Walgreens Boots Alliance Bolsa (NASDAQ: WBA)

Últimas noticias sobre Walgreens Boots Alliance (NASDAQ:WBA) Bolsa

Walgreens Boots Alliance

Walgreens Boots Alliance is one of the largest retail pharmacy chains in the US, with over 8,000 locations. Nearly three quarters of Americans live within five miles of a Walgreens location. Roughly two thirds of revenue is generated from prescription drug sales; Walgreens makes up 20% of total prescription revenue in the US. Walgreens also generates sales from retail products (general wellness consumables and its own branded merchandise), European drug wholesale, and healthcare. With more locations incorporating additional services like Health Corner and Village Medical, Walgreens creates an omnichannel experience for patients and positions itself as a one-stop healthcare provider.

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. - Common Stock

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc

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According to a report, U.S. healthcare spending grew by 7.5% to $4.9 trillion in 2023. The increase was fueled by higher enrollment in private health plans and expanded use of medical services, driven by legislative changes and post-pandemic rebounds in care utilization.
Healthcare spending accounted for 17.6% of the U.S. economy, outpacing GDP growth of 2.9%. Spending on retail prescription drugs <a target="_blank" href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2024.01375" rel="noreferrer noopener">saw</a> the most significant rise, jumping 11.4% to $449.7 billion.
The report attributed this to increased use of medications for obesity and diabetes.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/41866438/donald-trumps-second-term-could-reshape-us-healthcare-system-with-major-impacts-on-affordable-care-act-and-medicare" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump&#8217;s Second Term Could Reshape US Healthcare System, With Major Impacts on Affordable Care Act And Medicare</a>
The rapid growth in spending for drugs used to treat diabetes and obesity contributed to faster overall growth in retail prescription drug expenditures and private health insurance and Medicare spending growth.
Hospital care spending rose 10.4% to $1.5 trillion in 2023, marking the fastest growth since 1990. Hospital discharges increased by 1.6%, with Medicare beneficiaries driving higher outpatient service utilization.
Spending on physician and clinical services also climbed by 7.4% to $978 billion, with private insurance and Medicare patients contributing to this rise.
Enrollment in private health insurance grew by 1.6%, adding 3.3 million Americans.
Private insurance spending surged by 11.5%, reaching $1.5 trillion and accounting for 30% of national healthcare expenditures.
Medicare spending grew 8.1% to $1 trillion, representing 21% of total healthcare spending. Medicaid spending, however, grew more slowly at 7.9%, reflecting the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The report also revealed that 92.5% of Americans had health insurance in 2023, up from 92.0% in 2022, underscoring the broader coverage expansion in recent years.
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Your Healthcare Costs are Soaring! US Spending Reached $5 Trillion In 2023 with Major Increase in Obesity and Diabetes Drugs, Hospital Services

Super Micro Computer, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) stock is trading below its 50-day moving average as it awaits removal from the Nasdaq 100 Index on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/12/g42494812/annual-changes-to-the-nasdaq-100-index" rel="noreferrer noopener">December 23, 2024</a>, joining the likes of Illumina, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ILMN#NASDAQ">ILMN</a>)&nbsp;and&nbsp;Moderna, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>).
Palantir Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), MicroStrategy Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>), and Axon Enterprise Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXON#NASDAQ">AXON</a>) entered the coveted club as a replacement.
The Nasdaq-100 Index comprises 100 of the largest non-financial companies on The Nasdaq Stock Market.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42514598/hubspots-ai-powered-tools-set-to-drive-smb-growth-and-crm-innovation-analyst-says" rel="noreferrer noopener">HubSpot To Dominate SMB CRM Space With AI-Driven Platform, Says BofA Analyst</a>
Established in January 1985 alongside the Nasdaq Financial-100 Index, which tracks the 100 largest financial stocks on Nasdaq, these indexes serve as benchmarks for financial instruments like options, futures, and funds.
The Nasdaq-100 undergoes an annual reconstitution each December, aligned with the quadruple witching expiration on Friday of the quarter.
Super Micro Computer stock plunged 62% in the last six months. Reportedly, the AI server company has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/financing/24/12/42506690/super-micro-seeks-to-raise-capital-via-equity-and-debt" rel="noreferrer noopener">enlisted Evercore to</a> assist in raising capital.
The effort aims to avoid a potential delisting after the company missed its August deadline for filing its annual financial report while reviewing internal financial controls.
The company is considering private investment in public equity (PIPE) funding, which could attract interest from private equity firms. While PIPE funding provides a faster capital-raising method, it dilutes existing shareholders&#8217; equity.
Concerns still need to be made about the profitability of Super Micro&#8217;s AI-optimized servers due to reliance on high-end chips from suppliers like Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>).
Super Micro&#8217;s auditor, Ernst &amp; Young, resigned in October over governance concerns. This led to a sharp decline in stock value and prompted an independent committee to investigate. By December, the committee found no evidence of misconduct, spurring a 30% rise in Super Micro&#8217;s stock.
The company appointed BDO USA as its new auditor to address delisting risks, submitted a compliance plan to Nasdaq, and began searching for a new finance chief based on the committee&#8217;s recommendations.
Super Micro, which faced scrutiny from a Hindenburg Research report and a U.S. Department of Justice probe, has until February 25 to file its delayed financial reports.
Super Micro Computer missed the revenue estimates for the last two quarters and the adjusted EPS consensus for the last quarter.
In July 2024, Super Micro Computer <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39847680/whats-going-on-with-super-micro-computer-shares-today" rel="noreferrer noopener">became a component</a> of the Nasdaq-100 Index and the Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index, replacing Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>).
At that time, CEO Charles Liang highlighted Super Micro&#8217;s eco-friendly initiatives and AI growth opportunities during an interview with CNBC&#8217;s Jim Cramer.
Liang showcased the potential of their &#8220;liquid cooling&#8221; and &#8220;green computer&#8221; technologies to cut carbon emissions and reduce customer expenses.
He also shared his confidence in the transformative power of AI, predicting it could have a more significant impact than the industrial revolution.
The Nasdaq-100 Index underpins the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which seeks to deliver investment results mirroring the index&#8217;s performance before expenses.
Price Action: SMCI stock closed lower by 8.26% to $33.44 on Monday.
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These ten mid-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol>
<li>Patterson Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDCO#NASDAQ">PDCO</a>) stock rocketed 35.60% after the company announced it entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42470172" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Patient Square Capital</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42470172" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> for approximately $4.1 billion</a>.</li>
<li>NewAmsterdam Pharma Company N.V. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NAMS#NASDAQ">NAMS</a>) shares jumped 34.55% after the company announced topline data from its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42418025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phase 3 BROADWAY trial of Obicetrapib</a>.</li>
<li>Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>) gained 21.38% last week following a report from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42489438" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky News</a> indicating that Sycamore Partners has approached various potential lenders to fund a possible acquisition of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42421855" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the company</a>.</li>
<li>NovoCure Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVCR#NASDAQ">NVCR</a>) stock rose 19.49%. Piper Sandler maintained an Overweight rating and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/nvcr/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">raised the price target to $42</a>.</li>
<li>RH (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RH#NYSE">RH</a>) shares surged 18.60% after the company reported quarterly<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42474077" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> results and raised its guidance</a>. Also, Baird maintained a Neutral rating on the stock and raised its price <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/rh/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">target from $300 to $400</a>.</li>
<li>Pactiv Evergreen Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PTVE#NASDAQ">PTVE</a>) stock upped 17.71% after the company announced it would merge with Novolex, in which Pactiv <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42387693" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shareholders would receive $18.00 per share in cash</a>.</li>
<li>Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRK#NYSE">CRK</a>) shares escalated 15.70%.</li>
<li>ReNew Energy Global plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RNW#NASDAQ">RNW</a>) stock rose 15.47% after the company announced it received a $7.07 share buyout proposal from a consortium including Masdar, CPP Investments, ADIA and founder Sumant Sinha <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42438763" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">to acquire the remaining share capital</a>.</li>
<li>Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALK#NYSE">ALK</a>) stock was up 15.15% after the company unveiled &#8220;Alaska Accelerate,&#8221; a strategy to boost profitability and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42420282" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">issued a strong FY25 outlook</a>. Analysts boosted the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42469812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price target on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>Stevanato Group S.p.A. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STVN#NYSE">STVN</a>) stock upped 13.82%. Wolfe Research initiates coverage with an Outperform rating and a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/stvn/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> price forecast of $28</a>.</li>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/12/42499466/super-micro-computer-adobe-and-nucor-are-among-top-large-cap-losers-last-week-december-9-13-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super Micro Computer, Adobe And Nucor Are Among Top Large Cap Losers Last Week (December 9-13): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
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Walgreens Boots Alliance, Alaska Air And RH Are Among Top Mid-Cap Gainers Last Week (December 9-13): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

Pudgy Penguins is one of the most well-known NFT collections worldwide, and the floor price recently surpassed the $100,000 level as optimism builds for the launch of the $PENGU token. The takeover of the company and collection by Luca Netz in 2022 will go down as one of the biggest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/04/26449887/pudgy-penguins-founders-sell-control-how-new-leadership-is-boosting-the-floor-price">NFT storylines of all time.</a>
Here's a look back at the mint of Pudgy Penguins and how much you could have made investing $1,000 in the collection, and a look at what the future holds.
Pudgy Penguins History: Pudgy Penguins is a collection of 8,888 NFTs offering "good vibes" and "positivity for everyone." The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/11/29895821/exclusive-why-luca-netz-fell-in-love-with-pudgy-penguins-whats-next-for-nfts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">collection w</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/11/29895821/exclusive-why-luca-netz-fell-in-love-with-pudgy-penguins-whats-next-for-nfts">as minted on </a>July 22, 2021, at a price of 0.03 Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) each.  
The collection sold out quickly and saw the floor price rise and draw attention from the New York Times and other outlets as one of the faces of the rapid rise of NFT popularity in 2021.
Two subsequent collections also launched with free claims for holders.
Pudgy Rods, originally <a href="https://media.pudgypenguins.com/post/rogs">misspelled </a>as Pudgy Rogs, were unveiled as what was hiding inside Pudgy Eggs, which were a free-to-claim NFT. The unveiling of the fishing rods and the misspelling upset the community and, for many, marked a turning point in the history of Pudgy Penguins.
Lil Pudgys is a collection of 22,222 NFTs, initially offered as a free claim for Pudgy Penguins holders, with the remaining NFTs made available for purchase through a mint. The collection debuted in December 2021.
The discontent within the community caused a decline in the Pudgy Penguins floor price. Frustrated by the project&#8217;s lackluster direction, the community voted to remove the founders from control.
In April 2022, entrepreneur Luca Netz bought Pudgy Penguins assets, the brand, company and more for 750 Ethereum, or around $2.5 million at the time.
The floor price jumped from a range of 0.7 ETH to 1.4 ETH to 2.5 ETH and beyond after Netz made the purchase. Optimism quickly spread, and the project appeared resurrected and brought back to life.
Since taking over, Netz has pushed Pudgy Penguins further and evolved the brand into Igloo Inc, which includes several other projects. He has also pushed the company into consumer products, a strategy that has benefitted holders who can collect licensing royalties.
Pudgy Penguins products have been found in stores like Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), Target (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>), Five Below (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIVE#NASDAQ">FIVE</a>), Walgreens (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>) and online through Amazon.com (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>). With distribution in over 10,000 stores, the brand has sold millions of items.
The company has generated over 50 billion views on social media and has over 34 billion GIF views.
Netz was a speaker at Benzinga's Future of Digital Assets events in 2022 and 2023, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/11/35787692/exclusive-pudgy-penguins-the-next-chapter-in-the-ultimate-web3-comeback-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener">where he shared</a> more about the future of the company.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Introducing <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24PENGU&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$PENGU</a>, the official coin of Pudgy Penguins. Launching in 2024. Learn more below. <a href="https://t.co/J715bODcM6">pic.twitter.com/J715bODcM6</a>
&mdash; Pudgy Penguins (@pudgypenguins) <a href="https://twitter.com/pudgypenguins/status/1864851993094664602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Pudgy Penguins recently announced the launch of the $PENGU token, which has led to a spike in the floor price, as holders will receive a portion of the new token.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/09/34922268/pudgy-penguins-walmart-debut-marks-huge-step-forward-for-web3-nfts">Pudgy Penguins Walmart Debut Marks &#8216;Huge Step Forward&#8217; For Web3, NFTs</a>
Investing $1,000 in Pudgy Penguins: The rapid rise of NFTs in mid-2021 saw many who had experience in the cryptocurrency sector or who had built up familiarity with NFTs and the blockchain through NBA Top Shot, buy up new NFTs from collections, including Bored Ape Yacht Club.
Pudgy Penguins, launching on July 22, 2021, came right during the increased attention for the NFT sector and also when fees to mint NFTs were high.
Ethereum traded between $1,954.30 and $2,044.12 on July 22, 2021. This means the 0.03 ETH price was around $58 to $61. When factoring in gas fees, minting a Pudgy Penguin is estimated at around $90.
A $1,000 investment at the time could have purchased around 11 Pudgy Penguins. Since the mint, that would have also turned into 11 Lil Pudgys and 11 Pudgy Rods.
Here are the current floor prices of the three assets:
<ul>
<li>Pudgy Penguins: 27.4 <a href="https://opensea.io/collection/pudgypenguins">ETH</a>, $106,783.83</li>
<li>Lil Pudgy: 3.477 <a href="https://opensea.io/collection/lilpudgys">ETH</a>, $13,614.09</li>
<li>Pudgy Rods: 1.7949 <a href="https://opensea.io/collection/pudgyrods">ETH</a>, $6,995.12</li>
</ul>
Here is a look at what the $1,000 investment and owning 11 Pudgy Penguins would be worth at the time of writing:
<ul>
<li>11 Pudgy Penguins: $1,174,622.13</li>
<li>11 Lil Pudgys: $149,754.99</li>
<li>11 Pudgy Rods: $76,946.32</li>
<li>Total: $1,401,323.44</li>
</ul>
That's right, a $1,000 investment in cute Penguin NFTs would now be worth more than $1.4 million three and a half years later.
Compare that to a $1,000 investment in Ethereum at the time, which would be worth $1,908.06 today, based on a price of $3,900.87 at the time of writing and the high price back on July 22, 2021.
The same $1,000 invested in the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust, which tracks the S&amp;P 500 stock index, would be worth $1,389.68 today.
What's Next: The launch of the $PENGU token will be a major catalyst for Pudgy Penguins and Igloo Inc that the cryptocurrency and NFT communities will be closely following.
Igloo Inc <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39936042/peter-thiel-founders-fund-lead-11m-investment-in-pudgy-penguins-parent-company-excited-to-">raised $11 million in July</a>, led by Peter Thiel's Founders Fund. The investment was said to help accelerate the development of Abstract, a blockchain designed to power consumer apps and drive mass adoption of cryptocurrency.
Pudgy Penguins is also building out Pudgy World and continues to lead the way in consumer products from NFT brands. At a previous Benzinga event, Netz shared that Pudgy Penguins had plans for books and could launch a movie or TV show in the future.
Read Next:
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Photo: IHERPHOTO2/Shutterstock.com

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If You Invested $1,000 In Pudgy Penguins NFTs At Mint, Here's How Much You'd Have Today

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New On The Block</h2>
Intevac, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVAC#NASDAQ">IVAC</a>), which manufactures technologies for applications like solar cells and hard disk drives, has undergone a makeover. With its old restructuring woes in the rearview mirror, the company&#8217;s forecasted EBITDA is looking a lot healthier — basically, it&#8217;s flexing its financial muscles. Now, investment bank Houlihan Lokey is putting out feelers to see what kind of strategic alternatives are out there, which basically means they're chatting with anyone who might want <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mergers-and-acquisitions">to ink a deal</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Updates From The Block</h2>
Hershey Trust Co., holding a hefty 80% of the voting power at The Hershey Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>), recently told Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDLZ#NASDAQ">MDLZ</a>) to try again after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42398159/whats-going-on-with-hershey-stock-monday">rejecting their preliminary bid</a>, calling it &#8220;too low,&#8221; according to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-11/hershey-s-main-owner-said-to-reject-mondelez-s-offer-as-too-low?sref=TBDibEcD&amp;embedded-checkout=true">Bloomberg</a>. Meanwhile, Mondelez is wrestling with skyrocketing cocoa and coffee prices, possibly using that stress as fuel for their merger plans. Cocoa prices have gone through the roof—up over three times in the past year, and there was a 20% leap between October and November alone. Blame it on bad weather in cocoa-growing regions, shrinking global inventories, and the usual supply chain drama. Even BofA Securities analyst Peter T. Galbo jumped in, noting that Hershey looks like a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42483141/hershey-merger-talks-fail">pretty tasty merger target</a> amid all the cocoa chaos​.
Nippon Life Insurance wants to acquire all the shares it doesn&#8217;t already own in Resolution Life Group Holdings. The all-cash deal of $8.2 billion is the largest overseas acquisition ever by a Japanese insurer. It&#8217;s also only the second major deal Nippon Life has announced this year. It's clear that Japanese insurers, like Nippon Life, are on the lookout for opportunities abroad.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Off The Block</h2>
Dow agreed to sell a 40% stake in its U.S. Gulf Coast infrastructure assets to a fund managed by Macquarie Asset Management for $2.4 billion. The new partnership, cheekily named Diamond Infrastructure Solutions, will act as a go-to provider of top-tier infrastructure services for Dow and other industrial clients in Texas and Louisiana.
Novolex, the packaging giant backed by Apollo Global Management, has sealed the deal to acquire Pactiv Evergreen. The price hovers around <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42395976/pactiv-evergreen-realreal-kodiak-sciences-and-other-big-stocks-moving-higher-on-monday">$3.22 billion</a>. The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/apollo-backed-novolex-to-buy-pactiv-evergreen-for-3-22-billion-0e4815cf">reported</a> that the price tag equates to about $18 per share in cash, which is a sweet 23% premium over the stock's closing price of $14.66 on Dec. 6. It's also about 32% above where Pactiv's stock was trading on Dec. 2, right before rumors started flying about Apollo sniffing around for a takeover. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bankruptcy Block</h2>
The Onion's owners are upset with a bankruptcy judge for nixing their winning bid to buy Alex Jones&#8216; Infowars company. A federal bankruptcy judge declared <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/41982446/jokes-on-jones-onion-backed-by-families-of-sandy-hook-victims-buys-info-wars">last month's auction</a> and The Onion's offer "flawed," citing issues like a lack of transparency and an uneven playing field, as well as the failure to maximize value for Jones' creditors. This decision came after Elon Musk <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42229130/elon-musks-x-objects-to-sale-of-conspiracy-theorist-alex-joness-infowars-accounts-to-the-onion-claims-ownership-over-joness-social-media">stirred the pot</a>. Jones vowed that even if Infowars gets shut down, he'll simply move his operations to his backup studios and keep broadcasting via satellites, stations, and of course, Musk&#8217;s X platform. Despite all the drama, the ruling was a rare victory for Jones, who's been battling legal claims from the families of victims from the Sandy Hook tragedy, which he defamed by calling it a hoax.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notes From The Block</h2>
Fitch Ratings <a href="https://www.fitchratings.com/research/corporate-finance/us-corporate-m-a-could-accelerate-in-2025-credit-implications-mixed-02-12-2024">identified</a> several sectors with ample dry powder and legroom for acquisitions. They include construction, aerospace, gaming and leisure, healthcare, banking, and tech. Benzinga narrowed down which companies, based on growth potential and brand recognition, will likely attract suitors in 2025. These are primarily mid-size firms with market caps between $5 and $12 billion.
<ul>
<li>Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BROS#NYSE">BROS</a>): This takeover target boasts expanding profits, minimal debt load, strong brand recognition, and potentially untapped markets in the coffee-crazed northeastern U.S.</li>
<li>Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>): On Dec. 10, news broke that Sycamore Partners was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42421855/walgreens-stock-jumps-on-report-of-potential-private-equity-sale-what-you-need-to-know">exploring an acquisition</a> of Walgreens, who intend to take the company private and potentially split up its divisions.</li>
<li>Roku Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROKU#NASDAQ">ROKU</a>): ROKU's market cap is just under $12 billion, which is couch cushion cash for companies like Disney, Netflix, or Apple that could benefit from adding a hardware supplier</li>
<li>Zoom Video Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZM#NASDAQ">ZM</a>): With a $26 billion market cap, Zoom needs a buyer with deep pockets like Google, Microsoft, or Apple, but the company has plenty of positive free cash flow and a sturdy balance sheet.</li>
</ul>
For <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/24/12/42473024/5-merger-and-acquisition-targets-to-buy-before-trump-takes-over">more coverage, click here</a>.
For last week&#8217;s Deal Dispatch, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42378209/deal-dispatch-ubisoft-in-buyout-talks-dental-supplier-explores-sale-beloved-drive-through-goes-bankrupt">click here</a>.
Now Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42391429/canopy-growth-closes-acreage-deal-expanding-us-cannabis-portfolio-heres-what-investors-need-to-know">Canopy Growth Wraps Up Acreage Acquisition Expanding US Cannabis Portfolio, What Investors Need To Know</a></li>
</ul>

BROS

IVAC

MDLZ

ROKU

Deal Dispatch: Hershey Wants More From Mondelez, Houlihan Shops Intevac, Onion And Infowars Saga Continues

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>) stock is trading higher on Friday following a report from <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/boots-bidder-lines-up-banks-to-finance-10bn-takeover-deal-13272772">Sky News</a> indicating that Sycamore Partners has approached various potential lenders to fund a possible acquisition of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42421855">the company</a>.
The Details: If a potential acquisition goes through, Sycamore would acquire and take private one of the largest providers of retail pharmacy services in the United States and Britain. A source in the industry told Sky News that Sycamore is likely to sell both Boots and VillageMD.
The private-equity firm is in discussions with financial institutions like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and JP Morgan to fund the deal which is valued at approximately $10 billion.
Walgreens Boots Alliance has previously turned down multiple acquisition bids, including one from Apollo Global Management. In 2019, the company also received a takeover bid from KKR.
How To Buy Walgreens Stock
By now you're likely curious about how to participate in the market for Walgreens Boots Alliance &#8211; be it to purchase shares, or even attempt to bet against the company.
Buying shares is typically done through a brokerage account. You can find a list of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-stock-trading-platforms">possible trading platforms here.</a> Many will allow you to buy ‘fractional shares,' which allows you to own portions of stock without buying an entire share. For example, some stock, like Berkshire Hathaway, can cost thousands of dollars to own just one share. However, if you only want to invest a fraction of that, brokerages will allow you to do so.
In the the case of Walgreens Boots Alliance, which is trading at $10.29 as of publishing time, $100 would buy you 9.72 shares of stock.
If you're looking to bet against a company, the process is more complex. You'll need access to an options trading platform, or a broker who will allow you to ‘go short' a share of stock by lending you the shares to sell. The process of shorting a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock">stock can be found at this resource.</a> Otherwise, if your broker allows you to trade options, you can either buy a put option, or sell a call option at a strike price above where shares are currently trading &#8211; either way it allows you to profit off of the share price decline.
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42488220/broadcom-joins-1-trillion-club-eyes-best-month-ever-the-next-magnificent-tech-giant">Broadcom Hits $1 Trillion Milestone: The Next Magnificent Tech Giant?</a>
WBA Price Action: At the time of publication, Walgreens Boots shares are trading 3.75% higher at $10.10, according to data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image: Image via Shutterstock

What's Going On With Walgreens Shares Friday?

WIIM

Walgreens Boots Alliance shares are trading higher following reports from Sky News indicating Sycamore Partners has approached lenders to fund a potential acquisition of the company.

<a href="https://news.sky.com/story/boots-bidder-lines-up-banks-to-finance-10bn-takeover-deal-13272772" title="https://news.sky.com/story/boots-bidder-lines-up-banks-to-finance-10bn-takeover-deal-13272772">https://news.sky.com/story/boots-bidder-lines-up-banks-to-finance-10bn-takeover-deal-13272772</a>

Sky News: 'Sycamore Partners has approached lenders including Bank of America and JP Morgan about funding its prospective tilt at Walgreens Boots Alliance'

Merger and acquisitions activity peaked in the United States in 2021, but after SPACs got shellacked and the Biden administration took a harsher view of large-scale mergers, deals became fewer and further between.
This trend is expected to reverse in 2025 as the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates and a more M&amp;A-friendly Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enters the fold. Analysts at Goldman Sachs expect many <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/goldman-sachs-sees-more-larger-162800585.html">larger-scale deals</a> to be explored in the next 12 months, and one may already be underway as Mondelez International (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MLDZ#NASDAQ">MLDZ</a>) is again considering purchasing chocolate conglomerate Hershey Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>).
Today, we'll explore five more stocks that could be M&amp;A targets in 2025.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How We Made Our Picks</h2>
Fitch Ratings has identified <a href="https://www.fitchratings.com/research/corporate-finance/us-corporate-m-a-could-accelerate-in-2025-credit-implications-mixed-02-12-2024">several sectors</a> with ample dry powder and legroom for acquisitions, such as homebuilding and construction, aerospace, gaming and leisure, healthcare, banking, and (of course) tech. We looked for companies in these industries and narrowed down our selections based on growth potential, brand recognition, financial position, and number of potential suitors. These are primarily mid-size firms with market caps between $5 and $12 billion.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BROS#NYSE">BROS</a>)</h3>
If you're annoyed waiting in long lines at Starbucks or Dunkin&#8217; for your morning coffee, you aren't alone. Even with mobile orders and online promos, drive-thru lines are a constant pressure point for big chains, and as coffee prices continue to rise, customers might consider eschewing the line altogether.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="304" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/Bros-1024x304.png" alt="" class="wp-image-690339" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/Bros-1024x304.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/Bros-300x89.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/Bros-768x228.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/Bros.png 1302w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Artisan coffee chains like Dutch Bros might be a way for bigger companies to gain a competitive edge without sacrificing quality. BROS is a fast-growing coffee chain with over 900 stores in the United States, mainly in the Western part of the country, that prides itself on quick drive-thru experiences and attentive service. While 900 stores might seem quaint to giants like Starbucks, this is impressive growth from the 135 stores in operation in 2009, and the company also sells its name-brand varieties online. Dutch Bros revenue growth has continued its steady ascent, and gross profits have more than doubled since 2020. BROS is a takeover target thanks to these expanding profits, minimal debt load, strong brand recognition, and potentially untapped markets in the coffee-crazed northeastern United States.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>)</h3>
Walgreens has long been a takeover target, but realistic dealmaking scenarios have failed to materialize, and the stock has been stuck in a multi-year decline. While a public acquisition has eluded WBA, 2025 could be the year the company returns to private markets.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="304" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/WBA-1024x304.png" alt="" class="wp-image-690340" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/WBA-1024x304.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/WBA-300x89.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/WBA-768x228.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/WBA.png 1302w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
On December 10, news broke that Sycamore Partners was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42421855/walgreens-stock-jumps-on-report-of-potential-private-equity-sale-what-you-need-to-know">exploring an acquisition</a> of Walgreens, who intend to take the company private and potentially split up its divisions. WBA stock has plummeted from a $100 billion market cap in 2015 to just $8.5 billion at the end of 2024, making a private market acquisition much more feasible.
<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/earnings-gaps-masterclass-registration/?utm_source=RD-1213">Last Chance Before 2025 Earnings Season</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Roku Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROKU#NASDAQ">ROKU</a>)</h3>
Roku's stock chart will forever be distorted by the COVID-19 pandemic and meme stock craze, which saw its price jump from $100 to $500 in less than a year. When rates began rising in early 2022, ROKU was decimated and has traded under $100 per share for the better part of the last two years. But Netflix and Disney+ have shown that streaming services are the new way Americans watch TV, and Roku provides hardware and software to bring these services into living rooms.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="299" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ROKU-1024x299.png" alt="" class="wp-image-690341" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ROKU-1024x299.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ROKU-300x88.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ROKU-768x224.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ROKU.png 1300w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
ROKU made a record $1.5 billion in gross profits in 2023 thanks to more customers ditching cable for streaming services requiring Roku's products, such as smart TVs, streaming sticks, and the all-new Roku Ultra, the company's fastest and highest-quality device. ROKU's market cap is just under $12 billion, which is couch cushion cash for companies like Disney, Netflix, or Apple that could benefit from adding a hardware supplier that can entice potential customers to sign up for their services (and steer them from the competition).
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Zoom Video Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZM#NASDAQ">ZM</a>)</h3>
Another company with a rollercoaster stock chart is Zoom, the video conferencing service that kept people connected during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Zoom found itself in the right place at the right time, and its stock exploded from $76 in January 2020 to nearly $500 by the start of November. But by August 2022, the stock had given up all its COVID gains and settled back under $100.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="300" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ZM-1024x300.png" alt="" class="wp-image-690342" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ZM-1024x300.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ZM-300x88.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ZM-768x225.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ZM.png 1302w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
ZM shares have traded under the $100 mark for most of the last two years, but the previous three months have shown the stock shaking off the cobwebs. In October, ZM's 50-day moving average made a bullish cross over the 200-day MA, and there's optimism that Zoom's infrastructure, brand recognition, and return to positive sales growth will make it a desirable acquisition in 2025. With a $26 billion market cap, Zoom needs a buyer with deep pockets like Google, Microsoft, or Apple, but the company has plenty of positive free cash flow and a sturdy balance sheet.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">SPDR Regional Banking ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRE#NYSE">KRE</a>)</h3>
Now, no one is actually looking to acquire a banking ETF. However, the small and mid-size bank sector is ripe for consolidation, and the performance of this index shows how much optimism has flooded the industry since Donald Trump's election night victory. In 2023, the number of FDIC-insured commercial banks <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/184536/number-of-fdic-insured-us-commercial-bank-institutions/">grew to 4,470</a>, the first expansion in more than two decades (over 8,000 banks were insured in 2000). Many market analysts believe this to be a one-time blip and expect consolidation to resume under new FTC leadership.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="300" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163103/KRE-1024x300.png" alt="" class="wp-image-690343" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163103/KRE-1024x300.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163103/KRE-300x88.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163103/KRE-768x225.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163103/KRE.png 1302w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
The S&amp;P Regional Banking ETF got a massive boost on the Wednesday following the presidential election as a deregulation agenda paves the way for bank mergers and acquisitions. KRE is a relatively small fund with only $5.7 billion in assets under management, but it holds a diverse range of regional banking stocks. Over 140 banks and financial services firms fill the index, ranging from large caps like Truist Financial ($60 billion market cap) to niche local banks like Atlantic Union Bancshares (under $4 billion market cap). Selecting which of the more than 4,000 banks will be acquired is a monumental task; buying this small ETF is a way to take advantage of the overall M&amp;A trend.
Join two veteran traders December 15th for their complete system: Find perfect entries, manage risk, and catch potential +1,452% winners others miss. <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/earnings-gaps-masterclass-registration/?utm_source=WebRD-1213">SAVE MY SPOT</a>
Photo via Shutterstock

Opinion

MLDZ

5 Merger and Acquisition Targets to Buy Before Trump Takes Over

During times of turbulence and uncertainty in the markets, many investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. These are often companies that have high free cash flows and reward shareholders with a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/yield-investments"> high dividend payout</a>.
Benzinga readers can review the latest analyst takes on their favorite stocks by visiting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Traders can sort through Benzinga's extensive database of analyst ratings, including <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">by analyst accuracy</a>.
Below are the ratings of the most accurate analysts for three high-yielding stocks in the consumer staples sector.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Dividend Yield: 10.16%</li>
<li>RBC Capital analyst Ben Hendrix maintained a Sector Perform rating and cut the price target from $13 to $9 on Dec. 4. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 66%.</li>
<li>Jefferies analyst Brian Tanquilut maintained a Hold rating and cut the price target from $19 to $9 on Oct. 23. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 61%.</li>
<li>Recent News: Walgreens Boots Alliance shares rose Tuesday afternoon following a report suggesting the company is in talks to be acquired by a private-equity firm.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro's real-time newsfeed alerted to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent121224&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">latest WBA news</a>. </li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent121224&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="906" height="822" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12084557/image-99.png" alt="" class="wp-image-689505" style="width:561px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12084557/image-99.png 906w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12084557/image-99-300x272.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12084557/image-99-768x697.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 906px) 100vw, 906px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MO#NYSE">MO</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Dividend Yield: 7.46%</li>
<li>B of A Securities analyst Lisa Lewandowski upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy and raised the price target from $55 to $65 on Dec. 6. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 62%.</li>
<li>Barclays analyst Gaurav Jain maintained an Underweight rating and raised the price target from $45 to $46 on Nov. 6. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 61%.</li>
<li>Recent News: On Oct. 31, Altria Group reported better-than-expected third-quarter adjusted EPS results.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro's real-time newsfeed alerted to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent121224&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">latest MO news</a> </li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent121224&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="777" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12084632/image-100.png" alt="" class="wp-image-689506" style="width:593px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12084632/image-100.png 800w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12084632/image-100-300x291.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12084632/image-100-768x746.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KHC#NASDAQ">KHC</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Dividend Yield: 5.11%</li>
<li>Piper Sandler analyst Michael Lavery downgraded the stock from Overweight to Neutral and cut the price target from $40 to $35 on Nov. 19. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 64%.</li>
<li>Mizuho analyst John Baumgartner maintained an Outperform rating and cut the price target from $43 to $41 on Oct. 31. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 73%.</li>
<li>Recent News: On Oct. 30, Kraft Heinz posted third-quarter earnings of 75 cents per share, beating estimates, but reported a revenue decline and anticipates a prolonged recovery in U.S. retail..</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro&#8217;s charting tool helped identify the <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent121224&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">trend in KHC stock</a>. </li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent121224&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="928" height="847" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12084710/image-101.png" alt="" class="wp-image-689507" style="width:570px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12084710/image-101.png 928w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12084710/image-101-300x274.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12084710/image-101-768x701.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 928px) 100vw, 928px" /></a></figure>
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Read More: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/12/42437595/jim-cramer-says-keep-owning-this-energy-stock-abbott-laboratories-legal-stuff-is-behind-them">Jim Cramer Says &#8216;Keep Owning&#8217; This Energy Stock, Abbott Laboratories &#8216;Legal Stuff&#8217; Is Behind Them</a></li>
</ul>

Price Target

Pre-Market Outlook

Markets

Analyst Ratings

Wall Street's Most Accurate Analysts Weigh In On 3 Risk Off Care Stocks With Over 5% Dividend Yields

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42436676/inflation-rises-as-expected-in-november-sustain-hopes-for-next-weeks-fed-interest-rate-cut">An inline November inflation report</a> unleashed a surge of bullish momentum across markets on Wednesday.
Traders priced in near-certainty of a 25-basis-point rate cut at next week's Federal Reserve meeting, fueling optimism for a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42436676/inflation-rises-as-expected-in-november-sustain-hopes-for-next-weeks-fed-interest-rate-cut"> more accommodating monetary policy.</a>
The Consumer Price Index rose by 2.7% year-over-year in November, matching expectations. Core inflation — excluding volatile items such as energy and food — remained steady at 3.3%.
Tech stocks took center stage as the Nasdaq 100 rallied 1.7%, notching a fresh record high and logging its best session in over a month. The so-called &#8220;Magnificent Seven&#8221; mega-cap stocks were the driving force behind the gains.
The Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAGS#NASDAQ">MAGS</a>) jumped 2.6%, its best performance since Nov. 6, eyeing its eighth positive session in the last nine trading days.
Six of the seven mega-cap tech giants hit record highs, with the group's combined market cap reaching a staggering $17.3 trillion. Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) was the sole exception among the elite names.
The S&amp;P 500 joined the rally, climbing 0.9% and nearing its all-time highs. Small-cap stocks added 0.7%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average remained flat, lagging behind its peers.
Improving rate-cut expectations — fed futures now almost fully pricing in a 25-basis-point rate cut next week — supported gold, with the yellow metal rising 0.9% to 2,717 per ounce, heading for a fourth straight session of gains.
Bullish sentiment returned to the crypto market, with Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) rallying 4% to above $100,000 again, almost erasing losses from prior two sessions. 
Oil prices rose more than 2% on Wednesday, even as OPEC downgraded its global demand outlook for both 2023 and 2024.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>21,744.29</td>
<td>1.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,088.08</td>
<td>0.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,398.19</td>
<td>0.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>44,268.39</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 1:00 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent120224&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) rose 0.9% to $608.33.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;flattened at $444.28.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) rallied 1.8% to $529.86.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) rose 0.9% to $238.38.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLC#NYSE">XLC</a>) and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLC#NYSE">XLC</a>) outperformed, both rising 1.6%; the&nbsp;Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLV#NYSE">XLV</a>) lagged, down 1.1%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
<ul>
<li>Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) rallied 4.4% after the tech giant announced the launch of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/42030331/heres-when-google-gemini-could-be-integrated-with-apple-intelligence">Gemini 2.0 AI model</a>.</li>
<li>Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) soared 5.7%, ahead of its earnings report slated for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42396941/broadcom-likely-for-upside-backed-by-ai-pipeline-market-recovery-vmware-synergy-as-key-ai-semiconductor-and-custom-chip-supplier">Thursday after market closes</a>.</li>
<li>Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>) dropped 6.5% after surging 17% on Tuesday, following <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42431136/walgreens-stock-pulls-back-326-in-pre-market-trading-as-wall-street-veterans-debate-private-equity-deal-value-amid-sycamore-partners-takeover-talks">reports of a $7.5 billion sale</a> negotiation with Sycamore Partners.</li>
<li>Gamestop Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>) rallied over 9% in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/12/42425015/gamestop-q3-earnings-revenue-miss-4b-cash-no-more-offerings-planned-in-fiscal-year">reaction to earnings report</a>.</li>
<li>Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADBE#NASDAQ">ADBE</a>) rose 0.4% in anticipation of its quarterly results, set to be released after market close.</li>
</ul>
Now Read: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42444266/nvidia-loses-supreme-court-appeal-faces-continued-legal-battle-over-cryptocurrency-disclosure">Nvidia Loses Supreme Court Appeal, Faces Continued Legal Battle Over Cryptocurrency Disclosure</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Equities

Large Cap

Macro Economic Events

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Small Cap

Econ #s

Economics

ETFs

$BTC

ADBE

AVGO

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

GOOGL

MAGS

XLRE

Nasdaq 100 Rallies To Record Highs, Magnificent 7 Market Cap Tops $17 Trillion, Bitcoin Soars To $100,000: What's Driving Markets Wednesday?

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>) retreated 3.26% to $10.08 in Wednesday&#8217;s pre-market trading, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42421603/wall-street-struggles-for-direction-tesla-flirts-with-record-highs-bitcoin-tumbles-below-95000-whats-driving-markets-tuesday">following Tuesday&#8217;s 20% surge</a>, as prominent market voices weighed in on the potential private takeover by Sycamore Partners.
What Happened: Gary Black, Managing Partner at The Future Fund LLC, outlined a detailed valuation case for a possible $15 per share offer. 
Walgreens management guided for the fiscal year 2025, expecting adjusted earnings per share to range between $1.40 and $1.80 during their most recent earnings call. At the current stock price of $10.70, this places WBA&#8217;s price-to-earnings ratio at 6.7 times the fiscal year 2025 EPS, Black wrote on X, noting that the stock currently offers a 9.3% dividend yield.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24WBA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$WBA</a> +20% to $10.70 on reports that private equity firm Sycamore Partners is in talks to take Walgreens private. My back-of-the-envelope math suggests a $15/share ($13B total) bid could be on the table, which assumes a paltry 6x EV/EBITDA deal price (equates to 16.6% pretax cash…
&mdash; Gary Black (@garyblack00) <a href="https://twitter.com/garyblack00/status/1866555427372077082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
CNBC&#8217;s Jim Cramer struck a more cautious tone, warning investors about the deal&#8217;s complexity. &#8220;Wow, Walgreen&#8217;s too tough to turn even for the great Wentworth whom I revere. Don&#8217;t overpay for this one&#8230;&#8221; Cramer posted on X.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Wow, Walgreen&#39;s too tough to turn even for the great Wentworth whom i revere. Don&#39;t overpay for this one&#8230;
&mdash; Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcramer/status/1866546790604136592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42430772/janet-yellen-warns-trump-tariffs-could-undermine-confidence-in-financial-markets-and-raise-american-household-costs">Janet Yellen Warns Trump Tariffs Could &#8216;Undermine Confidence In Financial Markets&#8217; And Raise American Household Costs</a>
What Happened: The commentary comes amid Walgreens&#8217; stark decline from its December 2015 peak of $85 per share, when it commanded a $100 billion market value. The pharmacy chain, now valued at roughly $9 billion, has lost 82% of its value since 2020 as it faces growing competition from online pharmacies and Amazon.com Inc.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Sycamore Partners, which previously acquired Staples for $7 billion in 2017, might seek partners or divest certain assets if a deal materializes. This approach differs from KKR&#8217;s failed 2019 bid of approximately $70 billion, which Walgreens&#8217; board rejected as insufficient.
Walgreens&#8217; recent struggles are evident in its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42421855/walgreens-stock-jumps-on-report-of-potential-private-equity-sale-what-you-need-to-know">latest quarterly results</a>, where adjusted earnings dropped 41% despite revenue growth, leading to plans for closing 1,200 stores over three years.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42429325/robotaxi-exit-to-clear-the-way-for-gm-to-license-tesla-fsd-says-gary-black-move-will-save-the-mary-barra-led-company-1b-a-year">Robotaxi Exit To &#8216;Clear The Way&#8217; For GM To License Tesla FSD, Says Gary Black — Move Will Save The Mary Barra-Led Company $1B A Year</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Unsplash
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Walgreens Stock Falls Over 3% In Premarket As Wall Street Veterans Debate Private Equity Deal Value Amid Sycamore Takeover Talks

The stock market experienced a downturn on Monday as the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indices fell from their recent record highs. The S&amp;P 500 decreased by 0.3% and the Nasdaq Composite dipped by 0.25%. Despite these setbacks, both indices had recorded gains over the previous three weeks. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones also closed lower, shedding over 150 points.
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day.
GameStop Corp.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>)
GameStop shares declined by 3.65%, closing at $26.93. The stock reached an intraday high of $28.39 and a low of $26.85, with a 52-week range between $64.83 and $9.95. The video game retailer reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/12/42425015/gamestop-q3-earnings-revenue-miss-4b-cash-no-more-offerings-planned-in-fiscal-year">third-quarter net sales</a> of $860.3 million, falling short of last year&#8217;s $1.08 billion and missing the Street consensus estimate of $887.7 million.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42380768/quantum-computing-stocks-roundup-d-wave-rigetti-ionq-lead-the-charge-with-explosive-growth?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quantum Computing Stocks Roundup: D-Wave, Rigetti, IonQ Lead the Charge With Explosive Growth</a>
United States Steel Corp.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/X#NYSE">X</a>)
United States Steel saw its stock plummet by 9.68%, closing at $35.26. The day&#8217;s trading saw a high of $39.05 and a low of $30.55, with a 52-week range of $50.20 to $26.92. The drop followed reports that President Joe Biden plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42425695/biden-set-to-block-sale-of-us-steel-to-nippon-steel-reportsitesi">block the company&#8217;s sale</a> to Nippon Steel due to national security concerns. 
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>)
Walgreens shares surged by 17.74%, closing at $10.42. The stock hit an intraday high of $11.30 and a low of $8.54, with a 52-week range from $27.05 to $8.08. The increase came after reports of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42421855/walgreens-stock-jumps-on-report-of-potential-private-equity-sale-what-you-need-to-know">potential acquisition talks</a> with Sycamore Partners, which could take the company private.
Rigetti Computing Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGTI#NASDAQ">RGTI</a>)
Rigetti Computing&#8217;s stock soared by 45.19%, closing at $6.49. The stock&#8217;s intraday high was $6.89, with a low of $4.28, and a 52-week range of $6.89 to $0.66. The company made headlines with its AI-powered <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42417674/why-is-rigetti-computing-stock-gaining-on-tuesday">calibration breakthrough</a> in quantum computing, significantly enhancing its capabilities.
Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)
Tesla shares rose by 2.87%, closing at $400.99. The stock reached an intraday high of $409.73 and a low of $390.85, with a 52-week range from $409.73 to $138.8. Tesla saw strong sales in China, marking its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42409492/teslas-2nd-best-week-in-china-in-2024-boosts-q4-prospects">second-best week in 2024</a>. Tesla&#8217;s insurance registrations in China reached 21,900 units for the week ending December 8, its second-best week of 2024, while BYD led with 85,000.
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading&nbsp;<a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/Premarket%20Movers%20&amp;%20News">with top premarket movers and news</a>&nbsp;by Benzinga.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42406893/bill-gates-could-go-bankrupt-if-tesla-stock-surges-200-to-become-the-top-company-says-elon-musk?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bill Gates Could Go Bankrupt If Tesla Stock Surges 200% To Become The Top Company, Says Elon Musk</a></li>
</ul>
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

RGTI

TSLA

UNFI

Gamestop, US Steel, Walgreens, Rigetti Computing, Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>) shares are trading higher Tuesday afternoon following a report suggesting the company is in talks to be acquired by a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/private-equity-0">private-equity firm</a>.
What To Know: According to a Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/walgreens-sycamore-partners-private-equity-deal-5d14c920">report</a>, Walgreens has been discussing a deal with Sycamore Partners in which Walgreens would sell itself to the private-equity firm and pull the pharmacy chain from public markets. 
Walgreens shares have been trending lower for the last 10 years. The stock was trading above $90 per share and valued at more than $100 billion in 2015. It closed Monday&#8217;s session at $8.85 before jumping more than 20% on takeover speculation Tuesday. Walgreens had a market cap of $7.66 billion as of Monday&#8217;s close, per <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
People familiar with the matter reportedly said Sycamore, who is better known for smaller deals, would likely sell certain parts of the business or bring in partners. The people also said the deal could be completed in early 2025. 
The report indicates that one of Sycamore&#8217;s latest major deals was when it bought Staples in 2017 for $7 billion. The private equity firm was also among the suitors for Kohl&#8217;s in 2022.
Walgreens has reportedly been targeted by private-equity firms for many years. KKR reportedly made close to a $70 billion offer for Walgreens in 2019. The company was valued at more than $50 billion at the time. 
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42416922/us-small-business-optimism-soars-to-highest-level-in-over-three-years-election-results-signal-a-major-shift">US Small Business Optimism Hits 3-Year High As Election Results &#8216;Signal A Major Shift&#8217;</a>
Walgreens reported fourth-quarter financial results in mid-October. Although sales were up about 6% year-over-year, adjusted earnings fell close to 41%, and the company announced plans to close about 1,200 stores over the next three years. 
&#8220;Fiscal 2025 will be an important rebasing year as we advance our strategy to drive value creation. This turnaround will take time, but we are confident it will yield significant financial and consumer benefits over the long term,&#8221; said Tim Wentworth, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance. 
Walgreens is not due to report quarterly results again until Jan. 9. Analysts expect the company to report adjusted earnings of 38 cents per share on revenue of $37.34 billion, according to estimates from <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
WBA Price Action: <a href="http://benzinga.com/quote/wba">Walgreens shares</a> were up 20.1% at $10.63 at the time of publication Tuesday, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Photo: Shutterstock.

Walgreens Stock Jumps On Report Of Potential Private-Equity Sale: What You Need To Know

The U.S. stock market lacked direction on Tuesday morning as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of Wednesday&#8217;s release of November inflation data, a critical report that could influence the Federal Reserve&#8217;s decision on a potential interest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/interest-rates">rate cut next week.</a>
Large-cap indices hovered near unchanged levels, while small caps slightly outperformed, with the Russell 2000 up 0.3%. 
Notable strength was seen in discretionary and communication services, buoyed by impressive gains in Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>).
Tesla shares surged 4.7%, bringing the electric vehicle maker within striking distance of its all-time high set in November 2021. Alphabet Inc. rallied 4.9% after the tech giant announced the launch of its Willow quantum chip, which boasts an impressive 105 qubits. 
While some major tech names rallied, the broader tech sector faced headwinds, particularly semiconductors, which were weighed down by weaker-than-expected earnings, disappointing Chinese trade data and lingering concerns over U.S. trade restrictions and tariffs.
The broader iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NASDAQ">SOXX</a>) fell 2.1%, eyeing its worst day since mid November. 
The cryptocurrency market took a negative turn, with Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) falling 2.8% to trade below $95,000. This followed a 3.7% decline on Monday, signaling mounting pressure in the digital asset space. 
Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) plummeted 3.7% after a 7.3% drop on Monday. 
Commodities broadly gained. Gold prices rallied 1.3% as investors sought safe-haven assets, while crude oil gained 0.9%. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,399.04</td>
<td>0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>21,431.79</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,049.48</td>
<td>-0.1 %</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>44,366.30</td>
<td>-0.1%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 1:20 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent120224&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) flattened at $604.29.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;held steady at $444.91.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) inched 0.1% lower to $522.16.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) rose 0.3% to $238.38.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLC#NYSE">XLC</a>) outperformed, rising 1.6%; the&nbsp;Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLRE#NYSE">XLRE</a>) lagged, down 1.3%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
<ul>
<li>Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) saw its stock rise 5.6% after resuming 737 MAX production with 33,000 workers and plans to build 38 planes monthly to fulfill over 4,200 orders. </li>
<li>Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) fell nearly 8% after slightly missing Street&#8217;s earnings and revenue estimates last quarter. </li>
<li>Other stocks reacting to earnings reports included MongoDB Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDB#NASDAQ">MDB</a>), down over 15%, Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TOL#NYSE">TOL</a>), down 6%, AutoZone Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZO#NYSE">AZO</a>), up 1.9% and Ferguson Enterprises Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FERG#NYSE">FERG</a>), down 9%. </li>
<li>Gamestop Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>) was 1.7% lower before its third-quarter earnings report, which is scheduled for after the close.</li>
<li>Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>) is negotiating a $7.5 billion sale to Sycamore Partners, sending shares up 27% to $11.20.</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42416922/us-small-business-optimism-soars-to-highest-level-in-over-three-years-election-results-signal-a-major-shift">US Small Business Optimism Hits 3-Year High As Election Results &#8216;Signal A Major Shift&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
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Wall Street Struggles For Direction, Tesla Flirts With Record Highs, Bitcoin Tumbles Below $95,000: What's Driving Markets Tuesday?

Allow me to reiterate one very important point:
I have no idea where markets will close next year.
I cannot tell you which stock will be the top performer.
I do not know how many times the Fed will cut interest rates.
I may have an opinion about what interest rates will do next year, but I would not bet on it.
Before you think all this prediction stuff is easy and worth backing with bets, remember that this time last year, pretty much everyone thought we would see five or six interest rate cuts this year.
AI was the big story, but how many of us knew that a company that generates electricity, one that owns land in Texas, and a legacy airline would be among the top-performing stocks?
How many people predicted that blue chips like Walgreens (Ticker: WBA) and Intel (Ticker: INTC) would collapse by more than 50%?
Wall Street&#8217;s average prediction was for the S&amp;P 500 index to close around 4900.
It is over 6000 as I write this.
Here is what I can tell you about the markets with a great deal of conviction and am willing to bet on:
Historically, deep-value stocks have beaten the indexes.
Buying companies that trade at low multiples of the cash produced by the business, have solid credit, and are actively repaying debt tends to provide outsized returns over time.
Consider it a combination of Ben Graham and the best private equity managers.
Take good businesses trading at bargain valuations and use cash to reduce debt.
It&#8217;s a recipe that has delivered huge returns for patient, aggressive investors willing to ignore the headlines and avoid the popularity contests of day-to-day market activity.
StealthGas (Ticker: GASS) is a perfect example of a company to which Wall Street is paying no attention, and the opportunity for long-term profits is massive.
StealthGas is in the tanker business, specifically Pressurized LPG Carriers.
The company&#8217;s fleet specializes in transporting various petroleum and petrochemical gas products in liquefied form, including propane, butane, butadiene, isopropane, propylene, and vinyl chloride monomer, all of which are byproducts of natural gas and crude oil production.
While you may not be familiar with these chemicals, they are used in everything from cooking and heating homes to refrigeration, aerosol propellants, and making ammonia.
Wall Street is looking elsewhere, and StealthGas is doing well.
StealthGas reported strong financial results in the most recent quarter, with revenues increasing 17% year-over-year to $40.4 million. The improved earnings were driven by higher charter rates and the addition of larger vessels to the fleet, which offset a slight decline in fleet size.
The company is generating cash and using it to pay down debt.
StealthGas reported strong liquidity on the balance sheet with $77.4 million in cash and short-term investments. The book value of its fleet increased to $605 million, reflecting the addition of two medium gas carriers (MGCs). Meanwhile, equity rose by $60 million (an 11% increase) over nine months, showcasing a strengthened capital structure.
This is a business that is getting better and, more importantly, becoming financially stronger.
The company scores very high on my credit ranking system, and the debt load will likely continue to shrink.
No one is paying any attention, and the stock is currently trading for less than the value of the assets it owns and less than five times the cash generated from operations.
The two largest shareholders are an investment firm controlled by the CEO and a special situation firm, Glendon Capital, which has a strong track record and history of successful energy-related investing.
Between the two, they own about 35% of the company.
I have no idea what the stock will do in the short term. If history is any guide, it will probably go down before it goes up, as has been the case with my deep value picks over the years.
In the long term, I expect this stock to trade back to the value of its assets at some point over the next few years.
That is about three times the current stock price.
Much as is the case for the stock market, I have no idea what the gold markets will do in 2025.
Gold will probably go higher if we have higher inflation and global uncertainty.
If we pull off an economic miracle, have a soft landing with decent growth and no inflation, and do not have a good old-fashioned trade war, prices may come down slightly.
I have no idea what prices will do.
I do know that shares of Harmony Gold Mining (Ticker: HMY) are cheap.
This one is even more interesting than domestic miners as it is based in South Africa, the land of peace and domestic tranquility.
Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited is a South African gold mining and exploration company with operations primarily in South Africa and Papua New Guinea. The company is one of the largest gold producers in South Africa, with a diverse portfolio of underground, open-pit, and surface mines, related assets, and exploration projects.
I have no idea what the price of gold will be or what the political situation in South Africa will be like next year. I know it&#8217;s a good company with growing earnings and revenues and a solid credit profile.
Very few analysts follow the stock, which, as a result, is trading at a single-digit multiple of the business&#8217;s cash flow.
I do not have to predict what the economy or market will do over the next year.
Peter Lynch spent close to zero time thinking about the economy and market while building the best track record of any mutual fund manager.
Walter Schloss did not spend any time worrying about where the indexes might go on a day-to-day basis during the 47 years he averaged 20% gains annually for his clients.
Both of them focused on buying good businesses at reasonable prices that were under Wall Street&#8217;s radar screen.
We should do the same.

GASS

INTC

Under the Radar: The Quiet Path to Investment Success

Walgreens Boots Alliance Shares Resume

Walgreens shares are trading higher following a report from The Wall Street Journal suggesting the company is in talks to sell itself to private equity firm Sycamore Partners.

<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/walgreens-sycamore-partners-private-equity-deal-5d14c920?mod=latest_headlines">https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/walgreens-sycamore-partners-private-equity-deal-5d14c920?mod=latest_headlines</a>

Asset Sales

'Walgreens Is In Talks To Sell Itself To Private-Equity Firm Sycamore Partners' - WSJ

Walgreens Boots Alliance Shares Halted On Circuit Breaker To The Upside, Stock Now Up 5.99%

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3 Consumer Staples Stocks For Long-Term Dividend Growth And Income

How is SPY stock faring? The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust  is down 3.2% in the past 5 days but has risen about 28.3% year-to-date. According to TipRanks'...

SPY ETF Update, 12/19/2024

Walgreens' Rally Sputters Amid Takeover Chatter (Rating Downgrade)

Can Walgreens Overcome Its Challenges? (Rating Upgrade)

Realty Income: Don't Overthink This Christmas Discount On Reliable Income

Drugstores are not the investment darlings they used to be. They've been struggling for years – more than a decade, actually – and those struggles are now front and center. But don't count out the industry as a whole just yet.

The Drugstore Industry Is Definitely Suffering, But Don't Count It Out Just Yet

Over the past 12 months, a group of 10 large-cap stocks have underperformed all others. Here's an updated look at the top 10 worst performing large-caps, along with their one-year price returns.

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