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In a series of alleged retaliatory strikes, Israel reportedly targeted Iran, Syria, and Iraq. The strikes come in response to an Iranian missile attack on Israel.
What Happened: On Friday, Israel reportedly launched a missile strike on Iran, which was followed by explosions in central Iran, southern Syria, and the Baghdad area, as well as the Babil Governorate of Iraq, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-gaza-hamas-war/?id=108860743">according</a> to ABC News.
Flight trackers showed that several flights bound for Iran had changed course, including flights from the United Arab Emirates.
Local sources in Syria reported that the airstrikes targeted sites belonging to the Syrian Army in the As-Suwayda and Daraa Governorates of southern Syria. Residents in Erbil and Mosul in Iraq also reported hearing the sounds of fighter jets.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">مراسل السويداء 24: أصوات قوية لتحليق طيران حربي في الريف الجنوبي لمحافظة <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%A1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#السويداء</a> جنوب <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#سوريا</a>، سبقها بدقائق اصوات ثلاث انفجارات متتالية سمع دويها في مدينة السويداء والريف الغربي.. يتبع.. <a href="https://t.co/2bgRMFEpw7">pic.twitter.com/2bgRMFEpw7</a>
&mdash; السويداء 24 (@suwayda24) <a href="https://twitter.com/suwayda24/status/1781118124265230372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38286236/once-trumper-scaramucci-warns-re-electing-ex-president-would-result-in-american-fascism-and-be-very?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Once-Trumper&#8217; Scaramucci Warns Re-Electing Ex-President Would Result In &#8216;American Fascism&#8217; And Be &#8216;Very</a>
These strikes occurred following a drone and missile attack by Iran on Israel on Saturday night. The Iranian attack was allegedly in response to an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building next to the Iranian embassy in Damascus, resulting in the death of Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior IRGC commander in charge of Iran&#8217;s operations in Syria and Lebanon.
Why It Matters: The recent escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran has been a cause for concern. The Iranian missile and drone attack on Israel was seen as a significant shift in their conflict dynamics, potentially edging towards <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38240360/what-a-full-blown-war-between-israel-and-iran-could-entail-according-to-one-report">full-scale war</a>.
The U.S. has also intensified <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/04/38316947/us-intensifies-economic-pressure-on-iran-in-response-to-attack-on-israel-we-will-continue-to-deploy">economic pressure on Iran</a> following the attack on Israel, imposing new sanctions on individuals and organizations involved in developing Iran's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) capabilities.
Amid the escalating tensions, China has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38267600/amid-iran-israel-tensions-china-affirms-support-for-tehran-strengthens-ties">reiterated its support for Tehran</a>, strengthening its bilateral ties with Iran. 
Meanwhile, Israel's top leaders are reportedly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38264844/benjamin-netanyahus-war-cabinet-split-over-israels-war-strategy-amid-escalating-tensions-with-iran-r">in disagreement over the country's war strategy</a>, raising concerns about the potential impact on the Middle East's geopolitical stability.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38286407/gop-mega-donors-son-throws-support-behind-incumbent-president-in-biden-vs-trump-battle?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GOP Mega Donor&#8217;s Son Throws Support Behind Incumbent President In Biden Vs. Trump Battle</a>
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Global

Israel Reportedly Strikes Iran, Syria, Iraq In Retaliation For Missile, Drone Attack

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for his alleged autocratic behavior and backroom dealings with Democrats. The tweet was posted on Tuesday.
What Happened: Greene, in her tweet, accused Mike Johnson of becoming a &#8220;mini tyrant.&#8221; She alleged that he was using underhanded tactics with Democrats to alter the rules of Congress, thereby maintaining his power and pushing through the agendas of President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Mike Johnson, the constitutional attorney, has turned into a mini tyrant. He's using backroom deals with Democrats to change the rules of Congress to continue clinging onto his power while passing Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer's wishlist. We need a new Speaker!! <a href="https://t.co/NhTwVJujQN">pic.twitter.com/NhTwVJujQN</a>
&mdash; Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene&#x1f1fa;&#x1f1f8; (@RepMTG) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMTG/status/1781013989331226919?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38286407/gop-mega-donors-son-throws-support-behind-incumbent-president-in-biden-vs-trump-battle?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GOP Mega Donor&#8217;s Son Throws Support Behind Incumbent President In Biden Vs. Trump Battle</a>
This tweet comes in the wake of Greene&#8217;s ongoing campaign to unseat Johnson, a campaign that has recently been joined by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). Despite former President Donald Trump&#8217;s endorsement of Johnson, Greene has been pushing for a vote on Johnson&#8217;s removal, particularly over issues related to Ukraine aid.
Why It Matters: Johnson quashed rumors about considering changes to make his leadership more secure, despite pressure from Republican hard-liners who deemed it a &#8220;red line.&#8221; Johnson criticized the existing rule allowing easy ousting but affirmed it would remain, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mike-johnson-wont-change-rules-ousting-house-speakers/story?id=109395286">reported</a> ABC News.
He faced opposition from the party&#8217;s right flank, led by Greene, who demanded assurances he wouldn&#8217;t alter the rule. Amidst the standoff, Johnson navigated delicate balances between advancing national security bills and retaining his position, with some members threatening to oust him if he altered the threshold for a motion to vacate.
Johnson has been facing criticism from conservatives due to the lack of border security provisions in his latest foreign aid proposal. He <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38305637/mike-johnson-on-border-criticism-some-of-my-colleagues-want-the-speaker-of-the-house-to-have-a-magic">dismissed the criticism</a>, attributing the lack of action to Senate and White House Democrats. He stated, "Some of my colleagues want the Speaker of the House to have a magic wand. If we could close the border ourselves, we would have done it a long time ago.&#8221;
Johnson&#8217;s comments came after the release of legislative text for three bills that would combine military assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and allies in the Indo-Pacific with humanitarian aid for Gaza. These bills, however, do not include a border security measure, a reversal from Johnson's previous indication that aid for Ukraine would be tied to such measures. This has been a point of contention for Greene and her supporters, as seen in her <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38284071/marjorie-taylor-greene-bid-to-oust-speaker-mike-johnson-joined-by-thomas-massie-its-a-clusterf-k">recent efforts</a> to remove Johnson from his position as Speaker.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38308231/trumps-niece-says-ex-president-has-never-faced-constellation-of-horrors-hes-currently-experiencing-a?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s Niece Says Ex-President Has Never Faced &#8216;Constellation Of Horrors He&#8217;s Currently Experiencing&#8217; Amid Stack Of Criminal Trials: &#8216;Not Going To Sit Well With Him&#8217;</a>
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Politics

Marjorie Taylor Greene Says Mike Johnson Has Turned Into A 'Mini Tyrant': 'We Need A New Speaker'

Journalist Justin Baragona shared a dismissed juror&#8217;s impression of former President Donald Trump during his ongoing trial on Thursday.
What Happened: On Thursday, Baragona tweeted a comment made by a dismissed juror about Trump&#8217;s appearance during his trial. The juror, in an <a href="https://www.msnbc.com/ana-cabrera-reports/watch/dismissed-juror-describes-seeing-trump-in-the-courtroom-during-hush-money-trial-209256005671">interview</a> with MSNBC&#8217;s Yasmin Vossoughian, noted a change in Trump&#8217;s complexion, stating: &#8220;You know, he looked less orange, definitely like more yellowish, like yellow.&#8221;
&#8220;He doesn&#8217;t look angry, he looks bored. He wants this finish and do his stuff.&#8221; The juror said other perspective jurors understood the gravity of the case and its historic nature.
The juror revealed that she became a citizen of the United States in August and this was her first ever time to have been called for jury duty.
The juror said she was dismissed because she said she couldn&#8217;t be impartial. 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Dismissed Trump juror tells MSNBC of her impression of the ex-president: &quot;You know, he looked less orange, definitely like more yellowish, like yellow.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/q1DZyWaEX7">pic.twitter.com/q1DZyWaEX7</a>
&mdash; Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) <a href="https://twitter.com/justinbaragona/status/1780978306814247175?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38305609/teary-biden-slams-trump-for-remarks-on-service-members-who-the-hell-does-he-think-he-is?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Teary Biden Slams Trump For Remarks On Service Members: &#8216;Who The Hell Does He Think He Is?&#8217;</a>
The tweet comes amidst the high-profile trial involving Trump and alleged hush money payments. The jury, consisting of 7 men and 5 women, was selected after a lengthy process that involved questioning hundreds of potential jurors about their ability to remain impartial.
Why It Matters: The trial has garnered significant attention, not only for the charges against the former president but also for the composition of the jury. Among the 12 jurors, two are lawyers, a fact that Trump&#8217;s former attorney, Timothy Parlatore, described as &#8220;very unusual&#8221; in an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38305694/former-trump-attorney-says-very-unusual-to-have-lawyers-on-the-jury-they-can-be-a-very-strong-voice">interview</a> with CNN. He suggested that the presence of lawyers on the jury could be either advantageous or disadvantageous, depending on the specifics of the case.
The trial is a critical event for Trump Media &amp; Technology (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>), as the outcome could significantly impact the company&#8217;s reputation and stock performance.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38285714/no-more-inventory-discounts-on-tesla-cars-as-ceo-elon-musk-says-sales-system-has-turned-complex-and?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">No More Inventory Discounts On Tesla Cars As CEO Elon Musk Says Sales System Has Turned &#8216;Complex And Inefficient&#8217;</a>
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Trump Looks Less Orange, More Yellow Says Dismissed Hush Money Trial Juror: 'He Doesn't Look Angry, He Looks Bored'

Owner of X, Elon Musk, has announced plans to fund a national signature campaign in support of the First Amendment, amid ongoing debates about free speech.
What Happened: On Thursday, Elon Musk took to X, formerly Twitter, to express his commitment to free speech. &#8220;Given the relentless attacks on free speech, I am going to fund a national signature campaign in support of the First Amendment,&#8221; he posted.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Given the relentless attacks on free speech, I am going to fund a national signature campaign in support of the First Amendment
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1781002178708082904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38309306/legal-expert-says-tesla-shareholder-vote-to-approve-elon-musks-pay-for-his-past-wor?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Legal Expert Says Tesla Shareholder Vote To Approve Elon Musk&#8217;s Pay &#8216;For His Past Work&#8217; Is Like Setting &#8216;</a>
This announcement comes in the wake of Musk&#8217;s recent interactions on the subject of free speech. He had previously <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38306161/elon-musk-reacts-to-npr-ceos-remarks-on-freedom-of-speech-super-powerful-ai-programmed-in-this-way-h">raised concerns</a> about the potential dangers of super-powerful artificial intelligence (AI) on social media platforms, warning of the &#8220;civilization-level risks&#8221; posed by such AI. 
Why It Matters: Musk&#8217;s commitment to free speech has been a topic of discussion in recent times. He had earlier filed a lawsuit against the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/03/37920503/elon-musk-whiffs-in-lawsuit-against-watchdog-group-judge-blasts-case-as-trying-to-punish-def">calling him out</a> for hate speech, which was later dismissed by a California judge. 
Furthermore, Musk has been vocal about his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38156008/elon-musk-fires-back-at-censorship-supporters-with-a-cryptic-post-youre-not-woke-or-progressive-your">stance on censorship</a>, criticizing those who support it. His recent tweet further solidifies his position as a staunch supporter of free speech. 
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock.com
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38306270/dogecoin-could-make-elon-musks-fate-loves-irony-comment-come-true-if-it-flips-ethereums-ma?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dogecoin Could Make Elon Musk&#8217;s &#8216;Fate Loves Irony&#8217; Comment Come True If It Flips Ethereum&#8217;s Market Cap At Last Bull Run, Says This Crypto Influencer</a>
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Tech

Elon Musk Announces Intent To Finance 'National Signature Campaign' In Support Of First Amendment, Alleging 'Relentless Attacks On Free Speech

Crypto analyst Michaël van de Poppe has suggested that Bitcoin&#8216;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) price may soon experience a significant rebound, despite the waning hype surrounding the upcoming halving event.
What Happened: Van de Poppe took to X on Thursday to share his prediction. He noted that the current market conditions could pave the way for a price surge in the near future. 
He wrote, &#8220;Pretty significant chance #Bitcoin will be bouncing from this area upwards for some relief. The hype is slowly fading away for Bitcoin as the halving is approaching and narratives will change.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Pretty significant chance <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> will be bouncing from this area upwards for some relief. The hype is slowly fading away for Bitcoin as the halving is approaching and narratives will change. <a href="https://t.co/D3JWVihXID">pic.twitter.com/D3JWVihXID</a>
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1781000487480758385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Van de Poppe&#8217;s forecast comes amid a period of market stabilization. Despite recent volatility, Bitcoin and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) have both <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38312737/bitcoin-defies-165m-etf-outflows-bounces-above-62-000">managed to bounce back</a> above the $62,000 and $3,000 marks, respectively.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38299089/trump-related-maga-memecoin-onboards-roger-stone-as-partner?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump-Related MAGA Memecoin Onboards Roger Stone As Partner</a>
Additionally, the highly anticipated Bitcoin halving is just two days away, and analysts at 10x Research have suggested that the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38321951/what-happens-after-the-bitcoin-halving">post-halving scenario</a> may not necessarily mirror the pre-halving frenzy.
Why It Matters: The Bitcoin halving event, which occurs approximately every four years, is a significant milestone for the cryptocurrency. The event involves a 50% reduction in the rewards miners receive for validating transactions, ultimately impacting the supply of new Bitcoins entering the market. 
Historically, halving events have been associated with significant price movements in Bitcoin, making them a focal point for investors and analysts.
Despite the recent market volatility, some industry experts remain bullish on Bitcoin&#8217;s long-term prospects. Anthony Scaramucci, the founder of SkyBridge Capital, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38321903/bitcoin-to-200k-after-halving-skybridges-scaramucci-believes-the-crypto-will-eclipse-gold-">recently suggested</a> that Bitcoin could reach $200,000 per coin following the halving, while a Fidelity director <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38320609/holding-0-001-bitcoin-could-make-you-a-multimillionaire-according-to-fidelity-director">highlighted</a> the potential for even a small investment in Bitcoin to create generational wealth.
Price Action: According to data <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">from Benzinga Pro</a>, Bitcoin is presently trading at $63,103, representing a decrease of 0.65% over the last 24 hours. However, it has surged by 42.86% since the beginning of the year.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38284502/dogecoin-killer-shiba-inu-sees-significant-increase-in-token-burn-rate-as-price-recovers-i?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Dogecoin Killer&#8217; Shiba Inu Sees Significant Increase In Token Burn Rate, As Price Recovers — Is A Turnaround In The Making?</a>
Image Via Shutterstock 
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Bitcoin Analyst Predicts 'Significant Chance' Of Price Bounce Amid Fading Hype: 'Narratives Will Change'

The latest development in the legal battles surrounding former U.S. President Donald Trump has seen his bid to delay several lawsuits linked to the Capitol attack denied. This decision was reportedly made by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington.
What Happened: On Thursday, Trump&#8217;s defense lawyers&#8217; plea to postpone the civil cases while he fights the 2020 election interference criminal case was dismissed. These cases, filed by Democratic lawmakers and police officers, allege harm suffered during the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, and accuse Trump of inciting the riot, <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/04/18/trump-jan-6-lawsuits-delay-request/">reported</a> the Chicago Tribune.
Trump&#8217;s defense argued that his speech prior to the attack was a matter of public concern and within the scope of presidential immunity. However, this claim was rejected by Washington&#8217;s federal appeals court in December, allowing the lawsuits to proceed.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38270988/elon-musk-reacts-after-trump-posts-screenshot-of-tesla-ceos-post-about-lawfare-not-being-applied-equ?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Reacts After Trump Posts Screenshot Of Tesla CEO&#8217;s Post About &#8216;Lawfare:&#8217; &#8216;Not Being Applied Equally To Joe And Hunter Biden&#8217;</a>
Judge Mehta, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, stated that the public interest lies in the swift resolution of these civil lawsuits, alongside the criminal case. He added that safeguards can be put in place to allow the lawsuits to advance without infringing on Trump&#8217;s Fifth Amendment rights.
Why It Matters: This decision comes amidst a series of legal challenges for the former president. In August 2023, Trump refused to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/08/33806596/trump-refuses-to-pledge-compliance-with-judges-order-in-jan-6-case-the-whole-thing-is-a-fake">pledge compliance</a> with a judge&#8217;s order in the Jan. 6 case, calling it a &#8220;fake.&#8221;
Furthermore, Trump is also facing a criminal trial involving alleged hush money payments. The jury for this trial was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/04/38326553/trump-hush-money-trial-has-12-jurors-here-are-the-7-men-5-women-to-decide-former-presidents-fate">selected</a> on Thursday, marking another step towards the commencement of the trial.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38263998/trumps-niece-says-ex-presidents-mandatory-courtroom-presence-will-give-jury-front-row-seat-of-his-ba?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s Niece Says Ex-President&#8217;s Mandatory Courtroom Presence Will Give Jury Front-Row Seat Of His Bad Behavior: &#8216;Donald Is Finally Confronting His Criminal Charges&#8217;</a>
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Trump's Bid To Pause Jan.6 Capitol Riot Case Denied By Judge

The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/hemp">hemp </a>market, after riding the highs of the &#8220;green rush&#8221; in 2021, faced significant challenges in 2022, similar to the broader global cannabis market downturn. This period was marked by considerable corrections in cultivation and prices. However, a recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) brings promising news: the market is showing signs of stabilization.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Insights From USDA Report</h3>
The USDA&#8217;s National Agricultural Statistics Service released a <a href="https://release.nass.usda.gov/reports/hempan24.pdf">report </a>indicating positive trends in the hemp industry:
Market Value and Acreage: The value of open hemp production rose to $291 million, an 18% increase from the previous year, with a stable cultivation area of around 27,000 acres nationwide. The report highlighted that the unprotected segment of the hemp market (areas not covered by specific hemp programs) reached a production value of $258 million.
Yield Improvements: Interviews with farmers revealed that increased market value is partly due to improved yields in various hemp categories, including grain, fiber and floral hemp. The report, now in its third consecutive year, aims to standardize agricultural research and focuses on CBD and non-intoxicating cannabis crops, designated as &#8220;specialty crops&#8221; since the 2018 Farm Bill.
<ul>
<li>Fiber hemp yield for 2023 was estimated at 4,053 pounds per acre, a significant increase from the previous year.</li>
<li>Floral hemp yield was estimated at 1,088 pounds per acre, also showing an improvement.</li>
<li>Grain hemp yield was estimated at 779 pounds per acre, marking a notable increase.</li>
</ul>
Leading States: South Dakota (3200 harvested area), Montana (2300), Oregon (2900), and California (2100) emerged as the top hemp-producing states, collectively accounting for nearly half of the country&#8217;s hemp cultivation area.
Prices: For various categories of industrial floral hemp prices were recorded as follows: 
<ul>
<li>Dried flower at $4.38 per pound, bucked at $6.35, hand-trimmed at $87.8, and $59.2 for other forms. </li>
<li>Notably, there has been a decrease in the price of dried flowers, which stood at $11.90 per pound in 2022. </li>
<li>However, the price for bucked hemp experienced a significant increase, doubling from the previous year&#8217;s $3.12.</li>
</ul>
The process of bucking, which is an industrial method used to separate cannabinoid-rich flowers from the rest of the biomass, highlights the differentiated pricing based on the processing level of hemp.
<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">In 2023, the value of hemp production in the open and under protection for the United States totaled $291 million, up 18% from 2022. See more <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AgStats?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AgStats</a> in the National Hemp Report &#x27a1;&#xFE0F;<a href="https://t.co/xeuwXqTpDB">https://t.co/xeuwXqTpDB</a>
&mdash; National Agricultural Statistics Service (@usda_nass) <a href="https://twitter.com/usda_nass/status/1780673275707728216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why Hemp Matters</h3>
Hemp is gaining attention for its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/06/32783960/hemp-could-be-the-biggest-investment-opportunity-since-plastic">environmental benefits and versatility</a>. As a gluten-free crop with a great nutritional profile, Hemp offers a sustainable alternative in food, fiber, and construction material production. It requires <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/01/36539826/is-eco-friendly-hemp-farming-profitable-this-company-proves-it-is-and-now-leads-a-revolution-in-">fewer pesticides and less water </a>than cotton and is twice as efficient as trees in carbon absorption, positioning hemp as a crucial crop for environmental sustainability.
This USDA report underscores the hemp market&#8217;s resilience and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/03/37633391/usda-invests-10m-in-hemp-research-tribal-lands-and-bidens-hemp-biotech-initiative">potential for growth</a>, highlighting the industry&#8217;s adaptation to challenges and its role in sustainable agriculture.

Cannabis

USDA Hemp Market Report Shows Stability And Growth Amid Challenges

GSUN

Trading Halt: Halted at 7:50:00 p.m. ET - Trading Halt: Halt News Pending

The 12 jurors who will decide the fate of former President Donald Trump were selected in the highly anticipated criminal trial involving alleged <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/04/38251447/trump-hush-money-trial-preview-key-witnesses-2024-campaign-impact-prison-time-trump-could-face-i">hush money payments.</a>
Here are the latest details and what comes next.
What Happened: A lengthy process that saw <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/04/38282616/trump-trial-gets-7-jurors-11-to-go-their-old-social-media-posts-take-center-stage-in-court-e">hundreds of potential jurors</a> asked about their necessity to be impartial in the trial against Trump is one step closer to the trial beginning.
On Thursday, jurors seated for the hush money case now stands at 12, the total needed for the verdict, as <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/live-blog/trump-hush-money-trial-day-3-live-updates-rcna145936">shared </a>by NBC News.
Making up the jury are seven men and five women. Here are the jurors and their professions, as <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/meet-the-first-7-jury-members-as-trumps-hush-money-trial-progresses-rcna148198">reported </a>by NBC News. 
<ol>
<li>Male, works in sales</li>
<li>Male, investment banking</li>
<li>Male, attorney</li>
<li>Male, security engineer</li>
<li>Female, teacher</li>
<li>Female, software engineer</li>
<li>Male, attorney, likes the outdoors</li>
<li>Male, retired, previously worked in wealth management</li>
<li>Female, speech therapist</li>
<li>Male, commerce worker</li>
<li>Female, product development manager</li>
<li>Female, physical therapist</li>
</ol>
"We have our jury," Judge Juan Merchan said after a 12th juror was agreed upon by the prosecution and defense.
Merchan gave instructions to the jurors Thursday before they left, reminding them that they cannot discuss the case. The judge reminded the jurors that they are expected to view the case with a "fair and impartial manner."
Getting to 12 jurors Thursday could come as a surprise after the way the court day began. After reaching seven jurors Tuesday before adjourning the trial until Thursday, two of the jurors were removed early Thursday.
One juror was dismissed after a prior arrest was brought into question.
Juror 2, an oncology nurse, was excused earlier in the day after saying that after sleeping on the case, she worried she could no longer be impartial. She also was concerned about her identity becoming public with family already asking if she was on the jury.
The jury selection process has also seen large numbers of potential jurors dismissed after saying they can't be impartial in the case. When Merchan asked a pool of 96 potential jurors to raise their hand if they can't be impartial in the case, 48 were immediately dismissed.
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/04/38261008/donald-trump-argues-political-prosecution-before-jury-selection-in-new-york-trial-judge-not-goin">Donald Trump Argues &#8216;Political Prosecution&#8217; Before Jury Selection In New York Trial: &#8216;Judge Not Going To Allow Me To Escape This Scam&#8217;</a>
What's Next: Six additional jurors are still needed, who will serve as alternates.
The plan, as of now, is for the trial to begin Monday. This could happen if the alternates are selected on Friday. "I'm hopeful we will finish tomorrow," Merchan said.
Trump's hush money criminal trial is expected to last six to eight weeks.
Speaking to reporters after the case wrapped Thursday, Trump said he should have been campaigning in key states for the 2024 election.
"I've been here all day," Trump said.
Trump called the case an "unfair trial."
"The whole thing is a mess."
DJT Price Action: Shares of Trump Media &amp; Technology Group Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>) have been volatile during Trump's legal proceedings.
Shares spiked Thursday, but it was likely unrelated to the case. The<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38319481/why-trump-media-technology-group-shares-are-gaining-thursday"> shares traded higher </a>after a filing from the company explained to shareholders how to keep the shares they own from being loaned out for short selling.
DJT shares closed Thursday up 25.72% to $33.19 versus a 52-week trading range of $22.55 to $79.38.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/04/38279176/trump-hush-money-trial-draws-reaction-from-congressman-talk-show-hosts-worse-than-anything-richa">Trump Hush Money Trial Draws Reaction From Congressman, Talk Show Hosts: &#8216;Worse Than Anything Richard Nixon Ever Did&#8217;</a>
Photo: Created with artificial intelligence on MidJourney and Zolnierek on Shutterstock

Legal

Trump Hush Money Trial Has 12 Jurors: Here Are The 7 Men, 5 Women To Decide Former President's Fate

Two of the greatest and most well-known movie directors of the past 50 years are teaming up on a new series. Here's what Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg are up to and how it could help<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/streaming-stocks"> a streaming company.</a>
What Happened: Scorsese and Spielberg are uniting to serve as executive producers on a "Cape Fear" series. The series, which is based on 1962 and 1991 films will <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/apple-tv-0">stream on AppleTV+</a>, a unit of Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>). 
It is unknown if Scorsese or Spielberg will direct or write the series, or both will simply serve as producers on the project. The news was reported by <a href="https://variety.com/2024/film/news/martin-scorsese-frank-sinatra-biopic-dicaprio-jennifer-lawrence-1235973769/">Variety</a>. 
Starring Nick Nolte and Robert De Niro, the 1991 film grossed $79.1 million domestically and $182.3 million worldwide. The film centers on a lawyer who is stalked by a former client who is released from prison. Scorsese was the director of the film.
The 1962 film starred Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum. &nbsp;
The new series isn't the only item in the works for Scorsese or Spielberg.
Scorsese plans on shooting back-to-back films according to Variety. One would be about Jesus and the other about musician Frank Sinatra.
The Jesus film is based on the 1973 book "Life of Jesus" and Scorsese is considering independently financing it.
The Sinatra film is eying Leonardo DiCaprio as the singer and Jennifer Lawrence to play the singer's second wife, Ava Gardner. This film is drawing attention from several companies including Apple, but Sony Group Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SONY#NYSE">SONY</a>) is believed to be in the lead.
Spielberg is also working on a UFO film and on a series based on Napoleon Bonaparte. The series, which sources material from an unfinished film of Stanley Kubrick, will air on Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBD#NASDAQ">WBD</a>)-owned HBO.
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/04/38024244/appletv-a-streaming-winner-new-survey-shows-platform-has-smallest-library-highest-rated-con">AppleTV+ A Streaming Winner? New Survey Shows Platform Has Smallest Library, Highest Rated Content</a>
Why It's Important: Even as producers of the new series and no involvement beyond that, the inclusion of Scorsese and Spielberg could help AppleTV+ have a new hit series that will get a lot of attention.
Given the previous source material and the names attached, it could be one of the most highly anticipated series for Apple as it nears.
Apple <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/03/37558754/apples-1b-gamble-on-3-blockbusters-analyzing-box-office-results-streaming-impact-and-oscar-nominatio">spent around $1 billion</a> on three blockbuster movies in 2023, with one being the Scorsese picture "Killers of the Flower Moon."
The film drew critical praise and was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, but was ultimately shut out. The film also grossed $67.9 million domestically and $156.9 million worldwide.
Apple has worked with Spielberg in the past as the film legend is a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/11/35717790/tom-hanks-steven-spielberg-back-together-for-world-war-ii-series-on-appletv-here-are-the-de">producer alongside</a> Tom Hanks on "Masters of the Air."
While it has a smaller content library, Apple's willingness to spend and grab big names along with key sports rights could make its streaming platform a must-subscribe for consumers.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/10/35430485/apple-hikes-subscription-prices-for-tv-arcade-bundle-will-also-get-more-expensive">Apple Hikes Subscription Prices For TV+, Arcade — Bundle Will Also Get More Expensive</a>
Photo: Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese in the press room at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards, photo by <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/g/sbukley">s_bukley</a> via Shutterstock

Entertainment

AAPL

Sony Group Corporation American Depositary Shares

SONY

Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese Team Up On New Series For This Streaming Platform

Approximately one in 10 American adults report frequent marijuana use regardless of whether they live in a legal or non-legal state, confirming that state legalization does not significantly change consumption rates, according to a Gallup poll released Thursday.
This data begs a couple of questions: Does cannabis prohibition and criminalization effectively reduce consumption among adults? Has the war on drugs deterred marijuana consumption?
"The narrow gap in cannabis consumption among residents of states where it remains illegal compared with those in states where it is legal suggests that its criminalization does little to curtail its use among American adults," <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/642851/cannabis-greatest-among-lower-income-less-educated.aspx#:~:text=The%20narrow%20gap%20in%20cannabis,its%20use%20among%20American%20adults.">noted </a>Gallup.
That said, Gallup wrote: "Dovetailing with broadening legalization, the percentage of U.S. adults who report that they&nbsp;smoke marijuana&nbsp;has more than doubled in the past decade, climbing from 7% in 2013 to 17% in 2023. During that same period, the percentage reporting that they have tried it at least once has climbed from 38% to 50%.&#8221;
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Cannabis Use Highest in Middle Atlantic Region</h1>
Reports of regular cannabis use vary across the U.S. Census divisions though the Middle Atlantic region showed the highest rates. While concluding that cannabis use is comparable between legal and non-legal states, the Gallup study found the highest usage rates were observed in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the latter being the only state that maintains adult-use prohibition. Then came East North Central divisions states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. 
The lowest usage rates, 7%, are reported in the East South Central states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. Followed by West North Central states of North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.
In the East North Central division, where marijuana is prohibited in some states, 11% of adults still use cannabis regularly — again indicating a nuanced relationship between legality and usage patterns.
"These differences are statistically meaningful" as they generally align with political identity.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Red Vs. Blue Vs. Green</h1>
People living in red states have somewhat lower regular usage rates than blue states. Regular use is reported by 10% of Democrats and independents, but it drops to 6% among Republicans.
Read the full Gallup poll <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/642851/cannabis-greatest-among-lower-income-less-educated.aspx#:~:text=The%20narrow%20gap%20in%20cannabis,its%20use%20among%20American%20adults.">HERE</a>
Photo: Elsa Olofsson On Unsplash

Government

Regulations

Cannabis Consumption, Legal Or Not In Your State: Everyone Seems To Be Consuming At Equal Rates, New Gallup Poll Finds

Florida-based EMI is a metal and millwork manufacturer of standard and customized fixtures, displays, and food equipment for the convenience store, grocery, and restaurant industries.&nbsp;As part of the transaction, the Company will welcome EMI&#39;s more than 300 employees to LSI
&quot;As outlined within our&nbsp;Fast Forward&nbsp;strategic plan, LSI intends to drive net sales growth by more than&nbsp;60%&nbsp;between fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2028, with approximately half of this growth supported by acquisition-related contributions,&quot; said&nbsp;James A. Clark, President and Chief Executive Officer.&nbsp;
Upon closing, the transaction will be immediately accretive to LSI on an adjusted earnings per share basis.

LYTS

LSI Industries Acquires Privately Held EMI Industries For An All-Cash Purchase Price Of $50M

The Colorado Senate has passed SB24-158, a bill that significantly tightens regulations on social media content related to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a>,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/psychedelics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> psychedelics</a> and hemp products. This bill, which has sparked a heated debate about free speech and digital regulation, could significantly alter the landscape of online content related to cannabis and other substances within the state.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Amendments And Opposition Highlight The Bill&#8217;s Complexity</h3>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/03/37830087/goodbye-to-weed-posts-in-colorado-lawmakers-target-social-media-promotion-of-cannabis-and-psyche">Initially introduced with </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/03/37830087/goodbye-to-weed-posts-in-colorado-lawmakers-target-social-media-promotion-of-cannabis-and-psyche" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">broader </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/03/37830087/goodbye-to-weed-posts-in-colorado-lawmakers-target-social-media-promotion-of-cannabis-and-psyche">implications</a>, the bill was <a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/leg.colorado.gov/2024A/amendments/5C9383AE03C9962487258B00006D2613/SB158_J.001.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amended</a> by State Sen. Chris Hansen (D) to allow the promotion of medical and retail cannabis to users over the age of 21, provided it complies with state laws. Despite these adjustments to refine the bill, its reach seems to remain extensive, applying to a wide array of substances.&nbsp;
Notably, the amended version specifies that &#8220;illicit substances&#8221; include <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/hemp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hemp products</a> not classified as a tincture or cosmetic. These are defined as products possessing more than 1.25 milligrams of THC per serving, or those with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/cbd">CBD</a> to THC ratio of less than 20 to 1.
<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">Senator Michaelson Jenet and I worked hard to pass SB-158 out of the Senate today with a vote of 34-1. We urgently need better protections for children using social media. The companies are making record profits, but not doing enough to prevent access to illegal substances <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#coleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/SnT2Hz5cKG">pic.twitter.com/SnT2Hz5cKG</a>
&mdash; Chris Hansen for Colorado (@Hansen4Colorado) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hansen4Colorado/status/1780695901410939387?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
With a 30–1 vote in favor, the Senate&#8217;s <a href="https://leg.colorado.gov/content/sb24-158vote55bd8e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">decision</a> propels the <a href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb24-158" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bill</a> into a potentially contentious future, as critics <a href="https://www.rstreet.org/commentary/colorado-bill-would-ban-users-from-talking-about-marijuana-and-medication-compromise-law-enforcement-investigations-and-stop-people-from-knowing-when-theyre-being-investigated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">argue</a> it infringes on the right to discuss legal and benign substances online.
Voices like the R Street Institute&#8217;s Shoshana Weismann have called out the legislation for its potential to limit discussions on common medications, labeling such restrictions as &#8220;asinine,&#8221; <a href="https://www.marijuanamoment.net/colorado-senate-passes-bill-that-could-ban-social-media-users-who-post-positively-about-drugs-including-legal-psychedelics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a> to Marijuana Moment. Meanwhile, proponents of plant and fungi-based medicines fear the bill could stifle educational efforts and dialogue on these alternative treatments.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bill's Next Steps Amid Legalization Support</h3>
With the bill&#8217;s enactment, social media platforms would be tasked with updating their policies by July 2025, under the watchful eye of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/01/36617725/12-state-attorneys-general-to-dea-reschedule-marijuana-to-defend-public-safety-cannabis-stocks-j" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado attorney general</a>. Now under the consideration of Colorado&#8217;s House Committee on Education, the bill's discussion unfolds as the state enjoys <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/04/38320660/colorado-residents-are-happy-with-legal-weed-a-decade-later-they-especially-praise-positive-econ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">broad popular support for the legal regulation of cannabis</a>.

Psychedelics

Colorado Senate Approves Controversial Bill Restricting Social Media Posts On Substances Like Legal Hemp, Psychedelics

Earnings

BANF

BancFirst Q1 Sales $151.00M Beat $147.54M Estimate

The FILO Term Loan Facility significantly enhances the Company&#39;s liquidity position and is incremental to the borrowing capacity within the Company&#39;s current&nbsp;$900 million&nbsp;asset-based revolving loan facility.

Big Lots Increases Its Borrowing Capacity By Up To $200M With New 'First In, Last Out' Term Loan Facility

IPOs

TRSG

Tungray Technologies Prices IPO Of 1.25M Class A Ordinary Shares At $4 Per Share; To Commence Trading On Nasdaq Capital Market Under Ticker Symbol 'TRSG' On April 19

<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Top Stories for April 18, 2024:</h1>
<ol>
<li>Alcoa Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AA#NYSE">AA</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/wiim/24/04/38309731/alcoa-shares-are-trading-higher-following-better-than-expected-q1-financial-results">reported first-quarter losses</a> of 81 cents per share with revenues of $2.6 billion, slightly above the expected $2.56 billion.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
In the alumina segment, revenues rose by 6% due to higher prices and increased shipments, while the aluminum segment saw a 3% revenue drop from lower prices and shipment timing.&nbsp;
Alumina production fell by 4% to 2.67 million metric tons and aluminum production remained stable at 542,000 metric tons.&nbsp;
Alcoa also finalized acquiring Alumina Limited and projects full-year alumina production of 9.8 million to 10 million metric tons and shipments of 12.7 million to 12.9 million metric tons.
<ol start="2">
<li>Newmont Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEM#NYSE">NEM</a>) released its 2023 Sustainability and Taxes &amp; Royalties Reports, marking 20 years of its sustainability efforts.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
Key achievements include expanding its Fatality Risk Management program, completing over 650,000 safety verifications, aligning facilities with the Tailings Management Standard and enhancing workplace inclusivity.&nbsp;
The company increased female leadership to 33%, reduced freshwater use by 31% since 2018 and met a $20 million commitment to support communities affected by COVID-19.&nbsp;
Newmont has been ranked as the top gold mining company on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for nine years and is also highly ranked on 3BL&#8217;s Corporate Citizens list.
Also Read:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mining"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38313888/new-canadian-budget-deemed-mixed-bag-for-mining-sector">New Canadian Budget Deemed Mixed Bag For Mining Sector</a>
<ol start="3">
<li>Foremost Lithium Resource &amp; Technology Ltd (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FMST#NASDAQ">FMST</a>) announced its participation in the 2024 Planet MicroCap Showcase on May 1 to 2 at the Paris Hotel &amp; Casino in Las Vegas.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
President and CEO Jason Barnard will present on May 1 and hold investor meetings on May 2.
<ol start="4">
<li>Nucor Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NUE#NYSE">NUE</a>) appointed Nicole B. Theophilus as executive vice president of Talent and Human Resources, starting April 29, 2024, to lead the company's talent development and HR strategy.</li>
</ol>
<ol start="5">
<li>Scotiabank Maintained its Sector Underperform rating on Southern Copper (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCCO#NYSE">SCCO</a>) but raised its price target to $55.</li>
</ol>
Now Read:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/24/04/38295033/rio-tintos-next-chief-commercial-officer-says-building-mines-is-better-than-buying-heres-how-">Rio Tinto&#8217;s Next Chief Commercial Officer Says Building Mines Is Better Than Buying: Here&#8217;s How Long It Takes</a>
Benzinga Mining is the bridge between mining companies and retail investors. Reach out to <a href="mailto:licensing@benzinga.com">licensing@benzinga.com</a> to get connected with the Benzinga community!
Image was created using artificial intelligence.

Commodities

FMST

SCCO

Alcoa Reports Q1 Results; Newmont's 2023 Sustainability Report; Foremost Lithium To Attend Planet MicroCap Showcase And More: Thursday's Top Mining Stories

BancFirst (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BANF#NASDAQ">BANF</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.50 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.39 by 7.91 percent. This is a 12.79 percent decrease over earnings of $1.72 per share from the same period last year.

BancFirst Q1 EPS $1.50 Beats $1.39 Estimate

ATI (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ATI#NYSE">ATI</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 4.12% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 15.39%. Currently, ATI has a market capitalization of $6.45 billion. 
Buying $100 In ATI: If an investor had bought $100 of ATI stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $200.47 today based on a price of $51.83 for ATI at the time of writing.
<h3>ATI's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713475861_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Trading Ideas

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning ATI Stock In The Last 5 Years

The Company&#39;s current Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance &amp; Strategy,&nbsp;Stephen Zsigray, will succeed him at that time to become Ashford Trust&#39;s President and Chief Executive Officer.&nbsp;

Management

Ashford Hospitality Trust Says Rob Hays, Current President And CEO, Will Be Stepping Down Effective June 30, 2024; Stephen Zsigray Named As Successor

Week In Review: China Biopharmas Book $9B In Deals During JP Morgan Conference Week

Investing Themes For 2024

Sectors To Watch With Potential Rate Cuts On The Horizon

Barbell Equity Exposure In '24

Sector Insights: What Could Go Right In 2024?

<a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a>
<a href="https://investorplace.com/industries/healthcare/">Healthcare stocks</a> started the year off very strongly as investors cheered the sector&rsquo;s advances. Among the sector&rsquo;s catalysts have been continued, strong enthusiasm for a new class of weight-loss drugs called GLP-1 and Nvidia&rsquo;s decision, disclosed earlier this month, to invest in a medical imaging company and a firm that uses artificial intelligence (<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/ai-stock-quote/">AI</a>) to speed up the drug discovery process. 



However, many healthcare companies are extremely risky and volatile. That&rsquo;s because start-up drug makers can easily go bankrupt if one or more of their treatments perform poorly in clinical trials. By investing in healthcare ETFs, investors can prevent large portions of their funds from disappearing. Since ETFs invest in many stocks, they won&rsquo;t plunge if one or two of the companies in which they invested decide to declare bankruptcy. Further, many of these ETFs hold the <a href="https://www.investors.com/etfs-and-funds/etfs/sp500-this-years-top-stocks-are-in-this-sector-not-tech/">shares of relatively safe healthcare firms</a> such as &ldquo;providers and equipment&rdquo; makers while also giving investors a chance to benefit from drug discoveries and other, strong catalysts within the space. 



If that combination sounds appealing to you, here are three of the hottest healthcare ETFs to buy.



<h2>Health Care Select Sector SODR Fund (XLV)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/eli-lilly-lly-stock-sign-1600-300x169.jpg" alt="Eli Lilly (LLY) sign on corporate building with blue sky in background"><div>Source: shutterstock.com/Michael Vi</div></div>The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/xlv-stock-quote/">XLV</a>) has gained 8% so far in 2024, and I<a href="https://research.investors.com/stock-quotes/nyse-health-care-sel-sector-xlv.htm">nvestor&rsquo;s Business Daily</a> gives the name an Accumulation/Distribution Rating of B, showing that a meaningful number of large institutions have been accumulating significant amounts of the ETF in the last 13 weeks. 



The ETF&rsquo;s <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/XLV/holdings">largest holding</a>, accounting for nearly 10% of its value, is drug maker Eli Lilly (NYSE<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/:lly-stock-quote/">:LLY</a>) &mdash; one of the hottest stocks in the U.S. On Feb. 6, LLY reported blowout fourth-quarter results, driven by the runaway success of its weight-loss drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound. Specifucally, the firm&rsquo;s top line jumped 28% versus the same period a year earlier, while its net income climbed 13% year-over-year. 



XLV&rsquo;s fourth-largest holding is Merck (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/mrk-stock-quote/">MRK</a>), which owns Keytruda, an anti-cancer treatment that is one of the most valuable drugs of all time. Last quarter, for example, Keytruda&rsquo;s sales <a href="https://www.precisionmedicineonline.com/business-policy-funding/keytruda-revenues-grow-21-percent-q4-merck-focuses-diversifying-oncology#:~:text=The%20drugmaker's%20pharmaceutical%20business%20brought,%245.45%20billion%20in%20Q4%202022.">jumped 21%</a> versus the same period a year earlier to a huge $13.14 billion. &ldquo;Merck cited increased global uptake in earlier-stage cancers, especially in triple-negative breast cancer, as a key growth driver for the immunotherapy,&rdquo; Precision Medicine <a href="https://www.precisionmedicineonline.com/business-policy-funding/keytruda-revenues-grow-21-percent-q4-merck-focuses-diversifying-oncology#:~:text=The%20drugmaker's%20pharmaceutical%20business%20brought,%245.45%20billion%20in%20Q4%202022.">noted earlier this</a> month. Merck accounts for nearly 6% of the fund&rsquo;s overall holdings.



In eighth place on XLV&rsquo;s list of holdings is another huge drug maker, Amgen (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/amgn-stock-quote/">AMGN</a>). The firm is developing two anti-obesity drugs of its own. As I noted in a previous column, &ldquo;One of these treatments is an oral drug, giving it an important advantage over most of the other GLP 1 drugs&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=most+glp+1+drugs+injected&amp;sca_esv=f492aa1f96099303&amp;sxsrf=ACQVn09Tffa0kBTw5ZzCH13R91PhveQs9A%3A1706093986079&amp;source=hp&amp;ei=ou2wZfbWAdO6qtsPh6CaiAQ&amp;iflsig=ANes7DEAAAAAZbD7srI2cFnCi9gOHb2CEsE27VzYlr6B&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj2r_av7_WDAxVTnWoFHQeQBkEQ4dUDCA8&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=most+glp+1+drugs+injected&amp;gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6Ihltb3N0IGdscCAxIGRydWdzIGluamVjdGVkMgUQIRifBUiNflAAWKt7cAB4AJABAJgBtQGgAeQNqgEEMjQuMbgBA8gBAPgBAcICChAuGIAEGIoFGCfCAgoQIxiABBiKBRgnwgIREC4YgAQYigUYkQIYxwEY0QPCAgsQABiABBixAxiDAcICDhAuGIAEGLEDGMcBGNEDwgIEECMYJ8ICCxAuGIAEGIoFGJECwgIIEAAYgAQYsQPCAg4QLhiABBiKBRixAxiDAcICCxAAGIAEGIoFGJECwgIREAAYgAQYigUYkQIYsQMYgwHCAggQLhiABBixA8ICDhAAGIAEGIoFGLEDGIMBwgIFEAAYgATCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICBRAuGIAEwgIGEAAYFhgewgIIEAAYFhgeGArCAgsQABiABBiKBRiGA8ICBRAhGKABwgIFECEYqwI&amp;sclient=gws-wiz">which are injected</a>.&rdquo; AMGN stock accounts for 3.2% of the fund&rsquo;s holdings. 



<h2>VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/pharma-stocks-300x169.jpg" alt="rows of pills on a table representing pharmaceutical stocks. EVAX stock"><div>Source: Iryna Imago / Shutterstock.com</div></div>The VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/pph-stock-quote/">PPH</a>) has surged 11% so far this year. As its name indicates, all of its holdings are drug makers. 



Investor&rsquo;s Business Daily <a href="https://research.investors.com/stock-quotes/nasdaq-vaneck-pharm-pph.htm?fromsearch=1">gives PPH a high Accumulation/Distribution</a> score of B+, indicating that many institutions have been buying a significant amount of the shares over the last 13 weeks. 



As was the case with The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund, Eli Lilly is PPH&rsquo;s largest holding and accounts for nearly 10% of the funds total assets. As I mentioned in the section on the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund, Eli Lilly&rsquo;s top and bottom lines are climbing tremendously as a result of the success of its weight-loss drugs. 



PPH&rsquo;s second-largest holding, Novo Nordisk (NYSE<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/:nvo-stock-quote/">:NVO</a>), accounts for nearly 8% of its assets and <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/news/4070894-glp-1-outpacing-gdp-novo-nordisk-meteoric-rise-with-ozempic-and-wegovy">is getting even a bigger lift from its weight-loss drugs</a> than Lilly. Specifically, the drugs enabled NVO to increase its sales by a large and very impressive 31% last year. 



In tenth place on PPH&rsquo;s list of holdings is GSK (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/gsk-stock-quote/">GSK</a>) which accounts for 4.5% of its assets. As I noted in several of my earlier columns, the company&rsquo;s cancer drugs have been performing well in clinical trials, while the revenue generated by its RSV vaccine has been quite impressive. 



<h2>Global X Aging Population ETF (AGNG)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/retire-couple-retirement-dock-water-300x169.jpg" alt="retirement stocks an older couple sitting on a dock and looking at a pamphlet"><div>Source: Shutterstock</div></div>As I reported previously &ldquo;the number of those 65 and older <a href="https://investorplace.com/2023/12/3-aging-population-stocks-to-profit-from-the-boomer-generation/">in the U.S. jumped</a> 38.6% between 2010 and 2020 to 55.8 million. And in 2040, when the members of Generation X will have reached retirement age, 80 million Americans are expected to be 65 and older.&rdquo;



Consequently, the Global X Aging Population ETF (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/agng-stock-quote/">AGNG</a>), which owns many healthcare stocks that cater to elderly Americans, is a great pick for long-term investors.



 The ETF has been performing well recently, as<a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/AGNG?.tsrc=fin-srch"> it has climbed nearly</a> 4% so far this year and 20% since bottoming in October. 



The ETF&rsquo;s top holding and its number three holding are Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk which have both benefited tremendously from their weight-loss drug, as I noted earlier in this column. Numbers five, seven and nine on its list of holdings are medical device makers Boston Scientific (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/bsx-stock-quote/">BSX</a>), Stryker (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/syk-stock-quote/">SYK</a>), and Medtronic (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/mdt-stock-quote/">MDT</a>). Over the long term, these firms should all benefit tremendously from the aging of America. 



On the date of publication, Larry Ramer&nbsp;did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.&nbsp;The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com&nbsp;<a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/" target="_blank">Publishing Guidelines</a>.
<div>Larry Ramer has conducted research and written articles on U.S. stocks for 15 years. He has been employed by The Fly and Israel&rsquo;s largest business newspaper, Globes. Larry began writing columns for InvestorPlace in 2015. Among his highly successful, contrarian picks have been SMCI, INTC, and MGM. You can reach him on Stocktwits at @larryramer.</div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/02/the-3-hottest-healthcare-etfs-to-buy-in-2024/">The 3 Hottest Healthcare ETFs to Buy in 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.