FlexShares Real Assets Allocation Index Fund (NASDAQ: ASET)

Latest News for FlexShares Real Assets Allocation Index Fund (NASDAQ:ASET)

FlexShares Real Assets Allocation Index Fund

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) experienced a stock rally on Monday, but CNBC host Jim Cramer is skeptical about its sustainability.
What Happened: Cramer expressed his doubts about the longevity of Apple&#8217;s stock rally, which was fueled by an analyst&#8217;s upgrade. He cautioned investors to hold off on purchasing Apple shares, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/29/cramer-says-apples-monday-rally-doesnt-have-staying-power-.html">reported</a> CNBC on Monday.
On Monday, Bernstein&#8216;s Toni Sacconaghi upgraded Apple shares from neutral to buy, citing the stock&#8217;s potential for a robust iPhone 16 cycle and a temporary downturn in China. Despite this, Cramer advised investors to wait and see, especially with Apple&#8217;s earnings report due on Thursday.
&#8220;Unlike Toni, I want you to own Apple, not trade it, even as I suspect this quarter will be weak and the next quarter will be worse,&#8221; Cramer said. &#8220;But I&#8217;m with him that you should buy the stock — I just think you need to wait it out, because now you&#8217;ve got a Sacconaghi spike on top of what could be a bad quarter.&#8221;
Apple&#8217;s stock saw a 2.48% increase on Monday, despite low Wall Street expectations for the upcoming earnings report.
Cramer acknowledged Sacconaghi&#8217;s expertise but questioned the timing of his upgrade, given his historical skepticism about Apple&#8217;s stock.
"Apple rallied on an upgrade from an analyst who, historically, does not have a great understanding of this particular stock," Cramer said. "That's a much less inspiring kind of rally with no staying power to speak of."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/04/38491531/apples-imminent-product-launches-aims-to-revitalize-its-stock-after-a-12-decline-in-2024-potentially">Apple&#8217;s Imminent Product Launches Aims to Revitalize Its Stock After a 12% Decline in 2024, Potentially Setting a New Course for Investors</a>
Why It Matters: Apple&#8217;s stock has been under scrutiny due to various factors, including its performance in China and the upcoming earnings report. The company is also on the brink of several product launches, which could potentially reshape its trajectory.
Despite the recent rally, Apple&#8217;s stock has been on a downward trend, with a 12% decline in 2024. The company is set to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/04/38491531/apples-imminent-product-launches-aims-to-revitalize-its-stock-after-a-12-decline-in-2024-potentially">unveil new products</a>, including enhancements to the iPad lineup and a potential refresh of the iPhone lineup, at a digital launch event scheduled for May 7.
Apple&#8217;s stock has been impacted by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38348747/not-something-steve-jobs-would-probably-do-gurman-says-apple-should-go-against-the-grain-and-low">slowing iPhone sales and weakness in China</a>, among other challenges. These issues have led to a 13% drop in China sales in the December quarter, with another drop expected in the first quarter of 2024.
Price Action: On Monday, Apple closed trading at $173, reflecting a 2.48% increase. Year to date, the stock has declined by 6.54%, according to the data <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38475783/bitcoin-faces-second-danger-zone-as-analyst-warns-of-potential-downside-heres-what-?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Faces &#8216;Second Danger Zone&#8217; As Analyst Warns Of Potential Downside: Here&#8217;s What To Expect</a>
Image Via Shutterstock 
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Equities

News

Global

Markets

Tech

AAPL

Apple's Stock Rally May Not Be Sustainable, Warns Jim Cramer: 'That's A Much Less Inspiring Kind Of Rally'

Macro Economic Events

Econ #s

Economics

France Gross Domestic Product (YoY) Preliminary For Q1 1.1% Vs. 0.9% Est.; 0.7% Prior

France Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) Preliminary For Q1 0.2% Vs. 0.1% Est.; 0.1% Prior

France Consumer Spending (MoM) For March 0.4% Vs. 0.2% Est.; 0.1% Prior

MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) is considering increasing its leveraged bets on Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), signaling its readiness to amplify a strategy that has already inflated its Bitcoin holdings to over $14 billion.
What Happened: On Monday, during the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38503135/microstrategy-reports-q1-results-company-holds-214-400-bitcoins">first quarter earnings call</a>, MicroStrategy&#8217;s executives championed an &#8220;intelligent leverage&#8221; approach to acquiring more Bitcoin. 
The company&#8217;s President and CEO, Phong Le, suggested that if the market value of their Bitcoin increases, it would create more opportunities to manage their leverage targets.
Le said, &#8220;With the opportunity to take on more leverage in a prudent risk-managed fashion, the value generated from our increasing Bitcoin holdings would be expected to outperform even further if Bitcoin prices continue to rise.&#8221;
MicroStrategy&#8217;s unconventional strategy involves issuing billions in debt and equity to acquire more Bitcoin whenever prices dip. 
The company, a strong believer in Bitcoin&#8217;s long-term potential, held about 214,400 Bitcoins worth $14 billion as of late April after deploying $1.6 billion in cash raised from recent debt and stock offerings to purchase over 25,000 more coins in the first quarter.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38490818/if-you-invested-1000-in-chipotle-mexican-grill-a-decade-ago-this-is-how-much-itd-be-worth-now?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">If You Invested $1000 in Chipotle Mexican Grill a Decade Ago, This is How Much It&#8217;d Be Worth Now</a>
Despite Bitcoin&#8217;s 60% surge in 2024, MicroStrategy&#8217;s leveraged approach has drawn criticism from analysts concerned about the company&#8217;s heightened risk exposure should prices crash again.
MicroStrategy offered illustrations showing how leverage could boost investor returns exponentially if Bitcoin prices were to theoretically reach $250,000, underscoring the company&#8217;s conviction in its debt-fueled acquisition strategy.
Executive Chairman Michael Saylor claimed the company&#8217;s corporate structure and access to capital markets give it a strategic edge over other firms in accumulating Bitcoin. 
&#8220;We are a public company and an operating company, and that gives us flexible, active control over our capital structure,&#8221; Saylor stated on the call. &#8220;We wouldn&#8217;t have been able to raise as much capital without volatility.&#8221;
Why It Matters: MicroStrategy reported its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38503135/microstrategy-reports-q1-results-company-holds-214-400-bitcoins">first-quarter financial results</a>, which showed a 5.51% decrease in sales year-over-year. Despite this, the company&#8217;s Bitcoin holdings have continued to grow. 
Saylor has previously <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38464921/michael-saylor-summarizes-why-microstrategy-is-superior-to-bitcoin-etfs">highlighted</a> the unique advantages that MicroStrategy has over its competitors, such as the ability to leverage its stock, offer options, and issue convertible debt.
MSTR Price Action:&nbsp;According to&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>, MicroStrategy shares are down 2.63% after-hours at $1,259 at the time of publication.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/04/38488235/supreme-court-drivers-hauling-baked-goods-are-in-transportation-not-baking?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Supreme Court: Drivers Hauling Baked Goods Are in Transportation, Not Baking</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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

Cryptocurrency

Earnings

$BTC

MSTR

MicroStrategy CEO Touts 'Opportunity' To Take On More Leverage, Says Value Generated From Bitcoin  Holdings 'Expected To Outperform' If Price Of King Crypto Rises

McDonald&#8217;s Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) is set to release earnings results for its first quarter before the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MCD/earnings">opening bell on April 30</a>.
Analysts expect the Chicago, Illinois-based company to report quarterly earnings at $2.72 per share, up from $2.63 per share in the year-ago period. McDonald&#8217;s is projected to report quarterly revenue of $6.16 billion, up from $5.9 billion in the year-earlier quarter, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
McDonald's recently announced that it will be repurchasing all its franchises in Israel. This move comes amidst ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which have had a significant impact <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38106301/mcdonalds-to-buy-back-all-225-israeli-restaurants-amid-middle-east-tensions">on the company's business.</a>
McDonald&#8217;s shares rose 0.2% to close at $273.55 on Monday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MCD/analyst-ratings">analysts have rated the company</a> in the recent period.
<ul>
<li>Wedbush analyst Nick Setyan maintained an Outperform rating and cut the price target from $330 to $300 on April 26. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 82%.</li>
<li>Citigroup analyst Jon Tower maintained a Neutral rating and slashed the price target from $312 to $297 on April 16. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 76%.</li>
<li>TD Cowen analyst Andrew Charles maintained a Buy rating and reduced the price target from $325 to $305 on April 12. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 74%.</li>
<li>Stifel analyst Chris O'Cull maintained a Hold rating and cut the price target from $315 to $300 on April 11. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 70%.</li>
<li>UBS analyst Dennis Geiger maintained a Buy rating and lowered the price target from $340 to $335 on April 5. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 73%.</li>
</ul>
Read This Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38489087/jim-cramer-likes-palantir-recommends-pioneer-natural-resources-i-want-you-to-ka-ching-ka-ching"> Jim Cramer Likes Palantir, Recommends Pioneer Natural Resources: &#8216;I Want You To Ka-Ching, Ka-Ching&#8217;</a>

Price Target

Pre-Market Outlook

Trading Ideas

McDonald's Likely To Report Higher Q1 Earnings; Here Are The Recent Forecast Changes From Wall Street's Most Accurate Analysts

Reported Earlier, China Caixin Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index For April 51.4 Vs. 51 Est.; 51.1 Prior

Reported Earlier, China Non-Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index For April 51.2 Vs. 52.3 Est.; 53.0 Prior

Reported Earlier, China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index For April 50.4 Vs. 50.3 Est.; 50.8 Prior

Reported Earlier, China Composite Purchasing Managers' Index For April 51.7 Vs. 52.7 Prior

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk&nbsp;has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/38012210/elon-musk-slams-mark-zuckerbergs-meta-for-falsely-taking-credit-for-x-sales-after-facebook-instagram">once again accused</a>&nbsp;Mark Zuckerberg-led Meta Platforms, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) for taking&nbsp;credit for traffic that actually&nbsp;originates from his social media platform, X, formerly Twitter.
What Happened: Musk&#8217;s comments came in response to a post by&nbsp;DogeDesigner, a graphic designer at&nbsp;Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>), who highlighted a lawsuit against Meta&nbsp;in Japan. The lawsuit alleges&nbsp;financial losses due to Meta&#8217;s&nbsp;failure to verify the authenticity&nbsp;of ads. 
DogeDesigner suggested that X&#8217;s platform ensures that even <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36062965/elon-musk-once-again-hails-x-as-the-best-source-of-truth-after-biden-gets-community-noted-over-infla">paid ads are fact-checked</a> by Community Notes, although this feature is not 100% reliable considering its history with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/10/35212510/elon-musks-x-community-notes-is-wrong-graphic-hamas-video-shared-by-trump-jr-is-actually-real-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">erroneously flagging a graphic video</a> shared by Donald Trump Jr. 
Musk himself spoke about community notes <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1761881852833419771">failing</a> in one instance earlier this year, when he expressed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/37304788/elon-musk-buys-a-new-windows-pc-fears-signing-in-will-give-microsoft-ai-access-to-his-computer-this">dissatisfaction with a newly purchased</a> Windows PC laptop, which didn&#8217;t let me access it until after creating an account with Microsoft. On his post, the note read, &#8220;It is still possible to set up the latest version of Windows without a Microsoft account.&#8221;
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38480373/musk-vs-moskovitz-rages-on-as-tesla-ceo-trolls-facebook-co-founders-company-why-would-anyone-pay-mon?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Musk Vs. Moskovitz Rages On As Tesla CEO Trolls Facebook Co-Founder&#8217;s Company: &#8216;Why Would Anyone Pay Money For Functionality That Comes For Free On Your Phone?&#8217;</a>
Musk responded to DogeDesigner saying,&nbsp;&#8220;Unfortunately, Meta/Facebook/Instagram is highly skilled&nbsp;at taking advertising credit for&nbsp;traffic that actually comes from&nbsp;our platform (sigh).&#8221; 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Unfortunately, Meta/Facebook/Instagram is highly skilled at taking advertising credit for traffic that actually comes from our platform (sigh) <a href="https://t.co/Cunw2KDUB7">https://t.co/Cunw2KDUB7</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1785033150172651599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
This is not the first time Musk has criticized Meta for advertisement credit. In March earlier this year, the tech billionaire alleged that Meta &#8220;falsely&#8221; took credit for sales that originated from X, after advertisers filed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37885090/mark-zuckerberg-led-meta-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-alleged-misrepresentation-of-facebook-insta">a $7 billion lawsuit</a> against Meta&#8217;s Facebook and Instagram. 
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Meta did not immediately respond to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga&#8217;s</a> request for comments. 
Why It Matters: Meta has been facing a series of challenges in its advertising system. Seizing the opportunity, Musk&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38216195/elon-musk-asks-advertisers-to-return-to-x-after-months-of-tussle-with-disney-apple-and-others-as-zuc">invited advertisers to return to X</a>&nbsp;earlier this month, amid reports of significant issues in Meta&#8217;s advertising system, which led to higher ad campaign costs, poorer results, and reduced sales for marketers.
Meta has also been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38194784/elon-musk-mocks-facebook-again-likens-its-links-to-aol-email-address-as-zuckerbergs-meta-struggles-w">struggling with ad glitches</a>, which led to Musk likening sharing a Facebook link to using an AOL email address. This was another instance of Musk taking a jab at Meta&#8217;s advertising system.
Previously, the tech mogul has also expressed opinions <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36381479/elon-musk-reacts-to-the-report-that-claims-more-than-a-million-seek-how-to-delete-instagram-every-mo">regarding the credibility of Meta&#8217;s</a> social media platforms and its influence on users&#8217; mental well-being. 
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38477795/elon-musks-prediction-for-domestic-robots-mark-zuckerbergs-massive-1b-bet-on-nvidia-gpus-and-more-th?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk's Prediction For Domestic Robots, Mark Zuckerberg's Massive $1B Bet On Nvidia GPUs And More: This Week In AI</a>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Social Media

$DOGE

While Mark Zuckerberg-Led Meta Battles Advertiser Complaints, Elon Musk Continues To Thrash Facebook, Instagram For Allegedly Stealing 'Credit For Traffic'

Reported Earlier, Australia Retail Sales (MoM) For March -0.4% Vs. 0.2% Est.; 0.2% (Revised) Prior

BBJP

WisdomTree Trust Japan Total Dividend Fund

Reported Earlier, Japan Industrial Production (MoM) Preliminary For March 3.8% Vs. 3.4% Est.; -0.6% Prior

On Monday, Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest made significant trades, notably in Palantir Technologies Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) and Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>).
The PLTR Trade
Ark Invest, through its ARK Autonomous Technology &amp; Robotics ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKQ#BATS">ARKQ</a>), acquired 203,197 shares of Palantir. Based on the closing price of $22.83 on the same day, the value of the trade is approximately $4.6 million. This move comes <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38477354/cathie-woods-ark-invest-hoards-palantir-stock-ahead-of-q1-earnings-adds-more-of-this-buffett-bac">ahead of Palantir&#8217;s Q1 earnings report</a>, scheduled for May 5, 2024. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of 8 cents on revenue of $625.33 million, representing an increase from the previous quarter.
The META Trade
Ark Invest also showed interest in Meta Platforms buying shares across multiple ETFs. The Ark Fintech Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKF#NYSE">ARKF</a>) fund acquired 922 shares, ARK Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#NYSE">ARKK</a>) bought 5893 shares, and ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKW#NYSE">ARKW</a>) added 3000 shares. The total purchase, calculated from the closing price of $432.62, amounts to approximately $4.2 million. This comes after the Mark Zuckerberg-led company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/04/38416273/meta-platforms-q1-earnings-highlights-facebook-owner-beats-estimates-but-guidance-higher-costs-ding">first-quarter revenue</a> of $36.45 billion, up 27% year-over-year and beating the Street consensus estimate of $36.16 billion.
Other Key Trades:
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38475783/bitcoin-faces-second-danger-zone-as-analyst-warns-of-potential-downside-heres-what-?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Faces &#8216;Second Danger Zone&#8217; As Analyst Warns Of Potential Downside: Here&#8217;s What To Expect</a> 
<ul>
<li>Ark Invest sold shares of Teladoc Health Inc (TDOC) from its ARKK fund and shares of 2U Inc (TWOU) were sold from the ARKK fund. </li>
<li>The ARKQ fund sold shares of Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Inc (KTOS). Ark Invest bought shares of Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD) for its ARKQ fund.</li>
</ul>
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/04/38488235/supreme-court-drivers-hauling-baked-goods-are-in-transportation-not-baking?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Supreme Court: Drivers Hauling Baked Goods Are in Transportation, Not Baking</a>
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ETFs

ARKF

ARKK

ARKQ

ARKW

PLTR

Cathie Wood's Ark Invest Scoops Up Over $4M Worth Of Palantir, Meta Platforms Shares

A new exchange-traded fund (ETF) is set to launch, offering investors a unique proposition of &#8220;100% downside protection&#8221; to the stock market, but with a few conditions.
What Happened: The Calamos S&amp;P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF – May will be introduced on Wednesday under the ticker symbol &#8220;CPSM,&#8221; <a href="https://www.calamos.com/about/news/press-releases/2024/calamos-targets-capital-protected-industry-with-12-new-etfs/">according</a> to the press release. 
The ETF is designed to provide investors who purchase it on its first day of issuance with 100% protection to the S&amp;P 500 over a one-year period.
However, this protection comes with a trade-off. The ETF will also cap investors&#8217; upside gains to the S&amp;P 500 at a range of 9.20% to 9.65%. The cap is determined by a package of options positions that expire on the same day, one year from the purchase date.
&#8220;These are a package of options positions all customized to expire on the same day, one-year from now that can deliver the upside to a cap, there&#8217;s no free lunch here, so a cap of right around 9.65% is what we&#8217;re seeing now, with 100% protection over the next 365 days,&#8221; Calamos&#8217; head of ETFs Matt Kaufman told CNBC on Monday.
For investors to secure the 100% downside protection, they must buy the ETF on its first day of issuance. Purchases made after May 1 will offer a lower level of downside protection, depending on option prices.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38478293/shiba-inus-burn-rate-soars-cathie-wood-believes-ethereum-could-catch-up-to-bitcoin-and-mor?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shiba Inu&#8217;s Burn Rate Soars, Cathie Wood Believes Ethereum Could Catch Up To Bitcoin And More: Top Crypto</a>
When comparing anticipated returns of CPSM, some ETFs stand out. For instance SPDR S&amp;P 500 Trust ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), currently trading at $510, boasting a one-year return of 27.48%. Similarly, the iShares Core S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVV#NYSE">IVV</a>), priced at $512.59, has shown a one-year return of 27.66%. Notably, the Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>), trading at $468.84, has delivered a one-year return of 27.70%, according to the data <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Why It Matters: The introduction of this unique ETF comes at a time when the stock market is experiencing a series of unexpected turns. Economists at Macquarie recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38508875/another-rate-hike-coming-in-2024-macquarie-economists-reverse-forecast-warn-of-incr">revised their predictions for interest rates</a>, suggesting a potential hike. This shift is driven by signs of inflation rebounding and a resilient U.S. economy.
Despite these changes, the stock market&#8217;s long-term bull rally is expected to continue, with the S&amp;P 500 potentially surging by 34% by the end of 2026, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/03/37926504/stock-market-could-rally-another-34-by-2026-says-bank-of-america">Bank of America&#8217;s technical strategist</a>, Stephen Suttmeier.
However, not all experts share this optimistic outlook. Paul Dietrich, the chief investment strategist at B. Riley Wealth, has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/03/37979729/stock-market-bizarrely-overvalued-warns-expert-every-single-indicator-tell-us-were-">warned of a major correction</a> in the stock market, pointing to indicators signaling a historic bubble.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38475783/bitcoin-faces-second-danger-zone-as-analyst-warns-of-potential-downside-heres-what-?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Faces &#8216;Second Danger Zone&#8217; As Analyst Warns Of Potential Downside: Here&#8217;s What To Expect</a>
Image Via Shutterstock 
This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

New ETFs

There's A New ETF Tracking S&P500 That Offers '100% Downside Protection' But Here's The Catch

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNLF#OTC">SSNLF</a>) has declared its intention to mass-produce the pioneering 5th generation HBM3E chip in the second quarter. This follows a prosperous first quarter, during which the company invested $82.07 billion (KRW 11.3 trillion).
What Happened: Samsung&#8217;s first-quarter facility investment totaled KRW 11.3 trillion. Of this, semiconductors and displays accounted for KRW 9.7 trillion and KRW 1.1 trillion respectively, reported <a href="https://www.chosun.com/economy/tech_it/2024/04/30/NVT43ISIXZBANJCUQXAEC7A4UQ/">Chosun</a>, a Korean portal. The company also unveiled plans to mass-produce its 5th generation HBM3E chip in the second quarter. This chip is a first in the industry, capable of stacking DRAM chips up to 12 layers.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38478689/amid-latest-indictments-former-trump-aide-slams-ex-president-over-treatment-of-bodies-around-him-he?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amid Latest Indictments, Former Trump Aide Slams Ex-President Over Treatment Of &#8216;Bodies Around Him&#8217;: &#8216;He Takes Out Everybody Who Is Loyal To Him&#8217;</a>
In February, Samsung announced the successful development of the HBM3E, which offers more advantages for expanding the capacity of AI semiconductors than the existing 8-layer HBM3E. This is primarily because increasing the DRAM capacity in AI semiconductors enhances learning efficiency.
There is a high level of anticipation for Nvidia supply, especially after Nvidia(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) CEO Jensen Huang left his &#8216;Jensen Approved&#8217; signature on Samsung&#8217;s HBM3E product last month. However, it is projected that the second quarter mass-produced product will be installed on AMD&#8217;s new AI accelerator &#8216;Instinct MI350&#8217;.
Why It Matters: With the growing demand for AI semiconductors, Samsung&#8217;s plans to increase supply and expand HBM production capacity are timely. The company is aiming to maximize the production capacity of the industry-first developed HBM3E 12-layer product, as the demand for high-capacity products continues to rise.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38479082/elon-musk-gives-one-word-response-to-joe-bidens-dig-at-donald-trump-at-white-house-correspondents-di?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Gives One-Word Response To Joe Biden&#8217;s Dig At Donald Trump At White House Correspondents&#8217; Dinner</a>
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Asia

NVDA

SSNLF

Samsung Electronics Set To Mass Produce Groundbreaking 5Th Gen HBM3E Chip To Advance AI Innovation

On Monday, the major U.S. stock indices finished positively, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing 0.4% up at 38,386.09, the S&amp;P 500 increasing by 0.32% to 5,116.17, and the Nasdaq rising by 0.35% to 15,983.08.
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:
Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MULN#NASDAQ">MULN</a>)
The stock of the electric vehicle maker surged by 81.01% to close at $5.72 after the company announced that the California Air Resources Board <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38493684/why-ev-maker-mullen-automotives-stock-is-charging-monday">approved</a> the 2024 Mullen THREE for the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). This announcement sparked a significant rise in the company&#8217;s shares.
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)
Amazon&#8217;s stock saw a modest increase of 0.75% to close at $180.96. The e-commerce giant is set to report its <a href="http://benzinga.com/24/04/38495466/amazon-q1-earnings-preview-analyst-estimates-key-items-to-watch-including-nba-wnba-fallout(opens in a new tab)">first-quarter financial results</a> after the market closes on Tuesday. Analysts are expecting Amazon to report a first-quarter revenue of $142.47 billion.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38490818/if-you-invested-1000-in-chipotle-mexican-grill-a-decade-ago-this-is-how-much-itd-be-worth-now?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">If You Invested $1000 in Chipotle Mexican Grill a Decade Ago, This is How Much It&#8217;d Be Worth Now</a>
SoFi Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOFI#NASDAQ">SOFI</a>)
SoFi Technologies&#8217; shares dropped by 10.48% to $7.05 after the company reported its fiscal first-quarter 2024 results. The company&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/04/38495323/whats-going-on-with-sofi-technologies-stock-monday">adjusted revenue</a> increased 26% year-on-year to $580.648 million, beating the consensus of $555.997 million. The results led to a reversal in the company&#8217;s stock gains.
MicroStrategy Incorporated (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>)
MicroStrategy&#8217;s stock rose slightly by 0.83% to close at $1,292.97. The company reported its first-quarter financial results after the bell Monday, revealing that it now holds 214,400 Bitcoins (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>). The results showed a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38503135/microstrategy-reports-q1-results-company-holds-214-400-bitcoins">year-over-year</a> decrease of 5.51% in quarterly sales, missing the analyst consensus estimate.
Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)
Tesla&#8217;s shares soared by 15.31% to $194.05 following the company&#8217;s achievement in passing a significant milestone for its full self-driving (FSD) technology in China. The news sparked a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/04/38506689/teslas-fsd-nod-win-seen-as-move-to-smooth-over-chinese-evs-entry-into-the-us-market-says">dramatic rally</a> in Tesla&#8217;s share price.
Photo by Jirapong Manustrong on Shutterstock
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading <a href="Premarket Movers &amp; News">with top premarket movers and news</a> by Benzinga.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/04/38481364/chinas-big-banks-halt-russia-transactions-over-us-sanctions-forcing-firms-to-resort-to-underground-c?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">China&#8217;s Big Banks Halt Russia Transactions Over US Sanctions, Forcing Firms To Resort To &#8216;Underground&#8217; Channels: Report</a>
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AMZN

MULN

SOFI

TSLA

Mullen Automotive, Amazon, SoFi, MicroStrategy, Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has acknowledged <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/04/38362990/taylor-swifts-the-tortured-poets-department-hits-1-6m-us-sales-sets-spotify-on-fire-with-ov">the remarkable achievement</a> of pop sensation Taylor Swift on his social media platform.
What Happened: On Monday, Musk took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to recognize Swift&#8217;s historic feat. The pop star became the first artist ever to occupy all 14 spots on the #Hot100 chart simultaneously. 
Swift&#8217;s songs that made it to the top 14 are: &#8220;Fortnight&#8221; featuring Post Malone, &#8220;Down Bad,&#8221; &#8220;I Can Do It With a Broken Heart,&#8221; &#8220;The Tortured Poets Department,&#8221; &#8220;So Long, London,&#8221; &#8220;My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys,&#8221; &#8220;But Daddy I Love Him,&#8221; &#8220;Florida!!!&#8221; featuring Florence Welch, &#8220;Who&#8217;s Afraid of Little Old Me?,&#8221; &#8220;Guilty as Sin?,&#8221; &#8220;Fresh Out the Slammer,&#8221; &#8220;loml,&#8221; &#8220;The Alchemy,&#8221; and &#8220;The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38471231/strong-quarterly-earnings-fuel-market-optimism-despite-inflation-concerns-slowing-economic-growt?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giving Up On Alcohol Doesn&#8217;t Mean Giving Up On Social Life: 5 Flavorful Alternatives That Made Sobriety Socially Satisfying</a>
Swift, in response to the Billboard&#8217; post on X, expressed her gratitude, saying, &#8220;You've outdone yourselves, this is unbelievable.&#8221;
Musk, who admitted that he may not be Swift&#8217;s typical audience, acknowledged her achievement, replying, &#8220;I'm not quite the target audience, but nonetheless very Impressive indeed!&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I'm not quite the target audience, but nonetheless very Impressive indeed!
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1785012310328926259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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Why It Matters: This isn&#8217;t the first time <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/06/32806663/elon-musks-now-deleted-tweet-compares-taylor-swift-to-napoleon-dynamite-swifties-erupt-in-o">Musk has publicly acknowledged Swift</a>. Last year, he compared Swift to Napoleon Dynamite in a post, sparking outrage among her fans. However, even then, he admitted being a Swift fan. &#8220;Am TS fan &#8211; of course &#8211; but how do we know for sure they&#8217;re different people,&#8221; he stated in a now deleted post. 
Meanwhile, Musk&#8217;s tech industry rival, Mark Zuckerberg, has also shown his admiration for Swift. In 2023, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/07/33477808/zuckerberg-has-bad-blood-with-musk-but-love-story-with-taylor-swift-attends-concert-with-be">Zuckerberg attended a Swift concert</a> with his family captioning the photos as &#8220;Life of a girl dad.&#8221; In the photos he shared from the concert on Instagram, the Meta CEO can be seen sporting friendship bracelets. 
Earlier this month, Zuckerberg also gave a shoutout to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/04/38420776/mark-zuckerberg-gives-shoutout-to-taylor-swifts-debut-on-threads-says-that-one-was-a-big-de">Swift&#8217;s debut on his social media platform</a>, Threads, saying, &#8220;That one was a big deal in my house.&#8221; 
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38474588/elon-musk-claps-back-at-facebook-co-founders-consumer-fraud-accusations-against-tesla-should-go-to-j?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bill Gates Shares Heartwarming Scuba Diving Photo With Daughter On Her 28th Birthday: &#8216;I&#8217;m In Awe Of How You Dive Headfirst Into Everything.&#8217;</a>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Entertainment

Not Only Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk Too Is Enamored By Taylor Swift — Tesla CEO Lauds Pop Sensation For Creating History By Occupying All 14 Spots Of Hot100

In his recent Lightning Round segment, CNBC&#8217;s Jim Cramer advised investors to consider Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PANW#NASDAQ">PANW</a>) stock, despite the current market turbulence.
What Happened: Cramer, the host of &#8220;Mad Money,&#8221; gave his opinion on a few stocks during his show on Monday. He recommended Palo Alto Networks, a cybersecurity company, as a strong buy, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/29/cramers-lightning-round-palo-alto-networks-is-a-buy.html">reported</a> CNBC.
"&#8230;I would be a buyer of Palo Alto right here, right now [buy, buy, buy!]," Cramer said. 
He also shared his thoughts on other companies, including Canopy Growth, Illumina, Bank of America, Dynatrace, and BrightSpring Health Services.
Earlier in March, Cramer had <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38179803/jim-cramer-weighs-in-on-feds-interest-rate-cut-plans-dont-hold-your-breath-this-eco">highlighted</a> the strong performance of the U.S. stock market, attributing it to the Federal Reserve&#8217;s indication of three expected interest rate cuts that year.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38476692/as-bitcoin-plunges-whale-makes-waves-with-77-67m-deposit-into-kraken?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">As Bitcoin Plunges, Whale Makes Waves With $77.67M Deposit Into Kraken</a>
Why It Matters: Palo Alto Networks&#8217; stock has been through a rollercoaster ride in 2024. In March, the stock was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/03/37903788/jim-cramer-sees-opportunity-in-palo-alto-networks-after-stock-is-overly-punished-in">overly punished</a>, according to Cramer, but he saw an opportunity in it. The stock has since seen a significant recovery. In April, Cramer advised investors to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/04/38105111/jim-cramer-nothing-terrific-about-gitlab-but-rocket-time-to-ka-ching-ka-ching">consider buying the stock</a> despite the market volatility.
Palo Alto Networks Price Action: On Monday, the stock opened at $298.00, with a high of $303.89 and a low of $291.83. The closing price was $293.41, a 0.71% increase from the previous day&#8217;s close of $291.42. The stock&#8217;s 52-week high was $380.84, and the low was $176.3025. The trading volume was 2,990,255. The stock&#8217;s performance can be tracked <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock-quotes/PANW">on Benzinga Pro</a>.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38478293/shiba-inus-burn-rate-soars-cathie-wood-believes-ethereum-could-catch-up-to-bitcoin-and-mor?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shiba Inu&#8217;s Burn Rate Soars, Cathie Wood Believes Ethereum Could Catch Up To Bitcoin And More</a>
Image Via Shutterstock 
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PANW

Jim Cramer On Palo Alto Networks: 'I Would Be A Buyer…Right Here, Right Now'

The economic outlook for 2024 is taking an unexpected turn as economists at Macquarie have revised their predictions for interest rates, now suggesting a potential hike.
What Happened: In a recent note, Macquarie&#8217;s strategists indicated that the likelihood of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in 2024 is minimal, with the possibility of an interest rate hike, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/why-economists-who-originally-expected-multiple-deep-rate-cuts-in-2024-now-say-a-hike-is-possible/articleshow/109703374.cms">reported</a> Business Insider.
The economists had previously projected a series of significant rate cuts, driven by a slowdown in core inflation and a concerning rise in unemployment. However, the economic landscape has since shifted, with signs of inflation rebounding and a resilient U.S. economy, primarily fueled by consumer activity.
&#8220;Fresh U.S. data has prompted our U.S. economist to push out his projection of the start of the Fed&#8217;s easing cycle to 2025. We also don&#8217;t rule out that the next change may be a hike, which would prompt a new wave of broad-based U.S. dollar strength,&#8221; Macquarie said in a note on Monday.
The recent release of first-quarter GDP growth and PCE inflation data has further indicated persistent inflation and strong corporate earnings, suggesting a solid foundation for the U.S. economy.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/macro-notification/24/04/38491988/federal-reserve-meeting-preview-high-interest-rates-need-more-time-to-work-bank-of-ame?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Federal Reserve Meeting Preview: High Interest Rates &#8216;Need More Time To Work,&#8217; Bank of America Says</a>
These developments have led to a notable change in interest rate forecasts, with the Federal Reserve itself suggesting that its initial projection of three interest rate cuts for the year could diminish to just one or even none.
&#8220;We expect, in any case, that the Fed&#8217;s communications after the FOMC meeting this week will have a uniformly hawkish tone, conveyed primarily through the Statement,&#8221; Macquarie said.
&#8220;What is increasingly ominous too is the prospect that the next policy rate change may be a hike, even if the policy bias at the Fed is unchanged. Even if stock investors ignore that &#8211; on the premise that it would be just an offset to better nominal growth in the U.S. &#8211; the threat of a hike certainly would prompt a new wave of broad-based USD strength,&#8221; Macquarie said.
Why It Matters: This shift in interest rate forecasts is in line with recent developments in the Federal Reserve&#8217;s policy. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently hinted at the possibility of a prolonged period of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38285563/jerome-powell-back-in-hawkish-policy-lane-why-economists-feel-feds-higher-for-longe">restrictive monetary policy</a>, leading economists to anticipate a &#8220;higher for longer&#8221; approach.
Despite recent inflation surprises, the Federal Reserve has not shown confidence in considering interest rate reductions, leading to a scenario of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/macro-notification/24/04/38491988/federal-reserve-meeting-preview-high-interest-rates-need-more-time-to-work-bank-of-ame">higher-for-longer interest rates</a>, as highlighted by Bank of America&#8217;s U.S. economist Michael Gapen.
This decision has sparked a debate over its potential impact on the U.S. economy, with concerns raised about the possibility of maintaining <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38425604/feds-high-interest-rate-policy-spurs-debate-over-economic-impact-this-is-the-path-of-a-potential-pro">high-interest rates</a> throughout 2024.
The most recent Federal Reserve rate hike took place during the FOMC Meeting on Jul. 26, resulting in a 25 basis point increase in the Federal Funds Rate, which rose from 5.25% to 5.50%. Following this adjustment, the S&amp;P 500 was at 4,566 on Jul. 26.
However, the index experienced a sustained decline until Oct. 27, hitting a low of 4,117. Subsequently, there was a significant resurgence in the S&amp;P 500, reaching a peak of 5,254 on Mar. 28. As of the present, the index is trading at 5,116.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/04/38494691/japan-intervenes-to-support-struggling-yen-why-did-it-trigger-nikkei-225-dip-4-charts-to-watch?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Japan Intervenes To Support Struggling Yen: Why Did It Trigger Nikkei 225 Futures Dip? 4 Charts To Watch</a>
Image Via Shutterstock 
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 <a href="None" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #225aa9;text-decoration: none"> 
 Kaustubh Bagalkote</a> 
 
 
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Analyst Color

Federal Reserve

Another Rate Hike Coming In 2024? Macquarie Economists Reverse Forecast: Warn Of 'Increasingly Ominous' Policy Rate Change

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Latest News for FlexShares Real Assets Allocation Index Fund (NASDAQ:ASET)

Tuesday, December 01, 2015