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VCI Global

VCI Global Ltd is a holding company. The principal activities of the Company and its subsidiaries are the provision of business Strategy consultancy and technology development solution consultancy. The firm organized its consulting services into three main segments: Business Strategy Consultancy; Technology Consultancy; and Others. It derives the majority of its revenue from the Business Strategy Consultancy segment which focuses on listing solutions, investor relations, and boardroom strategies consultancy. It has established a diverse local and international clientele, providing them with its services in both local and cross-border listings. Its role begins with pre-listing diagnosis and planning to the finalization of the entire listing process.

VCI Global Ltd

VITREOUS GLASS INC ORD by Vitreous Glass Inc.

Vitreous Glass Inc

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has cautioned about a possible stock market collapse if President Donald Trump decides to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
What Happened: Warren&#8217;s remarks were a reaction to Trump&#8217;s earlier social media <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114352766082542122">post</a>, in which he expressed his impatience for Powell&#8217;s &#8220;termination.&#8221;
&#8220;Too Late should have lowered Interest Rates, like the ECB, long ago, but he should certainly lower them now. Powell's termination cannot come fast enough!&#8221; Trump wrote in his post. 
During her speech&nbsp;at the New York Stock&nbsp;Exchange, Warren voiced her apprehensions about the potential repercussions on the US markets if Powell were to be dismissed. 
&#8220;I have tangled with him on a regular basis about both regulations and interest rates. But understand this: If Chairman Powell can be fired by the president of the United States, it will crash markets in the United States,&#8221; Warren said of Powell at the New York Stock Exchange. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44875406/hell-be-out-if-i-ask-him-can-trumps-threat-to-oust-powell-shake-the-fed">&#8216;He&#8217;ll Be Out&#8230; If I Ask Him&#8217;: Can Trump&#8217;s Threat To Oust Powell Shake The Fed?</a>
Warren also underscored the importance of the Federal Reserve&#8217;s independence for the stability of the US and global economy. She expressed her doubts about the legality of Trump&#8217;s potential action to remove Powell.
&#8220;If interest rates in the United States are subject to a president who just wants to wave his magic wand, this doesn&#8217;t distinguish us from any other two-bit dictatorship around the world,&#8221; she added and as quoted <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elizabeth-warren-stock-market-crash-warning-if-trump-fires-powell-2025-4">by </a>Insider. 
Trump&#8217;s disapproval of Powell, especially regarding interest-rate cuts, has been a persistent issue. However, Powell has consistently maintained that he cannot be legally dismissed by the president.
The Supreme Court is set&nbsp;to deliver a verdict later this year on the legality of Trump&#8217;s recent dismissals of&nbsp;board members of independent agencies.
Why It Matters: The potential dismissal of Powell by Trump could lead to significant instability in the US and global markets. The Federal Reserve&#8217;s independence is a critical factor in maintaining economic stability, and any threat to this independence could have far-reaching implications. 
The upcoming Supreme Court ruling on the legality of Trump&#8217;s recent dismissals of board members of independent agencies could set a precedent for the future of the Federal Reserve and its leadership.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40541128/fed-chair-powells-signal-sets-stage-for-rate-global-central-banks-hint-at-interest-rate-cuts-in-revi">Fed Chair Powell&#8217;s Signal Sets Stage For Global Rate Cuts As Central Banks Aim To Revive Economy</a>
Image: Shutterstock/Sheila Fitzgerald

News

Politics

Markets

Warren Foresees Market Turmoil if Trump Dismisses Fed's Powell: If Powell Can Be Fired by Trump, 'It Will Crash Markets'

China's recent move to pause Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) aircraft purchases may end up hurting its own jet maker, Comac, which depends heavily on U.S. technology and has only a small number of planes currently in service
What Happened: The Chinese government&#8217;s move to stop buying Boeing aircraft could potentially harm Comac, a Shanghai-based aircraft manufacturer that is still striving to become globally competitive, according <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/china/how-chinas-boeing-ban-threatens-to-backfire-on-its-own-plane-maker-6c9e6cc1?mod=hp_lead_pos11">to</a> a report by the Wall Street Journal.
The escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, coupled with high tariffs, could have significant implications for the aviation sector of both economies.
Chinese airlines have been instructed to withhold new orders for Boeing aircraft and seek approval before accepting delivery of plane orders.
However, Comac&#8217;s slow production rate means it is not in a position to quickly fill these orders. This situation could inadvertently benefit Airbus, another major player in the aviation industry.
See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44779863/warren-buffetts-son-sold-his-berkshire-stock-inheritance-to-buy-something-infinitely-more-valuable-than-the-500-million-it-would-be-worth-today" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Son Sold His Berkshire Stock Inheritance To Buy Something &#8216;Infinitely More Valuable&#8217; Than The $500 Million It Would Be Worth Today</a>
By involving aircraft in the trade war with the U.S., China is unintentionally exposing a vulnerability, emphasizing the U.S.&#8217;s influence over Comac.
The company&#8217;s leading commercial aircraft model, the C919, is airworthy due to critical technology from U.S. companies including GE Aerospace, Honeywell International, and RTX.
Despite China&#8217;s efforts to promote the C919 as a competitor&nbsp;to the Boeing 737 MAX&nbsp;and Airbus A320neo, only about 16 C919s are currently flying commercially, all of which are operating domestically in China.
Why It Matters: The ongoing tariff dispute between the U.S. and China has seen the Trump administration raise tariffs on Chinese <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44831287/trump-administration-imposes-up-to-245-tariff-on-chinese-imports-amid-intensifying-trade-battle">imports by up to 245%</a>.
This has led to China&#8217;s ban on deliveries from Boeing (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>), drawing the attention of President Donald Trump towards the company&#8217;s significant role in <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44837703/chinas-ban-on-boeing-could-be-short-lived-but-trump-administration-cant-ignore-trade-fallout-warns-analyst">China's retaliation strategy</a>, as highlighted by Bank of America (BofA).
On his part, President Trump has called upon <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44832771/the-ball-is-in-chinas-court-trump-says-as-white-house-awaits-beijings-call-china-needs-to-make-a-deal-with-us">China to initiate negotiations</a>. Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44857730/elon-musks-team-reportedly-installs-satellite-equipment-at-key-federal-agency-raising-oversight-questions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk&#8217;s Team Installs Starlink Satellite Equipment At Key Federal Agency: Report</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Global

General

China's Boeing Ban Could Backfire On Its Own Aircraft Manufacturer, Comac

Chinese Vice Premier&nbsp;He Lifeng&nbsp;has extended an invitation to U.S. enterprises, including&nbsp;Nvidia Corporation&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), to enhance their footprint in the Chinese market.
What Happened: During a meeting with Nvidia&#8217;s CEO&nbsp;Jensen Huang&nbsp;in Beijing, He Lifeng,&nbsp;also a member of the&nbsp;Political Bureau of the Communist&nbsp;Party of China Central Committee,&nbsp;highlighted the immense investment and consumption potential of the Chinese market, as per a&nbsp;state media agency <a href="https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202504/17/content_WS68010c29c6d0868f4e8f1d40.html">Xinhua </a>on Friday.
He Lifeng highlighted that China&#8217;s ongoing industrial transformation and upgrade create an ideal environment for the new wave of technological and industrial advancements. He also emphasized that China has long been a promising destination for foreign-funded enterprises to invest and engage in trade.
He Lifeng urged U.S.-funded companies, including Nvidia, to focus more on the Chinese market and fully leverage their industrial strengths and capabilities in China, thereby gaining an advantage in global competition.
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44816385/joe-rogan-says-ross-perot-was-right-american-manufacturing-collapsed-because-greedy-executives-sent-jobs-ove" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joe Rogan Says Ross Perot Was Right: &#8216;American Manufacturing Collapsed&#8217; Because &#8216;Greedy&#8217; Executives Sent Jobs Overseas</a>
Why It Matters: This invitation comes at a crucial time when the U.S. has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44858727/jensen-huang-in-china-for-talks-as-us-tightens-nvidia-chip-restrictions-report">tightened restrictions </a>on Nvidia&#8217;s chip sales to China. Nvidia&#8217;s CEO Jensen Huang was in Beijing for discussions with Xi Jinping&#8216;s officials and tech leaders about the implications of the U.S.&#8217;s decision to impose further restrictions on its sales in the country.
The Nvidia CEO expressed confidence in China&#8217;s economic outlook and reiterated Nvidia&#8217;s commitment to expanding its presence in the Chinese market, as per the Chinese government. He also emphasized the company&#8217;s intention to actively contribute to fostering economic and trade cooperation between the United States and China.
Interestingly, this week, Nvidia revealed plans to establish AI servers in the U.S. valued at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44799936/nvidia-to-build-500b-ai-infrastructure-in-us-in-the-next-four-years-details">up to $500 billion</a>. President Donald Trump later asserted that his re-election was the driving force behind Nvidia&#8217;s decision.
Gary Ng, senior economist at Natixis, shared with the BBC that the latest developments indicate global technology is becoming more polarized between &#8220;two systems,&#8221; one led by the US and the other by China. &#8220;Tech will be less global in that sense, and it will be subject to more restrictions,&#8221; stated the senior economist.
Meanwhile, Nvidia stock dropped 6.66% over the past five days, while Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) lost 3.79% during the same period. 
<ul>
<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44860334/china-cuts-us-oil-purchases-by-90-boosts-imports-from-canada-to-new-heights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">China Slashes US Oil Imports By 90% Amid Trump Tariffs, Turns To Canada Instead</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Tech

NVDA

Xi Jinping's Minister Urges Nvidia, US Firms To Invest More In China During Meeting With Jensen Huang, Despite Chip Export Curbs

The turmoil in U.S. equity markets has spooked foreign investors, leading to massive outflows over the past week, as tariff-related uncertainties continue to persist.
What Happened: According to a research note by Bank of America Global Research, foreign investors dumped $6.5 billion worth of U.S. equities last week, marking its second-largest amount on record, the first being the $7.5 billion in outflows during the banking crisis of 2023.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44882019/apple-ceo-tim-cooks-dialogue-with-commerce-secretary-lutnick-secured-tariff-exemption-for-iphones-and-electronics-report">Tim Cook&#8217;s Talks With Commerce Secretary Lutnick Helped Apple Secure Tariff Exemption For iPhones: Report</a>
Market observers on X have added more context to this statistic. The Kobeissi Letter, a popular capital markets newsletter, noted that foreign investors own 20% of the U.S. equity market, worth $18.5 trillion, and 30% of treasuries, amounting to $7.2 trillion, and $4.2 trillion, or 30% of the corporate debt market.
&#8220;Foreign investors want out amid the volatility,&#8221; it said.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Foreign investors are dumping US stocks at a rapid pace: Investors from overseas withdrew ~$6.5 billion from US equity funds over the last week, the second-largest amount on record. Net outflows were only below the $7.5 billion seen during the March 2023 Banking Crisis.… <a href="https://t.co/eXQst0EBQm">pic.twitter.com/eXQst0EBQm</a>
&mdash; The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) <a href="https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1912952517346070939?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Peter Schiff, a vocal critic of the tariffs, took a potshot a President Donald Trump.
&#8220;Trump thought tariffs would bring capital into America. Instead, it triggered a global run out of U.S. assets.&#8221;
He reiterated the same point in the accompanying video, while adding that &#8220;whenever the government wants to do something, the opposite is what happens.&#8221; 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Trump thought tariffs would bring capital into America. Instead, it triggered a global run out of U.S. assets. &#x1f4c9; &#x1f4a1; <a href="https://t.co/G7uBRqEsre">https://t.co/G7uBRqEsre</a> — download The Best Way to Buy Gold. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PeterSchiff?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PeterSchiff</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tariffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tariffs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Economy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Economy</a> <a href="https://t.co/REYYV0QBSY">pic.twitter.com/REYYV0QBSY</a>
&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1913020032461709368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Why It Matters: Analysts have been warning of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44756751/full-spectrum-collapse-top-bank-rings-alarm-over-simultaneous-fall-of-us-assets">simultaneous collapse across U.S. assets</a>, with equities, treasuries, the bond market, as well as the U.S. dollar all sliding in tandem. This has been attributed to foreign investors losing faith in American assets.
While this has been a growing narrative in recent weeks, there are others with a contrarian take, such as Tom Lee of Fundstrat Global Advisors, who said earlier this week that he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44806892/tom-lee-rejects-end-of-american-exceptionalism-narrative-says-says-us-still-home-to-worlds-best-companies-despite-dollar-yield-fears">does not believe</a> the "America in decline" or "end of American exceptionalism&#8221; narratives.
"The best and most important companies in the world are American companies,&#8221; he said.
Read More:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44882256/trumps-threat-to-fire-powell-could-shake-us-financial-markets">Trump&#8217;s Threat To Fire Powell Could Shake US Financial Markets</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Peter Schiff Rings Alarm After Foreign Investors Dump $6.5 Billion In US Equities In A Week, Quips 'Trump Thought Tariffs Would Bring Capital Into America'

Each week, Benzinga&#8217;s Stock Whisper Index uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/stock-whisper-index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface and deserve attention</a>.
Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.
Read Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/04/44597684/exclusive-marchs-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-where-do-tesla-nvidia-apple-applovin-stock-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: March's 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, Applovin Stock Rank?</a>
Here's a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending April 17:
Equinix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQIX#NASDAQ">EQIX</a>): The data center company saw strong interest from readers during the week. Citigroup recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/EQIX/analyst-ratings">maintained a Buy </a>rating on the stock and lowered the price target from $1,020 to $970. Mizuho also lowered the price target from $1,094 to $1,053 recently while maintaining an Outperform rating. All eyes are likely centered on the company's upcoming first-quarter earnings report on April 30. Analysts expect the company to report revenue of $2.22 billion, up from $2.13 billion in last year's first quarter. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly earnings per share of $9.09, up from $8.86 in last year's first quarter. The company has had recent mixed results beating earnings per share in three of the last four quarters, while missing revenue estimates in four straight quarters. The stock was up around 5% over the last five trading sessions, as shown on the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0417"> Benzinga Pro chart</a> below.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href=" https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0417"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="505" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17174940/Screenshot-379.png" alt="" class="wp-image-877779" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17174940/Screenshot-379.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17174940/Screenshot-379-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17174940/Screenshot-379-768x390.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>
Prologics Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLD#NYSE">PLD</a>): The industrial and logistics REIT saw strong interest from readers during the week and rejoins the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/04/44651693/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">Stock Whisper Index.</a> On April 16, the company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44837972/prologis-beats-q1-ffo-estimate-same-store-noi-up-6-2-y-y-more">reported earnings per share </a>of $1.42 that beat a Street consensus estimate of $1.38, while revenue of $2.00 billion missed a Street consensus estimate of $2.04 billion. The company has had mixed recent results, beating earnings per share in fourth straight quarters, while missing revenue estimates from analysts in six straight quarters. Several analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PLD/analyst-ratings">lowered their price targets </a>on the stock recently. While the quarterly results showed growth, management commentary said that customers were being more cautious given "policy uncertainty." The company reiterated full-year guidance, but the commentary could be something to watch going forward.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href=" https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0417"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="991" height="499" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17174955/Screenshot-380.png" alt="" class="wp-image-877780" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17174955/Screenshot-380.png 991w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17174955/Screenshot-380-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17174955/Screenshot-380-768x387.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 991px) 100vw, 991px" /></a></figure>
Alamos Gold Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AGI#NYSE">AGI</a>): Gold stocks continue to be hot with Benzinga readers with Alamos taking its turn on the Stock Whisper Index with gold at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/treasuries/25/04/44857989/gold-nears-3400-mark-experts-point-to-likely-correction-amid-bull-market-rates-will-drop-like-rock">all-time highs</a>. The stock recently got several <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AGI/analyst-ratings">price target increases</a> from analysts including Scotiabank and RBC Capital. Investors are preparing for the company to report first-quarter financial results on April 30. Analysts expect the company to report revenue of $357.2 million and earnings per share of 23 cents. The company has beaten revenue estimates from analysts in four straight quarters and seven of the last 10 quarters overall. On the earnings side, the company has beaten analyst estimates for EPS in seven of the last 10 quarters overall. Shares are up 98% over the last year and could have more upside from a strong earnings report and positive commentary on how the strong prices of gold are helping the company's future financials.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href=" https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0417"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="501" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17175012/Screenshot-381.png" alt="" class="wp-image-877781" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17175012/Screenshot-381.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17175012/Screenshot-381-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17175012/Screenshot-381-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>
Boston Scientific Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BSX#NYSE">BSX</a>): The medical devices company saw strong interest from readers during the week, which comes ahead of fourth-quarter financial results. The company also received <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BSX/analyst-ratings">an analyst upgrade</a> from Hold to Buy from Needham with a new price target of $113. Boston Scientific is set to report first-quarter financial results on April 23. Analysts expect the company to report revenue of $4.57 billion, up from $3.86 billion in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst revenue estimates in more than 10 straight quarters. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of 67 cents, up from 56 cents per share in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in eight straight quarters. There are some concerns about<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44652075/us-tariffs-spare-drugmakers-but-threaten-diabetes-device-industry"> how tariffs could impact </a>medical devices, but Boston Scientific has remained a strong performer in the sector. The company said 2024 was one of the best years <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/02/43494194/boston-scientific-clocks-22-jump-in-q4-sales-on-strong-heart-devices-profit-and-guidance-exceeds-expectations">in its history</a>. Investors will be looking for a strong first quarter and positive commentary to kick things off in 2025.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href=" https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0417"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="497" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17175026/Screenshot-382.png" alt="" class="wp-image-877784" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17175026/Screenshot-382.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17175026/Screenshot-382-300x149.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17175026/Screenshot-382-768x381.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>
American Express Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>): The credit card company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44862333/american-express-q1-card-spending-strong-ceo-maintains-annual-outlook-contingent-on-economic-climate">reported first-quarter</a> financial results on Thursday with earnings per share of $3.64 beating an analyst estimate of $3.47 and revenue of $16.97 billion beating an analyst estimate of $16.94 billion. The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in two straight quarters and for earnings per share in four of the last five quarters. In the earnings results, the company reported strong Card Member spending and higher net interest income. The company said it is seeing steady spending and credit trends despite the macroeconomic concerns. Bank of America recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/upgrades/25/04/44768565/american-express-receives-upgrade-what-makes-this-stock-so-appealing">upgraded the stock</a> from Neutral to Buy given it high-quality customer base that could keep credit losses in check. During uncertain times, credit card spending could increase and American Express remains a stock to watch with the stock up around 16% over the last year.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href=" https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0417"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="505" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17175041/Screenshot-383.png" alt="" class="wp-image-877785" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17175041/Screenshot-383.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17175041/Screenshot-383-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17175041/Screenshot-383-768x390.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>
Stay tuned for next week&#8217;s report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0417" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>
Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44333602/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">March 14</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44448522/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">March 21</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">March 28</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/04/44651693/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">April 4</a></li>
</ul>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/01/43041374/exclusive-how-high-will-sp-500-go-under-donald-trump-in-2025-readers-are-optimistic-26-say-this" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: How High Will S&amp;P 500 Go Under Donald Trump In 2025? Readers Are Optimistic, 26% Say This…</a></li>
</ul>

Exclusives

Trading Ideas

EQIX

Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Secretly Monitor But Don't Talk About Yet

<h3>Gainers</h3>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>Name</th>
<th align="right">Price</th>
<th align="right">Change ($)</th>
<th align="right">Change (%)</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>)</td>
<td>SPDR Select Sector Fund - Energy Select Sector</td>
<td align="right">80.40</td>
<td align="right">0.70</td>
<td align="right">0.87</td>
<td>44.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLY#NYSE">XLY</a>)</td>
<td>SPDR Select Sector Fund - Consumer Discretionary</td>
<td align="right">185.84</td>
<td align="right">1.60</td>
<td align="right">0.86</td>
<td>5.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLC#NYSE">XLC</a>)</td>
<td>The Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund</td>
<td align="right">90.17</td>
<td align="right">0.54</td>
<td align="right">0.60</td>
<td>554</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>)</td>
<td>SPDR Select Sector Fund - Technology</td>
<td align="right">194.92</td>
<td align="right">1.01</td>
<td align="right">0.52</td>
<td>158.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLB#NYSE">XLB</a>)</td>
<td>Materials Select Sector SPDR</td>
<td align="right">80.51</td>
<td align="right">0.31</td>
<td align="right">0.38</td>
<td>6.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLI#NYSE">XLI</a>)</td>
<td>SPDR Select Sector Fund - Industrial</td>
<td align="right">125.09</td>
<td align="right">0.47</td>
<td align="right">0.37</td>
<td>21.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLRE#NYSE">XLRE</a>)</td>
<td>Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (The)</td>
<td align="right">39.97</td>
<td align="right">0.15</td>
<td align="right">0.37</td>
<td>505</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NYSE">XLF</a>)</td>
<td>SPDR Select Sector Fund - Financial</td>
<td align="right">46.70</td>
<td align="right">0.17</td>
<td align="right">0.36</td>
<td>396.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLU#NYSE">XLU</a>)</td>
<td>SPDR Select Sector Fund - Utilities</td>
<td align="right">77.23</td>
<td align="right">0.25</td>
<td align="right">0.32</td>
<td>2.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLP#NYSE">XLP</a>)</td>
<td>SPDR Select Sector Fund - Consumer Staples</td>
<td align="right">80.27</td>
<td align="right">0.11</td>
<td align="right">0.13</td>
<td>1.7K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Losers</h3>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>Name</th>
<th align="right">Price</th>
<th align="right">Change ($)</th>
<th align="right">Change (%)</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLV#NYSE">XLV</a>)</td>
<td>SPDR Select Sector Fund - Health Care</td>
<td align="right">135.17</td>
<td align="right">-1.12</td>
<td align="right">-0.83</td>
<td>49.7K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Pulled from Benzinga Pro data</a> the above sector movers alert assists traders in understanding macro-level trends and market variations. Traders will look for sector movers providing information on sectors that are over- or under-performing, deriving these results into investing decisions on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or individual tickers in those sectors. 
For more information on sector movers, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/movers">click here</a>.

Sector ETFs

Pre-Market Outlook

Movers

ETFs

XLRE

Select Sector SPDR-Consumer Discretionary

Leading And Lagging Sectors For April 18, 2025

Bitcoin exchange-traded funds have seen volatile flows in recent days, mirroring the broader unease in financial markets as geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty—particularly the ongoing tariff war with China—continue to weigh on investor sentiment. Despite this shakiness, Bitcoin's price action has defied some of the bearish signals, revealing a potentially deeper story beneath the surface.
What is a Bitcoin ETF?
A Bitcoin ETF is a financial product that allows investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin without actually holding or managing the digital asset directly. These ETFs track the price of Bitcoin and are traded on traditional stock exchanges, making them an appealing gateway for both retail and institutional investors. For those who want access to Bitcoin's upside potential without the complexity of wallets, private keys, or crypto exchanges, ETFs offer a familiar and regulated on-ramp.
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They also open the door for traditional asset managers and retirement accounts to allocate capital to Bitcoin more seamlessly. That combination of accessibility, regulatory structure, and liquidity is what makes BTC ETFs attractive in a market that's still maturing.
The Key Players: IBIT, FBTC, GBTC
Currently, the top three ETFs dominating trading volume and attention are BlackRock's IBIT, Fidelity's FBTC, and Grayscale's GBTC. These funds not only lead in volume but also in total Bitcoin holdings.
As of the most recent data:
• IBIT holds the largest allocation with 570,000 BTC,
• FBTC is second with 207,000 BTC, and
• GBTC comes in third at 190,000 BTC.
These holdings highlight how significant these vehicles have become in terms of institutional and retail Bitcoin exposure.
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
Outflows and the Price Puzzle
Over the past few days, Bitcoin ETF flows have turned red—signaling net outflows across the major funds. In other words, more capital has been leaving these ETFs than entering them. This would typically be interpreted as bearish for Bitcoin, especially given the size and influence these funds have.
However, what's particularly interesting is that Bitcoin's price has actually rebounded during this period, rather than falling further. This divergence suggests there may be a lag between ETF flows and spot price movement, or that other forces—such as direct buying on exchanges or futures market dynamics—are playing a stronger role in short-term price action.
See Also: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now</a>.
Mixed Signals
ETF flows can offer a glimpse into institutional sentiment, but they don't always tell the full story. In a complex environment where macro factors, geopolitical issues, and crypto-native trends all collide, it's worth keeping an eye on both the flows and the price action—but understanding that one doesn't always immediately dictate the other.
As Bitcoin continues to integrate more deeply into traditional financial systems, tools like ETFs will remain essential for tracking demand. For now, the market is sending mixed signals, and that may be the clearest message of all.
Read Next:
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</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

Bitcoin ETF Flows Turn Negative — But Price Rebounds, Defying the Trend

Estee Lauder Cos's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EL#NYSE">EL</a>) short percent of float has fallen 11.42% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 8.11 million shares sold short, which is 3.49% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.8 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Estee Lauder Cos Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1744981239_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Estee Lauder Cos has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Estee Lauder Cos's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Estee Lauder Cos's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 6.15%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

What Does the Market Think About Estee Lauder Cos?

Aflac's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) short percent of float has fallen 4.52% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 9.16 million shares sold short, which is 1.69% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 4.38 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Aflac Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1744981234_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Aflac has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Aflac's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Aflac's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.76%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Looking Into Aflac's Recent Short Interest

VSE's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VSEC#NYSE">VSEC</a>) short percent of float has fallen 13.83% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 2.12 million shares sold short, which is 11.96% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 9.02 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>VSE Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1744981229_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for VSE has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing VSE's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, VSE's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 5.06%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

VSEC

Peering Into VSE's Recent Short Interest

U.S. stock markets will be closed on Friday, April 18, in observance of Good Friday, a Christian holiday that commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
US Stock Market Resumes On Monday
While Good Friday isn&#8217;t a federal holiday, the U.S. stock market remains closed on that day. The Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange will be closed on Friday and will reopen on Monday, April 21. According to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, the U.S. bond market will close early at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday and remain closed on Friday.
Following the Good Friday closure, Wall Street will operate normally until its next scheduled break on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.
What About Global Markets?
Additionally, stock markets in Australia, Germany, France, Singapore, and the UK (London Stock Exchange) will be closed on April 18. Also, the Hong Kong stock market remains closed on Good Friday and Monday, April 21. However, all MSCI and currency derivatives products will be open for trading.
Notable exceptions are Japan and mainland China stock markets, which will remain open as usual.
Are Banks Open On Good Friday?
According to the Federal Reserve, most banks will remain open on Good Friday, though the working hours could be modified. Please check the bank&#8217;s website before visitng. 
Will The Mail And Postal Service Operate Today?
U.S. Postal Service facilities will operate as usual with regular mail delivery, and both UPS and FedEx services will also continue without interruption.
Is It A State Holiday?
Good Friday is recognized as a state holiday in twelve states, though it is not a Federal Holiday. These states are: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas, and Kentucky, which observe it for one and a half days.
Significance Of This Holiday
Good Friday marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which Christians believe was a sacrificial act to atone for humanity&#8217;s sins. Though the day is solemn, it is called &#8216;good&#8217; because it paves the way for Easter Sunday—the celebration of Jesus's resurrection, symbolizing triumph over death and the promise of new life.
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Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Why Is Stock Market Closed Today? A Quick Guide To Markets, Banking Hours And What's Closed On Good Friday 2025

Cryptocurrency mogul Justin Sun declared Thursday that he won&#8217;t dump his Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) holdings despite the continued decline in its value.
What Happened: Sun, the founder of the Tron (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/trx/usd">TRX</a>) blockchain, expressed a strong conviction for the second-largest cryptocurrency in an X post.
&#8220;ETH is currently at a low price, but we have no intention of selling our ETH holdings,&#8221; the cryptocurrency entrepreneur wrote.
&nbsp;Instead, he stated that Tron was looking&nbsp;to collaborate with more Ethereum&nbsp;developers to &#8220;build the industry together.&#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">ETH is currently at a low price, but we have no intention of selling our ETH holdings. Tron will continue to seek opportunities to collaborate with more Ethereum developers and build our industry together.
&mdash; H.E. Justin Sun &#x1f34c; (@justinsuntron) <a href="https://twitter.com/justinsuntron/status/1912945575504617945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Justin Sun is one of the largest cryptocurrency investors, with a portfolio worth more than $994 million, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://platform.arkhamintelligence.com/explorer/entity/justin-sun" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data&nbsp;</a>from Arkham Intelligence.&nbsp; He held 203.175 ETH as of this writing, worth $322,510, while his Lido Staked Ether (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">STETH</a>) accounted for $266 million.
Ethereum has been a major cryptocurrency laggard this year, plunging more than 52% year-to-date. The mega-cap token was currently trading 60% below its December highs.
In the last two days, however, it has traded sideways with little volatility.
 &#8220;This kind of price action usually precedes a large move. Just got to wait for the break to either direction,&#8221; Daan Crypto Trades, a widely followed cryptocurrency trader, predicted.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> Price extremely compressed. Has not really moved for the better part of 2 days. This kind of price action usually precedes a large move. Just got to wait for the break to either direction. <a href="https://t.co/dqCAz05seL">pic.twitter.com/dqCAz05seL</a>
&mdash; Daan Crypto Trades (@DaanCrypto) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaanCrypto/status/1913124975055118441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44881657/shytoshi-kusama-introduces-karma-system-a-trust-score-for-the-shiba-inu-ecosystem" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shytoshi Kusama Introduces &#8216;Karma&#8217; System To Assess Credibility Of Shiba Inu Users: &#8216;We Deal With So Many Scams And Scammers&#8217;</a>
Meanwhile, another well-known ETH investor, Niels, admitted that the token has been &#8220;the biggest disappointment&#8221; of this cycle.
Niels noted that major upgrades and institutional adoption have had little impact on the price, and now only <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44875406/hell-be-out-if-i-ask-him-can-trumps-threat-to-oust-powell-shake-the-fed">quantitative easing by the Federal Reserve</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/03/37967762/fidelity-includes-staking-in-spot-ethereum-etf-application">approval of Ethereum staking exchange-traded funds</a> could spark a recovery.
&#8220;If these 2 things happen this cycle, $10,000 ETH is programmed,&#8221; Niels said.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> is now at its most crucial support zone. Despite being one of my holdings, I&#39;m admitting that ETH has been the biggest disappointment of this cycle. ETF approval, major upgrades, and institutional adoption have helped very little, and prices are now back to 2018 levels.… <a href="https://t.co/YAQMd87JoH">pic.twitter.com/YAQMd87JoH</a>
&mdash; Niels (@Web3Niels) <a href="https://twitter.com/Web3Niels/status/1912798313679630767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Price Action: At the time of writing, ETH traded at $1,588.02, down 0.37% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.&nbsp;
The Open Interest in ETH futures rose 2.11% in the last 24 hours, <a href="https://www.coinglass.com/LongShortRatio">according </a>to Coinglass. Additionally, more than 50% of Binance traders with an active ETH contract were positioned short as of this writing.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44881383/isaac-newton-inspired-crypto-defies-gravity-soars-7600-since-the-year-began">Isaac Newton-inspired Crypto Defies Gravity, Soars 7600% Since The Year Began</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>
Photo: VPLAB/Shutterstock

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

$ETH

$STETH

$TRX

Justin Sun Has 'No Intention Of Selling' ETH Despite A 52% YTD Slump—Crypto Mogul Says Tron Will Continue Collaboration With Ethereum

Chinese firms are reportedly using shell entities to circumvent the hefty tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. These shell importers, which are relatively easy to establish, could potentially hit the U.S. government&#8217;s revenue collection projections.
What Happened: These shell entities, typically registered as limited liability companies (LLCs) in the U.S., are being utilized to dodge customs duties, according <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-war/Trump-tariffs/Shell-game-How-China-linked-front-companies-dodge-U.S.-tariffs">to</a> a report by Nikkei Asia.
&#8220;This just becomes a game of whack-a-mole,&#8221; commented Nicholas Birch, an international trade attorney at Schagrin Associates, according to the report.
These shell entities provide a &#8220;surety bond&#8221; to U.S. officials to cover expected tariff payments. However, these bonds can be significantly smaller than the actual duties, enabling the shell entities to forfeit their bonds and vanish, only to establish another shell company the following week.
Experts caution that the lack of customs supervision on importers, combined with the simplicity of creating a shell importer, heightens the risk of trade fraud.
&#8220;CBP does not screen these entities,&#8221; stated Paula Connelly, a former customs broker and senior member at trade law firm Sandler, Travis &amp; Rosenberg, according to the report.
See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44794639/ironically-because-of-all-the-new-tariffs-its-now-way-cheaper-to-make-our-chocolate-bars-outside-the-us-says" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ironically, Because Of All The New Tariffs, It&#8217;s Now Way Cheaper To Make Our Chocolate Bars Outside The US,&#8217; Says MrBeast</a>
The report added that shell companies are merely one tactic Chinese companies employ to reduce the costs of exporting to the U.S. Other strategies include undervaluing products and concealing the origin of products by shipping them via third countries.
Why It Matters: The tariff war between the U.S. and China has been escalating, with President Trump intensifying import taxes on China to a staggering <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44778488/as-trump-intensifies-tariff-war-with-china-global-economy-feels-the-tremors-whats-the-endgame-here">145%</a> on April 12. In retaliation, China raised its own tariffs to 125%.
 Chinese manufacturers and distributors, affected by these tariffs, were <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44785827/us-amazon-sellers-face-unlawful-tariff-evasion-proposals-from-frenzied-chinese-suppliers-report">proposing illegal strategies</a> to U.S. Amazon sellers to decrease their tariff duties. These tactics included understating the value of their imported goods and misrepresenting the shipment's value.
By April 16, the Trump administration had raised tariffs on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44831287/trump-administration-imposes-up-to-245-tariff-on-chinese-imports-amid-intensifying-trade-battle">Chinese imports by up to 245%</a>. Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44857520/bill-gates-says-his-kids-and-grandkids-will-live-in-a-very-changed-world-as-ai-puts-an-end-to-shortage-of-te" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bill Gates Says His Kids And Grandkids Will Live In A &#8216;Very Changed World&#8217; As AI Puts An End To Shortage Of Teachers And Doctors</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Chinese Firms Are Reportedly Using Shell Entities To Dodge Trump's Tariffs

The Blue Whale Growth fund, backed by the billionaire Peter Hargreaves, has sold its entire stake in Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) amid fears of a global economic slowdown.
What Happened: The decision to exit Meta and Microsoft was announced by the fund&#8217;s manager, Stephen Yiu, following U.S. President Donald Trump&#8216;s announcement of broad tariffs on April 2, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/4049c101-65f4-4cf5-a045-78b3b7e67131">reported</a> the Financial Times.
Yiu expressed concerns that these tariffs could potentially trigger a global economic slowdown, which would negatively impact Meta&#8217;s digital advertising business. He stated, &#8220;When you have a global business in digital advertising and a global slowdown and economic uncertainty, then it does impact the top line [revenues].&#8221;
The Blue Whale Growth fund, managing £1.1 billion ($1.46 billion), has massive holdings in technology stocks, accounting for nearly 40% of the portfolio. Meta&#8217;s holding represented about 3% of this.
Yiu also revealed that the fund has been buying shares of U.S. chip designer&nbsp;Nvidia Corporation&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), raising the stock&#8217;s share of the overall fund from 7% at the end of last year to 10%, in order to take advantage of a lower share price.
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44881570/trump-administration-to-lay-off-nearly-90-of-cfpb-employees-in-major-downsizing-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Administration To Lay Off Nearly 90% Of CFPB Employees In Major Downsizing: Report</a>
Why It Matters:&nbsp;The Blue Whale Growth fund, started in 2017 by Hargreaves, co-founder of Hargreaves Lansdown, holds around £200 million ($265.31 million) from his family. Since Trump&#8217;s tariff announcement, Hargreaves Lansdown has reported that its customers have continued to be net buyers of the Magnificent Seven stocks, which represent nearly a third of the S&amp;P 500 by market capitalization.
In early April, UK retail investment platforms Interactive Investor and AJ Bell experienced a surge in trading volumes. Interactive Investor reached its highest-ever trading volumes on April 7, with Nvidia and Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) being popular picks. AJ Bell noted an increase in purchases of the Polar Capital Technology Trust, which includes tech giants like Nvidia, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple, highlighting growing interest in tech stocks.
After President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/liberation-day"> on April 2</a>, the U.S. technology sector has been particularly impacted. Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) dropped 16.86% year-to-date, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMH#NASDAQ">SMH</a>) lost 21.5% during the same period.
<ul>
<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44877231/ethereum-price-plunges-to-2018-levels-what-is-going-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ethereum Price Plunges To 2018 Levels: What Is Going On? &#8211; Benzinga</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

AMZN

MSFT

Billionaire Peter Hargreaves-Backed Fund Offloads Stake In Meta, Microsoft Amid Global Economic Woes

Amid escalating US-China tensions, senior scientist Yi Shouliang, formerly with the US Department of Energy, has left the U.S. to assume a new academic role at Sichuan University in China, according to a media report on Friday. What Happened: Yi recently departed the US after a short tenure as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh, as reported <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3306865/doe-senior-scientist-yi-shouliang-leaves-us-china">by</a> the South China Morning Post. He also dissolved his commercial ventures in the country.
Earlier, Shouliang served as a principal scientist and project leader at the DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), where he focused on the Water-Energy Programme.
He has now accepted a new role at Sichuan University in China. Shouliang&#8217;s move comes at a time of increasing US-China tensions.
The reasons for his departure have not been disclosed. Currently, his name only appears in one patent filing and project proposals.
See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44881540/cathie-wood-says-shes-trusting-trump-will-get-call-on-tariffs-right-investors-shorting-the-equity-market-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cathie Wood Says She&#8217;s Trusting Trump Will Get Call On Tariffs Right: &#8216;Investors Shorting The Equity Market Now Will Be Caught Flat Footed Or Worse&#8217;</a>
At Sichuan University, Yi&#8217;s research includes advanced separation technologies and engineering. The lab also conducts exploratory research on artificial intelligence and machine learning.
These technologies are applied to high-performance membrane materials, porous functional materials, carbon capture and conversion, energy storage and gas separation, and ion-selective separation.
According to Sichuan University&#8217;s official website, Yi holds multiple titles, including Hai Na Distinguished Professor, doctoral supervisor, and head of the Green Low-Carbon Separation Technology and CCUS Innovation Team.
He is also a recipient of the National Overseas <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/23/08/34031021/chinas-stealth-revival-of-thousand-talents-plan-signals-semiconductor-ambitions-despite-us-restricti">High-Level Talent Programme</a>, previously known as the &#8216;Thousand Talents Plan&#8217;.
Why It Matters: Shouliang&#8217;s move to China is part of a larger trend of top scientists leaving the US for China. This trend has been fueled by China&#8217;s revival of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/23/08/34031021/chinas-stealth-revival-of-thousand-talents-plan-signals-semiconductor-ambitions-despite-us-restricti">&#8220;Thousand Talents Plan&#8221; (TTP)</a>, a program aimed at attracting top scientists to accelerate its semiconductor industry.
Another notable departure was that of acclaimed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40939909/top-mathematician-kenji-fukaya-leaves-us-to-join-chinas-tsinghua-university-amid-rising-tensions">Japanese mathematician Kenji Fukaya</a>, who left his post in the United States to take up a full-time professorship at China's Tsinghua University. Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44794639/ironically-because-of-all-the-new-tariffs-its-now-way-cheaper-to-make-our-chocolate-bars-outside-the-us-says" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ironically, Because Of All The New Tariffs, It&#8217;s Now Way Cheaper To Make Our Chocolate Bars Outside The US,&#8217; Says MrBeast</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Top US Scientist Leaves Department Of Energy To Join Sichuan University Amid Rising China Tensions

Barclays&nbsp;has revised its price target for&nbsp;Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) from $325 to $275, attributing the downgrade to weak fundamentals.
What Happened: Barclays, led by analyst Dan Levy, maintained an equal weight rating on Tesla&#8217;s stock but lowered the price target following a review of Tesla&#8217;s Q1 performance, as reported by <a href="https://in.investing.com/news/analyst-ratings/barclays-cuts-tesla-stock-price-target-to-275-from-325-93CH-4780716">Investing.com</a>. Barclays believes that, despite the downgrade, the market could respond positively if sentiment around Tesla improves — especially with Elon Musk taking a more active role and the upcoming Full Self-Driving (FSD) event on the horizon.
Levy and his team anticipate a low point in Tesla&#8217;s gross margin, driven by reduced production volume and operational inefficiencies. This expected drop played a key role in their decision to adjust the price target for Tesla shares.
Barclays has revised its forecast for Tesla's vehicle volume, now anticipating a decrease by 2025. Analysts view this potential drop in volume as a key concern for the company's future, with possible implications for its financial results and market valuation.
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44829139/musk-firing-thousands-of-federal-workers-a-warning-says-bernie-sanders-what-do-you-think-hell-do-when-ai-com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Musk Firing Thousands Of Federal Workers A Warning, Says Bernie Sanders—&#8217;What Do You Think He&#8217;ll Do When AI Comes For Private Sector Jobs?&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: The downgrade comes amid a series of challenges for Tesla. A recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44881982/elon-musks-tesla-accused-of-manipulating-odometers-to-dodge-warranty-repairs">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;accused the company of manipulating odometer readings to avoid warranty repairs, further damaging its reputation. 
Additionally, Tesla has been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44882075/tesla-reportedly-scales-back-cybertruck-production-shifts-workers-as-sales-plummet-the-parking-lot-keeps-getting-emptier">scaling back</a>&nbsp;its Cybertruck production and reassigning workers due to a sales slump, indicating potential operational and demand issues. Meanwhile, the EV maker is encountering new obstacles in its production plans for the Cybercab and Semi, stemming from the ongoing effects of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44831422/donald-trumps-145-tariffs-on-china-could-disrupt-teslas-cybercab-semi-production-report">145% tariffs </a>on Chinese goods imposed by the Trump administration.
These factors, coupled with the projected decline in vehicle volume, could significantly impact Tesla&#8217;s market valuation and financial performance in the long run.
However, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives believes that the&nbsp;Elon Musk-led EV giant was ‘<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44831960/dan-ives-says-tesla-best-positioned-to-deal-with-tariffs-it-will-ultimately-be-finished-cars-vs-auto-parts">best positioned</a>&#8216; to deal with the tariffs relative to the Detroit automakers like&nbsp;General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>), Ford Motor Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>), and&nbsp;Stellantis Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STLA#NYSE">STLA</a>). Ives&#8217;s remarks highlight Tesla&#8217;s solid standing in the U.S. electric vehicle market, where it led with a 43% share of EV sales in the first quarter of 2025.
Notably, Barclays&#8217; revised price target indicates nearly a 14% upside from Tesla&#8217;s Thursday close. Over the past month, shares of Tesla climbed 7.13%.
<ul>
<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44866755/mark-cuban-says-this-trump-healthcare-order-could-save-hundreds-of-billions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Says This Trump Healthcare Order &#8216;Could Save Hundreds Of Billions&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

STLA

TSLA

Tesla Price Target Slashed To $275 By Barclays Amid Margin Woes, But Elon Musk's FSD Push Could Lift Sentiment

The U.S. Energy Department (DoE) is reportedly contemplating substantial reductions, potentially halting&nbsp;nearly $10 billion in federal&nbsp;funding for clean-energy projects. This move could jeopardize high-profile collaborations with&nbsp;Exxon Mobil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>)&nbsp;and&nbsp;Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OXY#NYSE">OXY</a>).
What Happened: The proposed cuts could disrupt contracts with energy companies involved in&nbsp;hydrogen, carbon capture, long-duration energy&nbsp;storage, and other technologies, The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/doge-comes-for-clean-energy-putting-exxon-and-occidental-projects-at-risk-565bd42f">reported</a>. These reductions are a part of President Donald Trump's broader initiative through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce the size and cost of government, and could result in thousands of job losses at the Department of Energy (DOE), according to the report. 
DOGE&#8217;s&nbsp;efforts, overseen by Trump advisor Elon Musk, have already resulted in significant contract reductions and&nbsp;job cuts across the federal&nbsp;workforce. The $10 billion figure represents&nbsp;potential funding slashes in two&nbsp;DOE offices and a portion of the DOGE-driven cancellations being considered across the Energy Department.
Several key partnerships are at risk, including projects with Exxon, NextEra Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEE#NYSE">NEE</a>), and Occidental Petroleum, as the DOE considers cutting support. Additionally, funding for four regional hydrogen hubs—mainly in Democratic-leaning areas—is also under review.
DOE did not respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga&#8217;s</a> request for comment.
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44877231/ethereum-price-plunges-to-2018-levels-what-is-going-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ethereum Price Plunges To 2018 Levels: What Is Going On? &#8211; Benzinga</a>
Why It Matters: The proposed cuts follow President Trump&#8217;s earlier move to freeze billions in federal funding, affecting projects in clean energy, conservation, and transportation across the United States. This move&nbsp;in February has created <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43628767/trump-freezes-billions-in-federal-funding-jobs-and-projects-in-clean-energy-conservation-and-transportation-left-in-limbo">uncertainty </a>for thousands of workers and local economies.
Moreover, in April 2025, Trump unveiled plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44701436/trump-unleashes-beautiful-clean-coal-policies-as-wall-street-tanks-sp-500-hits-1-year-low">revive U.S. coal production</a>, marking a dramatic policy reversal from the climate-focused agendas of the Biden and Obama administrations. This shift in policy and the proposed funding cuts could significantly impact the clean energy sector and its stakeholders.
Meanwhile, DOGE has drawn severe criticism for its mass firings. Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44484549/mark-cuban-on-doge-government-cuts-this-isnt-a-corporate-turnaround-this-is-the-united-states-of-america">warned </a>that abruptly cutting federal programs, agencies, and jobs without considering the economic impact could harm local economies. He noted that in some cities, up to 9% of the workforce depends on government jobs, and sudden cuts could lead to job losses, falling home values, and economic decline.
iShares Global Clean Energy UCITS ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ICLN#NASDAQ">ICLN</a>) and Invesco Solar ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TAN#NYSE">TAN</a>) climbed 1.77% and 1.19%, respectively, on Thursday.
While shares of Occidental Petroleum and Exxon Mobil rose 3.28% and 2.62%, respectively, during the same period.
<ul>
<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44881570/trump-administration-to-lay-off-nearly-90-of-cfpb-employees-in-major-downsizing-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Administration To Lay Off Nearly 90% Of CFPB Employees In Major Downsizing: Report</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

iShares S&P Global Clean Energy Index Fund

ICLN

Trump's Energy Department Mulls Cutting Billions In Clean-Energy Funds, Threatening Exxon, Occidental Projects

On Friday, Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks about potential collaboration in technology and innovation, signaling a strong push for deeper ties in these areas.
What Happened: In a post on social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi shared that he and Musk had discussed "various issues," including the topics they touched upon during their earlier meeting in Washington, D.C., this year.
Modi went on to add that the discussion revolved around the &#8220;immense potential for collaboration&#8221; in tech and innovation.
<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">Spoke to <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> and talked about various issues, including the topics we covered during our meeting in Washington DC earlier this year. We discussed the immense potential for collaboration in the areas of technology and innovation. India remains committed to advancing our…
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1913129902100090992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 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/25/04/44881778/amid-rising-competition-from-chinas-deepseek-and-us-rivals-openai-ceo-sam-altman-launches-codex-cli-a-coding-agent-that-runs-on-your-computer">Facing Heat From China&#8217;s DeepSeek And US Rivals, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Launches Codex CLI: &#8216;A Coding Agent That Runs On Your Computer&#8217;</a>
Why It's Important: The meeting between the two comes <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44833951/elon-musk-led-teslas-model-y-spotted-testing-in-mumbai-ahead-of-india-debut">amid growing anticipation</a> for Tesla&#8217;s expansion into the Indian market, further fueled by a recent test run of a Tesla Model Y in Mumbai.
Tesla has also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43805175/elon-musks-tesla-prepares-for-india-expansion-engineer-confirms-hiring-push-we-are-looking-for-motivated-talent-to-help-us">been hiring for roles in India</a>, a sign that the company is serious about establishing a presence there after facing challenges with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43718656/will-tesla-finally-enter-india-modi-musk-meeting-reportedly-focused-on-tariffs-starlink-licensing-and-spacex-collaboration">local tariffs and manufacturing</a> requirements.
Last month, Musk's SpaceX partnered with India&#8217;s Jio Platforms to expand Starlink <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44268506/elon-musk-led-spacex-inks-agreements-with-indias-top-telecom-providers-expands-addressable-market-by-over-850-million-users">satellite internet services</a>. SpaceX has also signed up a similar agreement with Bharti Airtel, Jio&#8217;s main competitor.
Price Action: Tesla shares dipped 0.070% on Thursday and slipped an additional 0.20% in after-hours trading, settling at $240.89. While the stock has seen some recent gains, it&#8217;s still down 36.36% year-to-date, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
The EV leader currently boasts a solid growth score of 67.60%, based on Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here to see how it stacks up against</a> other top industry players.
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/25/03/44554189/openai-and-microsoft-back-mcp-standard-in-major-shift-toward-interoperable-ai-agents-that-can-think-click-and-navigate-the-web-but-google-ceo-sundar-pichai-appears-to-be-mulling-over-it-in-shakespearean-fashion-to-mcp-or-not-to-mcp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OpenAI And Microsoft Back MCP Standard For Web-Surfing AI Agents; Google's Sundar Pichai Asks A Shakespearean Question</a></li>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

SPACE

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Indian PM Modi Discuss Deeper Tech Ties Amid Model Y Test Run In Mumbai

Warren Buffett's anti-Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) rhetoric has long been discussed in market circles, with many trying to comprehend why one of the world's most valuable assets failed to impress the "Oracle of Omaha."
That being said, his firm, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>), has indirect exposure to the price moves of the apex cryptocurrency through a company that bets on spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds.
What happened: According to the latest 13F filing, Berkshire Hathaway held 680.23 million shares of banking giant Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), translating to a stake worth nearly $29.89 billion, at the end of 2024.
Notably, BAC was Berkshire Hathaway's third-largest holding, cornering about 11.88% of its investment portfolio.
However, unlike its investor, the financial behemoth was not hesitant to park its funds in Bitcoin.
BAC has a stake in each of the six top ETFs tracking Bitcoin&#8217;s spot price, with the largest position valued at $21.78 million in the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBIT#NASDAQ">IBIT</a>). The company&#8217;s 13F filing revealed that it has held the shares since the first quarter of 2024 and scooped up an additional 249,292 shares in the fourth quarter.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44856286/solana-outpaces-bitcoin-ethereum-after-cathie-woods-ark-invest-piles-on-sols-new-canada-based-etf">Solana Breaks Free From Bitcoin, Ethereum Lag After Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest Accumulates New SOL Staking ETF</a>
Why It Matters: The investment sharply contrasted with Buffett's disdain toward Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. The seasoned stock picker has called Bitcoin<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44728494/bitcoin-draws-ire-from-buffett-and-dimon-but-blockchain-technology-sees-a-softer-stance-from-both"> "probably rat poison squared"</a> and a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44728494/bitcoin-draws-ire-from-buffett-and-dimon-but-blockchain-technology-sees-a-softer-stance-from-both">&#8220;delusion&#8221;</a> in the past, questioning its intrinsic value.
Interestingly, like BAC, some other Berkshire Hathaway holdings are tied to cryptocurrencies.
Financial services company&nbsp;Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JEF#NYSE">JEF</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44622000/warren-buffett-avoids-bitcoin-but-do-you-know-berkshire-hathaway-holds-a-stake-in-a-bitcoin-hedge-advocate">also held over $85 million worth of IBIT shares</a> and deemed Bitcoin a &#8220;critical hedge&#8221; against fiat debasement and inflation.
Additionally, Berkshire <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42480133/do-you-know-warren-buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-has-positions-in-this-lesser-known-crypto-friendly-bank-heres-how-the-stock-has-performed-this-year">has a stake</a> in Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NU#NYSE">NU</a>), a Brazil-based cryptocurrency-friendly bank.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin traded at $84,624.93, up 0.03% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.&nbsp;
Shares of Berkshire Hathaway rose 0.13% in after-hours trading after closing 0.34% higher at $518.21 during Thursday&#8217;s regular session. BAC stock closed 0.21% higher at $37.41.
As of this writing, Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s stock was experiencing strong momentum. Go to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings</a> to see how BAC and its other top holdings perform on this metric.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="484" height="123" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/18041626/Screenshot-2025-04-18-134602.png" alt="" class="wp-image-878091" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/18041626/Screenshot-2025-04-18-134602.png 484w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/18041626/Screenshot-2025-04-18-134602-300x76.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 484px) 100vw, 484px" /></figure>
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Image via Shutterstock

$BTC

IBIT

MSTR

MTPLF

Warren Buffett Dislikes Bitcoin—But Berkshire Hathaway Finds Itself Linked To BTC ETFs Through One Of Its Biggest Holdings

President Donald Trump's potential attempt to dismiss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell could rattle U.S. financial markets and undermine central bank independence, investment strategists warn.
What Happened: Trump&#8217;s aggressive stance on tariffs has already caused turbulence in the financial markets.
Investment strategists have now warned against dismissing the possibility of Trump trying&nbsp;to remove Powell from the&nbsp;Fed.
Kathy Jones, chief fixed-income strategist at the Schwab Center for Financial Research, stated that Trump&#8217;s desire to fire Powell and lower interest rates is evident, according <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/if-trump-fires-powell-it-would-blindside-wall-street-and-rattle-financial-markets-4b21833c?g=d37519b0-9514-4474-9d8e-414d33c0919d&amp;ref=biztoc.com">to</a> a report by MarketWatch.
Trump has publicly criticized Powell&nbsp;for refusing to lower interest&nbsp;rates, demanding that&nbsp;the central bank follow the&nbsp;European Central Bank&#8217;s example,&nbsp;which announced its latest rate&nbsp;cut on Thursday.
Despite Trump&#8217;s threats, Powell has maintained that the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/fed-chair-powell-deliver-fresh-economic-view-tariffs-inject-uncertainty-2025-04-16/">Fed will wait</a> to see how Trump&#8217;s&nbsp;tariffs impact the economy and&nbsp;inflation before proceeding with further interest-rate cuts. He also stated that the Fed would not&nbsp;intervene if the stock market&nbsp;plummeted.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44860334/china-cuts-us-oil-purchases-by-90-boosts-imports-from-canada-to-new-heights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">China Slashes US Oil Imports By 90% Amid Trump Tariffs, Turns To Canada Instead</a>
Following Trump&#8217;s social media post criticizing Powell, several press reports cited White House officials stating that <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/trump-says-his-proposed-tariffs-will-cost-americans-nothing-but-he-can-t-guarantee-anything-226489925905">Trump was not&nbsp;actually planning to fire Powell</a>.&nbsp;However, the authority Trump has to dismiss Powell remains unclear.
Analysts have warned that&nbsp;an upcoming Supreme Court decision&nbsp;could potentially undermine the independence&nbsp;of the Fed and other government agencies by expanding presidential powers. This could allow&nbsp;firings at institutions previously considered&nbsp;insulated from political pressure.
Despite the uncertainty, investors seemed willing to&nbsp;give Trump the benefit of&nbsp;the doubt, with the S&amp;P 500 index finishing&nbsp;slightly higher after a rocky&nbsp;session ahead of the long&nbsp;holiday weekend.
Why It Matters: The potential dismissal of Powell by Trump has been a topic of discussion since Trump&#8217;s re-election.
In November, Powell dismissed speculation about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/41823887/powell-dismisses-talk-of-resignation-after-trump-victory-says-policy-is-still-res">his potential resignation</a> or removal upon Trump&#8217;s return to the White House, stating the president cannot legally fire the central banker.
However, Trump later said he had <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42381894/donald-trump-shifts-stance-on-jerome-powell-says-no-immediate-plans-to-replace-fed-chair-i-dont-think-so">no immediate plans to remove Powell</a>.
Despite this, Trump&#8217;s criticism of Powell&#8217;s handling of interest rates has continued, leading to speculation about a potential <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41849984/powell-brushes-off-trumps-removal-threat-economists-say-2026-could-be-his-last-stand">clash between the White House and the central bank</a>.
This ongoing tension, coupled with the lack of a perceived &#8220;Trump put&#8221; or <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44661029/trump-and-fed-stand-firm-lack-of-a-put-could-drive-the-market-lower-very-quickly-warns-expert">&#8220;Fed put&#8221;</a>, could trigger a swift and significant market downturn. Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44866755/mark-cuban-says-this-trump-healthcare-order-could-save-hundreds-of-billions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Says This Trump Healthcare Order &#8216;Could Save Hundreds Of Billions&#8217;</a></li>
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Photo Courtesy: Jonah Elkowitz on Shutterstock.com

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