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iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Corporate ETF

iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Corporate ETF

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component instruments of the Underlying Index, and (except during the last twelve months of the Funds operations) the Fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in fixed income securities of the types included in the Underlying Index that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. The Fund will invest no more than 10% of its assets in futures, options and swaps contracts that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index as well as in fixed income securities other than the types included in the Underlying Index

Citigroup analyst Steven Enders maintains Intapp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTA#NASDAQ">INTA</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $52 to $63.

News

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

INTA

Citigroup Maintains Buy on Intapp, Raises Price Target to $63

Citigroup analyst Steven Enders maintains Dayforce (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAY#NYSE">DAY</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $74 to $75.

Citigroup Maintains Buy on Dayforce, Raises Price Target to $75

As the push for federal cannabis reform remains a central talking point, industry leaders are watching closely to see how political developments might shape the market&#8217;s future. 
With Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz now forming the first explicitly pro-cannabis legalization presidential ticket, expectations are high for progress. But, according to industry experts, lasting change will depend on more than campaign promises.
Anthony Coniglio, CEO of NewLake Capital Partners, discussed what this political shift could mean for cannabis reform during an interview ahead of his appearance at the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/cannabis-conference/">Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference</a>. 
He shared his views on the potential impact of a pro-cannabis administration and the challenges that the cannabis industry faces regarding federal rescheduling.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Political Support and Legislative Reality</h1>
While Harris and Walz's pro-legalization stance offers hope for cannabis reform, Coniglio believes that real progress will only come when Congress enacts bipartisan legislation.
"Cannabis reform has garnered consistent and growing support from a significant majority of Americans, and it's only a matter of time for this necessary policy revision to take shape," Coniglio said. 
He added that while having top-level political support is encouraging, "Lasting change will require bipartisan legislation, which remains elusive."
Coniglio emphasized the importance of keeping cannabis reform in front of lawmakers, as political interest can often fade once candidates take office. 
"Having an administration that can keep the issue in front of Congress will allow the industry to accelerate the pace of reform," he explained. However, he cautioned that political promises may not sway investors without concrete action. "Investors will need tangible evidence of change versus promises."
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Impact of Rescheduling on the Cannabis Industry</h1>
Federal rescheduling has been a hot topic of discussion, with predictions that it could happen within the next 12 months. When asked about the potential impact on cannabis businesses, particularly concerning banking and capital markets, Coniglio expressed a measured view.
"For the first 6-12 months, I anticipate only a marginal impact on banking and debt financing for the industry as cannabis would remain illegal at the Federal level, maintaining barriers to entry for many banks and debt providers," Coniglio said. 
However, he acknowledged rescheduling would be critical in opening discussions with financial institutions. "Rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III will mark a significant milestone, allowing the industry to move conversations forward with many of these institutions," he added.
Still, Coniglio noted shifting attitudes among banks and other lenders would take time. "Over time, I do think more will shift their stance towards the industry," he said but cautioned that full access to traditional banking might take longer than some hope.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Challenges in Navigating a New Regulatory Framework</h1>
As federal cannabis policy evolves, the industry will need to adapt to a new regulatory landscape. Coniglio does not foresee immediate changes in how operators approach compliance, particularly regarding FDA licensing.
"I do not expect many operators to immediately pursue an FDA license for Schedule III substances while regulations and compliance infrastructure are still unclear," he explained. Coniglio expects state-level regulations to continue driving the industry in the short term. "I expect individual states to remain the primary drivers of regulation for the industry," he said.
As the cannabis market braces for potential regulatory shifts, Coniglio's insights highlight the need for patience and a focus on long-term solutions. His appearance at the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/cannabis-conference/">Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference</a> on Oct. 8 and 9 in Chicago will likely bring further analysis and discussion on how the industry can navigate these challenges and capitalize on upcoming opportunities.
Photo: Shutterstock

Cannabis

Government

Politics

Events

Exclusives

Interview

Cannabis Reform On The Horizon, But 'Lasting Change' Requires More Than Promises

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Thor Industries (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/THO#NYSE">THO</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with THO, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 8 uncommon options trades for Thor Industries.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 50% bullish and 37%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 2 are puts, for a total amount of $77,285, and 6 are calls, for a total amount of $330,812.
<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 $100.0 to $120.0 for Thor Industries over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</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 Thor Industries's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Thor Industries's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $100.0 to $120.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Thor Industries Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727288178_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>THO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$15.1</td>
<td>$14.4</td>
<td>$15.1</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$104.1K</td>
<td>12</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">89</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>THO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$13.2</td>
<td>$12.3</td>
<td>$13.1</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$74.6K</td>
<td>13</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">87</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>THO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$14.9</td>
<td>$12.6</td>
<td>$14.9</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$58.1K</td>
<td>12</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">146</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>THO</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$1.25</td>
<td>$1.05</td>
<td>$1.15</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$49.5K</td>
<td>5.1K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">620</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>THO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$6.3</td>
<td>$5.9</td>
<td>$6.07</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$34.6K</td>
<td>839</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">437</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Thor Industries</h3>
Based in Elkhart, Indiana, Thor Industries manufactures Class A, Class B, and Class C motor homes along with travel trailers and fifth wheel towables across over 30 brands. Through the acquisition of Erwin Hymer in 2019, the company expanded its geographic footprint and now produces various motorized and towable recreational vehicles for Europe, including motorcaravans, campervans, urban vehicles, caravans, and other RV-related products and services. The company has also begun generating revenue through aftermarket component parts through the acquisition of Airxcel in 2021, however, this is still a nascent part of the business as it accounts for less than 10% of total sales. In fiscal 2023, the company wholesaled 187,015 units and generated over $11.1 billion in revenue.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Thor Industries, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Current Position of Thor Industries</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 353,972, the THO's price is down by -2.02%, now at $107.26. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 70 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Thor Industries</h3>
Over the past month, 2 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $112.5.
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 Truist Securities has decided to maintain their Hold rating on Thor Industries, which currently sits at a price target of $105. 
&#x2A; An analyst from BMO Capital persists with their Outperform rating on Thor Industries, maintaining a target price of $120. 
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 Thor Industries options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Options

Markets

This Is What Whales Are Betting On Thor Industries

High-rolling investors have positioned themselves bullish on Schlumberger (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLB#NYSE">SLB</a>), and it's important for retail traders to take note. 
\This activity came to our attention today through Benzinga's tracking of publicly available options data. The identities of these investors are uncertain, but such a significant move in SLB often signals that someone has privileged information.
Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 12 options trades for Schlumberger. This is not a typical pattern.
The sentiment among these major traders is split, with 66% bullish and 25% bearish. Among all the options we identified, there was one put, amounting to $82,560, and 11 calls, totaling $1,578,938.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $30.0 to $55.0 for Schlumberger over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Schlumberger options trades today is 1331.55 with a total volume of 6,267.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Schlumberger's big money trades within a strike price range of $30.0 to $55.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Schlumberger Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727288173_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>SLB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$2.37</td>
<td>$2.23</td>
<td>$2.37</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$1.1M</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
<td>5.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SLB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/18/26</td>
<td>$11.7</td>
<td>$11.4</td>
<td>$11.7</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$90.0K</td>
<td>137</td>
<td>77</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SLB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$6.5</td>
<td>$6.45</td>
<td>$6.45</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
<td>$82.5K</td>
<td>403</td>
<td>128</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SLB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$13.75</td>
<td>$13.7</td>
<td>$13.75</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$68.7K</td>
<td>145</td>
<td>50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SLB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$10.95</td>
<td>$10.65</td>
<td>$10.75</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$48.3K</td>
<td>531</td>
<td>45</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Schlumberger</h3>
SLB is the largest oilfield service firm in the world, with expertise in myriad disciplines, including reservoir performance, well construction, production enhancement, and more recently, digital solutions. It maintains a reputation as one of the industry's leading innovators, which has earned it dominant share in numerous end markets.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Schlumberger, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Schlumberger</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 6,851,609, the price of SLB is down -2.5% at $41.91. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 23 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Schlumberger</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 $57.625.
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 UBS persists with their Buy rating on Schlumberger, maintaining a target price of $57. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Morgan Stanley keeps a Overweight rating on Schlumberger with a target price of $60. 
&#x2A; An analyst from DBS Bank downgraded its action to Buy with a price target of $64. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Wells Fargo persists with their Equal-Weight rating on Schlumberger, maintaining a target price of $49. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Schlumberger, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

A Closer Look at Schlumberger's Options Market Dynamics

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on Baidu.
Looking at options history for Baidu (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>) we detected 26 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 46% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 42% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 6 are puts, for a total amount of $743,000 and 20, calls, for a total amount of $994,403.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $70.0 to $115.0 for Baidu over the recent three months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for Baidu's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Baidu's significant trades, within a strike price range of $70.0 to $115.0, over the past month.
<h3>Baidu Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727288167_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>BIDU</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$13.65</td>
<td>$13.45</td>
<td>$13.6</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$340.0K</td>
<td>234</td>
<td>250</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BIDU</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$6.85</td>
<td>$6.75</td>
<td>$6.86</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$287.4K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
<td>421</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BIDU</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$6.1</td>
<td>$6.0</td>
<td>$6.05</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$109.5K</td>
<td>3.0K</td>
<td>207</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BIDU</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/01/24</td>
<td>$1.32</td>
<td>$1.15</td>
<td>$1.15</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$71.1K</td>
<td>41</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BIDU</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/25/24</td>
<td>$12.25</td>
<td>$12.05</td>
<td>$12.05</td>
<td>$83.00</td>
<td>$60.2K</td>
<td>235</td>
<td>231</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Baidu</h3>
Baidu is the largest internet search engine in China with over 50% share of the search engine market in 2024 per web analytics firm, Statcounter. The firm generated 72% of core revenue from online marketing services from its search engine in 2023. Outside its search engine, Baidu is a technology-driven company and its other major growth initiatives are artificial intelligence cloud, video streaming services, voice recognition technology, and autonomous driving.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Baidu, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Where Is Baidu Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 3,544,549, the price of BIDU is down by -0.13%, reaching $94.69.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 55 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Baidu</h3>
In the last month, 2 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $102.5.
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; In a cautious move, an analyst from HSBC downgraded its rating to Hold, setting a price target of $100. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Susquehanna has decided to maintain their Positive rating on Baidu, which currently sits at a price target of $105. 
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 Baidu options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

BIDU

Spotlight on Baidu: Analyzing the Surge in Options Activity

Citigroup analyst Jason Bazinet maintains Roku (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROKU#NASDAQ">ROKU</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $60 to $77.

ROKU

Citigroup Maintains Neutral on Roku, Raises Price Target to $77

eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ebay#NASDAQ">EBAY</a>) is the world&#39;s largest online auction site connecting buyers and sellers worldwide. It was one of the first consumer-to-consumer (C2C) online auction sites on the internet, and it&#39;s nearing its 30th birthday. eBay is no longer the hypergrowth e-commerce stock it once was; it is a stable and steady blue-chip internet stock that remains profitable with a solid balance sheet and liquidity. Its shares are coming off a 52-week high.
eBay operates in the computer and technology sector and competes with online auction and eCommerce marketplaces, including Etsy Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/etsy#NASDAQ">ETSY</a>), Amazon.com Inc., Mercari Inc. (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mcary#OTC">MCARY</a>) and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
<h2>Capitalizing on the Collectibles Market </h2>
eBay is one of the largest sites for collectibles auctions and sales. It charges a 13% fee to sellers for sold items. Hobbyists and collectors of comic books, Funko Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/fnko#NASDAQ">FNKO</a>), Funko Pops, trading cards, sneakers, handbags, watches, and antiques from all over the world gather to bid on collectible items. Collectibles was the second largest contributor to gross merchandise volume (GMV) in its second-quarter of 2024 earnings report.
<h2>Partnering With PSA: Grading and Authentication </h2>
eBay has made several deals with Collectors, the parent company of Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). PSA is a widely used third-party grading and authentication service that focuses on authenticating, grading, and encapsulating trading cards, autographs, toys, and Funko Pops. Graded cards sell for much more money than raw cards. eBay transferred trading card assets to the PSA vault for holding. PSA customers can easily sell their graded and encapsulated cards from the PSA vault on eBay at any time without having to wait for their cards to be shipped back to them to ship out to the buyers.
eBay also completed the acquisition of Goldin Auctions, a premium auction house for collectibles, from Collectors. Goldin has gained mainstream popularity thanks to its Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nflx#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) series &quot;King of Collectibles&quot;&nbsp;which is&nbsp;streaming for&nbsp;a second season.
<h2>Refurbished Inventory and Authentication Guarantee Growth </h2>
eBay expanded its refurbished service to include golf clubs. It&#39;s launched stores for brands and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Dyson to sell their refurbished inventory. Seagate Technologies Holdings plc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/stx#NASDAQ">STX</a>) is responsible for direct sales of its factory-recertified hard drives. It has also reached a milestone in its Authentication Guarantee Program. It has authenticated its 10th million items since its inception, including a pair of Air Jordan 1 Low Lucky Green sneakers in its Las Vegas facility.
eBay has also launched a &quot;click-to-resell&quot; button with Certilogo, an AI-powered pre-owned clothing authentication provider. eBay is the largest pre-owned clothing and merchandise marketplace, benefiting from the off-brand consumer shopping tailwinds.
<h2>Investments in AI and ML Are Paying Off </h2>
eBay&#39;s investments in AI are paying off as it deployed its first supercomputer. It gives them the capacity to build and refine larger LLMs on trillions of tokens. Its supercomputer is on par with the top 50 supercomputers in the world in terms of computing speed and petaflops. Its generative AI offerings are helping sellers better list their items, creating more detailed item descriptions. eBay launched a generative AI-powered discovery feature called Shop the Look for fashion buyers. This feature lets eBay curate personalized outfits of new and pre-owned apparel and luxury items that match a user&#39;s style and preferences.
<h2>Magical Listings Are a Game Changer </h2>
One of the major friction points and bottlenecks for sellers is the time-consuming task of listing items for sale on eBay. The seller has to complete a number of tasks that include creating a compelling description along with the title, item details, category selections, pricing and shipping options. eBay&#39;s AI-powered Magical Listing Tool automates the listing process as soon as the seller uploads a picture of the item to be sold. The tool will automatically create the description and fill in the details, which the seller overlooks and confirms before going live. Currently, Magical Listings is still in beta.
eBay CEO Jamie Iannone commented, &quot;After fully rolling out generative AI descriptions, we are continuing to test and iterate on the next phase of our magical listing experience, which leverages user-uploaded product images to help sellers fill in the category, title, and other item aspects for a listing. A subset of sellers are testing this experience in beta, and we are leveraging their feedback and expertise to train our models and expand coverage to a broader range of categories.
<h2>eBay&#39;s Steady Eddie Single-Digit Growth Quarter </h2>
eBay reported Q2 2024 EPS of $1.18, which beat consensus analyst expectations by 5 cents. Revenues rose 1.3% YoY to $2.57 billion versus $2.53 billion consensus estimates. GAAP net income was $226 million, while non-GAAP net income was $602 million. eBay generated $367 million of operating cash flow and $278 million of free cash flow.
GMV was up 1% to $18.4 billion. Active buyers were flat YoY at 132 million. eBay Motors Parts and Accessories (P&amp;A) segment had the highest GMV in the quarter, followed by Collectibles. Non-GAAP operating margins came in at 27.9%, higher than the 27.6% upper end of guidance. Advertising revenue grew 12% YoY as total ad revenue rose to 2.2% of GMV.
The company bought back $1 billion of stock in the quarter, or 19 million shares. There is still $1.9 billion remaining in its buyback program. After paying out $135 million in cash dividends, eBay closed the quarter with $6.3 billion in cash and cash equivalents.
<h2>eBay Issues Mixed Guidance </h2>
The company expects third-quarter 2024 EPS of $1.15 to $1.20, beating $1.13 consensus estimates. Revenues are expected between $2.50 billion and $2.56 billion, versus $2.54 billion consensus estimates.
<h2>EBAY Stock Forms a Potential Bull Flag Set-Up </h2>
A bull flag forms when the stock surges through its upper descending trendline resistance, which moves parallel to its descending lower trendline support after peaking its flag pole run up at a swing high.
<img alt="eBay EBAY stock chart" class="aligncenter" src="https://www.marketbeat.com/logos/articles/med_20240922164924_chartq-ebay.jpg" style="height:744px; width:915px" />
EBAY formed its swing high at $64.96, shy of the highest analyst price target of $65.00. The flagpole commenced with parallel descending (falling) upper and lower trendlines. A market structure high (MSH) sell trigger also forms under $63.02. The daily relative strength index (RSI) is slipping to the 65-band. Fibonacci (Fib) pullback support levels are at $60.82, $56.98, $56.63, and $55.29.
eBay&#39;s average consensus price target is $56.90, and its highest analyst price target is $65.00. &nbsp;
EBAY stock recently peaked off its highest analyst price target at $65.00. Its consensus price target is 9% lower at $56.90. However, if a bull flag triggers, it may also be setting up its next leg higher. Bullish investors can enter on pullbacks using cash-secured puts at the fib pullback support levels to buy the dip. &nbsp;
By implementing a bullish call debit spread, bullish options investors can limit the downside and profit from modest upside gains for less capital than owning the stock.
The article &quot;<a href="https://www.marketbeat.com/originals/why-ebay-stock-is-the-steady-performer-you-cant-ignore/">Why eBay Stock Is the Steady Performer You Can&#39;t Ignore</a>&quot; first appeared on MarketBeat.

Earnings

Large Cap

Mid Cap

Guidance

Dividends

Technicals

Offerings

Buybacks

Small Cap

Tech

Trading Ideas

EBAY

ETSY

FNKO

MCARY

NFLX

Why eBay Stock Is the Steady Performer You Can't Ignore

Sam Altman, co-founder of OpenAI and the visionary behind ChatGPT, recently opened up about his transformative experiences with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/psychedelics">psychedelics</a> in his appearance on the <a href="https://www.lifeinsevensongs.com/sam-altman/">podcast</a> Life in Seven Songs. The tech executive shared personal anecdotes about how psychedelic experiences profoundly impacted his mental health, helping him overcome anxiety and find happiness.
Altman told to host Sophie Bearman that he once considered himself a &#8220;very anxious, unhappy person,&#8221; but psychedelic experiences—particularly a retreat in Mexico—changed his life significantly. &#8220;Doing psychedelics was one of the most transformative experiences of my life,&#8221; he said, noting that the experience helped him become a &#8220;calm person&#8221; and allowed him to focus more effectively on his work.
While Altman did not specify which psychedelics he used, he did mention that the Mexico retreat was particularly significant. &#8220;If you had told me that, like, one weekend-long retreat in Mexico was going to significantly change that, I would have said absolutely not. And it really did,&#8221; Altman remarked, highlighting the unexpected impact the experience had on his mental state.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Altman's Vision For Safe And Effective Psychedelic Therapy: Journey Colab</h3>
Altman is now setting his sights on transforming mental health care with psychedelic drugs. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-sam-altman-psychedelics-helped-anxiety-happiness-2024-9">According</a> to Business Insider, as chairman of the start-up Journey Colab, he is investing in the potential of psychedelics such as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mdma">MDMA</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/psilocybin">psilocybin</a> to treat mental health conditions like depression, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/ptsd">PTSD</a> and drug addiction.
Journey Colab, led by CEO Jeeshan Chowdhury, aims to guide these powerful substances through the final stages of clinical trials and develop a safe, effective model for administering them. Their approach is to work with luxury rehab centers like All Points North to ensure that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/psychedelic-assisted-therapies">psychedelic treatments</a> are offered in controlled, high-support environments.&nbsp;
Altman says his interest in psychedelics stems from their unrealized potential. Reflecting on early MDMA studies, he said, &#8220;I remember looking at it thinking, like, ‘That can't be real, it's too good.'&#8221; Despite the uncertainty around how psychedelic medicine will evolve economically, Altman hopes Journey Colab's approach will shape a model that is both effective and safe.
Chowdhury envisions Journey Colab as a specialty service that provides psychedelic care at rehab centers, akin to how hospitals contract wound-care specialists. Initially, Journey plans to partner with firms conducting clinical trials on MDMA and psilocybin, utilizing the All Points North rehab center near Vail, Colorado as a testing ground.
All Points North, known for its luxury services and veteran care contracts, provides the high-end environment Journey needs to develop its treatment model. However, Journey Colab also aims to make psychedelic therapy accessible to marginalized communities, reserving 10% of its founding equity for a trust benefiting U.S. Indigenous groups.
Chowdhury likens Journey's strategy to Tesla's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>): "We're building the Tesla Roadster to try and get to the Model 3." While the focus is currently on luxury rehab environments, the long-term goal is to make these therapies more widely available.
Image credits &#8211; Shutterstock

Psychedelics

TSLA

Sam Altman's Psychedelic Breakthrough: How The OpenAI Visionary Plans To Transform Mental Health Care With MDMA

Citigroup analyst Ronald Josey maintains Upwork (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPWK#NASDAQ">UPWK</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $13 to $11.

UPWK

Citigroup Maintains Neutral on Upwork, Lowers Price Target to $11

MSFT

OpenAi Says Signed The Core Commitments Of The EU AI Pact

Citigroup analyst Michael Rollins maintains Verizon Communications (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $47 to $49.

Citigroup Maintains Buy on Verizon Communications, Raises Price Target to $49

XPeng Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPEV#NYSE">XPEV</a>) shares are<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/movers" rel="noreferrer noopener"> trading lower on Wednesday.</a>
In fact, shares of U.S.-listed Chinese companies are trading lower amid a possible selloff following yesterday&#8217;s strength after China&#8217;s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/09/41004045/whats-going-on-with-chinese-stocks-alibaba-nio-xpeng-li-auto-on-tuesday" rel="noreferrer noopener">Central Bank announced a new stimulus&nbsp;package.</a>
The stimulus package provides for a cut to the reserve requirement ratio by 0.5 percentage points, drops the loan prime rate and deposit rates by 0.2 to 0.25 percentage points and lowers the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41028173/whats-going-on-with-nio-stock-wednesday" rel="noreferrer noopener">seven-day reverse repurchase rate to&nbsp;1.5%</a>.
In addition, the central bank&#8217;s package cuts the minimum down-payment ratio to&nbsp;15%&nbsp;for second time home buyers. The bank announced this plan as a way to combat the slowdown in China&#8217;s markets.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://cnevpost.com/2024/09/25/xpeng-launches-x9-new-variant/" rel="noreferrer noopener">XPeng Touches Production Milestone Of 500K EVs: Here&#8217;s How Many Electric Cars The Chinese Company Has Delivered</a>
Meanwhile, XPeng has reportedly introduced a new version of its MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle), the X9, to broaden its customer base and boost sales.
Today, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer launched the X9 610 Max, starting at RMB 379,800 ($54,090), <a target="_blank" href="https://cnevpost.com/2024/09/25/xpeng-launches-x9-new-variant/" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> CnEV Post.
This new variant is RMB 20,000 pricier than the base X9 610 Pro, but it includes two LiDAR sensors for the XNGP driving feature.
In the first eight months of 2024, XPENG delivered 77,209 Smart EVs, a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40668056" rel="noreferrer noopener">17%&nbsp;increase from the same period last year.</a>
Monthly deliveries of the X9 have consistently ranged between 1,000 and 2,000 over the past few months, with 1,450 units delivered in August, based on data gathered by CnEVPost.
Price Action: XPEV shares are trading lower by 1.73% to $10.52 at last check Wednesday.
Photo by Koshiro K on Shutterstock
Read More:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40979752/elon-musk-says-buses-wont-be-needed-once-tesla-robotaxis-start-operating-will-take-people-point-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Says Buses Won&#8217;t Be Needed Once Tesla Robotaxis Start Operating: ‘Will Take People Point To Point For A Similar Cost&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

Equities

Movers

Media

General

XPEV

What's Going On With Chinese EV Maker XPeng Stock Wednesday?

Citigroup analyst Steven Zaccone maintains AutoZone (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZO#NYSE">AZO</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $3787 to $3500.

Citigroup Maintains Buy on AutoZone, Lowers Price Target to $3500

Citigroup analyst Peter Christiansen maintains Sterling Check (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STER#NASDAQ">STER</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $16.2 to $17.5.

STER

Citigroup Maintains Neutral on Sterling Check, Raises Price Target to $17.5

Several Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) mining stocks are in the spotlight Wednesday amid positive analyst coverage and an uptick across the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/41002643/bitcoin-etfs-see-4-5m-inflow-but-miners-could-actually-cause-the-next-big-move-up#">broader cryptocurrency market</a>.
What To Know: Cipher Mining Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CIFR#NASDAQ">CIFR</a>) shares are leading the way Wednesday, up approximately 12% at last check, per <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>. The stock closed Tuesday up 15.1% after the company announced the closing of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/09/g41003371/cipher-mining-announces-the-closing-of-its-acquisition-of-barber-lake-300-mw-data-center-site" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">300 MW data center site</a> in West Texas.
Including the Barber Lake site in West Texas and other recently announced purchases, Cipher said its portfolio is now expected to grow to more than 2.5 GW across 10 sites.
Macquarie analyst Paul Golding initiated coverage on Cipher late Tuesday with an Outperform rating and set a price target of&nbsp;$6. The positive analyst initiation appears to be driving some of the upward momentum in the name. Northland Capital Markets analyst Mike Grondahl also initiated coverage on Cipher with an Outperform rating Wednesday morning.
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/41022826/bill-maher-slams-bitcoin-mining-nonsense-of-finding-a-number-means-green-energy-progress-i">Bill Maher Slams Bitcoin Mining: &#8216;Nonsense Of Finding A Number&#8217; Means Green Energy Progress Is Being &#8216;Sucked Away By Crypto&#8217;</a>
Several other Bitcoin miners appear to have gotten a lift from positive analyst coverage on Wednesday. Multiple mining stocks jumped in early trading before paring gains. 
CleanSpark Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLSK#NASDAQ">CLSK</a>) was reiterated Buy by HC Wainwright &amp; Co. analysts. The firm maintained a price target of $27 on CleanSpark shares. Macquarie also initiated coverage on CleanSpark Wednesday morning with an Outperform rating and price target of&nbsp;$20. 
Macquarie initiated coverage on Marathon Digital Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARA#NASDAQ">MARA</a>) and Riot Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIOT#NASDAQ">RIOT</a>) as well. The firm placed Outperform ratings on both of the Bitcoin mining stocks with price targets of $22 and $15, respectively. 
The broader crypto space is getting a boost on Wednesday, led by Bitcoin, which was up 1.22% over a 24-hour period at the time of writing, hovering around $63,825. Bitcoin spot ETFs saw <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/41002643/bitcoin-etfs-see-4-5m-inflow-but-miners-could-actually-cause-the-next-big-move-up#">net inflows of $4.56 million</a>&nbsp;to start the week. 
As reported by Benzinga, crypto analyst Ilia Otychenko sees Bitcoin facing heavy resistance around current levels, but he believes a sustained break above the 200-day moving average could push prices up toward $67,000. Based on historical indicators, Otychenko recently suggested that &#8220;Bitcoin could be on track for a new all-time high in the coming months.&#8221;
$BTC Price Action: At the time of publication, Bitcoin was up about 1.2% over the past 24 hours, per <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/41002643/bitcoin-etfs-see-4-5m-inflow-but-miners-could-actually-cause-the-next-big-move-up#">Bitcoin ETFs See $4.5M Inflow, But Miners Could Actually Cause The Next Big Move Up</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Benjamin Nelan from Pixabay.

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

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

CIFR

CLSK

MARA

RIOT

Cipher Mining Shares Continue To Climb: What's Going On With Bitcoin Mining Stocks Wednesday?

Citigroup analyst Peter Christiansen maintains Paychex (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PAYX#NASDAQ">PAYX</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $125 to $145.

PAYX

Citigroup Maintains Neutral on Paychex, Raises Price Target to $145

With earnings season winding down, Chris Ballard, managing director at Check Capital Management, shared his exclusive insights on the companies that have caught his attention for their stellar performance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings">and growth potential</a>.
Here are his top stock picks based on their latest earnings results:
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>)</h1>
Alphabet continues to stand out in Ballard&#8217;s view, delivering impressive growth across key segments. 
&#8220;Search revenues were up 14%, with expanding margins, and YouTube Ads grew 13%, making it the most streamed TV service in the U.S.,&#8221; he noted. 
Google Cloud&#8217;s quarterly revenue milestone of $10 billion also adds to the tech giant's appeal. 
Despite the U.S. government's public scrutiny, Ballard emphasized Alphabet&#8217;s robust cash generation and clean balance sheet, making it a compelling choice for long-term investors.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">First Citizens BancShares Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>)</h1>
Ballard also highlighted First Citizens BancShares as a notable performer. 
&#8220;It's one of the best banks in the nation, with returns on assets at 1.4% and return on equity at 14.1%,&#8221; he explained. 
What sets First Citizens apart is its ability to achieve these results with less risk, avoiding complex global trading and derivative transactions, noted Ballard. Their simple strategy of taking low-cost deposits and lending to safe borrowers has been the key to their success.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40937291/bank-stocks-hit-inflection-point-after-feds-50-basis-point-cut-analyst-reveal-top-p">Bank Stocks Hit Inflection Point After Fed&#8217;s 50 Basis Point Cut, Analyst Reveals Top Picks</a>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">AerCap Holdings NV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AER#NYSE">AER</a>)</h1>
In the aviation leasing space, Ballard praised AerCap for its strong results and raised guidance. 
&#8220;Gus Kelly's strategy of selling assets at a premium and buying back stock at a discount continues to drive value,&#8221; Ballard noted. AerCap's earnings have surged, boosting their per-share book value by 25% over the past year. Despite a 50% rise in the stock price, Ballard still sees it as attractively valued.
When asked about sector performance and reacting to negative earnings reports like FedEx's, Ballard emphasized a long-term approach. 
"We don't make knee-jerk reactions. If the issues are macroeconomic, we hold our position. FedEx has ambitious cost-cutting initiatives that will likely drive future growth."
For investors looking to capitalize on post-earnings moves, Ballard suggests focusing on companies with strong fundamentals and not being swayed by market noise.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/09/41028133/could-visa-rebound-like-alphabet-doj-lawsuit-weighs-on-stock-but-opportunity-looms">Could Visa Rebound Like Alphabet? DOJ Lawsuit Weighs On Stock, But Opportunity Looms</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Long Ideas

Hedge Funds

FCNCA

GOOG

GOOGL

EXCLUSIVE: Alphabet, AerCap, First Citizens: Asset Manager's Trio Of Post-Earnings Bets

Analysts' ratings for Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) over the last quarter vary from bullish to bearish, as provided by 45 analysts.
The following table provides a quick overview of their recent ratings, highlighting the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">17</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">19</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">9</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">10</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">10</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets assessed by analysts reveal further insights, featuring an average target of $203.09, a high estimate of $240.00, and a low estimate of $170.00. This current average reflects an increase of 0.8% from the previous average price target of $201.48. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727287302_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Breaking Down Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Examination</h2>
A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Alphabet is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Boone</td>
<td>JMP Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Market Outperform</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Deepak Mathivanan</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Youssef Squali</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$196.00</td>
<td>$196.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Boone</td>
<td>JMP Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Market Outperform</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian Pitz</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$222.00</td>
<td>$222.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Mahaney</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$225.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gil Luria</td>
<td>DA Davidson</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$170.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thomas Champion</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$206.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Deepak Mathivanan</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scott Devitt</td>
<td>Wedbush</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian Nowak</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Laura Martin</td>
<td>Needham</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rohit Kulkarni</td>
<td>Roth MKM</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$206.00</td>
<td>$206.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Laura Martin</td>
<td>Needham</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Laura Martin</td>
<td>Needham</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian Pitz</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$222.00</td>
<td>$222.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Laura Martin</td>
<td>Needham</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Laura Martin</td>
<td>Needham</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Boone</td>
<td>JMP Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Market Outperform</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Morris</td>
<td>Guggenheim</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Boone</td>
<td>JMP Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Market Outperform</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scott Devitt</td>
<td>Wedbush</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ronald Josey</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$212.00</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brad Erickson</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$204.00</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lloyd Walmsley</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$204.00</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rohit Kulkarni</td>
<td>Roth MKM</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$206.00</td>
<td>$202.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thomas Champion</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$206.00</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Youssef Squali</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$196.00</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Doug Anmuth</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$208.00</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ken Gawrelski</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
<td>$187.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian Nowak</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Barton Crockett</td>
<td>Rosenblatt</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$181.00</td>
<td>$181.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Laura Martin</td>
<td>Needham</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian Nowak</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Laura Martin</td>
<td>Needham</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scott Devitt</td>
<td>Wedbush</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian Pitz</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$222.00</td>
<td>$215.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Justin Post</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$206.00</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joseph Bonner</td>
<td>Argus Research</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$215.00</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shweta Khajuria</td>
<td>Wolfe Research</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$240.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ken Gawrelski</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$187.00</td>
<td>$168.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alan Gould</td>
<td>Loop Capital</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$170.00</td>
<td>$170.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Laura Martin</td>
<td>Needham</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Barton Crockett</td>
<td>Rosenblatt</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$181.00</td>
<td>$182.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Laura Martin</td>
<td>Needham</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Alphabet. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Alphabet compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into Alphabet's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GOOGL/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Alphabet analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Get to Know Alphabet Better</h2>
Alphabet is a holding company that wholly owns internet giant Google. The California-based company derives slightly less than 90% of its revenue from Google services, the vast majority of which is advertising sales. Alongside online ads, Google services houses sales stemming from Google's subscription services (YouTube TV, YouTube Music among others), platforms (sales and in-app purchases on Play Store), and devices (Chromebooks, Pixel smartphones, and smart home products such as Chromecast). Google's cloud computing platform, or GCP, accounts for roughly 10% of Alphabet's revenue with the firm's investments in up-and-coming technologies such as self-driving cars (Waymo), health (Verily), and internet access (Google Fiber) making up the rest.
<h3>Alphabet: Delving into Financials</h3>
Market Capitalization: Surpassing industry standards, the company's market capitalization asserts its dominance in terms of size, suggesting a robust market position.
Positive Revenue Trend: Examining Alphabet's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 13.59% as of 30 June, 2024, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company surpassed expectations with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Communication Services sector.
Net Margin: Alphabet's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 27.87%. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 7.96%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 5.75%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 0.09.
<h2>What Are Analyst Ratings?</h2>
Ratings come from analysts, or specialists within banking and financial systems that report for specific stocks or defined sectors (typically once per quarter for each stock). Analysts usually derive their information from company conference calls and meetings, financial statements, and conversations with important insiders to reach their decisions.
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

45 Analysts Have This To Say About Alphabet

Ratings for Amgen (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>) were provided by 8 analysts in the past three months, showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The following table summarizes their recent ratings, shedding light on the changing sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Insights from analysts' 12-month price targets are revealed, presenting an average target of $326.38, a high estimate of $381.00, and a low estimate of $215.00. Witnessing a positive shift, the current average has risen by 2.31% from the previous average price target of $319.00.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727287290_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Understanding Analyst Ratings: A Comprehensive Breakdown</h2>
An in-depth analysis of recent analyst actions unveils how financial experts perceive Amgen. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Brian Skorney</td>
<td>Baird</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Underperform</td>
<td>$215.00</td>
<td>$215.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Yaron Weber</td>
<td>TD Cowen</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$381.00</td>
<td>$360.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jay Olson</td>
<td>Oppenheimer</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$380.00</td>
<td>$380.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>James Shin</td>
<td>Deutsche Bank</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$305.00</td>
<td>$310.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Geoff Meacham</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$330.00</td>
<td>$325.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gregory Renza</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$362.00</td>
<td>$332.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mohit Bansal</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$335.00</td>
<td>$320.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Terence Flynn</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$303.00</td>
<td>$310.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Amgen. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Amgen compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts provide insights into price targets, offering estimates for the future value of Amgen's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into Amgen's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMGN/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Amgen analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Discovering Amgen: A Closer Look</h2>
Amgen is a leader in biotechnology-based human therapeutics. Flagship drugs include red blood cell boosters Epogen and Aranesp, immune system boosters Neupogen and Neulasta, and Enbrel and Otezla for inflammatory diseases. Amgen introduced its first cancer therapeutic, Vectibix, in 2006 and markets bone-strengthening drug Prolia/Xgeva (approved 2010) and Evenity (2019). The acquisition of Onyx bolstered the firm's therapeutic oncology portfolio with Kyprolis. Recent launches include Repatha (cholesterol-lowering), Aimovig (migraine), Lumakras (lung cancer), and Tezspire (asthma). The 2023 Horizon acquisition brings several rare-disease drugs, including thyroid eye disease drug Tepezza. Amgen also has a growing biosimilar portfolio.
<h3>Understanding the Numbers: Amgen's Finances</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization is above the industry average, indicating that it is relatively larger in size compared to peers. This may suggest a higher level of investor confidence and market recognition.
Revenue Growth: Amgen's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 30 June, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 20.07%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Health Care sector.
Net Margin: Amgen's net margin surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 8.89% net margin, the company effectively manages costs and achieves strong profitability.
Return on Equity (ROE): Amgen's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 13.63%. This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 0.81%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: The company faces challenges in debt management with a debt-to-equity ratio higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 10.57, caution is advised due to increased financial risk.
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Analysts are specialists within banking and financial systems that typically report for specific stocks or within defined sectors. These people research company financial statements, sit in conference calls and meetings, and speak with relevant insiders to determine what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts will rate each stock once a quarter. 
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

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