Hotel Chocolat Group PLC Stock (OTC: HCHOF)

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Hotel Chocolat Group PLC

Bernstein analyst Lance Wilkes upgrades Humana (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HUM#NYSE">HUM</a>) from Market Perform to Outperform and announces $308 price target.

News

Upgrades

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

Bernstein Upgrades Humana to Outperform, Announces $308 Price Target

Jefferies analyst Roger Song initiates coverage on Zenas BioPharma (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZBIO#NASDAQ">ZBIO</a>) with a Buy rating and announces Price Target of $35.

Initiation

ZBIO

Jefferies Initiates Coverage On Zenas BioPharma with Buy Rating, Announces Price Target of $35

Cannabis

Events

Exclusives

Markets

MSOS

FundCanna CEO Adam Stettner Says Delinquent AR Is An Issue In This Industry; Says  It Is Hard As A Purchaser To Make Payment On Goods When You Don't Have Revenue From The Goods You Purchase, Says Important When Looking At Debt To Look At Repayment Terms And How They Line Up With Revenue Schedule

Alliance Global Partners initiates coverage on Bitdeer Technologies (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BTDR#NASDAQ">BTDR</a>) with a Buy rating and announces Price Target of $14.

BTDR

Alliance Global Partners Initiates Coverage On Bitdeer Technologies with Buy Rating, Announces Price Target of $14

Curaleaf Holdings Inc&#8216;s (OTCQX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CURLF#OTCQX">CURLF</a>) Boris Jordan recently took over as chief executive of the company as he sees a lot of moving parts in the cannabis space that he believes <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/10/41234699/100k-medical-marijuana-signatures-in-nebraska-under-investigation-amid-alleged-fraud-questions">he can help address</a>.
&#8220;The industry is going through a very difficult period, and there is a lot of major, both catalysts and potential roadblocks in the way,&#8221; Jordan said Tuesday at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/cannabis-conference/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;Chicago.
&#8220;I always say, and my father used to say, &#8216;If you&#8217;re not happy with the way things are going, do it yourself.'&#8221;
Steering The Ship: Jordan, who is also the co-founder and chairman of Curaleaf, took over as CEO in August to further the vision he has for what Curaleaf can ultimately become. He said at the time that he would focus on streamlining the organization and accelerating growth initiatives to drive margin expansion.&nbsp;
At the Benzinga Cannabis Conference on Tuesday, Jordan said Curaleaf has made &#8220;massive&#8221; amounts of progress in recent weeks as the company has focused on cutting costs and bringing new people on board. The Curaleaf CEO noted that the company is changing &#8220;the whole dynamic&#8221; of how it operates.
In the fourth quarter, Curaleaf plans to introduce a new three-year strategy for the company moving forward so teams can hit the ground running into 2025, Jordan said, adding that there are a lot of changing dynamics in the cannabis industry right now.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/10/41230525/marijuana-operator-terrascend-to-report-quarterly-earnings-soon-hear-from-its-top-exec-at-benzin">Marijuana Operator TerrAscend To Report Quarterly Earnings Soon, Hear From Its Top Exec At Benzinga Cannabis Conference</a>
One of the biggest standouts for Jordan is the proliferation of hemp products in the market. He told the crowd at the conference that he believes the hemp boom has hurt growth in other areas of the cannabis market and has ignited price compression in the regulated market. 
&#8220;On top of that, I believe the Fed saw something that a lot of other people don&#8217;t see,&#8221; Jordan said, referencing the <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">50 basis point cut</a> to interest rates the Federal Reserve delivered last month.
The Curaleaf CEO suggested that the consumer is in worse shape than most think. He believes the U.S. consumer — if not the whole U.S. economy — is in a recession. He argued that Nike Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41191580/whats-going-on-with-nike-stock#">pulling its guidance</a> is a great example of consumer products companies coming under pressure. 
&#8220;So you have the consumer recession, you have a higher inflationary environment, you have the proliferation of the hemp market, you&#8217;ve got a lot of pressure on the regulated market, you have no real capital market available today, and I think that&#8217;s raised a lot of pressure onto the overall cannabis industry and I think to navigate that, you have to be someone that&#8217;s been through a lot,&#8221; Jordan said.
Why Curaleaf: Curaleaf gives investors exposure to a diversified portfolio of assets and geography, Jordan said. Along with its strong markets in Florida and Arizona, Curaleaf is seeing early success in its European expansion. The company is expected to generate sales of over $100 million in Europe this year on close to 50% margins. 
&#8220;We think that we are going to double that next year,&#8221; Jordan said. 
In the U.S., there is optimism around cannabis reform surrounding the election, but it&#8217;s likely going to take some time regardless of the outcome of the election. Jordan noted that there will be winners and losers based on the outcome, and part of why he stepped in as CEO is to make sure Curaleaf will be a winner on the other side. 
&#8220;I&#8217;m still very, very optimistic. I think this sector has a tremendous amount of upside, but I do think that there are risks. And the key to managing through this current environment is understanding the dynamics of what&#8217;s going on in the market&#8230; and making sure that you diversify,&#8221; Jordan said.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/10/41233018/exclusive-ross-gerber-sees-tsunami-of-money-pouring-into-cannabis-companies-upon-federal-legaliz">EXCLUSIVE: Ross Gerber Sees &#8216;Tsunami Of Money&#8217; Pouring Into Cannabis Companies Upon Federal Legalization, Says Cannabis Is One Of &#8216;Biggest&#8217; Opportunities Beyond AI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/10/41235390/victory-in-commerce-clause-case-could-be-the-silver-bullet-for-cannabis-industry-experts-say">Victory In Commerce Clause Case Could Be The Silver Bullet For Cannabis Industry, Experts Say</a></li>
</ul>
Curaleaf CEO Boris Jordan speaks at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference Wednesday. Photo by Wendy Davis.

Eurozone

Management

CURLF

EXCLUSIVE: Curaleaf's Boris Jordan Says Cannabis Company Has Made 'Massive' Leap, Expects European Business To 'Double' Next Year Despite Market Risks

Jefferies analyst Michael Yee initiates coverage on MBX Biosciences (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MBX#NASDAQ">MBX</a>) with a Buy rating and announces Price Target of $35.

Jefferies Initiates Coverage On MBX Biosciences with Buy Rating, Announces Price Target of $35

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) has been riding high in 2024, with the stock up 11.38% year-to-date and 25.21% <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSFT/news">over the past year</a>.
However, dark clouds may be forming on two fronts: technical indicators are flashing bearish signals and Microsoft's high-profile partnership with OpenAI is showing signs of strain.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Death Cross Looming: Bearish Signals Pile Up</h1>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent100824&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="625" height="456" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/08132347/Screenshot-2024-10-08-at-6.03.13-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-586189" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/08132347/Screenshot-2024-10-08-at-6.03.13-PM.png 625w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/08132347/Screenshot-2024-10-08-at-6.03.13-PM-300x219.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></figure>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent100824&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>
Microsoft stock is inching closer to forming a Death Cross, a technical pattern where the 50-day moving average dips below the 200-day moving average, signaling a potential shift from bullish to bearish momentum. 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent100824&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="625" height="456" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/08132402/Screenshot-2024-10-08-at-6.03.50-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-586190" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/08132402/Screenshot-2024-10-08-at-6.03.50-PM.png 625w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/08132402/Screenshot-2024-10-08-at-6.03.50-PM-300x219.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></figure>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent100824&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>
Right now, Microsoft stock is already trading below key moving averages, indicating that selling pressure is building.
<ul>
<li>Eight-day SMA: $418.47 (Bearish)</li>
<li>20-day SMA: $426.29 (Bearish)</li>
<li>50-day SMA: $417.82 (Bearish)</li>
<li>200-day SMA: $416.98 (Bearish)</li>
</ul>
At a share price of $409.50, Microsoft's stock is clearly under pressure, with bearish signals stacking up. A Death Cross would only solidify this, potentially signaling a deeper downtrend.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">OpenAI Moves To Oracle: Cracks In The Microsoft Partnership?</h1>
Adding to Microsoft's troubles is the evolving relationship with OpenAI. According to The Information, OpenAI is seeking more independence from Microsoft's cloud services, opting to lease data centers from Oracle Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) in Texas. This shift comes as OpenAI raised $6.6 billion in new funding and looks to expand its capabilities without being solely dependent on Microsoft.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41228871/intel-vs-oracle-can-apollos-rescue-plan-beat-oracles-ai-cloud-domination">Intel Vs. Oracle: Can Apollo&#8217;s Rescue Plan Beat Oracle&#8217;s AI Cloud Domination?</a>
Concerns have emerged over Microsoft's ability to meet OpenAI's growing need for computing power, prompting OpenAI's search for alternative solutions. Though OpenAI maintains that its strategic relationship with Microsoft remains strong, the move toward Oracle signals some level of dissatisfaction.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Time To Lock In Gains?</h1>
With Microsoft stock on the brink of a Death Cross and its once rock-solid partnership with OpenAI showing cracks, now might be the perfect time for investors to consider locking in gains.
The combination of bearish technicals and potential shifts in cloud business partnerships adds to the risk of a downturn. 
Investors riding Microsoft's strong 2024 performance might want to reevaluate whether to stay in or take profits before the Death Cross becomes a reality.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/news/24/10/41229738/heres-how-much-100-invested-in-microsoft-20-years-ago-would-be-worth-today">Here&#8217;s How Much $100 Invested In Microsoft 20 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Technicals

Signals

Tech

Trading Ideas

MSFT

ORCL

Microsoft Stock Nears Death Cross As OpenAI Partnership Weakens: Time To Lock In Gains?

In a recent interview with The Independent, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/07/39600675/bill-gates-was-the-worlds-richest-man-for-a-record-18-years-his-secret-to-success-saving-like-a-">Bill Gates</a> reflected on his wealth and a tax system that he believes could help reshape wealth inequality in America – or at least help fund some depleting programs like Social Security.&nbsp;
Gates even acknowledged that his wealth would be far less under his ideal tax system. &#8220;If I designed the tax system, I would be tens of billions of dollars poorer,&#8221; he said. He has long been an advocate of higher taxes on wealthier individuals.&nbsp;
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.</li>
<li>How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/tax-deferring-adv"> Tax deferring is their number one strategy</a>.</li>
</ul>
Gates' stance closely aligns with proposals from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40784837/bernie-sanders-says-if-youre-poor-in-america-youll-live-10-15-years-less-anybody-else-see-a-problem">Bernie Sanders</a>, who advocates for a wealth tax targeting the top 0.1% of U.S. households. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40872333/peter-schiff-clashes-with-bernie-sanders-over-taxing-rich-calls-upon-democrats-to-c">Sanders' plan</a> would tax those with net worths exceeding $32 million and he estimates it would raise $4.35 trillion over the next decade, cutting billionaires' wealth in half over 15 years.&nbsp;
Gates mentioned that Sanders' plans are more progressive than he would design the tax system, but he still supports change that aligns closely with Sanders' proposals. He supports the general goal of expanding the safety net by increasing taxes on the ultrarich and believes that with tech innovations – like AI – it will be easier and more feasible to tackle tax plans like this.&nbsp;
Trending: A billion-dollar investment strategy with minimums as low as $10 —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/fundrise-flagship-fund" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> you can become part of the next big real estate boom today.</a>
According to Gates, reversing this trend requires more than just charitable donations from billionaires. It calls for systemic change, starting with how the government taxes the wealthiest citizens. Although Gates has contributed billions through the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, he insists that philanthropy alone cannot address the country&#8217;s inequality scale. "The tax system could be more progressive without damaging significantly the incentive to do fantastic things," he said.
See Also: Founder of Personal Capital and ex-CEO of PayPal<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/evergreen-money"> re-engineers traditional banking with this new high-yield account — start saving better today.</a>
While many billionaires might balk at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/40856616/irs-reclaims-1-3-billion-in-back-taxes-from-wealthy-americans-is-this-just-the-beginning">losing billions to taxes</a>, Gates maintains that his life would remain comfortable even under a more progressive tax system. &#8220;My life is fantastic,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I'm the luckiest person alive in terms of the work I get to do.&#8221; Despite public criticism, including wild conspiracy theories about his involvement in vaccine development, Gates remains focused on the bigger picture: creating a future where everyone has a fair shot at prosperity.
Trending: ‘Scrolling to UBI': Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invest today with $1,000 for just $0.25/share</a>
As Gates sees it, addressing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/06/39166498/warren-buffett-says-its-a-fact-the-poor-are-most-definitely-not-poor-because-the-rich-are-rich-b">wealth inequality</a> is not just about moral responsibility – it's about ensuring a stable and thriving society. He cautions younger generations to pay attention to growing misinformation and declining trust in government, noting that reversing these trends will be crucial to building a more equitable future.
Ultimately, Gates' willingness to support a tax system that would make him &#8220;tens of billions poorer&#8221; demonstrates his commitment to a vision of greater fairness. For those nearing or in retirement, understanding how wealth inequality and tax policies affect the broader economy is critical. Consulting a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-online-financial-advisors">financial advisor</a> can help individuals navigate these changes and secure their financial future.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-homes-private-credit-fund" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/charlie-munger-100k">Unlock a $400 billion opportunity by investing in the future of EV infrastructure on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/dunamis-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this startup already valued at $50 million with just $500</a>.</a></li>
</ul>

Personal Finance

Bill Gates Says He'd Be 'Tens Of Billions Poorer' Under His Ideal Tax System – But He Still Supports It

Jefferies analyst Tycho Peterson upgrades Waters (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAT#NYSE">WAT</a>) from Hold to Buy and raises the price target from $355 to $415.

Jefferies Upgrades Waters to Buy, Raises Price Target to $415

JMP Securities analyst Patrick Walravens reiterates Twilio (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TWLO#NYSE">TWLO</a>) with a Market Outperform and maintains $110 price target.

Reiteration

TWLO

JMP Securities Reiterates Market Outperform on Twilio, Maintains $110 Price Target

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Block.
Looking at options history for Block (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SQ#NYSE">SQ</a>) we detected 12 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 33% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 41% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 6 are puts, for a total amount of $241,874 and 6, calls, for a total amount of $262,790.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $50.0 and $77.5 for Block, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</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 Block'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 Block's whale activity within a strike price range from $50.0 to $77.5 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Block Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1728411338_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 style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>SQ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$16.15</td>
<td>$16.0</td>
<td>$16.12</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$80.6K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">53</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SQ</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$10.25</td>
<td>$10.0</td>
<td>$10.25</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$54.3K</td>
<td>142</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SQ</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>11/08/24</td>
<td>$3.4</td>
<td>$3.3</td>
<td>$3.35</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
<td>$51.5K</td>
<td>126</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">156</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SQ</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$5.5</td>
<td>$5.45</td>
<td>$5.5</td>
<td>$67.50</td>
<td>$49.5K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SQ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$4.25</td>
<td>$4.15</td>
<td>$4.15</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$44.4K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">592</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Block</h3>
Founded in 2009, Block provides payment services to merchants, along with related services. The company also launched Cash App, a person-to-person payment network. In 2023, Square's payment volume was a little over $200 million.
In light of the recent options history for Block, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Block</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 2,794,690, with SQ's price up by 3.53%, positioned at $68.03.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 23 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 Block options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Options

Block's Options Frenzy: What You Need to Know

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish 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 31 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 54% of traders were bullish, while 32% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 5 were puts, with a value of $496,018, and 26 were calls, valued at $2,152,301.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $105.0 to $240.0 for Oracle over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Oracle options trades today is 2580.0 with a total volume of 47,926.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Oracle's big money trades within a strike price range of $105.0 to $240.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Oracle Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1728411332_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</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>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$7.5</td>
<td>$7.45</td>
<td>$7.5</td>
<td>$180.00</td>
<td>$375.0K</td>
<td>6.7K</td>
<td>862</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ORCL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$2.98</td>
<td>$2.94</td>
<td>$2.94</td>
<td>$172.50</td>
<td>$362.2K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
<td>5.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ORCL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$6.9</td>
<td>$6.8</td>
<td>$6.9</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
<td>$345.0K</td>
<td>807</td>
<td>517</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ORCL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$3.05</td>
<td>$2.92</td>
<td>$3.05</td>
<td>$172.50</td>
<td>$152.1K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
<td>6.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ORCL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$19.75</td>
<td>$19.6</td>
<td>$19.75</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
<td>$98.7K</td>
<td>289</td>
<td>51</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.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Oracle, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Oracle's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 3,778,763, the price of ORCL is up by 1.84%, reaching $173.09.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 62 days from now.</li>
</ul>
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
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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 Oracle with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Decoding Oracle's Options Activity: What's the Big Picture?

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Western Digital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</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 WDC usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 11 extraordinary options activities for Western Digital. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 63% leaning bullish and 18% bearish. Among these notable options, 3 are puts, totaling $173,535, and 8 are calls, amounting to $838,808.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $60.0 and $85.0 for Western Digital, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</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 Western Digital'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 Western Digital's whale activity within a strike price range from $60.0 to $85.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Western Digital Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1728411327_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 style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$11.75</td>
<td>$11.4</td>
<td>$11.7</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$327.4K</td>
<td>2.1K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">280</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$9.2</td>
<td>$9.15</td>
<td>$9.2</td>
<td>$62.50</td>
<td>$183.9K</td>
<td>635</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$9.25</td>
<td>$9.05</td>
<td>$9.1</td>
<td>$62.50</td>
<td>$182.0K</td>
<td>635</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$9.5</td>
<td>$9.35</td>
<td>$9.4</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$93.0K</td>
<td>44</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">106</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$7.75</td>
<td>$7.65</td>
<td>$7.75</td>
<td>$67.50</td>
<td>$53.4K</td>
<td>39</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Western Digital</h3>
Western Digital is a leading vertically integrated supplier of data storage solutions, spanning both hard disk drives and solid-state drives. In the HDD market it forms a practical duopoly with Seagate, and it is the largest global producer of NAND flash chips for SSDs in a joint venture with competitor Kioxia.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Western Digital, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Where Is Western Digital Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 2,216,198, the price of WDC is down -0.92% at $65.83. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 20 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Western Digital</h3>
In the last month, 4 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $84.25.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from TD Cowen has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Western Digital, which currently sits at a price target of $80. 
&#x2A; Reflecting concerns, an analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald lowers its rating to Overweight with a new price target of $80. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Citigroup keeps a Buy rating on Western Digital with a target price of $85. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from Benchmark downgraded its rating to Buy, setting a price target of $92. 
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 Western Digital options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Behind the Scenes of Western Digital's Latest Options Trends

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/cannabis-conference/livestream/">https://www.benzinga.com/events/cannabis-conference/livestream/</a>

Macro Economic Events

Economics

Cassels Brock & Blackwell Partner Tayyaba Khan Says Early Stage Companies Are aLeaning Towards Equity Financing, More Advanced Companies Leaning Towards More Debt Financings And Refinancing

PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDXXF#OTC">MDXXF</a>), a Canadian company specializing in MDMA research and development, announced its selection as a supplier for a clinical trial at the University of Texas, San Antonio. The trial will focus on testing a novel dosage form of PharmAla's proprietary <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/22/08/28557061/clinical-grade-laneo-mdma-completes-release-testing-and-is-ready-for-export-coming-in-several-do">LaNeo MDMA.</a>
This development follows a grant application by the research team, which will explore the potential of the new dosage form in an investigator-led human clinical trial. PharmAla will provide the new formulation in addition to its existing 40mg MDMA capsules, being used in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/05/32453180/pharmala-biotech-nabs-first-ever-canadian-approval-to-provide-mdma-treatment-outside-clinical-se">Canada</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/03/31221893/australia-receives-first-batch-of-clinical-grade-psilocybin-from-mindset-pharma-and-pharmala">Australia</a> for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mdma-assisted-therapy">assisted therapy</a>.
Nicholas Kadysh, CEO of PharmAla Biotech, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with the researchers. "We're excited to support this trial by not only providing our existing dosage forms but also working on new, innovative ways to deliver MDMA. We always welcome opportunities to explore different dose models."
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Patent Publication Milestones</h3>
PharmAla has also announced the recent publication of a patent application as part of its intellectual property strategy. The patent, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, covers potential uses of PharmAla's APA-01, a novel molecular entity. This follows the approval of the company&#8217;s initial APA-01 patent earlier this year (US Patent #12,042,428). Dr. Harpreet Kaur, VP of Research at PharmAla, highlighted the support from their partners at Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON). "Their backing through non-dilutive grants continues to be a significant motivator as we work to keep this valuable intellectual property in Canada."
Cover image made with AI

Psychedelics

MDXXF

PharmAla Biotech To Supply University Of Texas, San Antonio For Clinical Trial

Cassels Brock & Blackwell Partner Tayyaba Khan Says Advantage Of Debt Financing Is You Maintain Ownership Of Your Company, Notes Potential Tax Benefits; Risks Include Events Of Default, Repayment Obligations, Companies May Feel Strain On Cash Flow In The Future

Cassels Brock & Blackwell Partner Tayyaba Khan Says With Equity Funding, Companies Get Benefit Of Liquidity And Can Allocate Funding Towards R&D And Day-to-Day Operations; Says Disadvantage Is Companies Now Share Profits With New Investor, Investors Can Have Influence Over Company

KeyBanc analyst Brandon Nispel said his September Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) iPhone carrier survey was slightly weaker, and Key First Look Data results were better.
The analyst&#8217;s carrier survey indicates that iPhone 16 sales in September were slightly below store expectations and normal seasonal trends.
Demand for the iPhone 16 Pro and Max remained relatively healthy, owing to camera upgrades, but the base models were still weaker.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41208411/apple-iphone-16-demand-gains-momentum-as-delivery-times-steady-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple iPhone 16 Demand Gains Momentum As Delivery Times Steady: Analyst</a>
Store inventories are down to one day inventory outstanding&nbsp;(DOI), above prior year levels at launch. Apple AI was still a non-factor in driving near-term demand.
Key First Look Data reflects an increase in iPhone demand, with Apple Store iPhone spending growth of 15% year-on-year during the first ten days of launch and 7% growth Y/Y during the launch weekend.
Nispel&#8217;s Key First Look Data shows indexed spending growth of 22% M/M in September, above the three-year average of 2%.
The Y/Y indexed spending accelerated to 7% from a 10% decline in August. In addition, when comparing the first ten days of new iPhone availability versus the comparable prior year, results were 12% Y/Y, though tailed off quickly.
The analyst noted that the results benefitted from an additional two days of iPhone availability compared to the prior year. In addition, he noted a benefit to iPhone 15 sales before the launch of iPhone 16 and initial demand that was modestly better Y/Y.
Nispel noted that his combined September carrier survey and Key First Look results were neutral for the Apple supply chain, which included Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>), Cirrus Logic, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRUS#NASDAQ">CRUS</a>), Qualcomm Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>), Qorvo, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QRVO#NASDAQ">QRVO</a>) and Skyworks Solutions, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SWKS#NASDAQ">SWKS</a>).
Nispel maintained his Overweight rating and a price target of $210 on Broadcom based on 36 times his fiscal 2025 consolidated EPS of $5.90. Broadcom is trading at a forward consensus P/E of 29 times, compared to a three-year historical average of 18.
The analyst reiterated his Overweight rating on Cirrus Logic with a price target of $165, based on 19 times his fiscal 2026 EPS estimate of $8.65. Cirrus Logic is trading at a consensus P/E of 16 times compared to its three-year historical forward consensus P/E of 14.
He maintained his estimates and Sector Weight rating on Qualcomm, which has a fair value of $167, based on 15 times his fiscal 2025 EPS of $10.89. Qualcomm is trading at a forward consensus P/E of 15 times, compared to a three-year historical average of 13.
Nispel reiterated his Sector Weight rating on Qorvo, which has a fair value of $100, based on 14 times his fiscal 2026 EPS estimate of $6.95. Qorvo is trading at 13 times consensus forward P/E, compared to a three-year historical average of 13.
The analyst remained Sector Weight on Skyworks Solutions with a fair value of $95, based on 15 times his 2025 EPS estimate of $6.25. Skyworks Solutions is trading at a forward P/E of 15 times, compared to a three-year historical average of 11.
Nispel&#8217;s $216 fair value on Apple is based on 21.8 times his 2025 adjusted EBITDA versus big tech comps of ~18.5 times. Apple currently trades at ~22.7 times his 2025 adjusted EBITDA.
Price Action: Apple stock is up 1.43% at $224.85 at last check Tuesday.
Photo via Apple

Analyst Color

AAPL

AVGO

CRUS

QCOM

QRVO

SWKS

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Boosts Sales, But Base Models Lag, Analyst Says

JMP Securities analyst Erik Suppiger reiterates Aviat Networks (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVNW#NASDAQ">AVNW</a>) with a Market Outperform and maintains $50 price target.

AVNW

JMP Securities Reiterates Market Outperform on Aviat Networks, Maintains $50 Price Target

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/cannabis-conference/livestream/?_gl=1&#x2A;udhg6c&#x2A;_gcl_au&#x2A;MTU4NTYyMzEwMC4xNzI3Njk2MzA3&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTU0NDY0Nzc2LjE3Mjc2OTYzMDY.&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcyODM4NzQ3Ny4xNS4xLjE3Mjg0MTA2MjIuMC4wLjA.">https://www.benzinga.com/events/cannabis-conference/livestream/</a>

Cassels Brock & Blackwell Partner Tayyaba Khan Says Advantage Of Equity Financing Is That It Creates Access To Capital, Notes Limited Sources Of Capital In Cannabis Sector And Says Equity Offers Alternative Option For Companies To Have Funding, Especially At Early Stage Of Development

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