OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed disappointment with the Democratic Party, saying it no longer aligns with the pro-innovation values he once shared, leaving him "politically homeless."



What Happened: Altman, 40, posted on X on Friday, celebrating America while sharing his frustrations with today's political climate. 



"I am extremely proud to be an American," he wrote, adding, "I firmly believe this is the greatest country ever on Earth," before criticizing Democrats for veering away from a culture of entrepreneurship.



"I believe in techno-capitalism. We should encourage people to make tons of money and then also find ways to widely distribute wealth and share the compounding magic of capitalism," Altman said.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46199580/microsoft-rivian-intel-slash-jobs-in-june-tech-layoff-spree?utm_source=articleShare" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft, Rivian, Intel Slash Jobs In June Tech Layoff Spree</a>



"One doesn't work without the other; you cannot raise the floor and not also raise the ceiling for very long."



Altman, whose <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45852700/openai-surges-past-10-billion-in-annualized-revenue-amid-record-chatgpt-use-leaves-rivals-like-amazon-backed-anthropic-behind">AI company powers</a> ChatGPT, lamented that the Democrats once embraced those ideals but "have moved somewhere else at this point."&nbsp;



"So now I am politically homeless," he said.



He also criticized anti-billionaire rhetoric, saying, "I'd rather hear from candidates about how they are going to make everyone have the stuff billionaires have instead of how they are going to eliminate billionaires."



<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">I'm not big on identities, but I am extremely proud to be American. This is true every day, but especially today—I firmly believe this is the greatest country ever on Earth. The American miracle stands alone in world history. I believe in techno-capitalism. We should encourage…&mdash; Sam Altman (@sama) <a href="https://twitter.com/sama/status/1941151234775511328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Why It's Important: According <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/sam-altman/">to</a> Forbes, Altman currently has an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion. He dropped out of Stanford University in 2005 to launch the social mapping startup Loopt, which he sold in 2012 for $43 million and used the proceeds to establish his own venture fund.



Around that period, Altman also became a partner at the startup accelerator Y Combinator, eventually serving as its president from 2014 to 2019.



In 2019, he stepped down from YC to take on the role of CEO at OpenAI, although he was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/11/35916508/openai-drama-timeline-all-the-twists-and-turns-starring-sam-altman">briefly ousted and reinstated</a> in 2023.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/large-cap/25/07/46223791/elon-musks-stupid-actions-will-be-teslas-nail-in-the-coffin-ross-gerber-warns?utm_source=articleShare" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk's ‘Stupid' Actions Will Be Tesla's ‘Nail In The Coffin,' Ross Gerber Warns</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: jamesonwu1972 / Shutterstock.com

Tech

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Says Democrats Lost The Plot As They No Longer Support Innovation Or Entrepreneurship: 'Now I Am Politically Homeless'

President Donald Trump has announced that his administration will begin informing trading partners about new tariffs on their exports starting this Friday.



What Happened: These tariffs are scheduled to take effect on August 1. Trump mentioned that approximately &#8220;10 or 12&#8221; letters will be sent out initially, with more to follow in the coming days, according <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-03/trump-says-he-may-start-telling-nations-new-tariff-rates-friday">to</a> a Bloomberg report on Friday.



The president stated that by July 9, all countries would be notified of their new tariff levels, which could range from 10% to 70%. This move is part of Trump&#8217;s strategy to favor straightforward agreements over complex negotiations. Negotiations with countries such as Indonesia, South Korea, the European Union, and Switzerland are reaching critical stages.



Trump&#8217;s latest tariff threat is consistent with his previous ultimatums, suggesting that some countries may not have a say in their tariff levels. The highest proposed tariffs could exceed those initially outlined during his &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; announcement in April, which ranged from 10% to 50%.



Trump emphasized that countries would start paying these tariffs on August 1, with revenue beginning to flow into the US. The impact of these tariffs on inflation has led some Federal Reserve officials to be cautious about cutting interest rates, despite pressure from Trump.



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46259886/elon-musks-tesla-is-a-multi-trillion-dollar-opportunity-but-short-term-outlook-is-shaky-says-exp">Elon Musk&#8217;s Tesla Is A &#8216;Multi-Trillion-Dollar Opportunity,&#8217; But Short-Term Outlook Is &#8216;Shaky,&#8217; Says Expert</a>



While deals have been reached with the UK and Vietnam, other major trading partners like Japan and South Korea are still negotiating. Trump remains optimistic about reaching an agreement with India but has criticized Japan as a challenging partner.



Why It Matters: The announcement comes amid escalating trade tensions, notably with Japan. Trump recently threatened to impose tariffs of &#8220;30% or 35%&#8221; on<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46213186/trump-threatens-35-tariffs-on-japan-as-trade-deadline-looms-not-sure-were-going-to-make-a-deal"> Japanese exports if no agreement</a> is reached by the July 9 deadline, a significant increase from the current 10% rate reported earlier this week.



A trade deal with<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46241070/trumps-vietnam-trade-deal-with-40-tax-on-transshipments-may-result-in-chinese-backlash-say-economists-they-want-inflation"> Vietnam has been secured</a>, imposing a 20% tariff on Vietnamese exports and a 40% tariff on goods transshipped through Vietnam, particularly targeting Chinese products. This deal grants the US tariff-free access to Vietnam&#8217;s domestic markets.



Furthermore, the Trump administration has reportedly scaled back its<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46188192/trump-administration-reportedly-scales-back-ambitions-for-comprehensive-trade-deals-before-tariff-deadline"> ambitions for comprehensive trade deals</a>, opting for narrower agreements to avoid reimposing tariffs. This shift aims to reach agreements by the July 9 deadline, marking a departure from the initial plan to secure 90 trade deals during a 90-day pause in reciprocal tariffs.



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</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com

Politics

Trump Says US Will Raise Tariffs To Up To 70% As July 9 Deadline Looms

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New On The Block</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Abry Partners hired JPMorgan Chase <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/auction">to find a buyer</a> for physician social network Sermo, Axios <a href="https://www.axios.com/pro/health-tech-deals/2025/07/02/abry-sermo-sale-physician-social-network">reports</a>. Bids are expected to be between $600 million and $800 million. Boston-based Abry first <a href="https://abry.com/news-article/sermo-announces-significant-investment-from-abry-partners/">invested</a> in Sermo in 2019.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Verint Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRNT#NASDAQ">VRNT</a>), a provider of call center software, is working with an adviser on a potential sale. Thoma Bravo is interested, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-01/thoma-bravo-is-said-to-be-in-talks-to-acquire-verint-systems?srnd=phx-deals&amp;sref=TBDibEcD">per</a> Bloomberg. Despite a 28% stock drop this year, Verint recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/06/45781756/verint-stock-jumps-after-q1-beat-confident-fy26-guidance">beat revenue estimates</a>. The company spun off its analytics arm, Cognyte, in 2021.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Updates From The Block</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Paramount Global (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PARA#NASDAQ">PARA</a>)(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PARAA#NASDAQ">PARAA</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/07/46212970/trump-wins-16-million-settlement-from-paramount-over-cbs-60-minutes-kamala-harris-interview-but-no-apology-issued">agreed to pay $16 million</a> to President Donald Trump's future library as a way to settle a lawsuit over a "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris. Trump had sued for $20 billion, claiming CBS deceptively edited the segment. CBS denies wrongdoing. The settlement may help clear regulatory hurdles for Paramount's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/07/39658163/paramount-board-endorses-merger-with-skydance-media-as-david-ellison-nears-acquisition-of-m">pending $28 billion merger</a> with Skydance Media. Private equity firms RedBird Capital and KKR back the deal. The FCC launched a probe into CBS's New York station after Trump took office, and &#8220;60 Minutes&#8221; producer Bill Owens <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/04/23/nx-s1-5372796/60-minutes-executive-producer-resigns-saying-shows-indepependence-was-compromised">resigned</a> in April, citing editorial interference. Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather called it &#8220;a sad day for journalism&#8221; and &#8220;a sad day for '60 Minutes' and CBS News.&#8221; In an interview with <a href="https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/dan-rather-paramount-trump-suit-settlement-sell-out-1236446675/?utm_campaign=feed&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=later-linkinbio">Variety</a>, the renowned journalist put it plainly: &#8220;It was distortion by the president and a kneeling down and saying, ‘yes, sir,' by billionaire corporate owners."</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Euronext is in <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-01/euronext-says-it-s-in-talks-to-buy-athens-stock-exchange?srnd=phx-deals&amp;sref=TBDibEcD">talks</a> to acquire the Athens Stock Exchange operator (ATHEX). The proposed share exchange deal would value ATHEX at 6.90 euros per share, or 399 million euros fully diluted. Euronext says the move reflects its confidence in Greece's economic potential. Talks are still in early stages. If successful, it would mark Euronext's latest expansion, adding to its portfolio of exchanges across seven European countries.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Spectris has <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/spectris-agrees-to-5-64-billion-kkr-takeover-withdraws-advent-recommendation-3dc7c625?mod=deals_news_article_pos1">agreed</a> to a 4.1 billion pounds ($5.64 billion) buyout by private equity firm KKR, scrapping a prior deal with Advent International. The new offer gives shareholders 39.72 pounds per share and beats Advent's 37.63-pounds-per-share offer. Separately, KKR is also acquiring Australian poultry producer ProTen from Aware Super for A$1.3 billion.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Athora, a savings and retirement services group backed by Apollo Global Management, is &#8220;days away&#8221; from <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/apollo-backed-athora-closes-in-on-6bn-pension-insurance-corporation-deal-13391631">inking</a> a near-6 billion pound purchase of Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC), according to Sky News.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Off The Block</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HPE#NYSE">HPE</a>) completed its $14 billion purchase of Juniper Networks (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNPR#NYSE">JNPR</a>), following a U.S. antitrust <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.443490/gov.uscourts.cand.443490.217.2.pdf">settlement</a>.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Open Cosmos has <a href="https://x.com/Open_Cosmos/status/1940697021234688033">acquired</a> Connected, a Portugal-based space-tech company specializing in IoT connectivity from space. The deal strengthens Open Cosmos's capabilities in narrowband IoT and expands its footprint in Portugal, which it says is a growing hub for space innovation. The acquisition is described as one of the fastest successful exits in European space-tech and aligns with the EU's long-term vision for sovereign and scalable space infrastructure.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bankruptcy Block</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Canned-food giant Del Monte Foods has <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/del-monte-foods-announces-strategic-action-to-strengthen-financial-position-and-pursue-a-value-maximizing-sale-302496385.html">filed</a> for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, launching a court-supervised sale process in a bid to accelerate its turnaround. The company, known for canned fruits, College Inn broths and Joyba teas, said it secured $912.5 million in financing from existing lenders to continue operations during the proceedings. CEO Greg Longstreet called the move a "strategic step forward" aimed at building a stronger, long-term business. Del Monte, founded nearly 140 years ago, will remain open during the bankruptcy process.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notes From The Block</h2>



M&amp;A volumes globally continue to decline, according <a href="https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/deals/trends.html">to</a> PwC&#8217;s Brian Levy.



&#8220;They dropped by 9% in the first half of 2025 compared with the first half of 2024, while deal values are up 15%. We continue to see transactions in companies with a local focus within national borders, as well as in service companies or others less susceptible to tariffs,&#8221; Levy wrote in a June 24 blog post. 



Strong cash flow and &#8220;healthy prospects&#8221; are key. A May 2025 PwC survey found that 30% of U.S. companies paused or reconsidered deals due to tariff uncertainty, signaling ongoing disruption for dealmakers in the months ahead.



&#8220;We expect dealmakers to feel the continued fallout over the coming months,&#8221; Levy adds.



Separately, the mixed job market — like the one we&#8217;re currently in — provides a clue as to how the second half of 2025 will unfold. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46188699/goldman-sachs-now-expects-3-fed-rate-cuts-in-2025-amid-weak-jobs-data-modest-trump-tariff-effects">If rate cuts follow</a>, expect a rebound in M&amp;A activity.



Buyers typically see value in sectors under labor pressure, and sellers feel more urgency <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46244105/june-jobs-report-nonfarm-payroll-adp-data">if hiring slows</a> or margins compress.



Bain &amp; Co. says it&#8217;s &#8220;already seeing evidence that some companies are not allowing tariffs (and the changed economic world order they represent) to derail M&amp;A activity.&#8221; 



While deal activity dipped in April, deal value rebounded in May, the firm <a href="https://www.bain.com/insights/m-and-a-midyear-report-2025-separating-signal-from-noise/">wrote</a> in its mid-year report. This may partly reflect late-stage deals, as well as the fortitude of executives and the muted impact of U.S. tariff announcements. 



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/25/06/46138385/deal-dispatch-darden-bahama-breeze-nba-ma-heats-up">For last week&#8217;s edition of the Deal Dispatch, click here</a>. 



Now Read



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/hedge-funds/25/07/46243248/michael-burry-estee-lauder-snub-china">Beauty And The Bear: Michael Burry, Estee Lauder Snub China</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Edited by Benzinga using Shutterstock

News

SPACE

Asset Sales

Global

JNPR

PARA

PARAA

VRNT

Deal Dispatch: Trump Settlement Clears Way For Paramount Merger, Euronext Eyes Greece, KKR Strikes Twice

Each week, Benzinga'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: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/46157351/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-71">EXCLUSIVE: June&#8217;s 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do CoreWeave, Nvidia, Apple Stock Rank?</a>



Here&#8217;s a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending July 4:



US Foods Holding Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USFD#NYSE">USFD</a>): The food service distributor saw increased interest from readers during the shortened holiday week. JPMorgan maintained a Neutral rating on the stock while <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/USFD/analyst-ratings">raising the price target </a>from $82 to $85. US Foods shares trade near all time highs with momentum coming from the earnings report <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45297979/whats-going-on-with-us-foods-stock-on-thursday">back in May.</a> The company missed Street estimates for earnings per share and revenue, while reporting a 4.5% year-over-year sales increase and increased gross profits and total case volume. The company's net income was up 40% year-over-year in the first quarter. After a strong quarterly report and a June defense agency contract award win, the company could be one to watch.



<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=0703"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="497" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165727/Screenshot-486.png" alt="" class="wp-image-972632" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165727/Screenshot-486.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165727/Screenshot-486-300x149.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165727/Screenshot-486-768x382.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



Franco-Nevada Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FNV#NYSE">FNV</a>): Interest has been rising in gold and precious metals stocks in recent weeks. This week's Stock Whisper Index sees a precious metals company make it, but one of a different nature. Unlike past stocks that mine the metals that have made the list, Franco-Nevada is a gold-focused royalty and streaming company. The company does not operate mines or conduct exploration, instead owning a portfolio of royalties and streams. Franco-Nevada has a history of increasing its dividend and could be viewed as a safer bet in the sector than some of the other companies. UBS maintained a Buy rating and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/FNV/analyst-ratings">raised the price target</a> from $205 to $210.



<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=0703"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="496" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165742/Screenshot-487.png" alt="" class="wp-image-972633" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165742/Screenshot-487.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165742/Screenshot-487-300x149.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165742/Screenshot-487-768x382.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



Johnson Controls International (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JCI#NYSE">JCI</a>): The commercial HVAC and building management company saw strong interest from readers during the week, which comes with analysts increasing their price target on the stock in recent months. Johnson Controls shares recently hit new all time highs with the stock up 35% year-to-date in 2025. Investors could be getting ready for upcoming third-quarter financial results, which are expected in late July. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share and revenue in two straight quarters. The strong recent earnings momentum along with an increased share buyback plan could see shares continue to take out new highs.



<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=0703"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="505" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165757/Screenshot-488.png" alt="" class="wp-image-972634" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165757/Screenshot-488.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165757/Screenshot-488-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165757/Screenshot-488-768x390.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>



Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>): One of the largest defense contractors, Northrop Grumman saw increased interest from readers during the week with tensions in the Middle East<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46045651/northrop-grumman-jumps-5-overnight-as-b-2-bombers-return-to-missouri-after-36-hour-iran-strike-trump-says-job-well-done"> remaining heightened.</a> The company manufactures the B2 bomber and is involved in several other top defense weapons used. Investors are likely anticipating the company's second-quarter financial results later this month with analysts forecasting earnings per share to grow to $6.70 and revenue to decline to $10.11 billion. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in nine of the last 10 quarters and for revenue in seven of the last 10 quarters. Northrop Grumman could be a winner if tension escalates in the Middle East and potentially thanks to increased defense spending by the US and other nations.



<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=0703"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="503" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165811/Screenshot-489.png" alt="" class="wp-image-972635" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165811/Screenshot-489.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165811/Screenshot-489-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165811/Screenshot-489-768x387.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GILD#NASDAQ">GILD</a>): The biotech best known for its work on HIV and Hepatitis drugs recently<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/fda/25/06/46023093/fda-approves-gileads-game-changing-twice-yearly-shot-to-prevent-hiv-transmission-critics-slam-28k-price-tag"> received FDA approval</a> for Yeztugo, the first and only twice-yearly option in the US for pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce the risk of HIV in adults. While the company received approval there are questions over how much the drug will be priced at with Gilead working with insurers to increase coverage options. High pricing of the drug could cause pushback against the company, while also helping boost revenue and earnings. Gilead is set to report quarterly financial results in August and could provide an update on the drug. The company has beaten analyst estimates in five straight quarters and beaten analyst revenue estimates in nine of the last 10 quarters.



<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=0703"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="494" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165827/Screenshot-490.png" alt="" class="wp-image-972636" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165827/Screenshot-490.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165827/Screenshot-490-300x148.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165827/Screenshot-490-768x379.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>



Stay tuned for next week'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=0703" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>



Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/45827517/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-68" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">June 6</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/45938888/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-69" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">June 13</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/46043300/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-70" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">June 20</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/46157351/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-71">June 27</a></li>
</ul>



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/07/46236448/exclusive-2025s-first-half-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-where-do-nvidia-tesla-apple-stock-rank">EXCLUSIVE: 2025&#8217;s First Half Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do Nvidia, Tesla, Apple Stock Rank?</a></li>
</ul>

Long Ideas

Exclusives

Trading Ideas

GILD

USFD

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

Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> many investors' favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here's a look at some of our top stories.



Markets closed out a holiday‑shortened week with the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq 100 reaching fresh record highs. The rally was powered by unexpectedly strong job growth, robust factory orders, and a surprise U.S.-Vietnam trade deal that lifted sentiment.



Under the Vietnam deal, the U.S. will impose a 20% tariff on Vietnamese exports and 40% on transshipped goods, while offering U.S. companies tariff‑free access to Vietnam's domestic market — a strategic win ahead of the July 9 tariff deadline.



With June payrolls beating forecasts (+147,000 jobs, unemployment at 4.1%) and industrial orders surging, markets concluded the week on a confident note. Still, rate‑cut odds dropped sharply as the job strength reduced the case for a July Fed cut.



Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week's most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.







The Bulls



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46236303/datadog-stock-surges-on-sp-500-inclusion">"Datadog stock surges on S&amp;P 500 inclusion"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Datadog Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DDOG#NASDAQ">DDOG</a>) jumped more than 9% after being named to replace Juniper Networks in the S&amp;P 500, a move expected to trigger increased institutional buying and index-tracking fund inflows.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46250801/sharplink-gaming-sbet-stock-is-trending-today-whats-going-on">"SharpLink Gaming stock is trending today: what's going on?"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that SharpLink Gaming Inc. (NASDAQ: SBET) shares rose about 6% mid‑day on Thursday after the company highlighted its Ethereum treasury strategy — staking its ETH reserves into protocols, earning 102 ETH in late June, and announcing it will ring the Nasdaq closing bell in celebration of the move.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/07/46204827/stock-of-the-day-bank-of-america-breaks-out">"Stock of the Day: Bank of America breaks out"</a>, by Mark Putrino, reports that Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) appears to have broken through a key resistance level — suggesting rising demand may be propelling the stock into a sustained upward trend.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/space/25/07/46210595/650-later-rocket-lab-ceo-isnt-one-bit-worried">650% Later, Rocket Lab CEO Isn't One Bit Worried</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46260998/apple-store-stock-performance-july-analysis">Apple's App Store Just Had A Blowout Quarter — And That Might Be The Signal Bulls Needed</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46246380/iren-stock-is-rising-thursday-whats-going-on">IREN Stock Is Rising Thursday: What's Going On?</a>







The Bears



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/guidance/25/07/46209736/centene-withdraws-2025-guidance-shares-dive">"Centene withdraws 2025 guidance, shares dive"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Centene Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNC#NYSE">CNC</a>) stock plunged over 21% after it pulled its full-year 2025 guidance — citing a preliminary actuarial review showing a $1.8 billion reduction in risk adjustment revenue and a projected $2.75 EPS hit — triggering a sell‑off across the health insurance sector.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46235023/lucid-reports-q2-production-delivery-numbers-shares-stall">"Lucid reports Q2 production, delivery numbers, shares stall"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Lucid Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LCID#NASDAQ">LCID</a>) produced 3,863 vehicles in Q2 and delivered 3,309, both record highs year‑over‑year but short of Wall Street estimates, causing shares to stall despite continued progress in scaling production and demand.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46242782/why-qualcomms-stock-isnt-soaring-like-its-rivals">"Why Qualcomm's stock isn't soaring like its rivals"</a>, by Anusuya Lahiri, reports that Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) has delivered modest 6% year‑to‑date gains — trailing the PHLX Semiconductor Index's 13% and Nvidia's 43% — due to its heavy reliance on handset markets and slower diversification into AI and data‑center chips.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46222916/centenes-guidance-withdrawal-spooks-sector-oscar-health-stock-falls">Centene's Guidance Withdrawal Spooks Sector, Oscar Health Stock Falls</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46220830/united-health-stock-is-sliding-today-whats-going-on">United Health Stock Is Sliding Today: What's Going On?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46252812/webull-stock-is-sliding-after-the-close-whats-going-on">Webull Stock Is Sliding After The Close: What's Going On?</a>







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



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Markets

AAPL

BULL

DDOG

IREN

LCID

OSCR

QCOM

RKLB

SBET

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Datadog, Centene, Lucid — And US Makes Surprise Trade Deal With Vietnam

Wall Street powered through the shortened holiday week, with both the S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 climbing to fresh record highs, as upbeat economic data and major policy shifts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">helped fuel investor confidence.</a>



Optimism got an extra boost after President Donald Trump announced a surprise trade deal with Vietnam. The agreement includes a 20% tariff on all Vietnamese imports and a 40% tariff on transshipped goods. In return, U.S. companies will get full access to Vietnam's domestic market, a key win for American exporters. 



Markets responded positively, with investors viewing it as a signal that Trump is favoring targeted trade enforcement over sweeping tariffs.



Read also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46241070/trumps-vietnam-trade-deal-with-40-tax-on-transshipments-may-result-in-chinese-backlash-say-economists-they-want-inflation">Trump&#8217;s Vietnam Trade Deal With 40% Tax On Transshipments May Result In Chinese Backlash, Say Economists: &#8216;&#8230;They Want Inflation&#8217;</a>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Congress Passes Trump&#8217;s OBBBA, Economic Data Outperform</h3>



The U.S. Senate passed the bill on July 1, 2025, in a narrow 51–50 vote, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.



The House of Representatives followed on July 3, approving the final version of the bill in a 218–214 vote.



The White House announced that President Donald Trump will sign the bill into law on July 4, 2025, at 4 p.m. ET—a symbolic moment timed with Independence Day.



Labor market data surpassed expectations: Nonfarm payrolls rose by 147,000 in June, exceeding the projection of 110,000. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.1%, defying forecasts for a rise to 4.3% and hitting its lowest level since January. A big surprise came from government hiring, which added 73,000 jobs — the largest<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46244105/june-jobs-report-nonfarm-payroll-adp-data"> jump since March 2023.</a>



On the industrial side, new orders for U.S. manufactured goods jumped 8.2% in May to $642 billion. This was the largest monthly surge since 2014 and the third-largest on record, as firms moved quickly to capitalize on the temporary suspension of "Liberation Day" tariffs.



This economic resilience complicates the Federal Reserve's outlook for near-term rate cuts. Chair Jerome Powell said the door remains open for a potential rate cut at the July 30 meeting, though he emphasized the importance of incoming data. Yet, after the robust jobs report, market-based odds for a cut fell sharply to just 7%.



Read also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46258864/ray-dalio-warns-us-debt-per-family-will-rise-85-to-425000-over-next-10-years-as-house-passes-trumps-big-beautiful-bill"> Ray Dalio Warns US Debt Per Family Will Rise 85% To $425,000 Over Next 10 Years As House Passes Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Big Beautiful Bill&#8217;</a>



In tech news, Microsoft Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NYSE">MSFT</a>) announced a new round of layoffs affecting 9,000 employees — about 4% of its global workforce.



Michigan-based automakers were among the week's top gainers. Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) jumped 10% this week after reporting a 14% year-over-year increase in second-quarter U.S. vehicle sales, reaching 612,095 units. The surge was led by strong demand for its Maverick and F-Series pickup trucks.



General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) also topped the week&#8217;s best-performer ranking after posting a 7% rise in quarterly sales to 746,588 vehicles. 



Now read: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46262055/greed-mode-on-why-tesla-nvidia-palantir-and-bitcoin-plays-could-rip">Greed Mode On: Why Tesla, Nvidia, Palantir And Bitcoin Plays Could Rip </a></li>
</ul>

Government

Large Cap

Macro Economic Events

Regulations

Econ #s

Economics

MSFT

Wall Street Ends Holiday Week At Record Highs As Jobs, Trade Deal Lift Sentiment: This Week In Markets

President Donald Trump has said that he has signed letters to 12 countries, detailing the tariff rates they would face on exports to the United States. 



What Happened: According to a Reuters report, these &#8220;take it or leave it&#8221; offers are set to be dispatched on Monday. Trump did not disclose the countries involved.



The U.S. President had previously indicated that the letters would be dispatched on Friday, a national holiday in the U.S. However, the date has now been postponed. The letters outline the tariff levels that would apply to the countries&#8217; exports to the U.S.



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40800872/wall-street-falls-ahead-of-trump-harris-debate-bank-stocks-tumble-oil-plummets-to-65-on-weaker-d">Wall Street Falls Ahead Of Trump-Harris Debate, Bank Stocks Tumble, Oil Plummets To $65 On Weaker Demand Outlook: What&#8217;s Driving Markets Tuesday? &#8211; Benzinga</a>



Trump announced a 10% base tariff rate in April, with additional rates for most countries, some as high as 50%. However, all rates except the 10% base were suspended for 90 days to allow for further negotiations.



This period ends on July 9, with Trump suggesting that the tariffs could be increased to as high as 70%, with most taking effect on August 1.



Trump and his administration initially planned to negotiate tariff rates with numerous countries, but have since shifted to sending out letters, a process the President finds easier. The only trade deals reached so far are with the U.K. and Vietnam.



Why It Matters: This move by the Trump administration is part of a larger strategy to favor straightforward agreements over complex negotiations.



Trump had earlier announced that the U.S. would raise tariffs to up to 70% as the July 9 deadline approached. Negotiations with countries such as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46263399/trump-says-us-will-raise-tariffs-to-up-to-70-as-july-9-deadline-looms">Indonesia, South Korea, the European Union, and Switzerland</a> were reaching critical stages.



The U.S. stock market has been reacting to these developments, with the announcement of a trade deal with Vietnam <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46240810/us-stocks-likely-to-open-higher-as-trump-announces-vietnam-trade-deal-sp-500s-golden-cross-reason-to-expect-better-than-average-returns-says-expert">leading to a rise in stock futures</a>.



The Trump administration&#8217;s shift in strategy has also been evident in its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46188192/trump-administration-reportedly-scales-back-ambitions-for-comprehensive-trade-deals-before-tariff-deadline">decision to favor narrower agreements</a> to avoid the reimposition of U.S. tariffs.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46259176/trumps-decision-to-end-tax-free-loophole-for-low-value-goods-from-china-leads-to-a-sharp-decline-in-air-cargo-shipments">Trump&#8217;s Decision To End Tax-Free Loophole For Low-Value Goods From China Leads To A Sharp Decline In Air Cargo Shipments</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Macro Notification

Trump to Send 'Take It Or Leave It' Tariff Letters To 12 Countries On Monday: Report

On Friday, billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban acknowledged that he and the other Shark Tank investors missed a major opportunity by not backing the Tree T-Pee, a water-saving farming invention pitched over a decade ago.



What Happened: The product, developed by Florida farmer Johnny Georges, was introduced in Season 5 of Shark Tank as a plastic containment system that conserves water by directing it straight to the roots of young trees.



In his pitch, Georgess said that the Tree T-Pee could reduce annual water usage per tree from 25,000 gallons to just 800.



Although Georges impressed the panel with his authenticity and mission-driven approach, most sharks declined to invest due to low profit margins.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45433850/mr-wonderful-kevin-oleary-says-youre-literally-giving-away-money-to-billers-by-not-doing-this-one-simple-thing-and-hes-been-doing-it-for-decades" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mr Wonderful Kevin O&#8217;Leary Says You&#8217;re Literally Giving Away Money To Billers By Not Doing This One Simple Thing — And He&#8217;s Been Doing It For Decades</a>



Kevin O'Leary, for instance, raised concerns about scalability and the lack of pricing flexibility. However, guest shark John Paul DeJoria stepped in with a $150,000 offer for 20% equity, moved by Georges' dedication to farmers.



Now, over a decade later, the company is reportedly thriving with an estimated valuation of around $100 million, <a href="https://thetecheducation.com/tree-t-pee-net-worth-2022-how-much-money-does-tree-t-pee-make/">according</a> to The Tech Education.



Responding to a resurfaced clip from the episode on X, formerly Twitter, one social media user criticized the sharks' predatory behavior and praised George's values.



In response, Cuban replied, "That was a mistake. We blew it on this one. But I know I learned a lot in hindsight."



Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.



<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">That was a mistake. We blew it on this one. But I know I learned a lot in hindsight&mdash; Mark Cuban (@mcuban) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1941263089632260358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Why It's Important: According to the Bloomberg Billionaire <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/mark-cuban/">Index</a>, Cuban has a net worth of $8.53 billion. He co-founded Broadcast.com, an internet streaming service that he sold to Yahoo! for $4.8 billion in 1999.



Cuban, who joined Shark Tank as a guest in season 2 and became a full-time Shark in season 3, announced in 2023 that he'll leave the show after season 16. While he feels ready to move on, Cuban also said he'll deeply miss the cast and crew he's worked with over the years.



In a <a href="https://people.com/why-is-mark-cuban-leaving-shark-tank-11736058">conversation</a> with People, Cuban explained that he's leaving Shark Tank to spend more time with his kids, saying he wants to be present during important family moments and has no regrets about his decision.



Earlier this year, Cuban <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/20/mark-cuban-exits-shark-tank-a-look-at-his-investing-strategy.html">told</a> CNBC Make It that he's invested roughly $33 million during his time on Shark Tank, earning up to $35 million in cash returns and holding mark-to-market equity valued at no less than $250 million.



While he pledged around $61.9 million across over 200 deals on air, not every agreement shown closes afterward, according to Shark Tank Insights.



Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44219627/mark-cuban-dismisses-commerce-secretary-howard-lutnicks-trade-war-optimism-someone-needs-to-explain-how-capitalism-works" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Dismisses Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's Trade War Optimism: ‘Someone Needs To Explain…How Capitalism Works'</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.



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Mark Cuban Admits 'We Blew It' On Tree T-Pee Deal — Says Passing On Water-Saving Invention Was A Major Mistake In Shark Tank History: 'I Learned A Lot In Hindsight'

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has come under scrutiny for distributing an email that inaccurately describes the impact of President Donald Trump&#8217;s new tax legislation on Social Security benefits.



What Happened: The email, which has been shared by several beneficiaries, claims that the new tax law will eliminate federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for the majority of recipients, offering immediate financial relief to seniors, according <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/social-security-administration-sends-misleading-email-lauding-trumps-n-rcna216990">to</a> a report by NBC News on Friday.



"The bill ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits, providing meaningful and immediate relief to seniors who have spent a lifetime contributing to our nation's economy," the email stated, as per the report.



This message was also posted on the SSA&#8217;s website on Thursday.



Contrary to the email&#8217;s claims, the legislation, which<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46263434/trump-signs-sweeping-tax-and-spending-bill-that-cbo-says-will-add-3-3-trillion-to-us-deficit-cut-health-coverage-for-11-8-million-americans"> Trump has signed</a>, does not abolish these taxes. The bill, passed through budget reconciliation, is unable to modify Social Security. However, it does introduce temporary tax deductions for seniors.



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46258994/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-hands-5-billion-win-to-big-pharma-report">Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Big, Beautiful Bill&#8217; Hands $5 Billion Win To Big Pharma: Report</a>



Trump&#8217;s Council of Economic Advisers has stated that these new deductions will alleviate the tax burden on Social Security benefits for most seniors. Despite this, Trump has repeatedly made the false claim that the legislation eliminates these taxes.



Critics, including former SSA officials and congressional Democrats, have condemned the email as misleading and politically motivated. Former SSA official Jeff Nesbit described the email as &#8220;unbelievable&#8221; and &#8220;unconscionable,&#8221; emphasizing that such political statements are unprecedented for the agency.



Why It Matters: According to projections by the Congressional Budget Office, the bill will significantly increase the federal deficit and reduce health coverage for millions of Americans.



The bill, celebrated by Trump as a historic victory, is part of a broader economic strategy that includes raising tariffs on imports, as detailed in Trump&#8217;s recent announcement about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46263399/trump-says-us-will-raise-tariffs-to-up-to-70-as-july-9-deadline-looms">new tariffs set to take effect</a> soon.



Economist Justin Wolfers has criticized Trump&#8217;s economic policies, describing them as the largest redistribution of wealth from the poor to the rich in American history.



He highlights that the tax cuts primarily benefit the wealthy, with the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/06/45937660/trumps-one-big-beautiful-bill-is-the-largest-redistribution-from-poor-to-rich-in-american-history-sa">Congressional Budget Office</a> projecting significant gains for high-income households by 2027, while lower-income households face a decline.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46263434/trump-signs-sweeping-tax-and-spending-bill-that-cbo-says-will-add-3-3-trillion-to-us-deficit-cut-health-coverage-for-11-8-million-americans">Trump Signs Sweeping Tax And Spending Bill That CBO Says Will Add $3.3 Trillion To US Deficit, Cut Health Coverage For 11.8 Million Americans</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

Social Security Administration Sends 'Unbelievable' Email On Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill': Report

Kevin O'Leary, renowned for his role on Shark Tank, said that his primary motivation comes from proving his critics wrong, rather than financial gain.



What Happened: O'Leary shared that when people doubt his capabilities, it fuels his determination to succeed, according to a report<a href="https://fortune.com/2025/07/04/shark-tank-kevin-oleary-haters-motivation-not-about-money-business-steve-jobs-founders-mindset/"> by</a> Fortune on Friday. He recounted an instance where he ventured into the watch insurance industry despite being told it was impossible. In April 2024, he launched the platform WonderCare, defying his naysayers.



"When someone tells me I can't do it, I turn around, two years later, kick their ass. That's a great motivation. It's not about the money anymore—I just like kicking their ass," O'Leary said.



His approach is influenced by a &#8220;founder's mindset,&#8221; a concept he attributes to working with the late Steve Jobs in the 1990s. O'Leary learned from Jobs to focus on essential tasks and ignore external criticism, a strategy he continues to apply.



O'Leary also highlighted the importance of balancing business with personal interests, such as photography and guitar collecting, to maintain creativity. He believes this balance is crucial for entrepreneurial success, a lesson he learned from his experiences with Jobs.



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46260174/this-bitcoin-collector-turned-500-into-over-10-million-by-selling-100-physical-bitcoin">This Bitcoin Collector Turned $500 Into Over $10 Million By Selling 100 &#8216;Physical&#8217; Bitcoin</a>



Why It Matters: Understanding O&#8217;Leary&#8217;s motivations provides insight into his business strategies and personal philosophies. Recently, O&#8217;Leary shared his admiration for his<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/financial-advisors/25/07/46188863/when-kevin-oleary-found-his-mother-was-secretly-an-investing-genius-the-performance-was-extraordinary-and-better-than-most-hedge-funds"> mother&#8217;s investment prowess</a>, describing her portfolio performance as &#8220;extraordinary&#8221; and superior to many hedge funds.



O&#8217;Leary&#8217;s financial advice extends beyond investments. He has urged individuals to<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/07/46200580/kevin-oleary-says-if-you-got-a-bonus-dont-blow-it-pay-off-your-debt-kill-your-credit-cards-and-chase-freedom-by-living-debt-free"> use bonuses to pay off debts</a> rather than indulge in unnecessary expenditures. This advice aligns with his broader financial philosophy of living debt-free and prioritizing financial security.



Additionally, O&#8217;Leary has criticized the spending habits of younger generations, particularly Gen Z, for their tendency to<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/07/46256179/kevin-oleary-slams-gen-zs-28-habit-that-could-cost-them-a-huge-sum-50-years-later-cant-stand-when-i"> spend on high-priced daily luxuries</a>. He believes such habits could hinder long-term wealth accumulation.



In the current economic climate, O&#8217;Leary notes that the venture<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/07/46254436/kevin-oleary-says-the-venture-capital-market-has-dried-up-like-in-2008-now-even-big-companies-are-coming-on-shark-tank-for-funding"> capital market has become challenging</a>, reminiscent of the 2008 financial crisis. This situation has led even established companies to seek funding through platforms like &#8220;Shark Tank.&#8221;



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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro"> Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Kevin O'Leary Says 'It's Not About The Money Anymore,'—He Just Wants To Prove The Haters Wrong

On Friday, President Donald Trump signed a sweeping tax and spending bill into law during a July 4 picnic at the White House, touting it as a historic win, even as the Congressional Budget Office projects it will <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/06/45937660/trumps-one-big-beautiful-bill-is-the-largest-redistribution-from-poor-to-rich-in-american-history-sa">significantly widen</a> the federal deficit and leave millions uninsured.



What Happened: Flanked by Republican lawmakers and Cabinet members, Trump signed the multitrillion-dollar package on the White House driveway, using a ceremonial gavel gifted by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-sign-tax-cut-bill-july-4-3804df732e461a626fd8c2b43413c3f0">reported</a> the Associated Press.



"America's winning, winning, winning like never before," Trump declared, celebrating the bill's passage alongside a flyover of fighter jets and bombers. "Promises made, promises kept and we've kept them."



The legislation extends Trump's 2017 tax cuts, eliminates taxes on tips and Social Security income, boosts immigration enforcement and imposes $1.2 trillion in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46163659/senate-republicans-propose-313-billion-cut-in-medicaid-spending-in-trumps-big-beautiful-bill">cuts to Medicaid</a> and food assistance.



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46160509/irans-top-diplomat-to-un-says-uranium-enrichment-to-continue-an-inalienable-right" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iran's Top Diplomat To UN Says Uranium Enrichment To Continue: An ‘Inalienable Right'</a>



Despite strong Republican support, Democrats unanimously opposed the bill.&nbsp;



AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler called it "the worst job-killing bill in American history," accusing Trump of handing a $5 trillion gift to the wealthy while stripping support from working families.



Why It's Important: According to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45536595/big-beautiful-bill-will-explode-the-deficit-and-make-the-rich-richer-congressional-budget-office-estimates-4-income-fall-for-lowest-decile-of-americans-by-2033">Congressional Budget Office</a>, the bill is projected to add $3.3 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade and cause 11.8 million Americans to lose health coverage, largely due to Medicaid cuts.&nbsp;



Critics also warn it could erode gains made under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Trump, however, defended the bill as pro-growth: "Our country is going to be a rocket ship, economically."



With no Democratic support and tight Senate margins, the package's passage marks a key ideological pivot — and a flashpoint for the 2026 midterms, the report said.



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



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Trump Signs Sweeping Tax And Spending Bill That CBO Says Will Add $3.3 Trillion To US Deficit, Cut Health Coverage For 11.8 Million Americans

More than a decade ago, Warren Buffett said the national deficit could be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43904075/warren-buffett-said-he-could-end-u-s-deficit-in-5-minutes-if-you-guys-cant-get-it-done-well-get-some-other-guys-to-get-it-done">solved in just five minutes</a>. His plan? "You just pass a law that says that any time there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for reelection."



That 2011 quote, from an interview with <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2011/07/07/warren-buffetts-5minute-plan-to-fix-the-deficit.html">CNBC's Becky Quick</a>, resurfaced in early June — and this time, it gained traction with one of the world's most influential voices.



On June 4, Utah Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) <a href="https://x.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1930222931377844568">posted the clip on X</a> and asked, "Would you support this amendment?" Elon Musk didn't hesitate. He <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1930298268661232083">reposted it</a> with the words "100%" and "This is the way," signaling full endorsement of Buffett's blunt solution.



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The idea, while simple on its face, taps into longstanding frustration over congressional accountability and ballooning debt. Buffett originally framed the plan as a tongue-in-cheek solution to Washington gridlock, but made it clear he believed politicians would act faster if their jobs were on the line.



"I can end the deficit in five minutes," he told Quick at the time. "It's just that simple."



Back in 2011, the U.S. <a href="https://www.cbo.gov/publication/42532">deficit hovered just over $1 trillion</a>, about 8.5% of GDP. Today, it's projected to top $1.9 trillion — or roughly 6.7% of GDP. By Buffett's rule, Congress would have long since cleared out.



Lee, who reposted the clip on X, seemed to agree — and has hinted at wanting to turn it into real policy. In fact, several of his <a href="https://x.com/basedmikelee/status/1930454376000217304">recent posts call for stricter balanced budget</a> measures and constitutional amendments to force fiscal discipline. But translating Buffett's viral soundbite into actual legislation would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers or a convention of states — a high bar in any political climate.



Trending: Named a TIME Best Invention and Backed by 5,000+ Users, Kara's Air-to-Water Pod Cuts Plastic and Costs — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/americans-spend-1000-per-year-on-plastic-water-bottles-kara-pod-gives-you-clean-drinking-water-by-pulling-moisture-from-the-air">And You Can Invest At Just $6.37/Share</a>



Musk's endorsement of the idea adds fuel, though. His ability to move public opinion — and occasionally policy discussion — with a single post has made him one of the most unpredictable influencers in politics, even without holding office.



The Buffett clip is gaining renewed momentum among fiscal hawks and frustrated taxpayers alike. And while Buffett may have said it half in jest, the message still lands with a punch: if lawmakers were held personally accountable for the budget, the deficit might not be a recurring headline.



Buffett and Musk <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44075038/warren-buffett-says-he-has-spoken-to-elon-musk-a-few-times-but-repeatedly-dodges-questions-about-tesla-ceos-doge-efforts-well-i-better-not-get-into-all-that">haven't always been aligned</a>. Buffett famously declined to invest in Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), favoring Chinese automaker BYD instead. Musk, in turn, has publicly taken jabs at Buffett. "To be totally frank, I'm not his biggest fan," Musk told Joe Rogan on "<a href="https://youtu.be/RcYjXbSJBN8?si=AHItbBcTYYxDeQ-F">The Joe Rogan Experience</a>" in 2020. "He does a lot of capital allocation… reads a lot of annual reports… it's pretty boring, really."



But on this, they agree. Both men see congressional accountability as key to fixing the deficit—and Musk's viral repost gave Buffett's decade-old solution a jolt of relevance in today's debate.&nbsp;



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Personal Finance

TSLA

Elon Musk Backs Warren Buffett's Brutal '5-Minute Deficit Fix' To Ban Congress From Reelection If They Blow the Budget: '100% This Is the Way'

The stock market's buzzing with euphoria, with the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/cnn-business-fear-greed-index">CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index</a> at 78—"<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/markets/fear-and-greed">Extreme Greed</a>" for the first time since March 2024.



Investors are all-in, and this frothy market is ripe for bold moves in growth stocks. Here are five long trades to surf this wave. Buckle up—this market's fizzier than a shaken soda can.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Bitcoin Miners (MARA, RIOT): Crypto Reserve Rocket</h2>



The U.S. government's push for a Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) strategic reserve has crypto miners like MARA Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARA#NASDAQ">MARA</a>) and Riot Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIOT#NASDAQ">RIOT</a>) in the spotlight. X posts are <a href="https://x.com/search?q=%24BTC%20and%20bullish&amp;src=typed_query&amp;f=top">hyping</a> a Bitcoin bull run. 



<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=0704"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="629" height="484" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04070308/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.31.29-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-973107" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04070308/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.31.29-PM.png 629w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04070308/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.31.29-PM-300x231.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 629px) 100vw, 629px" /></a></figure>



Both stocks are breaking above their eight, 20-day, 50-day and 200-day moving averages. 



<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=0704"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="629" height="484" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04070320/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.31.39-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-973108" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04070320/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.31.39-PM.png 629w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04070320/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.31.39-PM-300x231.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 629px) 100vw, 629px" /></a></figure>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0704">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>



With both stocks soaring on the Bitcoin reserve sentiment, any dips might be opportunities for a leveraged bet on the crypto mania.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/07/46253926/tesla-nvidia-palantir-etfs-dominate-as-traders-pile-into-high-risk-bets-in-june">Tesla, Nvidia, Palantir ETFs Dominate As Traders Pile Into High-Risk Bets In June</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>): AI's Unstoppable Beast</h2>



Nvidia remains the greed poster child, courtesy the tech world&#8217;s promising insatiable AI chip demand. The company has maintained its AI dominance and continues to be a top pick for growth-oriented investors, specially those looking to profit from a greed-oriented market.



<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=0704"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="629" height="484" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04071809/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.32.19-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-973111" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04071809/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.32.19-PM.png 629w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04071809/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.32.19-PM-300x231.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 629px) 100vw, 629px" /></a></figure>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0704">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>



The stock trades comfortably above all moving averages, and has made a Golden Cross recently, indicating the rally still has room. The MACD (moving average convergence/divergence) indicator at 6.56 continues to trend bullish while the RSI (relative strength index) flirts with the overbought territory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Palantir Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>): Data's Darling</h2>



Palantir has been riding the data and AI wave too, with its stock roaring over 390% in the past year, 78%+ YTD. Meanwhile, Wall Street has been touting its AI-driven government and commercial contracts. Recent <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44305045/archer-taps-palantirs-ai-to-supercharge-electric-aircraft-production-and-flight-tech">partnerships</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46080274/palantir-just-boarded-a-flying-startup-and-this-nano-cap-stock-just-took-off">investments</a> also indicate that Palantir has been foraying beyond defense and into aviation. 



<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=0704"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="629" height="484" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04101759/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.32.35-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-973162" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04101759/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.32.35-PM.png 629w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04101759/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.32.35-PM-300x231.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 629px) 100vw, 629px" /></a></figure>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0704">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>



The stock's been treading north, broadly, with occasional dips offering buying opportunities to Palantir bulls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>): Robotaxi Rocket Fuel</h2>



Tesla is electric with its Robotaxi becoming the talk of the town. Recently, the stock&#8217;s hit a few speed bumps, akin to its latest tech launch. While Tesla&#8217;s robotaxi rollout in Austin has fueled stock momentum, but safety concerns and NHTSA scrutiny signal caution ahead. Widespread traffic <a href="https://opentools.ai/news/teslas-robotaxi-rollout-excitement-meets-safety-concerns">violations</a> by Tesla's self-driving cars are drawing regulatory attention—investors may want to temper the hype.



<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=0704"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="629" height="484" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04102512/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.32.45-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-973163" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04102512/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.32.45-PM.png 629w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04102512/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.32.45-PM-300x231.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 629px) 100vw, 629px" /></a></figure>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0704">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>



Technicals side with caution too, as the stock has dipped below most moving averages, finding support in the 200-day SMA (simple moving average). The RSI is neutral at 47.59 but a negative MACD again speaks caution. Overall, the growth-oriented Tesla bulls may see this as a buy-the-dip opportunity. Though investors must be warned, that Tesla stock, being driven a lot by sentiment, doesn&#8217;t some without speed bumps.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Coinbase Global Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>): Crypto's Comeback Kid</h2>



Coinbase is another stock riding the Bitcoin reserve wave, with Wall Street noting its role in custody and trading.



<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=0704"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="629" height="484" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04103307/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.46.46-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-973164" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04103307/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.46.46-PM.png 629w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04103307/Screenshot-2025-07-04-at-4.46.46-PM-300x231.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 629px) 100vw, 629px" /></a></figure>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0704">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>



The stock has seen and uptick in and strong trading volume recently, driven by the Bitcoin reserve momentum. With an RSI of 68.09 and a healthy MACD at 30.30, COIN stock trades above moving averages &#8211; both short and long-term. For those seeking to profit from a greedy market, COIN is definitely a play on crypto greed.



Extreme greed can make heroes &#8211; or bagholders. These five trades ride the current wave, but frothy markets demand sharp entries, tighter stops, and zero complacency. Ride the trend, but don't forget: euphoria always overstays its welcome… until it doesn't.



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$BTC

COIN

MARA

NVDA

PLTR

RIOT

Greed Mode On: Why Tesla, Nvidia, Palantir And Bitcoin Plays Could Rip

Ripple's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) bid for a U.S. national banking license has been described by industry experts as a potential turning point for the company and the broader stablecoin ecosystem, as it positions Ripple to issue and move stablecoins under federal oversight without <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46230381/xrp-spikes-3-as-ripple-applies-for-us-banking-license">reliance on traditional banks</a>.



In a statement sent to Benzinga, Chris Perkins, President of crypto-focused venture firm CoinFund, said Ripple's aggressive licensing strategy is building a formidable foundation for (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">RLUSD</a>), its stablecoin. 



&#8220;They're assembling a scalable and compliant infrastructure,&#8221; Perkins noted. 



&#8220;With the bank license, Ripple is setting itself up to issue RLUSD in line with GENIUS Act requirements. Their recent moves, including the acquisition of Hidden Road and investment in Bitnomial, strengthen their ability to serve institutional clients efficiently. For the XRP community, RLUSD is shaping up to be the preferred stablecoin.&#8221;



Arthur Azizov, founder of B2 Ventures, told Benzinga that Ripple is no longer just collaborating with banks, it's positioning to operate as one. 



&#8220;Ripple's timing is strategic, aligning its application with the Senate's progress on the GENIUS Act, which will define stablecoin regulation. By bringing RLUSD, the XRP ledger, and its liquidity services under one banking entity, Ripple could effectively cut out traditional intermediaries like SWIFT and correspondent banks,&#8221; Azizov explained. 



&#8220;This isn't an isolated move. We're seeing fintechs like Stripe and SoFi move into regulated banking territory. Ripple is now part of this shift, aiming to connect directly to core payment rails like Fedwire.&#8221;



Ryan Lee, Chief Analyst at Bitget Research, highlighted the regulatory and market implications of Ripple's latest step. 



&#8220;Applying for a banking license shows Ripple's intent to deepen its regulatory compliance and expand its institutional credibility. On the same day, Grayscale's multi-asset ETF, which includes XRP, received SEC approval. This signals growing acceptance of XRP in traditional finance circles,&#8221; Lee said. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46260124/social-media-without-middlemen-wallstreetbets-founder-backs-creator-controlled-platform?utm_campaign=Watchlist&amp;utm_source=Benzinga&amp;utm_medium=Email">Social Media Without Middlemen? WallStreetBets Founder Backs Creator-Controlled Platform</a>



&#8220;A federally regulated stablecoin could reinforce XRP's role in global payments. However, regulatory hurdles remain, and how quickly approvals come will be crucial for Ripple's momentum,&#8221; he added.



Lee added that XRP's inclusion in regulated investment products could improve liquidity and attract more institutional investors. 



However, he cautioned that ongoing legal uncertainties may affect XRP's near-term adoption pace.



Ripple's application comes shortly after stablecoin issuer Circle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRCL#NYSE">CRCL</a>) made a similar move, as crypto firms increasingly seek regulatory clarity to strengthen ties with the traditional financial system. 



Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed the application on social platform X, stating that the license, if granted, would place Ripple under both federal and New York state oversight, setting what he called &#8220;a new benchmark for trust in the stablecoin market.&#8221;



The banking license would give Ripple a unique position: issuing RLUSD directly, with full regulatory backing, while continuing to use the XRP ledger as the transaction layer and XRP itself as a liquidity tool. 



This move could further streamline Ripple's cross-border payment services, which are already moving significant volumes through on-demand liquidity corridors.



As crypto and fintech companies increasingly compete for territory historically dominated by legacy banks, Ripple's next steps may test how regulators approach the evolving intersection of crypto and traditional finance.



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46259970/why-nano-labs-wants-to-control-a-big-chunk-of-binance-coins-circulating-supply?utm_campaign=Watchlist&amp;utm_source=Benzinga&amp;utm_medium=Email">Why Nano Labs Wants To Control A Big Chunk Of Binance Coin&#8217;s Circulating Supply</a>



Image: Shutterstock/Stanslavs

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Ripple's National Bank Ambition: How Could It Disrupt Stablecoins And Traditional Banking?

As Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) turned the most valuable publicly traded company on Thursday, inching closer to a $4 trillion market capitalization, this multinational technology company, nicknamed &#8216;Big Blue,&#8217; has outperformed the Magnificent 7 and the Jensen Huang-led tech giant in 2025.



What Happened: International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) has quietly outpaced the gains in Magnificent 7 stocks on a year-to-date basis, emerging as one of the most profitable artificial intelligence plays this year.



IBM&#8217;s generative AI book of business has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/46151129/is-ibms-ai-transformation-powering-a-sustained-rally">surpassed $5 billion since its inception</a>, a clear indicator of customer demand. The stock has returned 32.75% YTD, higher than Nvidia&#8217;s 15.20% gains and also much higher than all the other Magnificent 7 stocks.



Even on a five-year basis, IBM has outperformed four out of seven Mag 7 components.



Moreover, the stock has also gained more than the exchange-traded fund tracking the Magnificent 7 stocks, Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAGS#BATS">MAGS</a>).



<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><td>Five-Year Performance</td></tr><tr><td>Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)</td><td>15.20%</td><td>26.63%</td><td>1558.06%</td></tr><tr><td>Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>)</td><td>-12.43%</td><td>-5.65%</td><td>134.59%</td></tr><tr><td>Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)</td><td>19.17%</td><td>6.69%</td><td>141.85%</td></tr><tr><td>Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)</td><td>1.45%</td><td>11.70%</td><td>54.60%</td></tr><tr><td>Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>)</td><td>-5.29%</td><td>-5.94%</td><td>146.52%</td></tr><tr><td>Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)</td><td>19.99%</td><td>33.17%</td><td>208.03%</td></tr><tr><td>Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)</td><td>-16.86%</td><td>25.38%</td><td>291.35%</td></tr><tr><td>Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAGS#BATS">MAGS</a>)</td><td>3.27%</td><td>14.47%</td><td>123.1% (Since 2023)</td></tr><tr><td>International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>)</td><td>32.75%</td><td>65.87%</td><td>155.37%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46258864/ray-dalio-warns-us-debt-per-family-will-rise-85-to-425000-over-next-10-years-as-house-passes-trumps-big-beautiful-bill">Ray Dalio Warns US Debt Per Family Will Rise 85% To $425,000 Over Next 10 Years As House Passes Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Big Beautiful Bill&#8217;</a>



Why It Matters: Apart from AI, IBM also emerged as one of the top investors alongside Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), making significant investments in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45901958/ibm-google-emerge-as-top-investors-in-quantum-computing-with-most-patents-issued-in-2025-only-two-companies-seriously-investing-says-martin-shkreli">quantum computing space</a> on a year-to-date basis.



According to the data shared by Martin Shkreli in mid-June, there was a steep drop in the number of quantum computing patents issued after IBM and Google, suggesting that other companies are either smaller players or not prioritizing quantum computing as heavily.



Meanwhile, highlighting the tariff impact during the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44972416/ibm-plays-down-trump-tariff-concerns-doge-could-affect-consulting-business-but-its-us-federal-business-is-less-than-5-says-ceo">first quarter earnings call</a>, IBM's CFO and Senior Vice President, James Kavanaugh, said that the company was exploring alternatives to mitigate any indirect effects because the direct tariff impact was "minimal." 



"Goods imported to the U.S. represent less than 5% of our overall spend, and under current U.S. tariff policy, the impact to IBM is minimal. While we have limited direct exposure outside the United States, we are tactically evaluating alternative sources and other strategies to mitigate tariffs," he said.



Talking about the impact of DOGE-related initiatives, its Chairman, President, and CEO, Arvind Krishna, highlighted that its consulting business was "susceptible to discretionary pullbacks and DOGE-related initiatives."



The company is set to report its <a href="https://newsroom.ibm.com/2024-07-10-IBM-to-Announce-Second-Quarter-2024-Financial-Results#:~:text=ARMONK%2C%20N.Y.%2C%20July%2010%2C,at%205%3A00%20p.m.%20ET">second-quarter earnings</a> on July 24. -.



Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows that IBM had a stronger price trend over the short, medium, and long term. Its momentum ranking was solid, and its value ranking was poor at the 17.38th 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="159" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04062451/IBM-Edge-New-1024x159.png" alt="" class="wp-image-973084" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04062451/IBM-Edge-New-1024x159.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04062451/IBM-Edge-New-300x47.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04062451/IBM-Edge-New-768x119.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04062451/IBM-Edge-New.png 1279w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



Price Action: On the truncated trading day of July 3rd, 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, scaled fresh records and ended higher. The SPY was up 0.79% at $625.34, while the QQQ advanced 0.98% to $556.22, 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/25/07/46216283/dan-ives-urges-apple-to-make-a-move-saying-that-perplexity-acquisition-is-a-no-brainer-its-a-matter-of-when-and-not-if" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dan Ives Urges Apple ‘To Make A Move,' Saying That Perplexity Acquisition Is ‘A No-Brainer': ‘It's A Matter Of When And Not If'</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: MacroEcon / Shutterstock.com

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Everyone Talked About Nvidia, Apple And Tesla, But This One Tech Stock Has Left Them All Behind In 2025

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