sway Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/americas/israel-iran-air-war-enters-sixth-day-trump-calls-irans-unconditional-surrender-2025-06-17/">to</a> Reuters, Khamenei rejected Trump&#8217;s demand for &#8220;unconditional surrender&#8221; on Wednesday.
The rejection comes after Trump was pressed on U.S. military intentions following a Situation Room meeting on Tuesday. Trump refused to confirm any immediate plans to strike Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
&#8220;Nobody knows what I&#8217;m going to do,&#8221; Trump said.
Regarding hopes of a new round of negotiations, Trump stated that &#8220;nothing is too late.&#8221;
He added, cryptically, "Next week is going to be very big. Maybe less than a week."
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Markets Signal De-Escalation For Now</h3>
U.S. markets responded positively to the lack of definitive military escalation. 
The Nasdaq 100 — as tracked by the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) — rallied by 0.7% to 21,850 at last check Wednesday. The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.6% to 6,025.
The gains came as investors priced in a reduced likelihood of imminent U.S. military action in Iran, and speculated about possible diplomatic openings.
In commodities, gold pulled back, while West Texas Intermediate crude fell to $72 per barrel, down more than 2% from the previous day's high. The U.S. dollar also dipped slightly as global risk sentiment improved.
Read Now:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/45993369/mohamed-el-erian-warns-feds-path-forward-is-clouded-by-trump-tariffs-and-israel-iran-conflict">Mohamed El-Erian Warns Fed&#8217;s Path Forward Is Clouded By Trump Tariffs And Israel-Iran Conflict </a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Trump Slams Powell Again, Yet Markets Breathe As Iran Rejects President's Demands

Healthcare stocks are trailing the broader market by margins not seen since 2008, as tumbling pharma giants and a stampede toward tech and AI names have left the sector <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">deeply out of interest.</a>
The Healthcare Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLV#NYSE">XLV</a>) now trades at just 0.2234 shares of the S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), its weakest relative value in more than a decade. In 2015, that ratio was 0.35, making today&#8217;s level a 40% drop in comparative value.
In May 2025, healthcare lagged the S&amp;P 500 by 11.2%, the worst single-month relative performance since records began. Versus the red-hot tech sector, the gap is even more extreme — at levels last seen in February 2000.
Have we been here before? Yes, and history suggests this kind of extreme undervaluation often triggers powerful reversals.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Last Time Healthcare Was This Unloved Was In 2008&#8230;</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="528" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18082457/image-283-1024x528.png" alt="" class="wp-image-953798" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18082457/image-283-1024x528.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18082457/image-283-300x155.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18082457/image-283-768x396.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18082457/image-283-1536x792.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18082457/image-283-2048x1056.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Chart: TradingView
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">&#8230;When A Monster Rally Followed</h3>
After similar dislocations in May 2008 and October/November 2001, healthcare stocks sharply outpaced the broader market. 
From November 2001 to September 2002, the sector outperformed the S&amp;P 500 by 41%. From June 2008 to February 2009, it beat the market by a similar 40%.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/guidance/25/06/45928561/gold-biggest-boom-in-decades-and-investors-are-still-missing-out">Gold&#8217;s Biggest Boom In Decades—And Investors Are Still Missing Out</a></li>
</ul>
When compared to tech stocks, the comeback is even more dramatic. 
Between March 2000 and September 2002, healthcare outperformed the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) by a staggering 390% as the dot-com bubble burst. 
These episodes followed the same pattern: investors often chased growth stocks until valuations became extreme. 
Healthcare, seen as a comparatively safer sector, then spiked as capital rotated back to battered value and defensive names.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="528" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18085730/image-288-1024x528.png" alt="" class="wp-image-953845" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18085730/image-288-1024x528.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18085730/image-288-300x155.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18085730/image-288-768x396.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18085730/image-288-1536x792.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18085730/image-288-2048x1056.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What's Triggering The Current Healthcare Slump?</h3>
Big pharma and healthcare insurers are dragging the whole sector lower. UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) is down 40% year to date, its second-worst year since 1987.
Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) fell 18% in May, its steepest monthly drop since February 2009. 
Meanwhile, Merck &amp; Co. Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) has logged nine straight months of declines — a feat unmatched since the company went public in 1970.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Are Healthcare Stocks A Buy Right Now?</h3>
Wall Street analysts are optimistic that the sector might soon head towards a turnaround.
Of the 60 companies in the Healthcare Select Sector SPDR Fund, 59 have average 12-month analyst price targets above current market prices. The sector's weighted average upside stands at 17%.
For key players in the sector, Eli Lilly has a median analyst target that&#8217;s 22% above its current share price. UnitedHealth Group is expected to rise by 18%, while Merck &amp; Co. is forecasted 27% higher the next 12 months.
More traditional valuation metrics also support the bullish case. The sector trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 21, well below the 30 for the S&amp;P 500 — highlighting just how steep the current discount is.
Read now:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/45974992/everyone-now-hates-the-dollar-is-that-the-ultimate-buy-signal">Everyone Now Hates The Dollar—Is That The Ultimate Buy Signal? </a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Sector ETFs

Health Care

Nobody Wants To Touch Healthcare Stocks Now – That Might Be A Big Mistake

<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="580" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18090604/MOP-Benzinga-1024x580.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-14564" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18090604/MOP-Benzinga-1024x580.jpg 1024w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18090604/MOP-Benzinga-300x170.jpg 300w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18090604/MOP-Benzinga-768x435.jpg 768w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18090604/MOP-Benzinga.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A GBU-57 MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) "Bunker-Buster" bomb.</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How We've Traded This War So Far</h2>
In a trade alert&nbsp;<a href="https://portfolioarmor.substack.com/p/trade-alert-top-names-e8e">last Thursday</a>&nbsp;(June 12th), I included a volatility trade in case war broke out between Israel and Iran. That night, Israel bombed Iran. The next day, I exited those trades&nbsp;for gains of 53% and 159%, respectively.
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Call spread on the&nbsp;CBOE Volatility Index&nbsp;(VIX). Entered at a net debit of $0.17 on&nbsp;<a href="https://portfolioarmor.substack.com/p/trade-alert-top-names-e8e">6/12/2025</a>; exited (half) at a net credit of $0.26 on&nbsp;<a href="https://portfolioarmor.substack.com/p/trade-alert-top-names-e8e/comment/125567627">6/13/2025</a>.&nbsp;Profit: 53%.</li>
<li>Call spread on the&nbsp;CBOE Volatility Index&nbsp;(VIX). Entered at a net debit of $0.17 on&nbsp;<a href="https://portfolioarmor.substack.com/p/trade-alert-top-names-e8e">6/12/2025</a>; exited (half) at a net credit of $0.44 on&nbsp;<a href="https://portfolioarmor.substack.com/p/trade-alert-top-names-e8e/comment/125561240">6/13/2025</a>.&nbsp;Profit: 159%.</li>
</ol>
In a post&nbsp;<a href="https://portfolioarmor.substack.com/p/a-game-plan-for-the-israel-iran-war">last Sunday</a>&nbsp;("A Game Plan For The Israel-Iran War"), I mentioned that if the market opened green on Monday, I would add hedges. On Monday (<a href="https://portfolioarmor.substack.com/p/trade-alert-hedging">Trade Alert: Hedging</a>), I mentioned three specific hedges:
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><h3 class="wp-block-heading">An Oil Spike Hedge</h3>
In the event the war threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices will spike, as should shares of oil producers who get their oil from elsewhere. For our oil hedge, we're going to buy call options on an oil E&amp;P with solid fundamentals that gets all of its oil from the U.S. and the Caribbean.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Volatility Hedge</h3>
For this one, we're going to open another call spread on the CBOE Volatility Index.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Nasdaq Hedge</h3>
For this one, we're going to use the&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/portfolio-armor/id394951144">Portfolio Armor iPhone app</a>&nbsp;to find the optimal put hedge to protect against a &gt;10% drop in the NASDAQ-100 Index over the next month. 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/portfolio-armor/id394951144"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18090803/PA-JPEG-3-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-14566" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18090803/PA-JPEG-3-1024x683.jpeg 1024w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18090803/PA-JPEG-3-300x200.jpeg 300w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18090803/PA-JPEG-3-768x512.jpeg 768w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18090803/PA-JPEG-3.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
</blockquote>
I didn't get a fill on Monday's volatility hedge, but I did get fills on the oil hedge and the Nasdaq hedge, the optimal puts on&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NYSE">QQQ</a>). Both of those hedges were up about 40% as of Tuesday's close.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What's Likely To Happen Next</h2>
I think there's a good chance the U.S. bombs Iran next. Here's why:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear war has been one of Trump's two main political concerns for four decades (his other main concern being America's trade deficit). He&nbsp;<a href="https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2016/03/trumps-nuclear-experience.html">talked to reporter Ron Rosenbaum</a>&nbsp;about it&nbsp;in 1985.</li>
<li>Trump's 60-day deadline for nuclear negotiations with Iran expired last week, and there don't appear to be any active negotiations now.</li>
<li>Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant is buried hundreds of feet underground, with its centrifuges dug into the side of a limestone mountain. It may require 30,000lbs GBU-57 bunker-busters to destroy, and the only plane designed to carry that bomb is the B-2 Spirit bomber.&nbsp;And the only country that has that bomber—and the pilots trained to fly it—is the United States.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Evidence Suggesting The U.S. May Bomb Fordow</h2>
Why a U.S. bunker-buster hit on Fordow is plausible
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Tanker surge. Roughly 30 KC-135/KC-46 sorties have flown into the Med and Europe this week. Those tankers would be necessary to provide in-air refueling of B-2 bombers and their fighter escorts.</li>
<li>Israeli pressure. Senior Israeli officials have asked the Trump administration to bomb Fordow.</li>
<li>Israeli air supremacy over Iran. This lessons the risks that U.S. planes would be shot down bombing Iran.</li>
<li>Trump's tone. This week, Trump has warned that he's "not in the mood to negotiate".</li>
</ul>
I'd put the odds of the U.S. bombing Iran within the next several days at about 40%.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Likely Market Reaction</h2>
Typical first-hour tape reaction to a headline strike
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>S&amp;P 500: –1½ % to –3 %</li>
<li>Nasdaq 100 / QQQ: –2 % to –3½ %</li>
<li>VIX: +4–6 vol-points (e.g., 22 → 27–28)</li>
<li>Brent / WTI: +$3–7</li>
<li>Gold: +1 % or so</li>
</ul>
(Template: Syria '18, Soleimani '20, Ukraine Feb '22.)
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trading The Reaction</h2>
Here's my plan, in broad strokes:
1 – Headline shock
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Action:&nbsp;Sell&nbsp;half&nbsp;of each hedge (QQQ puts, oil stock calls) into the opening panic.</li>
<li>Rationale:&nbsp;lock in gains while bid-ask spreads are still wide.</li>
</ul>
2 – Hold a back-stop
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Action:&nbsp;Keep the other half of both hedges in case Iran fires a meaningful follow-up salvo.</li>
<li>Rationale:&nbsp;insurance against a second-wave escalation.</li>
</ul>
3 – Vol short (half-size)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Trigger:&nbsp;Cash-VIX pops above ~27–28&nbsp;and stalls.</li>
<li>Action:&nbsp;Open&nbsp;half-size&nbsp;defined-risk short-vol position.</li>
<li>Rationale:&nbsp;capture mean-reversion while tail-risk is still live.</li>
</ul>
4 – Buy the dip
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Action:&nbsp;Ladder into favorites – maybe half that day, and wait a couple of days to add more.</li>
<li>Rationale:&nbsp;avoid catching a falling knife if Iran retaliates against the U.S.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why This Approach Seems Right</h2>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Iranian fires are dwindling. Rough counts: ~200 ballistic missiles on June 14th → ~75 on June 15th → ~65 on June 16th → ~25 last night.</li>
<li>Even a Fordow hit would likely be surgical.&nbsp;Think Soleimani 2020: a sharp reset of red lines, not weeks of U.S. sorties.</li>
<li>Headline panics fade fast&nbsp;when nightmares like a Hormuz shutdown or a carrier sinking don't materialize within a couple of days.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The big&nbsp;If</h2>
If&nbsp;Iran actually lands a major blow on U.S. personnel (base, carrier, etc.):
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Next cash session&nbsp;– sell the&nbsp;remaining hedge half&nbsp;into peak fear,&nbsp;then&nbsp;add the second half of the short-vol trade (still defined-risk).</li>
</ul>
Bottom line:&nbsp;Sell a slice of the fear, keep a slice as insurance, layer into a defined-risk short-vol once panic peaks, and use the dip to buy quality while it's on sale.
If you want a heads up when I place these next trades, feel free to subscribe to <a href="https://portfolioarmor.substack.com/">the Portfolio Armor Substack</a>. 
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://portfolioarmor.substack.com/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="581" height="372" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18091115/Widget-3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-14567" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18091115/Widget-3.jpg 581w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18091115/Widget-3-300x192.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 581px) 100vw, 581px" /></a></figure>

Options

Opinion

Signals

Trading Ideas

This Is Our Trading Strategy If And When The US Bombs Iran

Prominent Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) analyst Gary Black has aimed at &#8220;Tesla bears,&#8221; particularly long-term bear Drew Dickson, for what he calls a fundamental misapplication of traditional automotive price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios to Elon Musk&#8216;s burgeoning electric vehicle business.
What Happened: Black argues that the approach of using the auto industry&#8217;s P/Es for Tesla overlooks the stark differences in growth trajectories between the rapidly expanding EV market and the declining internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sector.
&#8220;The biggest mistake $TSLA bears make is slapping an auto industry P/E on TSLA's EV business,&#8221; said Black.
Black dissected Dickson&#8217;s latest report, which attempts to value Tesla&#8217;s automotive business by applying an average P/E of 6.5x to 7.7x, derived from traditional automakers like Ford Motor Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>), Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), Mercedes-Benz Group AG, General Motors Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>), Renault SA, Stellantis NV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STLA#NYSE">STLA</a>), Volkswagen, Honda Motor (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HMC#NYSE">HMC</a>), Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TM#NYSE">TM</a>), and SAIC Motor. Corp. Ltd.
Dickson&#8217;s analysis suggests that even at a generous 15x P/E for Tesla&#8217;s automotive business, its market capitalization would be around $100 billion, implying that the market already assigns a staggering $1 trillion valuation to Tesla&#8217;s non-automotive ventures such as FSD, robotaxis, Optimus, and energy business.
According to Black, Dickson&#8217;s analysis &#8220;ignores the fact that TSLA is 100% EVs which are growing at 25-30% per year while ICE vehicles are in a state of permanent decline,&#8221; Black posted.
&#8220;Of course there should be a huge difference in P/Es between EV manufacturers and ICE manufacturers given stark differences in growth prospects.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The biggest mistake <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TSLA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TSLA</a> bears make is slapping an auto industry P/E on TSLA's EV business. From long-term <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TSLA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TSLA</a> bear Drew Dickson's latest report: "We can make a simple determination of what the automobile business is worth. And, by implication, the balance must be these… <a href="https://t.co/euOOrAG01I">pic.twitter.com/euOOrAG01I</a>
&mdash; Gary Black (@garyblack00) <a href="https://twitter.com/garyblack00/status/1935280349006676095?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45971247/trumps-plan-to-take-on-apple-samsung-with-a-smartphone-is-a-fairytale-dan-ives-warns-it-could-be">Trump&#8217;s Plan To Take On Apple, Samsung With A Smartphone Is A &#8216;Fairytale&#8217;: Dan Ives Warns — It Could Be A Money-Loser For His Company</a>
Why It Matters: <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data also highlights that Tesla was the most overvalued among its peers.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Automobile Stocks</td>
<td>Forward P/E</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)</td>
<td>163.934</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>General Motors Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>)</td>
<td>5.269</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ford Motor Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>)</td>
<td>8.475</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Honda Motor (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HMC#NYSE">HMC</a>)</td>
<td>9.901</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TM#NYSE">TM</a>)</td>
<td>9.891</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BYD (OTCPK: BYDDY)</td>
<td>57.804</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Li Auto Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>)</td>
<td>17.857</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Black, who is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45886571/gary-blacks-2021-tsla-stock-exit-dodged-a-30-drop-can-valuation-discipline-outsmart-teslas-2025-robotaxi-hype">not holding Tesla</a> in his current portfolio, did express some near-term concerns. He highlighted the asymmetrical risk/reward associated with the upcoming Austin robotaxi test, scheduled to begin on June 22nd.
He also voiced apprehension that the &#8220;more affordable vehicles&#8221; targeted for the third quarter might be lower-cost, which could cannibalize sales of more expensive trims.
Finally, Black anticipates that Tesla&#8217;s second quarter volumes are likely to disappoint, projecting approximately 380,000 deliveries against a Street consensus of 402,000. He attributes this potential shortfall to the ongoing EV price war in China, led by BYD (OTCPK: BYDDY).
Price Action: TSLA shares were 0.61% higher in premarket on Wednesday. The stock was down 16.61% year-to-date, but it has returned 71.09% over the year.
About 26 analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSLA/analyst-ratings">tracked by Benzinga</a>, covering TSLA, have a consensus target price of $309.76 apiece, with a ‘hold' rating.
The targets range from $19.05 to $500, and the recent ratings by Piper Sandler, Morgan Stanley, and Baird imply an 18.59% upside for the stock.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSLA/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="385" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18075143/ANR-Tesla-new-fresh-1024x385.png" alt="" class="wp-image-953724" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18075143/ANR-Tesla-new-fresh-1024x385.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18075143/ANR-Tesla-new-fresh-300x113.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18075143/ANR-Tesla-new-fresh-768x288.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18075143/ANR-Tesla-new-fresh.png 1161w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows that Tesla had a stronger price trend over the short, medium, and long term. Its momentum ranking was solid; however, its value ranking was poor at the 9.41th percentile. The details of other metrics are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-4/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-4/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="147" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18075216/Edge-Tesla-New-Fresh--1024x147.png" alt="" class="wp-image-953725" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18075216/Edge-Tesla-New-Fresh--1024x147.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18075216/Edge-Tesla-New-Fresh--300x43.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18075216/Edge-Tesla-New-Fresh--768x111.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/18075216/Edge-Tesla-New-Fresh-.png 1042w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, rose in premarket on Wednesday. The SPY was up 0.31% at $599.39, while the QQQ advanced 0.38% to $531.07, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45969197/mark-cuban-floats-bold-healthcare-plan-zero-premiums-to-insurance-companies-with-a-cash-pay-revolution">Mark Cuban Floats Bold Healthcare Plan: &#8216;Zero Premiums To Insurance Companies&#8217; With A Cash-Pay Revolution</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photos from Shutterstock

BYDDY

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Gary Black Calls Out Tesla Bears For 'Slapping' Auto Industry Valuation Technique On Elon Musk's EV Business: 'Stark Differences In Growth Prospects'

Monopoly maker Hasbro Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HAS#NASDAQ">HAS</a>) announced that it has cut 3% of jobs amid higher tariffs on imports from China. Here&#8217;s a list of five other publicly traded companies that have either reduced their workforce or intend to do so due to the impact of tariffs.
What Happened: After announcing 900 job cuts in December 2023, the Hasbro management told Reuters that it laid off 150 employees or 3% of its workforce in its latest cost-cutting effort on June 18, 2025.
According to its fiscal 2024 annual filing, the company had roughly 4,985 employees globally. The company CEO, Chris Cocks had hinted the same during the first quarter earnings call stating that &#8220;Ultimately, tariffs translate into higher consumer prices, potential job losses as we adjust to absorb increased costs, and reduced profits for our shareholders.&#8221;
He had also said during the same call that the expanded rate on imports from China &#8220;is creating volatility and introducing a range of scenarios for how the year could unfold.&#8221;
Apart from Hasbro, other firms that have reduced their workforce due to tariffs include;
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Stellantis NV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STLA#NYSE">STLA</a>): The automaker announced temporary layoffs of 900 workers across five U.S. facilities due to production pauses at its Canadian and Mexican plants, directly linked to tariffs announced in April 2025.</li>
</ul>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLF#NYSE">CLF</a>): The steelmaker laid off 1,230 workers, with 600 job cuts at its Dearborn, Michigan, plant and 630 at two iron ore mines in Minnesota, citing falling automotive demand due to tariffs on steel and auto imports.</li>
</ul>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>United Parcel Service Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPS#NYSE">UPS</a>): UPS announced expected layoffs of approximately 20,000 workers in 2025, citing "current macro-economic uncertainty" and reduced shipping volumes due to tariffs.</li>
</ul>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Volvo ADR (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VLVL#OTC">VLVL</a>): The company plans to lay off 550–800 workers at three U.S. facilities over three months, citing market uncertainty and reduced demand due to tariffs.</li>
</ul>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Deere &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DE#NYSE">DE</a>): The tractor manufacturer laid off 9 workers at its Ankeny, Iowa, facility, as per a Nation of Change <a href="https://www.nationofchange.org/2025/04/07/over-4000-factory-workers-laid-off-as-trump-tariffs-spark-economic-chaos/">report</a>. The company expressed concerns about the impact of tariffs on production costs.</li>
</ul>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45971247/trumps-plan-to-take-on-apple-samsung-with-a-smartphone-is-a-fairytale-dan-ives-warns-it-could-be-a-money-loser-for-his-company">Trump&#8217;s Plan To Take On Apple, Samsung With A Smartphone Is A &#8216;Fairytale&#8217;: Dan Ives Warns — It Could Be A Money-Loser For His Company</a>
Why It Matters: President Donald Trump&#8216;s reciprocal tariffs are on pause till July 9 while the administration is trying to strike deals with its trading partners.
Trump declared a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/06/45882971/wall-street-eyes-record-highs-as-trump-seals-china-deal-soft-inflation-eases-tariff-jitters">sweeping new trade agreement</a> with China via Truth Social following two days of negotiations in London last week, suggesting major concessions from Beijing and lighter U.S. obligations. 
"Full magnets, and any necessary rare earths, will be supplied, up front, by China," Trump said, adding that the U.S. would reciprocate by allowing Chinese students access to U.S. colleges.
The deal includes a significant tariff shift. The U.S. will continue applying tariffs totaling 55% on selected Chinese imports, while China will impose a 10% tariff rate on U.S. goods.
Price Action: The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, fell on Tuesday. The SPY was down 0.85% at $597.53, while the QQQ declined 0.98% to $529.08, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Read Next:
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</ul>
Photo courtesy: Kobby Dagan / Shutterstock.com

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