Latest news for SmileDirectClub (OTC:SDCCQ) Stock

SmileDirectClub Inc is engaged in the orthodontics business. It is mainly involved in the sale of aligners, impression kits, whitening gel, and retainers. The company has one operating segment, aligner products.

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SmileDirectClub Inc (OTC: SDCCQ) shut down after filing for bankruptcy in the U.S. in September.

Once High-Flying Direct-To-Consumer Dentistry Company SmileDirectClub Shuts Down

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Spotify Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPOT#NYSE">SPOT</a>) co-founder Daniel Ek's body scanning startup has reportedly raised $260 million, bringing its valuation to $1.7 billion.
What Happened: The investment, spearheaded by Lightspeed Venture Partners, is intended to facilitate Neko Health&#8217;s growth into new markets, including the U.S., subject to regulatory approvals, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/c870d156-4f0c-4aa3-813e-87811718e04a">reported</a> the Financial Times on Thursday.
Other investors in this round include Lakestar, Atomico, General Catalyst, and OG Venture Partners.
"The companies we compare ourselves with are the Apples or Teslas of the world, but we're applying it to a very different domain, which is healthcare," Ek told the publication.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43181940/elon-musk-or-larry-ellison-dan-ives-on-who-could-win-tiktoks-billion-dollar-soap-opera-someone-hand-picked-from-beijing-but-also-trumps-white-house">Elon Musk Or Larry Ellison? Dan Ives On Who Could Win TikTok&#8217;s Billion-Dollar Soap Opera: &#8216;Someone Hand Picked From Beijing But Also Trump&#8217;s White House&#8217;</a>
Founded in Sweden in 2018 by Ek and Hjalmar Nilsonne, Neko Health provides health check-ups, featuring high-resolution skin scans and blood tests.
Why It Matters: Other companies in the preventive health scanning sector include Ezra and Prenuvo. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has also invested around $180 million in Retro Biosciences, a startup aiming to extend the human lifespan by a decade.
On Thursday, it was also <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/25a473ea-9f87-474a-8729-bc5287df853a">reported</a> that Retro Biosciences is seeking to raise $1 billion in its latest funding round. Altman is expected to invest additional funds during this Series A round.
Image Credits: Shutterstock.com
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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Spotify Co-Founder Daniel Ek's Neko Health Secures $260 Million For US Expansion As It Compares Itself With 'The Apples Or Teslas Of The World'

Leading coins rose marginally on a day of cryptocurrency-friendly policies announced by the Donald Trump administration.
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<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:15 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>+0.41%</td>
<td>$103,569.49</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+1.62%</td>
<td>$3,299.95</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-3.09%</td>
<td>$0.3484</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin recorded choppy momentum over the last 24 hours, surging to a high of $106,500 in the morning before falling to $103,000 by the evening.
The morning rally was triggered by speculations of an executive order to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Eventually, Trump signed an order that will  <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43177482/trump-signs-executive-order-on-crypto-bitcoin-reserve-to-be-evaluated">evaluate the creation</a> of a "strategic national digital asset stockpile."
Additionally, a SEC directive that restricted banks' ability to custody cryptocurrencies<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43181875/another-crypto-friendly-measure-by-trump-sec-revokes-sab-121-policy-that-curtailed-banks-ability-to-custody-digital-assets"> was repealed</a>.
Ethereum surged more than Bitcoin, probably due to expectations of inclusion in the potential digital asset stockpile.
More than $382 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with long liquidations accounting for $262 million. However, Bitcoin's rebound to $107,000 could liquidate nearly $368 million worth of short positions.
More than 50% of trader accounts on Binance placed long positions on Bitcoin, suggesting expectations of a rebound.
The market sentiment remained one of "Greed," according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:15 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mantle (MNT)</td>
<td>+10.53%</td>
<td>$1.22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KuCoin Token (KCS)</td>
<td>+7.71%</td>
<td>$12.09</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum Classic (ETC)</td>
<td>+5.94%</td>
<td>$28.56</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.56 trillion, contracting marginally by 0.17% in the last 24 hours.
Stocks extended their winning streak on Thursday. The S&amp;P 500 rallied 0.53% to close at a new record high of 6,118.71. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lifted 408.34 points, or 0.92%, to end at 44,565.07. The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite gained 0.22%, closing at 20,053.68.
The bump comes after President Donald Trump advocated immediate cuts in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/43170854/trump-outlines-economic-reset-at-davos-5-things-you-need-to-know">interest rates</a> during a virtual address at the World Economic Forum 2025.
The market also possibly factored Trump's remarks that corporate taxes will be cut from 21% to 15% for companies that manufacture in the U.S.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Popular on-chain analytics firm Santiment highlighted the new all-time high for wallets holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC—one of Bitcoin's leading indicators.
"This rise in key stakeholder confidence is yet another promising sign for a bullish 2025," the firm added.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">&#x1f433; Among Bitcoin&#39;s top leading indicators are the amount of wallets holding between 10 to 100 or 100 to 1,000 BTC. The latter group just broke an all-time high, with 15,777 such wallets. This rise in key stakeholder confidence is yet another promising sign for a bullish 2025. &#x1f680; <a href="https://t.co/4ZPiowoSDf">pic.twitter.com/4ZPiowoSDf</a>
&mdash; Santiment (@santimentfeed) <a href="https://twitter.com/santimentfeed/status/1882476757158367261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Popular cryptocurrency trader Michaël van de Poppe set a price target of $500,000 per Bitcoin and $20,000 per Ethereum, owing to the latest cryptocurrency-friendly executive orders by President Trump.
"The cycle has begun," he remarked.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">$500K per <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> $20K per <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> The cycle has begun. <a href="https://t.co/OQk7Ek1qfR">https://t.co/OQk7Ek1qfR</a>
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1882527402800415090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Bitcoin, Ethereum Rise, Dogecoin Dips Amid Pro-Crypo Announcements From Trump: Top Trader Sets Sight On $500,000 BTC Target, $20,000 For ETH

They start young in the Trump family. According to<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/barron-trump-new-business-real-estate-2014039"> </a>Newsweek, the President's 18-year-old son, Barron – currently enrolled as a freshman at New York University's Stern School of Business – filed incorporation documents in Wyoming on July 14, 2024, to form his own real estate business, Trump, Fulcher &amp; Roxburgh Capital Inc. He listed the address as his father's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42935628/mark-zuckerberg-meets-donald-trump-at-mar-a-lago-mending-fences-ahead-of-gop-white-house-return">Mar-a-Lago</a> estate in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42499834/palm-beach-luxury-home-sales-take-off-after-trump-election-win-with-residents-looking-bask-in-mar-a-lago-glamor">Palm Beach</a>, Florida.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">High Golf Resorts And Masterful Mentorship</h3>
However, Trump's youngest son dissolved the business shortly after Trump Sr. won the 2024 election. The ‘Roxburgh' in the company's name and cofounder is Cameron Roxburgh, one of Barron's classmates from High School – the prestigious $40,000-a-year Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach. According to his LinkedIn profile, Cameron, a year behind Barron, is due to graduate in May 2025. He told Newsweek there are plans to "relaunch it" – the real estate business – in the Spring. He explained that the company temporarily shut down to avoid media scrutiny during the election.
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Interestingly, Roxburgh revealed that the company will focus on upscale real estate development once it launches. They have already identified properties and golf courses in Utah, Arizona and Idaho. Roxburgh added that he and Barron will be working with a third partner – luxury real estate expert Carter Fulcher.
Although Roxburgh stated that the President has not offered to underwrite his son's company's deals with funding, the T.F.R. team hopes their fledgling business can one day be brought into the Trump Organization fold.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Like Father Like Son</h3>
Carter Fulcher is known for being at the helm of a luxury real estate development business, The Fulcher Organization, in Idaho. In following his father's footsteps, Barron is emulating the path dad Donald took, joining his father's multifamily real estate business in 1968 before launching his own self-branding venture in the 1970s, which continues to this day and is co-run with Trump's other sons Eric and Donald Jr.&nbsp;
Trending: CEO of Integris gathered a team of senior investment managers who have $34.22 billion in combined owned and managed assets in the West Coast —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/integris"> here&#8217;s how to invest in their private credit fund that targets 12% annual interest rate.</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Generational Wealth</h3>
According to The New York Times, Trump Sr. received a staggering $413 million in today's money from his dad over two decades. However, Trump has vehemently disagreed with this number, saying he started with $1 million from his father to kick-start his real estate empire.
Regarding The New York Times accusation, which alleged that much of Trump's inheritance was passed down through tax loopholes, the President's brother Robert Trump said that "all appropriate gift and estate tax returns were filed. Our family has no other comment on these matters that happened some 20 years ago," he said in a statement to the Times, "and would appreciate your respecting the privacy of our deceased parents, may God rest their souls."
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Real Estate Dynasties</h3>
While Trump's children with former wife Ivana – Donald Jr., Eric and Ivanka – are all involved or have been involved in their dad's real estate business – only Tiffany, the daughter from Trump and Marla Maples' brief marriage, does not appear to be involved in the family business. The Georgetown Law graduate seems to be sticking to the profession she studied. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/25/01/43076683/ivanka-trump-and-jared-kushner-wont-trade-their-24-million-miami-mansion-for-the-white-house-heres-how-they-made-their-money">Ivanka</a> is also married into another real estate dynasty, the Kushners, through her husband Jared, whose family's net worth is believed to be $7.1 billion as of 2024.&nbsp;
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A Mogul In The Making? Barron Trump's Luxury Property Venture Grows Wings After Dad Donald's Inauguration

U.S. stocks demonstrated a mixed performance on Thursday, with the Dow Jones index gaining over 400 points. The Dow traded up 0.9% to 44,565.07 while the NASDAQ fell 0.2% to 20,053.68. The S&amp;P 500 also rose, gaining, 0.5% to 6,118.71.
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:
The Boeing Company&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>)
Boeing shares increased by 2.12%, closing at $178.50. The stock reached an intraday high of $178.67 and a low of $173.75, with a 52-week range between $137.03 and $217.59. The company announced that it expects to report <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/01/43179806/boeing-stock-falls-on-preliminary-q4-results-the-details">fourth-quarter revenue</a> of $15.2 billion, missing estimates of $16.27 billion, and anticipates a fourth-quarter loss of $5.46 per share. 
Nikola Corporation&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKLA#NASDAQ">NKLA</a>)
Nikola&#8217;s stock plummeted 27.78%, closing at $0.85. It hit an intraday high of $1.17 and a low of $0.76, marking a new 52-week low.  The company has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/43172296/whats-going-on-with-nikola-stock-on-thursday">silent for weeks</a>, failing to file production and delivery numbers.
Texas Instruments Incorporated&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXN#NASDAQ">TXN</a>)
Texas Instruments saw a 1.81% rise, closing at $200.61. The stock&#8217;s intraday high was $200.64, with a low of $193.81, within a 52-week range of $155.46 to $220.39.  The company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/01/43178087/texas-instruments-stock-slips-after-q4-results-soft-q1-earnings-guidance">fourth-quarter earnings</a> of $1.30 per share, beating the analyst consensus estimate of $1.20. 
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ISRG#NASDAQ">ISRG</a>)
Intuitive Surgical&#8217;s stock dipped slightly by 0.29%, closing at $608.66. It reached an intraday high of $616 and a low of $602, with a 52-week range of $362.14 to $616. The company reported fourth-quarter revenue of $2.41 billion, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/01/43178600/intuitive-surgical-q4-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-da-vinci-procedures-jump-18-and-more">beating the consensus estimate</a> of $2.25 billion. 
Tesla, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)
Tesla&#8217;s shares fell by 2.11%, closing at $415.11. The stock&#8217;s intraday high was $428, with a low of $414.59, within a 52-week range of $138.80 to $488.54. A new report suggested that CEO Elon Musk&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/43172806/tesla-lost-15-billion-in-brand-value-in-2024-report-says-did-elon">political push</a> might have hurt Tesla&#8217;s brand value. 
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Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading <a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/Premarket%20Movers%20&amp;%20News">with top premarket movers and news</a> by Benzinga.
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

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Boeing, Nikola, Texas Instruments, Intuitive Surgical, And Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

Amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding TikTok&#8217;s future in the U.S., Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk and Oracle Corp.'s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) Larry Ellison have emerged as prominent figures in the potential acquisition.
What Happened: While speaking with BBC on Thursday, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives underscored TikTok&#8217;s status as the fastest-growing social media platform.
He noted that any sale excluding its algorithm could still be valued at $40 to $50 billion and predicted that around 10 to 12 bidders might emerge in the coming weeks.
The analyst also said that while Musk is a strong contender, Oracle remains in the race, with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) as a potential long shot.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43072303/mark-zuckerberg-stands-to-gain-from-tiktoks-us-ban-analysis-shows-meta-could-reap-billions-in-ad-revenue">Mark Zuckerberg Stands To Gain The Most From TikTok&#8217;s US Ban: Meta Could Reap Billions In Ad Revenue</a>
He highlighted the situation&#8217;s complexity, stating that a successful deal would require &#8220;someone hand-picked from Beijing but also Trump&#8217;s White House.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Great to be on <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCWorld?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCWorld</a> discussing the ongoing TikTok soap opera and who could emerge as the US tech winner in this deal process with Musk and Ellison leading the pack in our view &#x1f37f;&#x1f91d;&#x1f4fa; <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCBreaking?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCBreaking</a> <a href="https://t.co/hgYby0mNeU">pic.twitter.com/hgYby0mNeU</a>
&mdash; Dan Ives (@DivesTech) <a href="https://twitter.com/DivesTech/status/1882538599918534915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: On Monday, Trump suspended the U.S. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43088960/trump-suspends-us-tiktok-ban-for-75-days-with-executive-order-but-legal-and-market-uncertainty-looms-over-platforms-future">TikTok ban for 75 days</a>, creating a window for potential buyers.
While TikTok&#8217;s owner, ByteDance, has stated that it has no plans to sell, the app&#8217;s immense value and reach have attracted interest from several billionaires and major firms.
Trump has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43118289/trump-open-to-elon-musk-or-larry-ellison-buying-tiktok-calls-us-permit-key-to-1-trillion-valuation">expressed openness</a> to either Musk or Ellison acquiring TikTok, suggesting that a U.S. permit could be key to a $1 trillion valuation.
Billionaire entrepreneur Frank McCourt and famous "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O&#8217;Leary are also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43070367/kevin-oleary-warns-that-shutting-down-tiktok-would-hurt-6-million-small-businesses-in-america-that-rely-on-it-to-make-a-living">leading an initiative</a> to shield the platform from a potential nationwide ban.
Popular YouTuber, Jimmy Donaldson, also known as MrBeast has also been in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42994923/mrbeast-discussing-buying-tiktok-with-billionaires-to-prevent-us-shutdown-lets-see-if-we-can-pull-this-off">talks with several billionaires</a> about acquiring TikTok.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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Elon Musk Or Larry Ellison? Dan Ives On Who Could Win TikTok's Billion-Dollar Soap Opera: 'Someone Hand Picked From Beijing But Also Trump's White House'

The Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday repealed a cryptocurrency accounting directive that prevented banking institutions from providing custodial services for digital assets.
What happened: SEC commissioner Hester Peirce, who leads the recently formed cryptocurrency task force, announced the cancellation of the Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121 policy, also known as Hester Peirce,
"Bye, bye SAB 121! It&#8217;s not been fun," the commissioner also known as &#8220;Crypto Mom,&#8221; wrote.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Thank you for your leadership, Commissioner Peirce! <a href="https://t.co/m8JrUzXgaX">https://t.co/m8JrUzXgaX</a>
&mdash; Cynthia Lummis &#x1f9ac; (@CynthiaMLummis) <a href="https://twitter.com/CynthiaMLummis/status/1882566097175793747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), named <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43170775/crypto-senator-lummis-to-chair-senate-banking-digital-assets-subcommittee-is-the-bitcoin-reserve-on-its-way">Chair of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets</a> earlier in the day and a vocal critic of the guidance, celebrated the development and thanked Pierce for her leadership.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43151588/cathie-wood-was-asked-if-she-would-buy-trump-coin-heres-what-she-said">Cathie Wood Was Asked If She Would Buy TRUMP Coin, Here&#8217;s What She Said</a>
Why It Matters: The SAB 121 mandated that companies holding customers' cryptocurrencies must record them on their balance sheets, curtailing their ability to participate in digital asset custody services.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives voted unanimously to overturn the directive. However, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39214376/biden-vetoes-bipartisan-bill-to-overturn-secs-crypto-custody-rules">resolution was vetoed</a> by the White House under former President Joe Biden in June of 2024.
Since Donald Trump&#8217;s presidential victory, the cryptocurrency industry had become <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073027/trump-plans-crypto-friendly-executive-orders-in-early-days-of-presidency-report">increasingly hopeful</a> that the directive would be repealed.
The SAB 121 development comes after Trump signed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43177482/trump-signs-executive-order-on-crypto-bitcoin-reserve-to-be-evaluated">executive orders</a>, halting progress on central bank digital currencies and exploring the case of a Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) reserve.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $103,487.86, mostly flat in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. 
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Politics

SEC Repeals SAB 121 Policy That Restricted Banks From Providing Custody Services For Bitcoin: Crypto Mom Says 'Bye, Bye'

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

A U.S. federal judge has put a temporary stop to an executive order aimed at limiting automatic birthright citizenship on Thursday. The judge deemed the order &#8220;blatantly unconstitutional.&#8221;
What Happened: Judge John Coughenour, stationed in Seattle, issued a temporary restraining, effectively blocking the enforcement of President Donald Trump&#8217;s executive order, as per a Reuters report. The order was issued at the behest of four Democratic-led states: Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon.
The executive order instructed U.S. agencies to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. if neither parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. &#8220;I am having trouble understanding how a member of the bar could state unequivocally that this order is constitutional,&#8221; Coughenour told a U.S. Justice Department lawyer defending the order.
The states contended that Trump&#8217;s order contravenes the citizenship clause of the U.S. Constitution&#8217;s 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the United States. &#8220;This is a blatantly unconstitutional order,&#8221; Coughenour stated.
Trump said on Coughenour&#8217;s ruling, &#8220;Obviously we&#8217;ll appeal.&#8221;
Why It Matters: The executive order was part of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43084601/trump-day-1-executive-order-tsunami-incoming-heres-what-hes-signing-first">slew of actions</a> the president pledged to take immediately after his inauguration. The order was a continuation of his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/05/32640194/trump-calls-for-abolition-of-birthright-citizenship-once-again-will-issue-executive-order-on-day-1-i">long-standing stance</a> against birthright citizenship, a position he had reaffirmed during his campaign.
Trump&#8217;s niece, Mary Trump, had previously <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42497190/mary-trump-slams-uncle-over-anti-birthright-citizenship-stance-a-deeply-ignorant-cruel-man">criticized his stance</a> on birthright citizenship, emphasizing its importance in the context of their family&#8217;s history in America.
The temporary restraining order will prevent Trump&#8217;s policy from being enforced nationwide for 14 days, during which Judge Coughenour will consider whether to issue a long-lasting preliminary injunction.
 The arguments over this will be heard on Feb. 6. If Trump&#8217;s order is allowed to stand, more than 150,000 newborn children would be denied citizenship annually, according to the Democratic-led states.
Image via Shutterstock
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order Halted By Judge: 'Blatantly Unconstitutional'

Josh Kesselman, founder of RAW and creator of its iconic rolling papers, celebrated an $8.7 million legal victory against counterfeiters in the most fitting way possible: by printing the court verdict on rolling paper and rolling a giant joint. 
"This was the best way to celebrate our $8.7 million victory," Kesselman told Benzinga. "We rolled it up and smoked the lawsuit, literally."
The celebration followed a decisive ruling from the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada on Dec. 17, 2024. The court awarded BBK Tobacco &amp; Foods, which distributes RAW under its HBI International brand, more than $3 million in disgorged profits from the defendants and an additional $5.6 million in statutory damages for copyright infringements related to RAW's packaging designs.
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="RAW Founder SMOKES LAWSUIT PAPERS (Literally) To Celebrate $8.7M Legal Victory" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5SCOXMJ2v7E?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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RAW has built a global reputation for high-quality rolling papers, cones and smoking accessories, attracting a loyal customer base. This victory reinforces the company's commitment to safeguarding its brand and ensuring authenticity in an industry rife with counterfeits.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Battling Counterfeit RAW Products</h1>
The lawsuit focused on counterfeit rolling papers sold under the "Brocone" brand, manufactured by Brocone Organic Private Limited in India. The products closely imitated RAW's packaging, down to the exact wording. While BBK reached a confidential settlement with NEPA Wholesale Inc., the primary U.S. distributor of Brocone products, in September 2023, litigation against Brocone Organic, U.S. importer AIMS Group USA Corporation and Florida One Wholesale, Inc. continued.
Kesselman expressed his determination to protect RAW customers, saying, "We have dedicated our lives to making the best rolling products on the planet. Our customers are our family. We can't let anyone willfully trick our family into buying something that isn't genuine RAW. Whether it's a counterfeit or a look-alike, we must protect our family from that sort of awful deception. We all deserve better, and we all get higher together!"
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">A Statement Beyond The Courtroom</h1>
The legal win sends a strong message to would-be counterfeiters and reinforces BBK's reputation for defending its intellectual property. The $8.7 million judgment is a reminder of the serious consequences of intellectual property theft, particularly in the highly competitive smoking accessories industry.
"This victory is about more than money," Kesselman emphasized. "It's about protecting what RAW stands for: quality, authenticity and respect for our customers."
By turning the verdict into a literal smoking celebration, Kesselman not only highlighted the company's creativity but also reaffirmed RAW's commitment to its loyal customer base and the principles that have made it a global leader in rolling paper innovation.
Photo: Courtesy of Josh Kesselman, edited by Javier Hasse

Cannabis

Legal

Global

RAW Founder Celebrates $8.7M Legal Victory In A Very Peculiar Way: 'We Rolled It Up And Smoked The Lawsuit, Literally'

President Donald Trump has called for NATO members to significantly increase their spending on defense, suggesting a target of 5% of gross domestic product to go<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/emerging-markets/25/01/43133508/trump-wants-to-buy-greenland-for-us-security"> toward military spending.&nbsp;</a>
What To Know: Trump reiterated the 5% of GDP spending goal on Monday following his inauguration, according to a Reuters report. The current spending goal is set at 2% and eight NATO member states do not meet the current goal.&nbsp;
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Poland currently spends about 4.1% of its GDP on military and defense, the highest of any NATO member. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk supported Trump's call for increased defense spending in a speech to the lawmakers of the European Parliament on Wednesday.&nbsp;
&#8220;We shouldn&#8217;t be irritated. We shouldn&#8217;t be appalled,&#8221; Tusk told lawmakers of the European Parliament. &#8220;Some think it&#8217;s extravagant or it is a brutal or malicious warning.&#8221;
Tusk told the Parliament that Russia poses an existential threat to the EU.&nbsp;
&#8220;I would like to tell you that this is a time when Europe cannot afford to save on security,&#8221; Tusk said.&nbsp;
Why It Matters: Many analysts expect increased defense spending under the new Trump administration and increased spending targets for NATO members would add to the likelihood of benefits for military and defense contractors like RTX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>) and General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GD#NYSE">GD</a>). 
Truist Securities analyst Michael Ciarmoli recently<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/initiation/25/01/43010706/doge-fears-for-defense-contractors-lockheed-martin-northrop-grumman-overblown-analyst-says"> initiated coverage </a>on Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) and Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>) with Buy ratings and price targets of $579 and $544, respectively. 
Ciarmoli said U.S. and NATO defense budgets will continue to grow and demand for missiles and munitions will be robust.
Additionally, NATO is increasingly using "bulk buys," an aggregated business model to purchase weapons systems and munitions. For example, the NATO Support and Procurement Agency ordered up to 1,000 Patriot Advanced Capability Missiles from MBDA and Raytheon's joint venture Comlog, on behalf of Romania, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands, as <a href="https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/07/23/natos-newfound-knack-for-hefty-bulk-buys-has-arms-maker-rtx-perked-up/">reported</a> by DefenseNews.&nbsp;
These bulk buys could result in large orders and purchases from defense contractors if NATO spending does increase.&nbsp;
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Photo: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Trump Calls For Increased NATO Military Spending: Defense Contractors Stand To Benefit

In a recent interview, NBA team owner Mark Cuban highlighted the differences between X and Bluesky with a preference for Bluesky due to no algorithm and the ability to truly hide <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42566461/mark-cuban-says-this-is-the-holy-grail-that-makes-bluesky-better-than-musks-x-platform">and block people.</a>
While Cuban is a fan of Bluesky, the National Football League isn't quite convinced and has told teams to pause their usage of the X rival.
What Happened: Bluesky has attracted strong user growth since<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42867967/elon-musks-x-rival-bluesky-is-being-valued-at-700-million-after-explosive-growth-post-trumps-victory-report"> the 2024 presidential election</a> as social media users look for alternatives to the Elon Musk-owned X.
A recent podcast appearance by Kraft Sports + Entertainment Vice President of Content Fred Kirsch revealed that the NFL isn't ready to take advantage of the Bluesky growth yet, as <a href="https://www.sportico.com/business/tech/2025/nfl-bluesky-patriots-platforms-x-reddit-ban-alternatives-1234825016/">reported </a>by Sportico.
"Right now we're not allowed to," Kirsch said of having an active team using Bluesky. "Whenever the league gives us the green light, we'll get back on Bluesky."
Kraft Sports + Entertainment is the owner of the NFL's New England Patriots.
An NFL league source told Sportico that the NFL and its teams only have official presences on platforms where the league has partnership agreements. The NFL does not currently have a deal with Bluesky.
Deals for the NFL include TikTok, X and YouTube. These deals can include license fees, the split of advertisement revenue and be used for marketing purposes.
An NBC Sports <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/patriots-say-nfl-wont-allow-teams-to-be-on-bluesky-yet">report </a>said the NFL's policy not allowing NFL teams to post on Bluesky could raise antitrust concerns due to the league's partnership with platforms like X. NFL teams operate as independent businesses and should be able to make their own decisions over which platforms to be on, the report said.
X <a href="https://deadline.com/2024/04/nfl-x-twitter-renew-content-partnership-ceo-linda-yaccarino-1235899239/">announced </a>a renewed content partnership in April 2024 and saw the <a href="https://x.com/XBusiness/status/1858556135713681804">launch </a>of a new NFL-specific portal in October 2024.
You may not be a billionaire like Mark Cuban, but you can uncover hidden gems in the stock market using our proprietary data and pattern recognition — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42927075/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">check out five stocks flying under the radar that deserve your attention.</a>
Why It's Important: Bluesky continues to grow and has over 29 million users according to the report. This is significantly less than the number of users that are on X and platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. The NFL may be hesitant to sign a partnership with a newer platform.
Cuban is one of the most followed people on Bluesky with one million followers. Cuban is a part owner in the NBA's Dallas Mavericks. A quick search for the Mavericks on Bluesky brought up what looks like the team's official <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/dallasmavs.bsky.social">account</a>, which had one post back in May 2023 and has not posted since.
Several sports media personalities, including some from ESPN, can be found on Bluesky as the platform grows.
For Bluesky to continue its growth, the platform likely needs more well-known names, celebrities and sports teams to join. The NFL's decision will be closely monitored going forward.
Read Next: 
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Photo: Mojahid Mottakin via Shutterstock

Sports

Mark Cuban Wants More Users On X Rival Bluesky, NFL Says No To Teams Using Platform

Ciena (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CIEN#NYSE">CIEN</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 2.3% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 14.58%. Currently, Ciena has a market capitalization of $13.95 billion. 
Buying $100 In CIEN: If an investor had bought $100 of CIEN stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $747.18 today based on a price of $98.18 for CIEN at the time of writing.
<h3>Ciena's Performance Over Last 15 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737675929_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

CIEN

$100 Invested In Ciena 15 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Are you working tirelessly to keep a business running, managing operations, building client relationships and essentially <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/11/41776393/49-of-ceos-say-their-role-should-be-automated-but-nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-responds-absolutely-not-fo">doing the job of a CEO – </a>only to find out that you're earning just a fraction of what the company makes?&nbsp;
That's exactly the situation one Reddit user shared recently, sparking a heated debate about ethics, business loyalty and the pursuit of personal success.
The poster <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/1hmvs5f/should_i_undermine_my_boss_and_start_my_own/">explained</a> that their boss bought the business after her husband passed away. She hired them to help run it, but now they do 95% of the work. Meanwhile, the boss and her sons, who don't help much, keep most of the profits.&nbsp;
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They were only paid a base wage and a 5% commission on sales, even though the company was becoming increasingly successful. As they put it, "If I help this woman build her company for the next few years, who knows what I'll be left with at the end of it? She says if I do well, she will give me 30% equity, but that's not in writing.&#8221;
The question to the Reddit community was straightforward but complex: should they stay loyal and continue building someone else's legacy or leave to start a competing business and finally reap the full benefits of their efforts?
&#8220;She's a nice lady but just loves her sons a lot, so she wants her son to take over the company, even though they have no interest or know-how.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/qnetic-2">This 12,000 RPM Spinning Battery With Over $100 Million In LOIs Could Be The Missing Link For Green Energy — Here&#8217;s Why Early Investors Are Flocking To Invest Before Funding Closes</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Case for Leaving</h2>
Many commenters supported the idea of starting their own business, arguing that loyalty in business often goes unrewarded. "You will not make this person suddenly care enough about you to reward you proportionally," one user wrote. Others pointed out that their contributions outweighed their compensation, making it reasonable to seek greener pastures.
Starting a new business would allow them to take control of their future and fully benefit from their hard work. Some even suggested that they could outcompete their boss's business, leveraging the relationships and knowledge they've built. However, they also admitted feeling guilty: "Part of me feels very bad for doing this to her after she introduced me to this industry (albeit it was by my own capacity it has gotten this far)."
However, there's a big caveat – ethical and legal boundaries. Using client lists, trade secrets or other proprietary information could result in lawsuits, especially if the employee signed a noncompete agreement. Many commenters urged consulting an attorney before making any moves, moving geographies or working with different clients.
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Case for Staying</h2>
While leaving may seem like the obvious choice, others argued that they owe something to the boss who gave them a chance after their first two businesses failed. &#8220;What about the part where op says he failed two businesses and she took a shot on him and gave him a place to work?&#8221; one commenter noted. "Why not just tell her what you told us? Give her a fair chance to bring you in on the 30% equity or whatever your terms are."
This approach would allow them to achieve their goals while maintaining integrity and preserving relationships.
Additionally, commenters warned about underestimating the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/42677675/financial-planning-for-startups-tips-and-tools-to-track-every-dollar">challenges of running their own business</a>. Entrepreneurship comes with significant risks and responsibilities, from managing overhead costs to dealing with legal compliance and employee issues.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Balancing Ethics and Ambition</h2>
The heart of the dilemma is balancing ambition with ethical considerations. Starting a competing business isn't inherently unethical, but the way it's done matters. Poaching clients or using inside information could damage their reputation and lead to legal trouble. Conversely, staying in a role where they feel undervalued could leave them resentful and stuck.
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'My Boss Keeps 95% Of The Profit While I Do All The Work,' An Employee Says, Asking, 'Should I Undermine Them And Start My Own Company?'

Aon (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AON#NYSE">AON</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 3.82% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 16.09%. Currently, Aon has a market capitalization of $78.87 billion. 
Buying $1000 In AON: If an investor had bought $1000 of AON stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $9,345.72 today based on a price of $364.67 for AON at the time of writing.
<h3>Aon's Performance Over Last 15 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737675009_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$1000 Invested In This Stock 15 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

President Donald Trump confronted Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) CEO Brian Moynihan and JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) CEO Jamie Dimon on Thursday at the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/world-economic-forum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Economic Forum</a>, alleging discrimination against conservative clients.
Trump, addressing the audience via video conference, accused the financial giants of excluding conservative businesses, an allegation that the banks have denied, Fox Business <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/trump-confronts-bank-america-ceo-not-taking-conservative-business">reports</a>.
What Happened: Trump directly confronted Moynihan, claiming that conservatives face banking discrimination. &#8220;I hope you start opening your bank to conservatives,&#8221; Trump said, alleging that certain financial institutions, including Bank of America, have refused to provide services to right-leaning clients. 
Trump suggested regulatory pressure from the Biden administration could influence such decisions and urged financial leaders to reconsider their policies. 
Moynihan did not respond to Trump&#8217;s remarks on the matter but instead shifted the discussion toward Bank of America&#8217;s sponsorship of the upcoming World Cup in the U.S. A spokesperson for the bank later refuted claims of political bias, saying, &#8220;We serve more than 70 million clients and we welcome conservatives.&#8221; 
The bank insisted account closures are based solely on regulatory compliance, not political affiliations.
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The president also called out Dimon, urging him to ensure fair access to banking services for conservative clients. A JPMorgan Chase spokesperson emphasized their stance, saying, &#8220;We never close accounts for political reasons, full stop.&#8221;
Why It Matters: Trump&#8217;s comments add to ongoing scrutiny over financial institutions allegedly engaging in &#8220;de-banking&#8221; practices. The issue has drawn attention from policymakers, with attorneys general from 15 states previously condemning what they describe as discriminatory banking policies, Fox Business reports.
In a broader context, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/43170854/trump-outlines-economic-reset-at-davos-5-things-you-need-to-know">Trump&#8217;s remarks at Davos</a> underscored his focus on overhauling economic policies, with an emphasis on deregulation, tax cuts for businesses, and expanding domestic energy production. He positioned these measures as key drivers to encourage investment and strengthen U.S. manufacturing.
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Photo: Shutterstock

Trump Confronts Bank Of America, JPMorgan CEOs Over Alleged Conservative Bias

Union Pacific (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNP#NYSE">UNP</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 2.79% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 15.06%. Currently, Union Pacific has a market capitalization of $150.41 billion. 
Buying $100 In UNP: If an investor had bought $100 of UNP stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $806.14 today based on a price of $248.10 for UNP at the time of writing.
<h3>Union Pacific's Performance Over Last 15 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737674111_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

If You Invested $100 In This Stock 15 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

Guidance

Gran Tierra Energy Forecasts 2025 Production Of 47,000-53,000 BOEPD, Representing At The Midpoint, An Increase Of 44% YoY

Heritage Commerce (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTBK#NASDAQ">HTBK</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.17 per share which met the analyst consensus estimate. This is a 22.73 percent decrease over earnings of $0.22 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $46.37 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $41.51 million by 11.71 percent. This is a 4.81 percent increase over sales of $44.24 million the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Beats

HTBK

Heritage Commerce Q4 2024 GAAP EPS $0.17, Inline, Sales $46.37M Beat $41.51M Estimate

Glaukos (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GKOS#NYSE">GKOS</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 9.42% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 22.7%. Currently, Glaukos has a market capitalization of $8.89 billion. 
Buying $1000 In GKOS: If an investor had bought $1000 of GKOS stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,851.94 today based on a price of $161.22 for GKOS at the time of writing.
<h3>Glaukos's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737672311_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

GKOS

$1000 Invested In Glaukos 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 3.31% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 15.1%. Currently, Morgan Stanley has a market capitalization of $221.44 billion. 
Buying $100 In MS: If an investor had bought $100 of MS stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $397.58 today based on a price of $137.80 for MS at the time of writing.
<h3>Morgan Stanley's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737671417_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much $100 Invested In Morgan Stanley 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

SmileDirectClub

SmileDirectClub Inc&nbsp;(OTC:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sdccq#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">SDCCQ</a>) shut down after filing for bankruptcy in the U.S. in September.

Founded in 2014, the company sold teeth aligners for $1,850 as a faster, cheaper alternative to braces and took a direct-to-consumer marketing approach.&nbsp;

SmileDirectClub went public via an initial public offering of&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/35017733/smiledirectclub-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-just-four-years-after-1-35-billion-ipo" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">$1.35 billion in 2019</a>.

On its website, SmileDirectClub&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://smiledirectclub.com/" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;it decided to wind down its global operations immediately.&nbsp;

For new customers interested in SmileDirectClub services, aligner treatment is no longer available through the telehealth platform. For existing customers, the customer care support is no longer available.

In the statement on its website, Smile Direct Club apologized for the inconvenience caused.

SmileDirectClub catered to over two million customers across almost ten years.&nbsp;

As court filings and financial statements revealed, the company struggled to profit, burdened with almost $900 million in debt.&nbsp;

Additionally, the company resolved a lawsuit from the District of Columbia Attorney General&#39;s office this year. The lawsuit alleged that SmileDirectClub&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/09/business/smiledirectclub-shutting-down-liquidation.html" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">utilized</a>&nbsp;confidentiality clauses to suppress consumer criticism, the New York Times noted.

SmileDirectClub actively pursued potential buyers for its enterprise in the last few months. Although there was initial interest from several parties, all interested buyers either withdrew from the process or submitted impractical bids that couldn&#39;t be considered viable, the&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://fortune.com/2023/12/08/smiledirectclub-to-liquidate-bankruptcy/" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Fortune</a>&nbsp;noted.

&quot;When it came to the founder-led bid, it was really a Hail Mary,&quot; Winters told US Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez. &quot;We pushed very, very hard this week, and it just didn&#39;t come together.&quot;

&quot;We turned over every rock,&quot; Winters said in the hearing, adding he thought as recently as Thursday that a going-concern sale was still feasible.

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Monday, December 11, 2023

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