Golden Ocean Group (NASDAQ:GOGL) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

Golden Ocean Group

Golden Ocean Group Ltd is a Bermuda-based dry bulk shipping company. Its business involves the transportation of dry bulk cargo including ores, coal, grains and fertilizers through its fleet of owned and chartered vessels, bareboat vessels, commercial management vessels and new buildings are chartered-out on fixed rate time charters and index-linked time charter contracts.

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Golden Ocean Group Limited - Common Stock

Golden Ocean Group Ltd

Dana (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/dan#NYSE">DAN</a>) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
The Zacks rating relies solely on a company&#39;s changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.
As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Dana is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.
<h2>Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices</h2>
The change in a company&#39;s future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. That&#39;s partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company&#39;s shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.
Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Dana imply an improvement in the company&#39;s underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.
<h2>Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions</h2>
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988.
<h2>Earnings Estimate Revisions for Dana</h2>
For the fiscal year ending December 2024, this automotive equipment supplier is expected to earn $0.98 per share, which is a change of 16.7% from the year-ago reported number.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Dana. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 34.2%.
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of &#39;buy&#39; and &#39;sell&#39; ratings for its entire universe of more than 4000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a &#39;Strong Buy&#39; rating and the next 15% get a &#39;Buy&#39; rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
The upgrade of Dana to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2340057/dana-dan-upgraded-to-buy-what-does-it-mean-for-the-stock?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_12_zacks_rank_upgrade-2340057">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

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Dana Upgraded to Buy: What Does It Mean for the Stock?

As if adulterating drugs with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/fentanyl">fentanyl</a> were not enough, an industrial chemical known as bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, or BTMPS, is now appearing in illicit <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/fentanyl">fentanyl across the U.S. </a>
Originally used in plastics for UV protection, BTMPS has been detected in fentanyl samples marking a disturbing shift in the drug supply, raising alarms among health researchers.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tens Of Thousands Potentially Exposed To BTMPS</h3>
In a recent preprint <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.09.13.24313643v1">study</a>, researchers from UCLA and other institutions found that about a quarter of drug samples sold as fentanyl contained BTMPS. This rapid integration of BTMPS into the drug supply represents one of the most abrupt shifts observed in recent times.
<ul>
<li>Get Benzinga&#8217;s exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter <a href="https://newsletteremail.benzinga.com/subscribe">here</a>. If you&#8217;re serious about the business, you can&#8217;t afford to miss out.</li>
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Tens of thousands might be affected, as 
BTMPS-detected fentanyl jumped from zero instances in L.A. in June to 41% by August, the Los Angeles Times <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-16/an-industrial-chemical-is-being-mixed-with-fentanyl">reported</a>.
UCLA assistant professor Chelsea Shover speculates that drug manufacturers might be adding BTMPS in the supply chain. This is to potentially stabilize the drugs against degradation from light or heat.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Expert Links BTMPS Surge To Failed War On Drugs</h3>
Nicolas Tentoni, from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Buenos Aires and a member of the Harm Reduction Association of Argentina (ARDA), offers a broader perspective on the issue. He attributes the rise in dangerous adulterants like BTMPS to the ongoing War on Drugs. 
&#8220;The emergence of adulterants or substitutes in the illegal drug market is a direct consequence of criminalizing drug use and pushing the trade underground,&#8221; Tentoni explains to Benzinga. 
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39912563/exclusive-this-new-harm-reduction-group-wants-home-testing-kits-available-for-all-drugs">EXCLUSIVE &#8211; This New Harm Reduction Group Wants Home Testing Kits Available For All Drugs</a>
"BTMPS&#8217;s toxicological profile includes blocking L-type calcium channels and inhibiting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors," Tentoni details. &#8220;Its potential to cause hemodynamic changes and cardiovascular disturbances exacerbates the already dangerous nature of adulterated fentanyl."
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Testing Programs Key To Life-Saving Harm Reduction Strategies</h3>
Expanded drug-testing programs have proven effective in regions where they are available, Tentoni says. They allow users to make safer choices by identifying dangerous adulterants before consumption. 
This approach, he argues, could significantly mitigate the health risks posed by these unpredictable chemical adulterants.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">No Rapid Tests for BTMPS Yet, Nor Drug Policy Reform</h3>
Currently, there are no rapid test strips available to detect BTMPS as there are for fentanyl, nor is it routinely screened for by healthcare professionals, the Los Angeles Times notes. 
This lack of detection means that many individuals may unknowingly experience harmful effects from this chemical, further intensifying the crisis within the illicit drug market.
As the drug landscape becomes increasingly perilous, the increased harms of prohibitionist policies demand urgent drug policy reform. In the meantime, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/12/36160414/coca-leaf-extract-cocaine-safe-supply-grasping-potentials-with-sector-incubators-president-ronan">safe supply</a> and comprehensive <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39470316/un-health-officials-new-report-calls-for-end-to-drug-war-harm-reduction-scientific-approach-to-d">harm reduction</a> strategies become more critical than ever.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/01/36695680/i-got-treated-like-i-was-human-says-one-of-2-8k-participants-of-overdose-prevention-centers-that">&#8216;I Got Treated Like I Was Human,&#8217; Says One Of 2.8K Participants Of Overdose Prevention Centers That Save Hundreds Of Lives</a></li>
</ul>
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Cannabis

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Fentanyl Laced With Toxic Chemical BTMPS Raises Alarms Nationwide, Experts Warn Of Danger

Cryptocurrency markets are holding on to the green zone with Bitcoin and Dogecoin relatively flat, while Ethereum is trading higher.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$63,449.64</td>
<td>&nbsp;+0.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$2,685.90&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;+4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$144.14</td>
<td>&nbsp;-0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$0.1073</td>
<td>&nbsp;+0.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$0.00001456&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;+0.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Notable Statistics:
<ul>
<li>IntoTheBlock data shows a decrease of 0.8% in large transaction volume and a drop of 11% in daily active addresses. Transactions greater than $100,000 are down from 5,957 to 5,516 in a single day. Exchanges netflows decreased by 100%.</li>
<li>Coinglass data reports 61,844 traders liquidated in the past 24 hours for $172.46 million. Bitcoin's open interest stands at $34.6 billion, the highest level since Aug. 26.</li>
<li>Crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez <a href="https://x.com/ali_charts/status/1838062986885513680">compares</a> Bitcoin's performance to history and is curious if it will repeat. "Bitcoin gained +61% in Q4 of 2016 and +171% in 2020."</li>
</ul>
Notable Developments:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40989296/ethereum-outshines-bitcoin-after-u-s-federal-reserve-rate-cut-but-heres-how-volatility-cou">Ethereum Outshines Bitcoin After U.S. Federal Reserve Rate Cut, But Here&#8217;s How Volatility Could Crash The Party</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40985461/china-controls-55-of-bitcoin-hashrate-despite-crypto-ban-but-the-us-is-catching-up">China Controls 55% Of Bitcoin Hashrate Despite Crypto Ban, But The US Is Catching Up</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40983160/donald-trump-sees-good-future-for-crypto-suggests-it-could-help-pay-off-35-trillion-nation">Donald Trump Sees &#8216;Good Future&#8217; For Crypto, Suggests It Could Help Pay Off $35 Trillion National Debt</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40985125/bitcoins-on-chain-metrics-are-turning-bullish-what-is-going-on">Bitcoin&#8217;s On-Chain Metrics Are Turning Bullish: What Is Going On?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40976413/bitcoin-etf-surge-in-pre-market-as-king-crypto-hits-63-500">Bitcoin ETF Surge In Pre-Market As King Crypto Hits $63,500</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40985124/polymarket-traders-predict-45-chance-of-no-prison-time-for-former-ftx-ceo-caroline-ellison">Polymarket Traders Predict 45% Chance Of No Prison Time For Former FTX CEO Caroline Ellison</a></li>
</ul>
Top Gainers:
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bittensor (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TAO</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$542.67</td>
<td>&nbsp;+17.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Arweave (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">AR</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$22.54</td>
<td>&nbsp;+16.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Popcat (SOL) (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">POPCAT</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$0.9648</td>
<td>&nbsp;+15.9%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Trader Notes: With Bitcoin prices trading relatively flat, Rekt Capital <a href="https://x.com/rektcapital/status/1838269432960843880">sees</a> &#8220;breakout time&#8221; on the horizon. He added that historically, Bitcoin has broken out from its re-accumulation range 154-161 days after the halving (157 days currenlty).
Martinez highlighted the double-bottom pattern formed on Bitcoin's chart.
<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">From this angle, it seems like <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> has formed a double-bottom pattern! <a href="https://t.co/xTs8SumI5k">pic.twitter.com/xTs8SumI5k</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1838270353623457874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Crypto trader Mayne explains that Bitcoin reached the previous lower high in previous price rallies before fully retracing. The main difference is that it&#8217;s coming off a potentially higher low, signaling a possible trend reversal. He added, "bears have limited time to push the price back down."
He <a href="https://x.com/Tradermayne/status/1838244402373734840">concluded</a>, "Uptober looming, should be exciting."
Another trader marked "how important the reclaim of key horizontal $63,905 will be" and he predicts another throwback before BTC actually reclaims this level.
He stressed that a primed throwback target would be $60,200 horizontal.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> Bitcoin LTF Update I told you many times how important the reclaim of key horizontal $63905 will be. As you can see textbook resistance once again. Expecting another throwback before BTC actually reclaims this level. Primed throwback target would be $60,2k horizontal.… <a href="https://t.co/LffkzZeIyJ">pic.twitter.com/LffkzZeIyJ</a>
&mdash; ANBESSA (@Anbessa100) <a href="https://twitter.com/Anbessa100/status/1838258957821042867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
What&#8217;s Next: The influence of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/is-bitcoin-a-good-investment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin as an institutional asset class</a>&nbsp;is expected to be thoroughly explored at Benzinga&#8217;s upcoming&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Future of Digital Assets</a>&nbsp;event on Nov. 19.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40985125/bitcoins-on-chain-metrics-are-turning-bullish-what-is-going-on">Bitcoin&#8217;s On-Chain Metrics Are Turning Bullish: What Is Going On?</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

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$TAO

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Holding On To Gains, Trader Sees $63,905 As 'Reclaim Of Key Horizontal'

Homebuilder KB Home (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KBH#NYSE">KBH</a>) could provide a look at how healthy the sector is and what the 2024 election and a recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/interest-rates">Federal Reserve rate cut</a> mean for the company when third-quarter earnings are reported Tuesday after market close.
Earnings Estimates: Analysts expect KB Home to report third-quarter revenue of $1.73 billion, up from $1.59 billion in last year's third quarter, according to data<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent092324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"> from Benzinga Pro.</a>
The company has beaten analyst revenue estimates in six straight quarters and seven of the last 10 quarters.
Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $2.06 compared to $1.80 in last year's third quarter. The company has beaten earnings estimates in six straight quarters and eight of the last 10 quarters.
The earnings report comes as KB Home shares are up 42% year-to-date in 2024, as seen on the<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent092324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"> Benzinga Pro chart </a>below.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent092324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="993" height="499" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/23143338/Screenshot-188.png" alt="" class="wp-image-561762" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/23143338/Screenshot-188.png 993w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/23143338/Screenshot-188-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/23143338/Screenshot-188-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 993px) 100vw, 993px" /></a></figure>
Analyst Ratings: Several analysts have upgraded their ratings and price targets on KB Home stock ahead of the earnings report. Here are the most recent analyst ratings on the stock.
<ul>
<li>Bank of America: Maintained Neutral rating, raised price target from $75 to $90.</li>
<li>Wedbush: Reiterated Neutral rating with a $67 price target.</li>
<li>Wells Fargo: Maintained Equal Weight rating, raised price target from $70 to $80.</li>
<li>RBC Capital: Downgraded from Sector Perform to Underperform with $70 price target.</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs: Maintained Neutral rating, raised price target from $72 to $82.</li>
</ul>
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/09/40979493/how-to-earn-500-a-month-from-kb-home-stock-ahead-of-q3-earnings">How To Earn $500 A Month From KB Home Stock Ahead Of Q3 Earnings</a>
Key Items to Watch: KB Home's earnings report comes with several potential catalysts for the home building sector that will be closely watched going forward.
The Federal Reserve recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/09/40926026/federal-reserve-delivers-bold-0-5-rate-cut-signals-further-easing-ahead">announced a rate cut</a>, and more reductions are anticipated. The trickle-down effect will see mortgage rates drop. Recent declines in mortgage rates have led to increases in refinancing and more consumers looking for new homes.
KB Home is expected to address, or field analyst questions on, how rate cuts could impact demand and the outlook for new home supply.
"Buyers remained resilient in their desire for homeownership despite the volatility in mortgage interest rates. Our pace of monthly net orders per community was one of our highest second quarter levels in many years," KB Home CEO Jeffrey Mezger said of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/06/39390139/kb-home-shares-climb-after-better-than-expected-q2-results">second-quarter results.</a>
The earnings report comes less than two months before the 2024 presidential election. Vice President Kamala Harris recently highlighted plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/08/40424431/harris-warns-trump-tax-plan-will-devastate-americans-vows-to-go-after-bad-actors-behind-food-pri">build millions of homes </a>and support first-time homebuyers as key initiatives to boost the economy.
Under these policies, the company could benefit from a Harris presidency, and commentary could show whether the stock could gain value depending on the 2024 election outcome.
KBH Price Action: KB Home shares trade at $88.15 on Monday, versus a 52-week trading range of $42.11 to $89.70.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/24/09/40928301/interest-rates-in-free-fall-what-it-means-for-mortgages-credit-cards-and-your-wallet-a">Interest Rates In Free-Fall: What It Means For Mortgages, Credit Cards And Your Wallet As The Federal Reserve Springs Into Action For First Time In 4 Years</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Previews

Real Estate

KB Home Q3 Earnings Preview: Analysts Anticipate Revenue Growth — Will Investors Hear About Rate Cuts, 2024 Election?

Americold Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cold#NYSE">COLD</a>) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
A company&#39;s changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.
Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.
As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Americold Realty Trust is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.
<h2>Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices</h2>
The change in a company&#39;s future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company&#39;s shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.
Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Americold Realty Trust imply an improvement in the company&#39;s underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.
<h2>Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions</h2>
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988.
<h2>Earnings Estimate Revisions for Americold Realty Trust</h2>
For the fiscal year ending December 2024, this company is expected to earn $1.48 per share, which is a change of 16.5% from the year-ago reported number.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Americold Realty Trust. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 3.1%.
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of &#39;buy&#39; and &#39;sell&#39; ratings for its entire universe of more than 4000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a &#39;Strong Buy&#39; rating and the next 15% get a &#39;Buy&#39; rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
The upgrade of Americold Realty Trust to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2340054/americold-realty-trust-cold-upgraded-to-buy-what-does-it-mean-for-the-stock?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_12_zacks_rank_upgrade-2340054">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Mid Cap

COLD

Americold Realty Trust Upgraded to Buy: What Does It Mean for the Stock?

WIIM

ALTM

AMLI

LITH

Shares of lithium companies are trading higher. The US Department of Energy selected Standard Lithium and Equinor for an award negotiation of up to $225 million for the South West Arkansas project.

Investors might want to bet on Camden National (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cac#NASDAQ">CAC</a>), as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
A company&#39;s changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.
The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.
Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Camden National basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.
<h2>Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices</h2>
The change in a company&#39;s future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company&#39;s shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.
For Camden National, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company&#39;s underlying business. And investors&#39; appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.
<h2>Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions</h2>
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988.
<h2>Earnings Estimate Revisions for Camden National</h2>
This bank is expected to earn $3.33 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2024, which represents a year-over-year change of -8.3%.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Camden National. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 6.4%.
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of &#39;buy&#39; and &#39;sell&#39; ratings for its entire universe of more than 4000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a &#39;Strong Buy&#39; rating and the next 15% get a &#39;Buy&#39; rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
The upgrade of Camden National to a Zacks Rank #1 positions it in the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2340062/what-makes-camden-national-cac-a-new-strong-buy-stock?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_12_zacks_rank_upgrade-2340062">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

What Makes Camden National a New Strong Buy Stock

Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock&#39;s recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the &#39;long&#39; context, investors will essentially be &quot;buying high, but hoping to sell even higher.&quot; And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock&#39;s price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.
Even though momentum is a popular stock characteristic, it can be tough to define. Debate surrounding which are the best and worst metrics to focus on is lengthy, but the Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.
Below, we take a look at Canadian Imperial Bank (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cm#NYSE">CM</a>), a company that currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B. We also talk about price change and earnings estimate revisions, two of the main aspects of the Momentum Style Score.
It&#39;s also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Canadian Imperial Bank currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B outperform the market over the following one-month period.
<h2>Set to Beat the Market?</h2>
Let&#39;s discuss some of the components of the Momentum Style Score for CM that show why this bank and financial services company shows promise as a solid momentum pick.
Looking at a stock&#39;s short-term price activity is a great way to gauge if it has momentum, since this can reflect both the current interest in a stock and if buyers or sellers have the upper hand at the moment. It&#39;s also helpful to compare a security to its industry; this can show investors the best companies in a particular area.
For CM, shares are up 0.37% over the past week while the Zacks Banks - Foreign industry is up 1.99% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 13.34% compares favorably with the industry&#39;s 1.97% performance as well.
While any stock can see a spike in price, it takes a real winner to consistently outperform the market. Over the past quarter, shares of Canadian Imperial Bank have risen 29.74%, and are up 53.89% in the last year. On the other hand, the S&amp;P 500 has only moved 4.57% and 31.09%, respectively.
Investors should also take note of CM&#39;s average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. Right now, CM is averaging 1,548,275 shares for the last 20 days.
<h2>Earnings Outlook</h2>
The Zacks Momentum Style Score also takes into account trends in estimate revisions, in addition to price changes. Please note that estimate revision trends remain at the core of Zacks Rank as well. A nice path here can help show promise, and we have recently been seeing that with CM.
Over the past two months, 6 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost CM&#39;s consensus estimate, increasing from $5.05 to $5.36 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 6 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
Taking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that CM is a #2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B. If you&#39;ve been searching for a fresh pick that&#39;s set to rise in the near-term, make sure to keep Canadian Imperial Bank on your short list.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2340059/are-you-looking-for-a-top-momentum-pick-why-canadian-imperial-bank-cm-is-a-great-choice?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_10-2340059">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Large Cap

Short Ideas

Are You Looking for a Top Momentum Pick? Why Canadian Imperial Bank is a Great Choice

Rumors

NBBK

Watching NB Bancorp; Shares See Volume As Traders Circulate The Stock Was Picked By A Popular Newsletter Service

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on Oracle. Our analysis of options history for Oracle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) revealed 34 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 32% of traders were bullish, while 52% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 18 were puts, with a value of $1,086,034, and 16 were calls, valued at $1,249,671.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $100.0 to $190.0 for Oracle during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock.
This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Oracle's options for a given strike price.
Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Oracle's whale activity within a strike price range from $100.0 to $190.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Oracle 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727119880_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ORCL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$4.45</td>
<td>$4.3</td>
<td>$4.3</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
<td>$451.5K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ORCL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$7.1</td>
<td>$7.05</td>
<td>$7.05</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
<td>$369.4K</td>
<td>3.2K</td>
<td>561</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ORCL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$2.76</td>
<td>$2.71</td>
<td>$2.71</td>
<td>$167.50</td>
<td>$144.1K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>837</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ORCL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$4.2</td>
<td>$4.15</td>
<td>$4.2</td>
<td>$170.00</td>
<td>$141.1K</td>
<td>4.7K</td>
<td>546</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ORCL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/27/24</td>
<td>$14.05</td>
<td>$12.9</td>
<td>$14.04</td>
<td>$152.50</td>
<td>$87.0K</td>
<td>95</td>
<td>62</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Oracle</h3>
Oracle provides database technology and enterprise resource planning, or ERP, software to enterprises around the world. Founded in 1977, Oracle pioneered the first commercial SQL-based relational database management system. Today, Oracle has 430,000 customers in 175 countries, supported by its base of 136,000 employees.
In light of the recent options history for Oracle, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Where Is Oracle Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 4,549,439, the ORCL's price is down by -1.49%, now at $165.49. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be overbought.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 77 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Oracle</h3>
A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $165.6.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Morgan Stanley persists with their Equal-Weight rating on Oracle, maintaining a target price of $145. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from JP Morgan continues to hold a Neutral rating for Oracle, targeting a price of $140. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from TD Cowen continues to hold a Buy rating for Oracle, targeting a price of $180. 
&#x2A; An analyst from BMO Capital persists with their Market Perform rating on Oracle, maintaining a target price of $173. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Keybanc continues to hold a Overweight rating for Oracle, targeting a price of $190. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Oracle options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Options

ORCL

Oracle Unusual Options Activity

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RKLB#NASDAQ">RKLB</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in RKLB usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 9 extraordinary options activities for Rocket Lab USA. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 55% leaning bullish and 22% bearish. Among these notable options, 2 are puts, totaling $204,250, and 7 are calls, amounting to $328,871.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $4.0 and $15.0 for Rocket Lab USA, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for Rocket Lab USA's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Rocket Lab USA's significant trades, within a strike price range of $4.0 to $15.0, over the past month.
<h3>Rocket Lab USA Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727119875_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>RKLB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$2.15</td>
<td>$2.05</td>
<td>$2.15</td>
<td>$7.00</td>
<td>$139.9K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RKLB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$5.1</td>
<td>$4.6</td>
<td>$5.0</td>
<td>$4.00</td>
<td>$100.0K</td>
<td>127</td>
<td>201</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RKLB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$2.2</td>
<td>$2.15</td>
<td>$2.15</td>
<td>$7.00</td>
<td>$64.2K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td>299</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RKLB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$2.85</td>
<td>$2.65</td>
<td>$2.85</td>
<td>$12.00</td>
<td>$57.0K</td>
<td>637</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RKLB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$1.8</td>
<td>$1.6</td>
<td>$1.72</td>
<td>$12.00</td>
<td>$51.6K</td>
<td>5.7K</td>
<td>629</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Rocket Lab USA</h3>
Rocket Lab USA Inc is engaged in space, building rockets, and spacecraft. It provides end-to-end mission services that provide frequent and reliable access to space for civil, defense, and commercial markets. It designs and manufactures the Electron and Neutron launch vehicles and Photon satellite platform. Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle has delivered multiple satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. The business operates in two segments being Launch Services and Space systems. Geographically it serves Japan, Germany, rest of the world and earns key revenue from the United States.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Rocket Lab USA, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Rocket Lab USA</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 7,745,020, the price of RKLB is up 2.14% at $7.63. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 44 days.</li>
</ul>
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>.
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Rocket Lab USA options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

RKLB

Rocket Lab USA Options Trading: A Deep Dive into Market Sentiment

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on ConocoPhillips. Our analysis of options history for ConocoPhillips (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COP#NYSE">COP</a>) revealed 9 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 22% of traders were bullish, while 44% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 3 were puts, with a value of $185,205, and 6 were calls, valued at $315,113.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $105.0 to $125.0 for ConocoPhillips during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in ConocoPhillips's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to ConocoPhillips's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $105.0 to $125.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>ConocoPhillips Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727119870_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>COP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$0.55</td>
<td>$0.48</td>
<td>$0.55</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
<td>$108.6K</td>
<td>3.6K</td>
<td>1.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>COP</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$4.65</td>
<td>$4.5</td>
<td>$4.6</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$90.6K</td>
<td>2.5K</td>
<td>402</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>COP</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$4.55</td>
<td>$4.45</td>
<td>$4.55</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$68.7K</td>
<td>2.5K</td>
<td>151</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>COP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>10/25/24</td>
<td>$1.34</td>
<td>$1.2</td>
<td>$1.3</td>
<td>$114.00</td>
<td>$66.9K</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>516</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>COP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$2.09</td>
<td>$2.05</td>
<td>$2.05</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$46.6K</td>
<td>4.3K</td>
<td>311</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About ConocoPhillips</h3>
ConocoPhillips is a US-based independent exploration and production firm. In 2023, it produced 1.2 million barrels per day of oil and natural gas liquids and 3.1 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas, primarily from Alaska and the Lower 48 in the United States and Norway in Europe and several countries in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Proven reserves at year-end 2023 were 6.8 billion barrels of oil equivalent.
In light of the recent options history for ConocoPhillips, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of ConocoPhillips</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 5,277,196, the COP's price is up by 0.14%, now at $110.02. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 38 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On ConocoPhillips</h3>
A total of 4 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $139.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from UBS keeps a Buy rating on ConocoPhillips with a target price of $140. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Mizuho continues to hold a Neutral rating for ConocoPhillips, targeting a price of $129. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Susquehanna keeps a Positive rating on ConocoPhillips with a target price of $147. 
&#x2A; An analyst from RBC Capital downgraded its action to Outperform with a price target of $140. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for ConocoPhillips with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Check Out What Whales Are Doing With COP

V2X (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vvx#NYSE">VVX</a>) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company&#39;s changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.
The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.
Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for V2X basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.
<h2>Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices</h2>
The change in a company&#39;s future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company&#39;s shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.
For V2X, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company&#39;s underlying business. And investors&#39; appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.
<h2>Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions</h2>
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988.
<h2>Earnings Estimate Revisions for V2X</h2>
For the fiscal year ending December 2024, this government services company is expected to earn $4.11 per share, which is a change of 9.9% from the year-ago reported number.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for V2X. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 0.6%.
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of &#39;buy&#39; and &#39;sell&#39; ratings for its entire universe of more than 4000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a &#39;Strong Buy&#39; rating and the next 15% get a &#39;Buy&#39; rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
The upgrade of V2X to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2340061/v2x-vvx-upgraded-to-buy-here-s-what-you-should-know?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_12_zacks_rank_upgrade-2340061">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

V2X Upgraded to Buy: Here's What You Should Know

FTAI Aviation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTAI#NASDAQ">FTAI</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 44.29% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 58.3%. Currently, FTAI Aviation has a market capitalization of $13.43 billion. 
Buying $100 In FTAI: If an investor had bought $100 of FTAI stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $987.58 today based on a price of $131.40 for FTAI at the time of writing.
<h3>FTAI Aviation's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727119815_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.

FTAI

$100 Invested In This Stock 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth $1,000 Today

H&amp;R Block (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HRB#NYSE">HRB</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 8.51% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 22.52%. Currently, H&amp;R Block has a market capitalization of $9.00 billion. 
Buying $100 In HRB: If an investor had bought $100 of HRB stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $272.50 today based on a price of $64.46 for HRB at the time of writing.
<h3>H&amp;R Block's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727119810_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.

$100 Invested In H&R Block 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Citigroup Inc.&#39;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/c#NYSE">C</a>) plan to expand in China has met a snag with the U.S. regulators after the Federal Reserve imposed a penalty on the bank related to its data management and risk controls, per a Bloomberg report.
The bank is currently awaiting a clearance letter from the U.S. Federal Reserve, which is required by Chinese authorities to verify Citigroup&#39;s regulatory standing. Without this letter, the bank cannot proceed with its plans to set up a standalone securities firm in China.
The difficulties arose when Citigroup was fined $136 million in July 2024 for failing to address its data management issues adequately. The regulators stated that Citigroup made &quot;insufficient progress&quot; in dealing with the issues identified in 2020, which required Citi to fix these issues in its enterprise-wide risk management, compliance risk management, data governance and internal controls.
These fines complicated C&#39;s ability to comply with China&#39;s licensing requirements, making its path to expansion more challenging.
However, according to a Bloomberg report, citing people familiar with the matter, the bank remains actively engaged in discussions with China&#39;s securities regulator regarding its application for the new business and has no intention to withdraw its application.
<h2>Citigroup&#39;s Prior Regulatory Issues</h2>
Apart from the fine levied on the bank in July, Citigroup has been facing some other regulatory scrutiny as well. In August, the bank made the headlines for repeatedly breaching the Federal Reserve&#39;s Regulation W, which limits intercompany transactions. Those breaches led to discrepancies in the company&#39;s internal liquidity reporting. This was reported by Reuters, citing an internal company document.
In May, Citigroup was fined $78.4 million by a pair of British regulators due to the bank&#39;s deficiencies in the systems and controls. These flaws led a trader to make an inputting error that caused a flash crash in May 2022. The penalty amount consisted of &pound;27.8 million from the Financial Conduct Authority and &pound;33.9 million from the Bank of England&#39;s Prudential Regulation Authority.
In June, the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) stated that they had observed shortcomings in the &lsquo;living wills&#39; of Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jpm#NYSE">JPM</a>) and Goldman Sachs (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gs#NYSE">GS</a>). Per agencies, the shortcomings raise doubts about their plan&#39;s feasibility. JPM had minor problems that the Fed and the FDIC found, claiming that its systems for unwinding specific derivatives trades had not been thoroughly tested. GS was criticized for not providing &lsquo;trade-level&#39; details on its derivatives transactions.
The FDIC chastised Citigroup, stating that the bank&#39;s resolution plan was either not credible or would not enable a smooth bankruptcy process following U.S. laws. Apart from the problem with its derivatives portfolio, the regulators stated that the company had neglected to address concerns regarding its &quot;resolution data integrity and data management issues.&quot;
These ongoing regulatory litigations and penalties are significant obstacles for the bank, potentially increasing costs and impacting bottom-line growth.
Over the past six months, shares of C have gained 2% compared with the industry&#39;s growth of 8.8%.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/9b/78841.jpg?v=763969543" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Currently, C carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2340076/citigroup-s-china-expansion-plans-stalled-amid-regulatory-probes?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|company_news_finance_sector-2340076">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Asia

Management

Events

Federal Reserve

Citigroup's China Expansion Plans Stalled Amid Regulatory Probes

Baidu Inc (NASDAQ BIDU) shares are trading higher by 2.56% to $88.45 going into the close of Monday&#8217;s session as investors reacted positively to the People's Bank of China's (PBoC) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/09/40986319/chinese-stocks-defy-bidens-auto-import-ban-concerns-rally-to-4-month-highs-as-central-bank-unexpecte">surprise interest rate cut</a>.
The central bank's decision to lower the 14-day reverse repurchase rate by 10 basis points, alongside a liquidity injection of over $10 billion, has fueled optimism for economic recovery in China.
What This Matters: The PBoC's move impacts technology companies like Baidu, which play a central role in China's growth strategy. Baidu, often dubbed the &#8220;Google of China,&#8221; has evolved beyond its core search engine business to become a leader in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence (AI)</a>, autonomous driving and cloud computing.
The rate cut, which reduces business borrowing costs, is expected to encourage increased spending in the technology sector. This could drive greater demand for Baidu's AI and cloud services, as enterprises look to enhance their digital infrastructure amid favorable financial conditions.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40987087/us-stocks-stall-gold-updates-record-highs-tesla-rallies-whats-driving-markets-monday">US Stocks Stall, Gold Updates Record Highs, Tesla Rallies: What&#8217;s Driving Markets Monday?</a>
What Else: Baidu's autonomous driving platform, Apollo, also benefits from increased investment and consumption as liquidity flows through the economy. Baidu pioneered the development of robotaxis and smart city infrastructure in China; these sectors could receive further governmental support as part of Beijing's push to modernize the country's technological backbone.
With lower borrowing costs and potential government-backed stimulus for innovation, Baidu's efforts in autonomous mobility and AI-driven services are well-positioned for growth.
Additionally, as liquidity enters the market, Baidu's core digital advertising business is poised for an uplift. The company generates a significant portion of its revenue from online advertising, which tends to rise in tandem with broader economic activity. 
With businesses likely to increase marketing budgets in response to anticipated consumer spending, Baidu could see a resurgence in advertising revenues.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40989179/meta-connect-2024-preview-cheaper-vr-expected-analysts-see-augmented-reality-and-ai">Meta Connect 2024 Preview: Cheaper VR Expected, Analysts See Augmented Reality And AI As Major Focus</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How To Buy BIDU Stock</h2>
By now you're likely curious about how to participate in the market for Baidu &#8211; be it to purchase shares, or even attempt to bet against the company.
Buying shares is typically done through a brokerage account. You can find a list of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-stock-trading-platforms">possible trading platforms here.</a> Many will allow you to buy ‘fractional shares,' which allows you to own portions of stock without buying an entire share. For example, some stock, like Berkshire Hathaway, or Amazon.com, can cost thousands of dollars to own just one share. However, if you only want to invest a fraction of that, brokerages will allow you to do so. 
If you're looking to bet against a company, the process is more complex. You'll need access to an options trading platform, or a broker who will allow you to ‘go short' a share of stock by lending you the shares to sell. The process of shorting a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock">stock can be found at this resource.</a> Otherwise, if your broker allows you to trade options, you can either buy a put option, or sell a call option at a strike price above where shares are currently trading &#8211; either way it allows you to profit off of the share price decline.
According to data from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>, BIDU has a 52-week high of $136.53 and a 52-week low of $79.68.

BIDU

Why Baidu Stock Is Moving

Less than two months before the Nov. 5 election, when <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/08/40327596/will-north-dakota-legalize-adult-use-marijuana-voters-to-decide-in-november">cannabis adult-use</a> will be voted in North Dakota, two Catholic bishops from the State are urging voters to reject Measure 5.
Bishops David Kagan of Bismarck and John Folda of Fargo issued a joint statement to parishioners on Sept. 10, warning that cannabis legalization will harm "individuals, families, and communities."
If passed, the measure would legalize recreational cannabis for adults 21 and over. Measure 5 would allow adults to grow, possess, and sell cannabis legally in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/north-dakota">North Dakota</a>.
This marks the third time voters will decide on the issue, following similar proposals that were rejected in 2018 and 2022.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bishops' Concerns Rooted In Doctrine</h3>
The bishops grounded their opposition in the teachings of the Catholic Church, <a href="https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2024/09/north-dakota-bishops-advocate-against-marijuana-legalization">reported</a> Catholic news site Crux.
Citing the Catechism, they reminded the faithful that "the use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life." 
The bishops argue that regular cannabis use impairs brain function, harms lung health, and believe that cannabis can worsen mental health issues.
"Cannabis is not the harmless drug that some imagine it to be," Kagan and Folda said. They argue that cannabis often acts as a gateway to harder drugs, compounding their concerns. Studies <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/01/30631570/recreational-cannabis-legalization-correlated-with-decrease-in-alcohol-use-disorder-new-study-fin">dispute this claim</a>. 
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/09/40964435/was-cannabis-the-secret-to-jesus-healing-miracles-study-uncovers-ancient-remedies">Was Cannabis The Secret To Jesus&#8217; Healing Miracles? Study Uncovers Ancient Remedies</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">There&#8217;s Also Opposition From Medical Leaders</h3>
Stephanie Dahl, president of the North Dakota Medical Association, echoed the bishops' concerns, emphasizing that "cannabis use is not without risk." 
Tim Blasl, president of the North Dakota Hospital Association, added that the state should focus on substance abuse prevention and education instead of legalization. 
"We continue to experience an epidemic of behavioral health issues in our communities," Blasl said, stressing the need to prioritize public health over recreational drug use.
Get Benzinga&#8217;s exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://newsletteremail.benzinga.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. If you&#8217;re serious about the business, you can&#8217;t afford to miss out.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Advocates Push For Legalization</h3>
Instead, Measure 5's supporters, led by New Economic Frontier, see cannabis legalization as an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/05/38712820/legal-cannabis-states-raked-in-20b-since-2014-peaking-at-4b-in-2023-new-report-shows">economic opportunity </a>for the state. 
They argue that legalization will boost <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/10/35244369/cannabis-tax-map-see-how-states-are-cashing-in">tax revenue</a>, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39892433/dea-rescheduling-of-cannabis-could-create-over-50-000-jobs-industry-group-notes-in-public-commen">create jobs</a>, and reduce strain on law enforcement. Proponents also believe it will bring clarity and safety to workplaces through proper regulation.
Advocates point to the 24 states and Washington, D.C., that have already l<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/legal-cannabis">egalized recreational cannabis</a>. They highlight Colorado as an example of economic success, noting that the cannabis industry has grown into a billion-dollar market since legalization. 
They also argue that in states with legal cannabis, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/08/33606242/cannabis-can-help-reduce-unregulated-opioid-use-and-manage-cravings-study-finds">opioid use</a> has decreased, potentially saving lives.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/02/37166627/exclusive-undo-the-harms-of-the-war-on-drugs-says-glass-house-ceo">EXCLUSIVE: &#8216;Undo The Harms Of The War On Drugs,&#8217; Says Glass House CEO</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Broader Picture</h3>
The debate around cannabis in North Dakota is not new, but the arguments remain contentious. 
Supporters claim the economic benefits and social justice reforms outweigh potential risks. They argue that cannabis legalization could help with disproportionately impacted marginalized communities. This mirrors the position of cannabis advocates nationwide, who continue to push for policies that bring both economic growth and social equity.
Opponents remain concerned about public health and safety. 
In this particular case, the bishops argue that cannabis use inflicts "grave damage on human health." But recent studies challenge this notion, comparing cannabis to substances like alcohol and opioids. Research suggests that regular cannabis use is less likely to harm others compared to alcohol or opioid use. In fact, secondhand harm from cannabis appears to be far lower than that caused by alcohol abuse. 
These findings call into question the Church&#8217;s broader stance on drug use, especially as legal cannabis gains wider acceptance.
Moreover, cannabis advocates argue that the so called &#8216;War on Drugs&#8217; has caused far more harm than cannabis legalization ever could. Many people, especially from marginalized communities, continue to serve lengthy prison sentences for nonviolent cannabis offenses. At the same time, legal cannabis businesses thrive. 
Advocates like Glass House CEO Steve Kazan, have called this contrast <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/02/37166627/exclusive-undo-the-harms-of-the-war-on-drugs-says-glass-house-ceo">"insane"</a> and push for legal reforms to rectify these social injustices.
If you are curious about the content of Measure 5, you will find the ballot text in <a href="https://www.sos.nd.gov/elections/voter/ballot-measures/measures-ballot">here</a>.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/02/37166627/exclusive-undo-the-harms-of-the-war-on-drugs-says-glass-house-ceo">EXCLUSIVE: &#8216;Undo The Harms Of The War On Drugs,&#8217; Says Glass House CEO</a></li>
</ul>
Cover: AI generated image

Politics

Cassocks Vs. Cannabis: North Dakota Bishops Take Aim At November's Legalization Ballot

<a href="https://wccftech.com/nvidia-h20-ai-accelerators-next-us-ban-rumor-stops-taking-new-orders-china/">https://wccftech.com/nvidia-h20-ai-accelerators-next-us-ban-rumor-stops-taking-new-orders-china/</a>
NVIDIA's "China-compliant" H20 AI accelerators might face the next US ban "hammer" as Team Green stops taking additional orders from Chinese clients.
<h2>The US Is Looking To Expand Its Export Restrictions By Banning NVIDIA's "China-Compliant" H20 AI Accelerator</h2>
It looks like the Biden administration is putting its foot on the brakes when it comes to sanctioning the sale of NVIDIA's high-end AI equipment to hostile nations like China since now, the rumors of a potential H20 AI GPU ban are looming in the markets, due to which, Team Green has reportedly halted the sale of its accelerator to Chinese companies, as reported by <a href="https://money.udn.com/money/story/5603/8242728?from=edn_hottest_index">Taiwan Economic Daily</a>. It is said that NVIDIA has stopped accepting new orders for the H20 accelerator and hasn't specified a reason behind it, but it's highly likely that the firm is prepping for a potential revision in the US trade policy.
The investment bank Jefferies pointed out that the US might implement additional restrictions in its review of semiconductor export policies in October, including the decision to ban the trade of NVIDIA's H20 AI GPU. It is estimated that if an H20 ban is implemented, NVIDIA <a href="https://wccftech.com/nvidia-generate-12-billion-china-despite-restrictions-h20-ai-gpu-massive-demand/">might lose up to $12 billion of revenue</a> from mainland China alone, which would be a huge blow to the firm's sustainability in the domestic markets.
After the ban of the H100, NVIDIA's H20 proved to be a phenomenal replacement, attracting the interest of all regional tech giants, which is why a ban will impact NVIDIA's business in China massively. It's important to note that nothing is official right now, and it is said that Team Green is pressing the US administration not to proceed with the "H20 ban" decision, but given past experiences, it won't be wrong to say that this particular move is imminent.
If we look at a larger scale, the export control policies implemented by the US in the past year or so haven't worked out quite well when it comes to limiting the influence of AI developments in China, given that individuals/organizations have found new "loopholes," which act as compensation. One such example is the <a href="https://wccftech.com/nvidia-ai-chip-renting-services-china-cheaper-than-us/">recent boom in GPU rental servicing</a> and how firms established in countries such as the UAE provide computing renting options to clients in China, which is also based on NVIDIA's cutting-edge AI accelerators.

Macro Economic Events

Legal

Global

Economics

NVDA

"NVIDIA's H20 AI Accelerators Might Face The Next 'US Ban', Team Green Stops Taking New Orders In China" - WFFCtech

Allegations of predatory contracts within Missouri's social <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis">equity cannabis program</a> have surfaced, raising concerns about the integrity of the system.
A recent <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/23/alleged-predatory-contracts-continue-to-surface-in-missouri-social-equity-marijuana-program/">investigation</a> by The Missouri Independent revealed a troubling case involving Destiny Brown, a Black woman who believed she was being offered ownership of a cannabis dispensary and significant financial backing to compete for a license in the state's social equity lottery.
However, Brown unknowingly signed a contract that granted control of the business to investor Michael Halow.
Halow, who was unable to qualify for a license himself due to a felony on his record, used Brown's qualifications to secure the license in her name. 
Once Brown realized the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/40021274/missouri-cannabis-leader-faces-allegations-of-using-predatory-contracts-to-exploit-social-equity">exploitative nature</a> of the agreement, she sought legal assistance and severed ties with Halow. 
Missouri regulators, upon further investigation, revoked six licenses tied to Halow and revealed a pattern of similar contracts used by other applicants. These contracts have been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/12/36313173/social-equity-or-greedy-play-missouris-cannabis-license-controversy-heats-up">under investigation</a> at least since last year.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Exploitative Practices And Systematic Abuse</h3>
Brown&#8217;s case is not an isolated incident. 
The investigation also uncovered multiple examples of out-of-state companies and cannabis industry insiders exploiting the social equity program by manipulating disadvantaged applicants. 
A common tactic includes flooding the lottery with numerous applications under qualified applicants, only to secure contracts that transfer business control to investors once licenses are granted. In these predatory arrangements, the applicant receives little to no benefit while the investor maintains full control of the business.
<ul>
<li>Get Benzinga's exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://newsletteremail.benzinga.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. If you're serious about the business, you can't afford to miss out.</li>
</ul>
Missouri&#8217;s microbusiness program was designed to help disadvantaged groups, including disabled veterans and those affected by non-violent drug offenses.
The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation continues to investigate these cases, and more revocations are expected as the scope of abuse becomes clearer.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/08/40446319/yet-again-massive-cannabis-product-recall-rocks-missouri-weed-industry-135-000-products-quaranti">Yet Again, Massive Cannabis Product Recall Rocks Missouri Weed Industry: 135,000 Products Quarantined</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Similar Practices Elsewhere</h3>
Missouri is not the only state grappling with the poor performance of its social equity programs.
Similar predatory practices have surfaced in New York and Arizona, where social equity cannabis programs are facing scrutiny for allowing private interests to exploit disadvantaged applicants. 
In New York, a public-private fund intended to help those affected by discriminatory drug laws <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39336860/unscrupulous-practices-going-on-in-new-york-say-state-senators-about-150m-loan-for-beleaguered-c">has been criticized </a>for favoring private equity firms over qualified applicants. The fund&#8217;s restrictive loan terms and high interest rates have left many licensees struggling to maintain control of their businesses. Also, social equity in the state has faced <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39694320/licensed-but-closed-new-yorks-cannabis-dream-faces-bureaucratic-nightmare">severe bureaucratic constraints.</a>
In Arizona, some have employed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/01/36720312/arizonas-social-equity-ambitions-in-cannabis-licensing-face-corporate-dominance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tactics similar to</a> those found in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/missouri-cannabis">Missouri</a>, flooding the state's application process and using complex contracts to exploit social equity applicants.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/09/40945349/cannabis-companies-have-missouris-governor-beat-hemp-thc-products-sales-resume-as-stricter-contr">Cannabis Companies Have Missouri&#8217;s Governor Beat: Hemp-THC Products Sales Resume As Stricter Controls Replace Sweeping Ban</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/09/40805538/missouri-joins-crackdown-on-unregulated-cannabis-announces-new-taskforce-as-national-hemp-debate">Missouri Joins Crackdown On Unregulated Cannabis, Announces New Taskforce As National Hemp Debate Rages</a></li>
</ul>
Cover: AI generated image

Predatory Cannabis Contracts Allegedly Emerge In Missouri's Social Equity Program

Golden Ocean Group Limited 2024 Q2 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation

Warning: GOGL is at high risk of cutting its dividend

Golden Ocean Group (GOGL) has released an update. Golden Ocean Group Limited has released its mid-year financial report for 2024, revealing the com...

Golden Ocean Group Mid-Year Financial Update

Diana Shipping: Buy On 13.6% Dividend Yield And Discounted Valuation (Rating Upgrade)

Golden Ocean Group (GOGL) has released an update. BlackRock, Inc. has increased its holdings in Golden Ocean Group Limited, crossing the 5% thresho...

BlackRock Ups Stake in Golden Ocean Group

Golden Ocean Group (GOGL) has released an update. BlackRock, Inc. has increased its holdings in Golden Ocean Group, crossing a significant threshol...

BlackRock Amplifies Stake in Golden Ocean Group

Golden Ocean Group (GOGL) has released an update. BlackRock, Inc. has adjusted its stake in Golden Ocean Group Limited, with a resulting ownership ...

BlackRock, Inc. Reduces Stake in Golden Ocean Group

Golden Ocean Group (GOGL) has released an update. BlackRock, Inc. has crossed a major shareholding threshold in Golden Ocean Group Limited, now hol...

Golden Ocean Group (GOGL) has released an update. BlackRock, Inc. has adjusted its holdings in Golden Ocean Group Limited, falling below the 5% thr...

BlackRock Lowers Stake in Golden Ocean Group

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Press Releases

GOGL – 2024 AGM Results Notification

GOGL – Invitation to presentation of Q1 2024 Results

GOGL – First Quarter 2024 Results

GOGL – Q1 2024 Presentation

GOGL - Transition of Chief Executive Officer

GOGL – 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report

GOGL – Invitation to presentation of Q2 2024 Results

GOGL – Second Quarter 2024 Results

GOGL – Q2 2024 Presentation

GOGL - Company Presentation September 2024

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