Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (ARCA: VTI)

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (ARCA:VTI), Trade Ideas

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

Palo Alto Networks

News

Contracts

Movers

GOOG

GOOGL

PANW

Palo Alto announced Monday that it extended and increased its commitment to Google Cloud with a ten-figure, multi-year commitment and named Google Cloud its AI and infrastructure provider of choice.

Palo Alto Networks Stock Jumps On Expanded AI Partnership With Google Cloud: The Details

Bitcoin ETF

Analyst Color

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

Cryptocurrency

Equities

Large Cap

Sector ETFs

Bonds

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Specialty ETFs

New ETFs

Treasuries

Tech

ETFs

$BTC

DYNF

Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund

FBTC

GOVT

IBIT

QUAL

The opening quarter of the year ended with U.S. equity indices marking the fifth consecutive month of gains, gold prices soaring to all-time highs and Bitcoin‘s (CRYPTO: BTC) market cap surging by over $500 billion in the past three months.

Two Bitcoin-Related ETFs Shine In March&#39;s Top 10 Inflow Rankings: &#39;This Tailwind Should Persist,&#39; Analysts Say

VISL

Earnings

Guidance

Vislink reported Q4 revenue of $8.1M, up from $7.4M with EPS loss of $(0.99) compared to consensus of $0.00. Gross margin rose to 46%. 

Why Is Vislink Stock Shooting Higher Today?

Vita 34 AG

Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund ETF Shares

Palo Alto Networks Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PANW#NASDAQ">PANW</a>) shares are trading higher Tuesday after the company announced an expansion of its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/04/n38159042/palo-alto-networks-and-google-cloud-expand-partnership-to-revolutionize-cybersecurity-with-ai">partnership with Google Cloud</a>.
What Happened: Palo Alto announced that it extended and increased its commitment to Alphabet Inc&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google Cloud with a ten-figure, multi-year commitment and named Google Cloud its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/ai">AI</a> and infrastructure provider of choice.
Palo Alto said the expanded agreement solidifies its place as Google Cloud&#8217;s preferred next-generation firewall provider. The agreement also underscores the critical importance of platformization fueled by AI to deliver near-real-time security resolutions, the company said.
&#8220;As the threat landscape intensifies, organizations are&nbsp;betting&nbsp;on AI-powered platformization to protect their most valuable assets,&#8221; said&nbsp;Nikesh Arora, president and CEO of Palo Alto Networks. 
&#8220;The increased depth of Palo Alto Network&#8217;s partnership with Google Cloud empowers customers to transform their digital futures without sacrificing security. We look forward to expanding our footprint using Google&#8217;s capabilities to accelerate and deliver AI-driven cybersecurity advancements.&#8221;
Palo Alto and Google Cloud have maintained a partnership since 2018 focused on transforming cybersecurity.&nbsp;The expanded partnership is expected to create customer value as new and existing workloads are developed and managed with zero-trust network security and enhanced AI capabilities.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38163301/whats-going-on-with-alphabet-stock-tuesday">What&#8217;s Going On With Alphabet Stock Tuesday?</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How To Buy PANW Stock</h2>
Besides going to a brokerage platform to purchase a share &#8211; or fractional share &#8211; of stock, you can also gain access to shares either by buying an exchange traded fund (ETF) that holds the stock itself, or by allocating yourself to a strategy in your 401(k) that would seek to acquire shares in a mutual fund or other instrument. 
For example, in Palo Alto&#8217;s case, it&#8217;s in the Information Technology sector. An ETF will likely hold shares in many liquid and large companies that help track that sector, allowing an investor to gain exposure to the trends within that segment. Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTI#NYSE">VTI</a>) is the biggest holder of Palo Alto stock in the ETF universe.
PANW Price Action: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PANW">Palo Alto shares </a>were up 3.61% at $278.28 at the time of publication, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Photo: Michael Vi via Shutterstock.

The opening quarter of the year ended with U.S. equity indices marking the fifth consecutive month of gains, gold prices soaring to all-time highs and Bitcoin&#8216;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) market cap surging by over $500 billion in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/bitcoin">the past three months.</a>
The exchange-traded fund (ETF) market witnessed significant activity, with certain funds capturing substantial inflows, reflecting shifting investor sentiment.
A review of March&#8217;s ETF inflows uncovers a notable trend: two Bitcoin-related ETFs, launched just at the start of the year, have swiftly made their way into the top 10 for inflows. This rapid ascent highlighted a significant shift toward embracing cryptocurrency within mainstream investment strategies.
According to Canaccord Genuity, this &#8220;tailwind should persist&#8221; in the quarters to come as retail investors increasingly seek to incorporate Bitcoin ETFs into IRAs and other tax-favored accounts. 
&#8220;The anticipation is that spot ETFs will play a more pivotal role in influencing Bitcoin&#8217;s price dynamics in the future,&#8221; analysts said in a note. 
A Bank of America&#8217;s recent analysis revealed a shift in investor behavior, with ETF inflows surpassing single stock inflows for the first time in five weeks.
Here&#8217;s an in-depth look at the top 10 ETFs by inflows for March, providing a clear view of where investors are placing their bets.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">March&#8217;s Top 10 ETF By Inflows: A Surprising Entry of Two Bitcoin Funds</h1>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>ETF Name</th>
<th>Inflows (USD)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)</td>
<td>21.288 B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>)</td>
<td>8.294 B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBIT#NASDAQ">IBIT</a>)</td>
<td>7.322 B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>iShares S&amp;P 500 Growth ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVW#NYSE">IVW</a>) </td>
<td>4.808 B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QUAL#NYSE">QUAL</a>)</td>
<td>3.931 B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DYNF#NYSE">DYNF</a>)</td>
<td>3.597 B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FBTC#NYSE">FBTC</a>)</td>
<td>3.018 B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOVT#NYSE">GOVT</a>)</td>
<td>2.783 B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTI#NYSE">VTI</a>) </td>
<td>2.693 B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)</td>
<td>2.682 B</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Data: Tradingview</figcaption></figure>
Read Now: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38026629/alarming-rise-in-home-insurance-costs-expected-to-continue-into-2024-insurance-stock-etf-soars-t">Alarming Rise In Home Insurance Costs Expected To Continue Into 2024: Insurance Stock ETF Soars To All-Time Highs</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

Two Bitcoin-Related ETFs Shine In March's Top 10 Inflow Rankings: 'This Tailwind Should Persist,' Analysts Say

Vislink Technologies, Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:&nbsp;VISL) reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2023 revenue of $8.1 million,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/04/g38020705/vislink-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2023-financial-and-operational-results" rel="noreferrer noopener">up from $7.4 million year over year.</a>
EPS loss of $(0.99) compared to $(2.36) in the prior year period.
Gross margin rose to 46%, up from 33% in the prior year. The improvement in gross margin was due to the greater contribution of MilGov revenue and software and services to total revenue.
Vislink held $14.2 million in cash and equivalents as of December 31, 2023.
&#8220;2023 marked a pivotal year for Vislink, as we laid the groundwork for accelerated revenue growth and cash flow neutrality in 2024,&#8221; said Vislink CEO Mickey Miller.&nbsp;
&#8220;Our accelerated MilGov sales, combined with increasing software and services sales and operating leverage, are expected to drive robust growth, aiming to be cash flow positive in 2025.&#8221;
The stock lost 50% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock via&nbsp;Vanguard Extended Market ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VXF#NYSE">VXF</a>) and&nbsp;Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTI#NYSE">VTI</a>).
Price Action:&nbsp;VISL shares traded higher by 5.8% at $3.45 on the last check Monday.

In January 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved several spot <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/where-to-buy-spot-bitcoin-etfs">Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs)</a> for trading in a landmark ruling. The ETFs have been the most successful launch in history, amassing over <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/03/37638377/bitcoin-liquidity-crisis-incoming-bitcoin-etf-demand-surges-and-new-all-time-highs">$10 billion in net inflows</a> since launch. Some of the largest asset managers also took part in the ETF launch, with funds from BlackRock (IBIT) and Fidelity Investments (FBTC) hitting equity markets.
But Vanguard, the second-largest asset management company and ETF provider in the world, did not partake. This came as a surprise to some, as the ETFs have presented a huge opportunity for the fund sponsors in terms of profits. Vanguard CEO Tim Buckley commented on the ETFs, giving some clarity as to why Vanguard sat out:
"Something like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/what-is-bitcoin-how-does-it-work">Bitcoin</a> is just too volatile and it&#8217;s not a store of value. It hasn&#8217;t been, and it&#8217;s very volatile," Vanguard CEO Tim Buckley said about why the company stayed out in the Vanguard webcast this March. "When stocks got hammered in the recent crisis, Bitcoin went right with them. And so it is speculative. Really tough to think about how it belongs in a long-term portfolio."
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<li>If you invested $100 in DOGE when Elon Musk first tweeted about it in 2019,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/etoro-doge"> here&#8217;s how much you&#8217;d have today</a>.</li>
<li>Bitcoin has jumped nearly 50% already this year &#8211;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/kraken"> how much would you need to get started today?</a></li>
</ul>
Buckley also mentioned that Vanguard looks to release ETFs that invest in assets with "underlying cash flow," such as stocks and bonds. According to Buckley, this makes it easier to model future values and provides a stable asset for Vanguard clients' portfolios. To Buckley, Bitcoin offers neither of these, leading Vanguard to avoid offering Bitcoin ETFs.&nbsp;
Vanguard is known to take a more conservative approach to investing, offering highly diversified funds with low fees. Its most popular ETFs are the Vanguard Total Stock Market index ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTI#NYSE">VTI</a>) and the Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>). Overall, Vanguard's goal is to help clients build long-term portfolios that are positioned to grow in a controlled manner. Based on this, crypto's huge volatility and relative novelty do not align with Vanguard's core competencies.&nbsp;
Vanguard has not ruled out Bitcoin ETFs entirely. Janel Jackson, global head of ETF capital markets, said that "while the discussion about Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, in general, has increased recently, we do not currently believe that there is an appropriate role for them to play in long-term portfolio." The key word is "currently," which implies that Vanguard is keeping an eye on the viability of crypto as a long-term investment.&nbsp;
Bitcoin will never meet the prerequisite Buckley described of producing cash flows, but if it continues to grow in both prevalence and use cases, it could move to a point where it deserves a place in the average investment portfolio. This may not happen anytime soon, as Vanguard seems to be hesitant to embrace crypto as a whole.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>Whether you have $10 or $10,000,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/kraken"> you can start trading crypto today</a>.</li>
<li>Bitcoin To $100,000?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/coinbase-btc-100k"> Here&#8217;s what gold bug Peter Schiff said could happen on Anthony Pompliano&#8217;s podcast.</a></li>
</ul>

Vanguard CEO Tim Buckley Says "Bitcoin Is Too Volatile And It's Not A Store Of Value" — Asks If It Belongs In A Long Term Portfolio

Vanguard has become a towering figure <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">in the world of exchange-traded funds (ETFs)</a>. 
As investors increasingly turn to ETFs for their diversification, lower costs, and liquidity, understanding the offerings and strategies of major players like Vanguard is essential. 
Yet, amidst this expansive array of financial instruments, one notable absence in Vanguard&#8217;s portfolio raises eyebrows: the lack of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/bitcoin-etf">Bitcoin ETF. </a>
Here, we delve into the five critical factors about Vanguard ETFs, also explaining why a Bitcoin ETF is deliberately missing from their portfolio lineup.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Vanguard&#8217;s Status In The ETF Arena</h3>
Vanguard ranks as the second-largest ETF issuer globally, overseeing a diverse portfolio of over a hundred ETFs and boasting an impressive $2.5 trillion in assets under management (AUM), just shy of BlackRock Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLK#NYSE">BLK</a>), which leads with $2.7 trillion AUM.
The Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>), with $426 billion in AUM as of Mar. 14, 2024, is not only Vanguard&#8217;s flagship fund but also the world&#8217;s second-largest ETF, trailing slightly behind the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) at $503 billion. 
Top 7 Vanguard&#8217;s ETFs By AUM
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>ETF</th>
<th>AUM (bn)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF </td>
<td>426.87 </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF </td>
<td>385.48 </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VEA#NYSE">VEA</a>)</td>
<td>130.07 </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vanguard Growth ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VUG#NYSE">VUG</a>)</td>
<td>119.81 </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vanguard Value ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTV#NYSE">VTV</a>)</td>
<td>115.14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BND#NYSE">BND</a>)</td>
<td>105.94</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vanguard Div Appreciation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VIG#NYSE">VIG</a>) </td>
<td>77.92</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Champion of Low Fees</h3>
In the competitive ETF marketplace, cost efficiency is a significant battleground. Vanguard emerges as a victor here, offering the lowest average expense fees among its funds—an AUM-weighted average expense ratio of a mere 0.05%, according to data from VettaFi. 
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Issuers</td>
<td>Expense Rank</td>
<td>Avg. Expense Ratio (%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vanguard</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0.05%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BNY Mellon</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0.05%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Charles Schwab</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>0.08%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bondbloxx Investment Management Corp.</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>0.10%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GAMCO Investors, Inc.</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>0.11%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Humankind USA LLC</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>0.11%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>State Street</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>0.12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Deutsche Bank AG</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>0.13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>0.15%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Data: VettaFi</figcaption></figure>
The cheapest ETFs issued by Vanguard are the Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF, Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTI#NYSE">VTI</a>), and the Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF, all screening an expense ratio of just 0.03%.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Leading The 2024 Inflow Race</h3>
In 2024, Vanguard outshines its competitors in attracting investment flows. The issuer has seen a staggering $75 billion in inflows over the past three months, eclipsing BlackRock&#8217;s $55.7 billion, thereby securing its position as the top performer in fund flows thus far this year.
The Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF has attracted $21 billion over the past three months, topping the ranking among its peers. 
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Issuers</td>
<td>Fund Flow Rank</td>
<td>3-Month Fund Flow ($MM)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vanguard</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>$70,097.57</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BlackRock, Inc.</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>$55,791.59</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Invesco</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>$20,380.07</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>State Street</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>$16,097.65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dimensional</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>$9,362.99</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>JPMorgan Chase</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>$9,263.38</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fidelity</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>$9,240.89</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Data: VettaFi</figcaption></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Conservative Product Range</h3>
Unlike some of its peers, Vanguard has opted for a more conservative route in its ETF offerings. The company does not offer leveraged ETFs, sticking strictly to equity and fixed-income products. 
This strategic choice highlights Vanguard&#8217;s focus on traditional investment vehicles over speculative or alternative assets. Vanguard&#8217;s portfolio notably lacks any commodities, currency, or Bitcoin-related ETFs.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Absence of Bitcoin and Crypto ETFs</h3>
This absence isn&#8217;t due to oversight but a deliberate decision. Vanguard has explicitly stated it has no plans to introduce a Bitcoin ETF or any other crypto-related products, distinguishing itself from other major ETF issuers — such as BlackRock, VanEck, Franklin Templeton, WisdomTree, Invesco, Fidelity, Global X, 21 Shares and ProShares – who have embraced the crypto bandwagon.
Why No Bitcoin ETF? Vanguard&#8217;s Reasoning
Vanguard&#8217;s stance on Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies is grounded in a cautious approach to investment merit and client needs. Janel Jackson, global head of ETF Capital Markets and broker &amp; index relations at Vanguard, has expressed skepticism about the role of cryptocurrencies in long-term portfolios. 
Citing crypto&#8217;s speculative nature, lack of inherent economic value, and potential to disrupt portfolio stability, Vanguard sees crypto as an &#8220;immature asset class.&#8221; 
Instead, the company invests its interest in blockchain technology for its potential to enhance capital market efficiency, steering clear of cryptocurrencies as investment products.
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/03/37712624/tightening-the-tap-regional-banks-tech-stocks-bitcoin-brace-for-liquidity-crunch-as-fed-li">Tightening The Tap: Regional Banks, Tech Stocks, Bitcoin Brace For Liquidity Crunch As Fed Lifeline Ends</a>

5 Things You Need To Know About Vanguard ETFs: Why There's No Bitcoin ETF In Their Lineup?

The S&amp;P 500 index, a bellwether for the U.S. stock market, ends February with a 5.3% surge, marking its fourth <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">consecutive month of gains.</a>
Since the tumultuous days of late October, the broader stock market rally now nears an impressive 25% increase.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 also paints a picture of extraordinary resilience. It surpassed the 18,000-point mark and closed the month at an all-time high. The surge in the Nasdaq 100, up 28% since late October, offers a testament to the unwavering appetite for tech-oriented investments. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/02/37062104/joe-biden-says-stock-market-strength-is-sign-of-confidence-in-americas-economy-good-news">Joe Biden Says Stock Market Strength Is &#8216;Sign Of Confidence&#8217; In America&#8217;s Economy: &#8216;Good News&#8217;</a>
Within the captivating realm of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), here we highlight those commanding the largest influx of money throughout February.
Among these standouts, six offer exposure to broader equity indices, two pivots towards Treasury bonds, while one extends its focus on Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>).
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top 10 US ETFs By Inflows In February</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>ETF</th>
<th>Fund Flows (1M)</th>
<th>AUM</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>)</td>
<td>6.815B</td>
<td>413.71B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares Core S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVV#NYSE">IVV</a>)</td>
<td>5.881B</td>
<td>442.69B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VGT#NYSE">VGT</a>)</td>
<td>5.786B</td>
<td>69.413B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares Bitcoin Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBIT#NYSE">IBIT</a>)</td>
<td>3.891B</td>
<td>8.07B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VGIT#NYSE">VGIT</a>)</td>
<td>3.1B</td>
<td>24.816B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPDR Portfolio S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPLG#NYSE">SPLG</a>)</td>
<td>3.066B</td>
<td>31.938B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTI#NYSE">VTI</a>)</td>
<td>2.819B</td>
<td>374.803B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AGG#NYSE">AGG</a>)</td>
<td>2.348B</td>
<td>101.583B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)</td>
<td>1.874B</td>
<td>252.624B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>)</td>
<td>1.566B</td>
<td>48.99B</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: TradingView</figcaption></figure>
On Friday, Feb. 9, the S&amp;P 500 index <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/02/37041128/s-p-500-claims-5-000-as-tech-soars-bitcoin-rockets-above-47-000-whats-driving-marke" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">topped 5,000 for the first time</a>.
This milestone prompted remarks from President Joe Biden. &#8220;The stock market going strong is a sign of confidence in America's economy,&#8221; he said on social media.
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/02/37402333/exclusive-magnificent-7-takes-center-stage-in-roundhills-expanded-etf-lineup-with-i">EXCLUSIVE: Magnificent 7 Takes Center Stage In Roundhill&#8217;s Expanded ETF Lineup With Inverse And Leveraged Options</a>
Image: Shutterstock

SPLG

iShares Trust Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund

VGIT

Investors Poured Nearly $40B Into 10 ETFs In February: Find Out What You're Overlooking

Shares of NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) rose over 15% on Thursday after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/02/37247922/nvidia-q4-earnings-highlights-revenue-beat-eps-beat-q1-guidance-and-more">the company reported quarterly earnings</a> that beat even the most optimistic forecasts.
As a provider of key technology needed to develop artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, the company is strategically positioned to benefit from the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/artificial-intelligence">ongoing AI craze</a>.&nbsp;
Jensen Huang, Nvidia's co-founder and chief executive, said during the late Wednesday call that "a whole new industry is being formed, and that's driving our growth."&nbsp;
Investors took these words seriously, taking much of the tech sector up.
While big tech companies like Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>)(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) compete to find the next groundbreaking stage in AI, companies that provide the infrastructure for those developments are the beneficiaries.
With quarterly revenues of $22.10 billion representing an increase of 265% year-over-year, Nvidia's growth was fueled by rising sales of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/11/35753922/nvidias-new-h200-gpu-promises-to-outpace-competition-in-ai-hardware-race">AI infrastructure such as the H200 chip</a>.
Analysts looking at Nvidia's performance overwhelmingly made mention of the growing market for generative AI as a motor behind the company's recent success, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/02/37266215/nvidia-is-still-stepping-on-the-ai-accelerator-7-analysts-size-up-q4-results-supply">several analysts raising the company's price target</a>.
Nvidia's success in AI <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/02/37261939/nvidia-market-cap-nears-2-trillion-why-tech-giant-has-become-an-understatement">is pushing it close to the 2 trillion market cap</a>, making it the third largest company by that measure. The company's $240 billion jump in market capitalization on Thursday accounts as the largest single-day jump in market history.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/02/37255204/jensen-huang-predicts-every-enterprise-on-the-planet-will-eventually-run-on-nvidias-operating-sy">Jensen Huang Predicts Every Enterprise On The Planet Will Eventually Run On Nvidia&#8217;s &#8216;Operating System For AI&#8217;</a>
Yet for all of Nvidia's right decisions, it's success doesn't exist in a void. Other companies and ETFs also stand to win from the same conditions that fueled Nvidia's growth, whether because they share the same market or because their success is tied to the California-based chipmakers.
The tech rally around Nvidia's success was enough to take the S&amp;P 500 to historical heights on Thursday, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index also nearing its historical peak from 2021.&nbsp;
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">ETFs With Nvidia</h1>
ETFs that have Nvidia stock as a significant portion of their portfolios will stand to benefit from the company's growth.
Nvidia represents almost 6% of Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>), which was up 3% on Thursday.
ETFs following the AI industry are also heavy on Nvidia, such as the Global X Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BOTZ#NASDAQ">BOTZ</a>), which is composed of 19.9% in Nvidia stock. The fund was up 4.1% on Thursday.
Some ETFs following the semiconductor industry also have Nvidia as a top holding. VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMH#NASDAQ">SMH</a>), which is made up of 24% in Nvidia shares, was up 7% on Thursday.
Although Nvidia only accounts for 3% of the composition of Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTI#NYSE">VTI</a>), the fund is the largest holder of Nvidia stock, with over 73 million shares. The fund was up 2% on Thursday.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">How Other Related Tech Companies Are Doing</h1>
Semiconductor manufacturers are first in line to benefit from Nvidia's growth. As a fabless semiconductor company, Nvidia designs the technology and works with manufacturing partners who produce the final product. 
Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co. Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) grew 4.1% on Thursday. The company is one of the only in the world capable of producing high-complexity chips and produces Nvidia's high-end products.
Super Micro Computer Inc's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) growth Thursday eclipsed even Nvidia's own gains. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/02/37262009/whats-going-on-with-super-micro-computer-stock-thursday">The company was up 31.1% on Thursday</a> at the time of this writing. The data center company, which produces hardware needed in the development of AI models, was the biggest winner in the Nvidia-led rally.
Competitors also stand to win from Nvidia's triumphs. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/02/37263439/whats-going-on-with-amd-stock-thursday">Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) was up 11.3% on Thursday</a>. While not as ready as Nvidia to benefit from the AI boom, AMD is amongst the best positioned to compete in the development of technology underlying AI development in the medium term.
Nvidia's successes in the AI/semiconductor space can be read as an omen of glory for other chip makers.
Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) was the only big chip maker down — 1.13% — on Thursday. Qualcomm Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) was up 2%, Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>) was up 5.8% while Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) was up 6.3%
Semiconductor designer Arm Holdings PLC &#8211; ADR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>) was among the top winners in the category, winning 7.6% on Thursday. Nvidia <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/24/02/37155712/nvidia-bolsters-ai-leadership-with-investment-in-arm-holdings-eyes-future-growth-in-semiconductor-in">unveiled an investment in the British company last week</a>.
It seems everything Nvidia touches these days turns to gold. Companies in which Nvidia invested in recently were also among the biggest gainers from the rally and stand to win from future Nvidia successes.
The company also invested in SoundHound AI Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOUN#NASDAQ">SOUN</a>), which is up 6.2% on Thursday, as well as in Recursion Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RXRX#NASDAQ">RXRX</a>), which is up a whopping 20.8%.
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/02/37269006/if-you-invested-1-000-in-nvidia-stock-when-nancy-pelosi-and-her-husband-did-heres-how-much-youd">If You Invested $1,000 In NVIDIA Stock When Nancy Pelosi And Her Husband Did, Here&#8217;s How Much You&#8217;d Have Now</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

Markets

General

AMZN

AVGO

BOTZ

INTC

MSFT

NVDA

QCOM

RXRX

SMCI

SOUN

10+ Stocks, ETFs To Ride On Nvidia's Record-Breaking Success

As we enter 2024, Tom Lee of Fundstrat presents a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/23/12/36438336/investor-optimism-tested-navigating-2024-bond-markets-uncertain-terrain">mixed forecast for the stock market.</a> While he remains optimistic about the overall performance, he signals potential disturbances early in the year.
What Happened: Lee projects a significant rise in the S&amp;P 500, expecting it to hit new heights in January and sustain growth throughout the year, with an ambitious target of 5,200 by year-end. However, he cautions about a likely downturn of approximately 5% around February or March.
This expected dip is seen as a period of adjustment after the market&#39;s recent upswing. Markets Insider <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-pullback-in-early-2024-for-4-reasons-fundstrat-2023-12">reports</a>.&nbsp;
&ldquo;In the current context, we could see S&amp;P 500 4,400 to 4,500 once we make all-time highs or a modest pullback,&rdquo; Lee told the outlet.
&quot;This is consistent with our 2024 Year Ahead Outlook, where our base case is the S&amp;P 500 makes most of its gains in [the] second half of 2024,&quot; he added.&nbsp;
Lee identifies four key factors behind this anticipated early-year pullback. The primary concern is the disparity between the market&#39;s anticipation of six interest rate cuts and the Federal Reserve&#39;s projection of just three.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36061721/wall-street-braces-for-2024-recession-economic-growth-to-slow-markets-to-rise-say-bullish-firms" target="_blank">Wall Street Braces For 2024 Recession: Economic Growth To Slow, Markets To Rise, Say Bullish Firms</a>
Additionally, Lee points to potential disruptions in AI development due to security threats. He also notes the necessity for the equity markets to stabilize after their rapid ascent in late 2023, according to Market Insider.
Finally, he references the typical pattern of stock market downturns in the early months of election years.
Despite these looming challenges, Fundstrat views any early 2024 market dips as buying opportunities.
According to Fundstrat&#39;s technical strategist, Mark Newton, investors&#39; substantial cash reserves are expected to cushion the market, making any downturns brief and potentially lucrative for buyers, Market Insider reports.
For traders interested in engaging with S&amp;P 500 trends in 2024, ETFs such as SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (ARCA: SPY) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (ARCA: VTI) could be impacted by these market dynamics.
Now Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36058725/from-bearish-to-bullish-major-analysts-predict-us-stock-markets-performance-in-2024" target="_blank">From Bearish To Bullish: Major Analysts Predict US Stock Market&#39;s Performance In 2024</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Shutterstock

Macro Economic Events

Economics

Tom Lee Predicts S&P 500 Surge In 2024 Despite Early Year Downturns

The traditional 60/40 investment portfolio has recorded a remarkable year of growth in 2023, sharply rebounding from a disappointing year in 2022. As of Dec. 27, the year-to-date performance of the 60/40 portfolio, benchmarked by the iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AOR#NYSE">AOR</a>), <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/what-is-the-60-40-investment-strategy">stands at approximately 13%. </a>
This performance figure ranks as the third-best year for the strategy since its inception in 2008, trailing only behind the strong years of 2009 and 2019.
As we enter the new year, investors are pondering whether the favorable conditions that supported both equities and bonds in the second half of the year will endure.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">60/40 Portfolio In 2022-2023: From Downturn to Upswing</h2>
The 60/40 portfolio is a time-tested investment strategy known for its simplicity and effectiveness. It involves allocating 60% of the portfolio to stocks and 40% to bonds, with the aim to strike a balance between risk and reward.
Stocks offer the potential for higher returns but come with higher risk, while bonds generally provide lower but more stable returns. By combining both asset classes, the portfolio naturally diversifies, potentially reducing the risk of significant losses since stocks and bonds often react differently to market conditions.
In 2022, the traditional 60/40 portfolio faced one of its most challenging years due to the Fed&#8217;s aggressive interest rate hikes, which created strong headwinds for both equities and fixed-income assets.
The gauge fell as much as 17%, wiping out a sizable portion of the pandemic rally. 
An initial $1,000 investment in a 60/40 portfolio at the beginning of 2022 dipped to less than $800 by November of that year, only to rebound to its current value of $928.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="650" height="650" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/27172235/newplot-5-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-170022" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/27172235/newplot-5-1.jpeg 650w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/27172235/newplot-5-1-300x300.jpeg 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/27172235/newplot-5-1-150x150.jpeg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /></figure>
However, as inflation subsided in 2023, traders began to anticipate a normalization of elevated interest rates, betting on the Federal Reserve reducing borrowing costs in 2024. 
Money markets currently factor in six rate cuts by 25 basis points next year, a figure substantially higher than the indications given by Federal Reserve officials at the latest meeting, with the dot-plot showing a median preference for 75-basis-point cuts. 
Read also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/23/08/33967223/why-the-6040-portfolio-rule-is-not-for-everyone-the-statistics-might-surprise-you">Why The 60/40 Portfolio Rule Is NOT For Everyone – The Statistics Might Surprise You</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Will the 60/40 Portfolio Continue to Rally in 2024?</h2>
Looking ahead to 2024, it remains to be seen whether the numerous rate cuts currently priced in by the market will be delivered by the Federal Reserve. 
If these rate cuts materialize, bond yields are likely to continue heading lower, benefiting fixed-income assets and potentially rate-sensitive stocks such as those in the technology, real estate, and financial sectors.
On the other hand, if the decline in inflation stalls or fresh pressures emerge, the Federal Reserve may find it inappropriate to deliver as many rate cuts as currently expected by market participants. 
This could lead to disappointment in the markets and potentially weigh on both equities and bonds.
In summary, the 60/40 portfolio has made a strong comeback in 2023, but its performance in 2024 will depend on whether the anticipated rate cuts materialize and how economic factors evolve.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5 Strategies to Create a 60/40 Portfolio</h2>
Aside from the iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AOR#NYSE">AOR</a>), there are several other ways for investors to construct a 60/40 portfolio. 
Here are seven different approaches an investor can use to replicate a 60/40 portfolio, with each pairing a stock ETF with a bond ETF:
<ol>
<li>S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NYSE">TLT</a>): Combining SPY, which tracks the S&amp;P 500 Index, with TLT, focusing on long-term U.S. Treasury bonds, offers a balanced portfolio with exposure to the U.S. stock market and the stability of government bonds.</li>
<li>Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VT#NYSE">VT</a>) and iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AGG#NYSE">AGG</a>): VT provides global stock market exposure, while AGG tracks the U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, diversifying bond exposure.</li>
<li>iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACWI#NYSE">ACWI</a>) and Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BNDX#NYSE">BNDX</a>): ACWI offers global equity exposure, and BNDX focuses on non-U.S. bonds, providing international diversification.</li>
<li>iShares Core S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVV#NYSE">IVV</a>) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BND#NYSE">BND</a>): Similar to SPY, IVV tracks the S&amp;P 500, and BND provides diversified exposure to the U.S. bond market.</li>
<li>Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTI#NYSE">VTI</a>) and Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BNDW#NYSE">BNDW</a>): VTI offers exposure to the entire U.S. stock market, and BNDW provides a globally diversified bond exposure.</li>
</ol>
Read now: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/23/12/36403950/treasury-etf-and-real-estate-sector-rise-together-as-30-year-yields-dip-below-4">Treasury ETF And Real Estate Sector Rise Together As 30-Year Yields Dip Below 4%</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

ACWI

BNDW

BNDX

60/40 Portfolio Bounces Back From 2022 Slump: Is It The Right Investment Strategy For 2024?

BlackRock Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLK#NYSE">BLK</a>) doesn&#8217;t anticipate rate cuts until the second half of 2024. The shape of the yield curve and the trajectory of growth will be key drivers of returns.
Gargi Pal Chaudhuri, head of iShares Investment Strategy Americas at BlackRock, <a href="https://www.ishares.com/us/insights/year-ahead-outlook-2024#macro">shared</a> her view on the outlook. 
&#8220;The shape of the yield curve is now signaling that it's time to consider allocating out of cash,&#8221; noted Chaudhuri. She believed that sitting in cash in 2024 would mean missing out on bond and equity market returns.
Chaudhuri identified opportunities to deploy cash selectively across asset classes:
<ul>
<li>Fixed income: pairing intermediate duration core holdings with differentiated income-seeking exposures.</li>
<li>Equities: adding downside protection in core exposures while taking targeted risk in loveable laggards.</li>
</ul>
An interesting fact that came to light from the report was that in the previous five hiking cycles since 1990, the Fed paused an average of 10 months between its last hike and its first cut.&nbsp;On average, stock and bond returns have been higher during the pause period than in easing periods immediately following the first cut.
Frequent portfolio adjustments may be needed in 2024, owing to:
<ul>
<li>Geopolitical risks</li>
<li>Election cycles</li>
<li>Worsening U.S. fiscal backdrop, and</li>
<li>Shifting central bank narratives</li>
</ul>
For equity allocations, managing macro risks in a slowing growth backdrop will be key.&nbsp;
&#8220;In a shifting macro environment, remaining invested can be paramount, but adding downside resiliency to core equity holdings could make sense for many investors,&#8221; said Chaudhuri. 
Using ETFs as investment vehicles could be a good strategy in such a macro-environment, per BlackRock, as these efficiently adjust to rapidly changing realities.
For reference, SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), iShares Core S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVV#NYSE">IVV</a>), Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTI#NYSE">VTI</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) are the most popular and biggest U.S. equity tracking ETFs in the U.S.
The most popular intermediate-term bond ETFs are Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VCIT#NYSE">VCIT</a>), iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IEF#NYSE">IEF</a>) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VGIT#NYSE">VGIT</a>).
Photo: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

Trading Ideas

iShares Trust Barclays 7-10 Year Treasury Bond Fund

VCIT

Traders May Need Frequent Portfolio Adjustments In 2024: BlackRock

The Federal Reserve has found a golden path to reduce inflation without resorting to recession, according to Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee. While speaking on CNBC, the Fed official emphasized that the latest data from June&#8217;s nonfarm <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/23/07/33146887/june-nonfarm-payrolls-miss-estimates-unemployment-drops-but-wages-rise-investors-">payrolls support this optimism.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lowering Inflation sans Recession</h2>
Goolsbee believes that the data from June reveals a slowing pace of job creation, which coupled with rising wages, is beneficial for combating inflation, he <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/07/feds-goolsbee-sees-golden-path-to-lower-inflation-without-a-recession.html">told </a>CNBC. &#8220;What the Fed's overriding goal right now is to get inflation down. We're going to succeed at it and to do that without a recession would be a triumph,&#8221; he said.
This belief is supported by a view that the rise in wages and decline in job creation is a good sign. The logic is simple: when wages rise, people are able to spend more, which should stimulate the economy. And, if job creation slows, it could potentially reduce inflationary pressure. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/23/07/33147975/5-experts-on-june-jobs-surprise-data-all-but-ensures-fed-rate-hike-says-1-economi">5 Experts On June Jobs Surprise Data: &#8216;All But Ensures Fed Rate Hike,&#8217; Says 1 Economist</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Further Tightening Still Needed</h2>
According to Goolsbee, the golden path is not just about economic theory, but also about practical measures that could include higher interest rates, tighter fiscal policy and more. &#8220;I haven&#8217;t seen anything that says 1 or 2 more rate hikes this year is wrong,&#8221; he said, adding that &#8220;there are modest increases in rates to come, timing is a question.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Implication for Investors</h2>
Investors should keep a keen eye on the Federal Reserve&#8217;s policy and data trends. Changes in monetary policy could affect the performance of public companies and the overall market. For example, companies like Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) and JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) are sensitive to interest rate changes. ETFs like Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTI#NYSE">VTI</a>) and iShares Core S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVV#NYSE">IVV</a>) could also be impacted.
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/23/07/33150176/yellen-calls-out-chinas-unfair-treatment-of-us-companies-aims-to-revive-economic-ties-semiconductor">Yellen Calls Out China&#8217;s Unfair Treatment Of U.S. Companies, Aims To Revive Economic Ties, Semiconductor</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Shutterstock and <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fortunebrainstormtech/">Fortune Brainstorm TECH</a> on flickr

Federal Reserve

We Are On A 'Golden Path' To Lower Inflation Without Recession, Fed's Goolsbee Says

Economists and market analysts have been prophesying a recession since mid-2022, with their forecasts falling into what appears to be a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/recession">constant echo chamber.</a>
What Happened: Neil Dutta, head of economics at Renaissance Macro Research, challenged the narrative, arguing that clinging to dire predictions in the face of contradictory evidence isn&#8217;t just misguided — it&#8217;s a glaring refusal to let go of a forecast analysts have "fallen in love" with.
In a note issued to investors on Monday, Dutta said the recent and constant recession chatter doesn&#8217;t withstand scrutiny, particularly given current economic indicators. &#8220;There is only so long one can keep claiming that the recession is just six months away. The statue of limitations has now kicked in,&#8221; the analyst mentioned. Read also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/23/06/33005508/goldman-sachs-drops-bullish-stance-on-tesla-stock-has-the-ev-rally-hit-a-turning-po">Goldman Sachs Drops Bullish Stance On Tesla Stock: Has The EV Rally Hit A Turning Point?</a>
Strong Jobs Growth? Late Cycle! Dutta countered the argument that robust employment growth indicates a late-cycle economy poised for a downturn, highlighting that employment growth is running steady and that layoffs in the tech industry, a previously weak area in the labor market, have significantly decelerated.
Inflation&#8217;s Silver Lining: The RenMac economist sees other positives in the current economic landscape. With consumer price inflation cooling more rapidly than labor market tightening, real incomes are advancing, giving consumers more spending power.
Dutta noted the easing food and energy bills, decelerating used car prices, and moderating housing rental inflation as additional tailwinds for real incomes.
Looking Ahead: During a May interview with Bloomberg, Dutta addressed the complexity of balancing short-term economic optimism with long-term concerns. He doesn&#8217;t see a recession as imminent or likely in the next year but acknowledged the Fed&#8217;s belief that a period of below-trend growth is required to address inflation.
Ultimately, Dutta suggests that staying cautious is the best course, though he told investors that the "recession clock has been reset."
The future may bring an economic slump engineered by the Fed to steer inflation back towards its 2% target, which makes it challenging to sustain optimism for equities, leading to a frustration that Dutta said is already reflected in the market.
However, the analyst suggests that continually ringing the recession alarm is more a symptom of Wall Street&#8217;s forecast addiction than an accurate reading of the economic landscape. For the investors looking to trade on Dutta&#8217;s analysis, broad market funds like the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTI#NYSE">VTI</a>) can offer a way to maintain exposure to equities without betting heavily on specific sectors.
For those with a more bullish view on the continuing strength of the labor market, ETFs like the First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CIBR#NASDAQ">CIBR</a>) or the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) might be interesting, given Dutta&#8217;s positive take on the tech sector&#8217;s recovery.
On the flip side, if you align with the cautious stance suggested due to continued Fed actions, the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) could provide a safer haven, as it often appreciates when investors anticipate slower economic growth. Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/23/06/33004757/ai-gold-rush-triggers-onset-of-tech-bull-market-according-to-analyst-4th-industrial">&#8216;AI Gold Rush&#8217; Triggers Onset Of Tech Bull Market, According To Analyst: &#8216;4th Industrial Revolution&#8217; Has Begun</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

CIBR

Recession Always Six Months Away? Analyst Rebukes Forecasters' Perpetual Economic Pessimism

Legendary investor&nbsp;Michael Burry, who famously bet against the housing market in the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis, is known to be skeptical about passive investing. In&nbsp;early October,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/09/29089894/the-big-short-investor-michael-burry-reminisces-dows-largest-single-day-fall-in-2008-expresses-scept" target="_blank">&ldquo;The Big Short&rdquo; investor</a>&nbsp;said passive investing has steadily inflated over the last decade and the only way to get out of the &quot;overcrowded theatre&quot; is &quot;by trampling each other.&quot;
&quot;Difference between now and 2000 is the passive investing bubble that inflated steadily over the last decade. All theaters are overcrowded and the only way anyone can get out is by trampling each other. And still the door is only so big,&quot; Burry said in his tweet.
<a href="https://ibb.co/7KZ18w4"><img alt="Screenshot-2022-10-03-at-10-56-39-AM" src="https://i.ibb.co/hV4mhPf/Screenshot-2022-10-03-at-10-56-39-AM.png" style="height:402px; width:650px" /></a> 
Screenshots from Michael Burry&#39;s handle on Twitter
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-invest-in-index-funds" target="_blank">How To Invest In Index Funds</a>
&nbsp;
In 2019, Burry&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-28/the-big-short-s-michael-burry-sees-a-bubble-in-passive-investing?srnd=markets-vp&amp;leadSource=uverify%20wall" target="_blank">told&nbsp;</a>Bloomberg that the bubble in passive investing through exchange-traded funds and index funds as well as the trend to very large size among asset managers has orphaned smaller value-type securities globally.
Famous investors like&nbsp;Peter Lynch&nbsp;have also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-07/peter-lynch-says-all-in-on-passive-investing-is-all-wrong?leadSource=uverify%20wall" target="_blank">criticized</a>&nbsp;passive investing, calling this shift &ldquo;a mistake&rdquo;, according to a Bloomberg report.
Price Action:&nbsp;As 2022 witnessed a stock market rout following aggressive rate hikes by the U.S.&nbsp;Federal Reserve, ETFs have underperformed this year. The&nbsp;Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vti#NYSE" target="_blank">VTI</a>) has lost over 26% since the beginning of the year, while the&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/spy#NYSE" target="_blank">SPY</a>) has lost over 25% in the same period.
Burry earlier tweeted about how current market conditions remind him of the mid-late 2000.
&ldquo;Another feeling I&#39;m getting is mid-late 2000. Free cash flow totally on sale and ignored while former momentum stocks are coming down but not far enough, and darling &#39;better businesses&#39; still had a way to fall. Value was about to take off for years despite more crash on the way,&rdquo; Burry said in his tweet.
This story was originally published on Oct. 3, 2022.
Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/09/29045610/big-short-investor-michael-burry-says-this-could-be-the-real-reason-why-yields-are-rising-despite-de" target="_blank">&#39;Big Short&#39; Investor Michael Burry Says This Could Be The Real Reason Yields Are Rising Despite Deflation Talks</a>

Analyst Ratings

'Big Short' Investor Michael Burry On How Current Market Differs From Dot-Com Bubble Burst: 'Only Way Out Is By Trampling Each Other'

Michael McCaul is a member of the Republican Party and has served as the U.S. representative for Texas&#39;s 10th congressional district since 2005. Rep. McCaul&rsquo;s trades are typically registered under his spouse and children, who have filed more than 160 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/10/29328817/analysts-had-mixed-views-on-adobe-post-annual-event">trades in September</a>.
McCaul&rsquo;s trading has been rather frequent over the past three years, with the U.S. representative filing more than 6,000 trades in the past three years.
McCaul formed the High Tech Caucus to find ways to keep America&rsquo;s technology <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-sectors-to-invest-in-right-now/">sector</a> strong and provide its domestic industry with the support it needs to remain on the cutting edge. McCaul has a knack for trading technology stocks, recently purchasing shares of EPAM Systems Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/epam#NYSE">EPAM</a>), Intuit (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/intu#NASDAQ">INTU</a>), and Adobe (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/adbe#NASDAQ">ADBE</a>), according to Capitol Trades.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/22/10/29312286/an-energy-caucus-lawmaker-is-buying-up-energy-stocks-with-big-yields-here-are-three-you-should-kno">An Energy Caucus Lawmaker Is Buying Up Energy Stocks With Big Yields: Here Are Three You Should Know About</a>
Philip Morris Intl (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pm#NYSE">PM</a>) is offering a dividend yield of 5.98% or $5.08 per share annually, conducting quarterly payments, with a notable track record of increasing its dividends for 13 consecutive years.&nbsp;
Philip Morris portfolio of international and local brands is led by Marlboro, the world&rsquo;s best-selling international cigarette, which accounted for about 37% of the firm&#39;s total 2020 cigarette shipment volume.
McCaul made two trades on Sep. 21 registered under his spouse and children for between $100,000 to $250,000 and between $15,000 to $50,000, respectively.
Shell (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/shel#NYSE">SHEL</a>) is offering a dividend yield of 3.86% or $2 per share annually, using quarterly payments, with a track record of increasing its dividends once in the last year.
In the second quarter, Shell announced $6 billion in share buybacks which are expected to be completed by its third quarter 2022 earnings release.
In McCaul&rsquo;s filings it was registered that his spouse and children purchased at least $600,000 in shares of Shell in September.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/vanguard-review/">Vanguard</a> Total Stock Market ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vti#NYSE">VTI</a>) is offering a dividend yield of 1.68% or $3.11 per share annually, using quarterly payments, with a track record of increasing its dividends once in the past year.
The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF seeks to track the investment performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index, which represents approximately all of the investable U.S. stock market and includes all market capitalization classes of stocks regularly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.
In September, McCaul&rsquo;s filings revealed that a minimum of $5.4 million worth of Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF shares were purchased in a Benzinga calculation, filed under his spouse and children, as reported by Capitol Trades.
The ETF&rsquo;s top three holdings include Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aapl#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/msft#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/amzn#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), accounting for 5.86%, 4,82%, and 2.72% of its roughly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/22/10/29206774/single-stock-etfs-are-on-the-rise-understand-these-core-principles-before-investing">4,066-stock portfolio</a>.
Photo via Shutterstock.

Asia

Latin America

Long Ideas

Dividends

Eurozone

Commodities

Offerings

Politics

Buybacks

Global

AAPL

ADBE

EPAM

INTU

SHEL

This Congressman Likes To Trade Tech, But Bought These 3 Dividend Stocks Instead

BBBY

COIN

PLTR

TLRY

TSLA

WISH

Top Wall Street Bets Mentions This Weekend: BBBY, GME, AMC, TSLA, PLTR, WISH, VTI, TLRY, COIN, REV

TWTR

UVXY

VERU

Top Wall Street Bets Mentions for Monday July 11, 2022 After-Hours: GME, TSLA, UVXY, AMC, TWTR, PEP, DIS, AAPL, VTI, VERU

CNBC
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27437019/airbuss-new-facility-to-research-cryogenic-fuel-systems-focused-on-hydrogen-technologies" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Airbus&rsquo;s New Facility To Research Cryogenic Fuel Systems, Focused On Hydrogen Technologies</a>
<ul>
<li>Airbus SE (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/eadsy#OTC">EADSY</a>) is establishing a hydrogen-focused facility in the United Kingdom; its latest attempt to boost the design of its next generation of aircraft.</li>
<li>Airbus stated in a statement Wednesday that the Zero Emission Development Centre in Filton, Bristol, has already begun working on the technology&rsquo;s development. One of the site&rsquo;s main purposes will be to work on what Airbus calls a &ldquo;cost-competitive cryogenic fuel system&rdquo; for its ZEROe aircraft.</li>
<li>Airbus has said it wants to develop &ldquo;zero-emission commercial aircraft&rdquo; by 2035.</li>
</ul>

Reuters
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/22/05/27437587/google-india-discuss-collaborating-over-e-commerce-network" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Google, India Discuss Collaborating Over Open E-Commerce Network</a> 
<ul>
<li>Alphabet Inc&rsquo;s (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/goog#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/googl#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google and the Indian government have discussed integrating its shopping services with India&rsquo;s open e-commerce network ONDC, Reuters reports.</li>
<li>Google&rsquo;s talks follow the success of its payments business due to the government&rsquo;s initiative for financial transactions, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).</li>
<li>An expert emphasized ONDC&rsquo;s need for a consumer player to drive mass adoption, which Google Pay did for UPI.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/22/05/27437581/another-u-s-abortion-battle-has-begun-and-it-is-over-pills" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Abortion Pills - The Next Battleground In USA</a>
<ul>
<li>The United States Supreme Court has not yet released its judgment, limiting abortion rights significantly. Still, one of the next legal battles has already begun in a Mississippi court.</li>
<li>Las Vegas-based GenBioPro Inc, the maker of a pill used in medication abortions, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the conservative state&rsquo;s limits on the pill, which is used in more than half of all abortions in the United States.</li>
<li>If the Supreme Court guts or overturns the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion worldwide, litigation over pharmaceutical abortion, which is permitted for use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, is likely to take center stage.</li>
</ul>

Wall Street Journal
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27437782/ernst-young-considers-separating-audit-and-advisory-businesses-wsj" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Big 4 Accounting Firm Ernst &amp; Young Considers Separating Audit and Advisory Businesses</a>
<ul>
<li>Big Four accounting firm Ernst &amp; Young is considering a global split of its audit and advising businesses amid regulatory scrutiny of potential conflicts of interest in the profession, reported WSJ, citing sources familiar with the situation.</li>
<li>This split will be the biggest structural shift at a Big Four firm since Arthur Andersen separated 20 years ago.</li>
<li>The potential split would create two giant professional firms. EY last year had global revenue of $40 billion, of which $13.6 billion came from audit work.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27436486/wework-appoints-andre-j-fernandez-as-new-finance-chief-the-third-since-the-covid-19-pandemic" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">WeWork Appoints Andre Fernandez As Finance Chief; Affirms Outlook</a>
<ul>
<li>WeWork Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/we#NYSE">WE</a>) has appointed Andre J. Fernandez as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective June 10, 2022.</li>
<li>This is the third time the co-working space operator has hired a finance chief since March 2020, the Wall Street Journal reported.</li>
<li>Fernandez recently served as the CFO of Atlanta-based enterprise software company NCR Corp (NYSE: <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ncr#NYSE" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">NCR</a>).</li>
</ul>

Bloomberg
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/22/05/27436637/workers-rebel-against-chinas-major-apple-supplier-probably-not-an-isolated-event-questioning-country" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Workers Rebel Against China&rsquo;s Major Apple Supplier, Question Country&rsquo;s Covid Decree</a>
<ul>
<li>Shanghai Apple Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aapl#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) supplier, Quanta Computer Inc&rsquo;s (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/qucpy#OTC">QUCPY</a>) low-wage workers, rebelled against their supervisors, demanding more freedom, Bloomberg reports.</li>
<li>The workers locked down by government ruling and isolated from the outside world for almost two months were a part of violent clashes, mounting infections, and vacant factory floors.</li>
<li>During the April lockdown, Quanta had to shut off most of its factories and seal workers.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27435841/heres-why-didi-shares-are-trading-higher-premarket" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Here&rsquo;s Why DiDi Shares Are Trading Higher Premarket</a>
<ul>
<li>State-owned biggest automobile conglomerate automaker China FAW Group Co is looking to scoop a significant stake in the troubled DiDi Global Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/didi#NYSE">DIDI</a>).</li>
<li>FAW aspired to be a significant shareholder and help Didi pave the way for a Hong Kong listing.</li>
<li>Previously Beijing Tourism Group division Shouqi Group and other Beijing-based companies harbored similar aspirations.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27436792/mcdonalds-vote-for-civil-rights-audit-bloomberg" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">McDonald&rsquo;s Investors Demand Civil Rights Audit in Close Vote</a>
<ul>
<li>McDonald&rsquo;s Corp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mcd#NYSE">MCD</a>) investors have voted in favor of a proposal for an independent civil-rights audit, Bloomberg reported.</li>
<li>The civil rights audit was the only shareholder proposal to gain the backing of a majority of votes cast at McDonald&rsquo;s annual meeting. About 52% of votes were in favor of the audit and 47% against.</li>
<li>A group of Black franchisees has demanded that the company should aid its minority franchisees who face discrimination in pay on the basis of gender and color.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27435563/microsoft-joins-peers-in-hiring-slowdown-amid-economic-volatility" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Microsoft Joins Peers In Hiring Slowdown Amid Economic Volatility</a>
<ul>
<li>Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/msft#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) looks to slow hiring in its Windows, Office, and Teams chat and conferencing software groups.</li>
<li>Recently, Microsoft disclosed plans to double its budget for salary increases and boosting stock grants to retain key workers.</li>
<li>Microsoft&rsquo;s slowdown was not companywide, and overall it will continue to hire with additional focus on where those resources go.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27437249/google-maps-contract-workers-lock-horns-over-returning-to-office-policy" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Google Maps Contract Workers Lock Horns With Management Over Returning To Office Policy</a>
<ul>
<li>Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/goog#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/googl#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google Maps contract workers are amid a standoff with their vendor Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ctsh#NASDAQ">CTSH</a>) on resuming back office.</li>
<li>The workers who are paid an hourly rate of $16 - $28 and do not enjoy the same perks as direct employees are also subject to the company&rsquo;s broader push to bring workers back to their offices without much leverage to exceptions.</li>
<li>Cognizant informed contract workers that their in-office work would be mandatory starting June 6.</li>
</ul>

Benzinga
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27434985/tesla-environmental-group-other-ev-companies-said-to-have-asked-biden-for-heavy-duty-truck-charging" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Tesla, Other EV Makers Said To Have Asked Biden For Heavy-duty Truck Charging Investments</a>
<ul>
<li>Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tsla#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), alongside other electric vehicle companies and environmental groups &mdash; has asked President Joe Biden&rsquo;s administration to invest in charging infrastructure for electric buses, trucks and other medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, The Verge reported on Thursday, citing a letter.</li>
<li>The groups have in a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg this week requested the administration to allocate 10% of the money for electric vehicle charging in the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill signed last November.</li>
<li>The bill includes $7.5 billion for electric vehicle infrastructure but does not cover for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/05/27435352/coinbases-criticising-indian-government-may-not-be-a-right-communications-strategy-industr" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Coinbase&rsquo;s &lsquo;Audacious&rsquo; India Strategy Deemed A Mistake By Crypto Experts</a>
<ul>
<li>From suggesting a legal move against RBI in a tweet to calling out the government&rsquo;s &ldquo;subtle pressure&rdquo; on exchanges, Coinbase Global Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/coin#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) CEO Brian Armstrong has been quite outspoken about India&rsquo;s clampdown on cryptocurrency.</li>
<li>But industry experts don&rsquo;t think it&rsquo;s the right move if the company wants to do business in India.</li>
<li>Multiple sources from the cryptocurrency industry and the government have told CoinDesk that Coinbase&rsquo;s communications strategy regarding India may not be the right approach. </li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27436217/toyota-motor-cuts-june-production-for-the-second-time" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Toyota Cuts Production Plan For June Again</a>
<ul>
<li>Toyota Motor Corp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tm#NYSE">TM</a>) has cut its June global production plan for the second time in a week due to the COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai.</li>
<li>The auto major cut production by 50,000 vehicles and now anticipates producing about 800,000 units in June.</li>
<li>It has decided to suspend domestic factory line operations for the week of June 6, on top of the suspension announced earlier.</li>
<li>The company now sees an average global production plan from June through August to 850,000 units per month and 9.7 million units for the full period of Fiscal Year 2023.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27434899/elon-musk-twitter-sued-by-microblogging-company-shareholders-over-chaotic-deal" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Elon Musk And Twitter Both Sued By Shareholders Over &lsquo;Chaotic Deal&rsquo;</a>
<ul>
<li>Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tsla#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk and Twitter Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/twtr#NYSE">TWTR</a>) are being sued by the microblogging company&rsquo;s shareholders over an ongoing chaotic $44 billion take-private deal, CNBC reported on Thursday, citing a lawsuit.</li>
<li>Twitter shareholders allege that the billionaire entrepreneur violated California corporate laws on several fronts, and in doing so engaged in market manipulation, as per a class-action lawsuit filed on Wednesday.</li>
<li>The lawsuit lists another potential violation, alleging that Musk benefited financially by late disclosures about his stake in Twitter and by temporarily concealing his plan in early April to become a board member at the microblogging site.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/05/27434968/apple-analyst-munster-calls-thursday-move-as-bear-market-rally-this-is-when-bottom-" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Brace For &lsquo;Bear Market Tech Rally:&rsquo; Munster Predicts When Stock Market Could Actually Hit A Bottom</a>
<ul>
<li>U.S. stocks rose on Thursday, even as underwhelming guidance from Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nvda#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) stoked fears of more pullbacks, but Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aapl#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tsla#NASDAQ" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">TSLA</a>) analyst Gene Munster thinks it isn&rsquo;t yet time to call the bottom.</li>
<li>Munster, also a managing partner at Loup Funds, on Thursday, alerted investors on Twitter to gear up for a &ldquo;bear market tech rally,&rdquo; saying the Nvidia stock jump was a &ldquo;classic sign&rdquo; of near-term bad news being priced in.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/05/27434402/ethereum-dogecoin-fall-harder-than-bitcoin-crypto-investors-pain-shows-no-sign-of-easing-e" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Ethereum, Dogecoin Fall Harder Than Bitcoin: Crypto Investors&rsquo; Pain Shows No Sign Of Easing Even As Stocks Bounce</a>
<ul>
<li>Ethereum fell sharply, while Bitcoin faced relatively lower strain at press time on Thursday evening, as the global cryptocurrency market cap decreased 3.7% to $1.2 trillion.</li>
<li>Cryptocurrencies failed to muster strength even as other risk assets like stocks soared on Thursday.</li>
<li>Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin traded below the $30,000, $2,000 and 8 cents levels, respectively, at press time. On Thursday, the S&amp;P500 closed 2% higher and the Nasdaq added 2.7%.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/22/05/27431219/7-stocks-most-likely-to-be-impacted-by-iphone-14-delays" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">7 Stocks Most Likely To Be Impacted By iPhone 14 Delays</a>
<ul>
<li>As the largest tech company in the world, Apple Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/appl#NASDAQ" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">APPL</a>) has a global reach, unlike any other company.</li>
<li>Because of its scale, Apple has a bigger market share of the global supply chain than most companies, allowing it to demand higher quality products and impose harsher terms on its suppliers.</li>
<li>Some restrictions have eased in the greater Shanghai area, allowing suppliers to ramp up developmental efforts. Still, the consequences of the lockdowns have already impacted the production of the iPhone 14 Max model &mdash; to the tune of three weeks.</li>
</ul>
Photo via Wikimedia Commons

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Morning Brief: Top Financial Stories Dominating on Friday, May 27

Big Four accounting firm&nbsp;Ernst &amp; Young&nbsp;is considering a global split of its audit and advising businesses amid regulatory scrutiny of potential conflicts of interest in the profession,&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/accounting-firm-ey-considers-splitting-audit-and-advisory-businesses-11653592588?mod=hp_lista_pos2" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">reported WSJ</a>, citing sources familiar with the situation.
This split will be the biggest structural shift at a Big Four firm since Arthur Andersen separated 20 years ago.
The potential split would create two giant professional firms. EY last year had global revenue of $40 billion, of which $13.6 billion came from audit work.
It&#39;s unclear how the restructuring would function, WSJ wrote. The split might add additional services, such as tax advising, to the pure audit functions. Non-audit clients could then be served by the breakaway firm&#39;s consulting and other advisory services, one of the sources stated.
The Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into possible conflicts of interest at the Big Four and a few mid-tier audit companies. Senior SEC officials have publicly advised accounting firms not to &quot;creatively implement the [independence] rules in recent months.&quot;
The firm has no set timeline for the potential breakup, which is still under contemplation and may not go ahead.
Accounting industry insiders believe that an EY breakup would put pressure on the remainder of the Big Four&mdash;Deloitte, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers&mdash;to explore similar major changes. &quot;This might have a destabilizing effect on the soundness of the assurance profession,&quot; said Jim Peterson, a former Arthur Andersen partner and attorney.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Big 4 Accounting Firm Ernst & Young Considers Separating Audit and Advisory Businesses: WSJ

CNBC
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/22/05/27413024/two-major-tech-deals-come-under-uk-government-scrutiny" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Two Major Tech Deals Come Under UK Government Scrutiny</a>
<ul>
<li>The U.K. will review Altice USA Inc&rsquo;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/atus#NYSE">ATUS</a>) increased stake in BT Group plc (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/btgof#OTC">BTGOF</a>) after Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng exercised new takeover powers focusing on national security.</li>
<li>The company announced that the U.K. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is &ldquo;calling in&rdquo; its deal with Altice, which telecom magnate Patrick Drahi owns.</li>
<li>BT Group said it would fully cooperate with this review.</li>
</ul>

Reuters
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/22/05/27412794/britain-competition-watchdog-launches-second-probe-on-google" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Britain Competition Watchdog Launches Second Probe On Google</a>
<ul>
<li>Britain&rsquo;s competition regulator launched its second probe into the advertising practices of Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/goog#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/googl#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google for allegedly fudging competition and illegally favoring its services.</li>
<li>The CMA studied three critical parts of the ad tech stack chain, services that mediate ad tech since Google owned the largest provider in each of those components.</li>
<li>The CMA&rsquo;s latest probe follows its probe into Google and Facebook owner-Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/fb#NASDAQ" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">FB</a>) &ldquo;Jedi Blue&rdquo; agreement.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/22/05/27413972/canadas-telus-withdraws-its-830m-bid-for-australias-appen-reuters" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Canada&rsquo;s Telus Withdraws Its $830M Bid For Australia&rsquo;s Appen</a>
<ul>
<li>Telus International (TSX:TIXT) (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tixt#NYSE">TIXT</a>) made and then unexpectedly withdrew a A$1.2 billion ($830 million) acquisition offer for Australian rival Appen Ltd (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/appef#OTC">APPEF</a>).</li>
<li>&ldquo;Telus informed us that they were revoking their Indicative Proposal. No reasons were given,&rdquo; the Australian software seller stated.</li>
<li>On Thursday, trading in Appen&rsquo;s shares was halted after they surged more than 29 percent to A$8.27, well below the indicative offer price of A$9.50 per share.</li>
</ul>

Wall Street Journal
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27411462/apple-announces-10-hike-for-store-workers-amid-surging-inflation-unionization-drive-report" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Apple Gives 10% Hike To Store Workers Amid Hot Inflation, Unionization Drive</a>
<ul>
<li>Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aapl#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) has reportedly followed up on its February pay increases for its store employees with another.</li>
<li>Cupertino is raising salaries for store employees in the U.S. by 10% or more, to at least $22 per hour, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing an email from the company to workers.</li>
<li>&ldquo;This year as part of our annual performance review process, we&rsquo;re increasing our overall compensation budget,&rdquo; the report said, citing an Apple spokesperson.</li>
<li>The latest move is on top of the 2-10% upward revision the company announced in February.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27413312/boeings-starliner-spacecraft-returns-to-earth" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Boeing&rsquo;s Starliner Spacecraft Returns To Earth</a>
<ul>
<li>After undocking from the International Space Station, Boeing Co. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ba#NYSE">BA</a>) spacecraft landed in the desert on Wednesday, marking the end of a test mission that was first attempted more than two years ago, reported WSJ.</li>
<li>The ship had successfully connected with the space station on Friday night, nearly a day after being launched into orbit by a rocket from a Florida launchpad.</li>
<li>The Starliner carried out several maneuvers during the mission to demonstrate its capacity to fly and make adjustments in orbit to reach the station.</li>
</ul>

Bloomberg
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27413957/another-chinese-car-tech-company-aspires-to-go-public-via-spac-merger-after-didis-debacle" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Another Chinese Car Tech Company Aspires To Go Public Via SPAC Merger After DiDi&rsquo;s Debacle</a>
<ul>
<li>Billionaire Li Shufu-backed car technology company Ecarx Holdings Inc looks to go public via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger with Cova Acquisition Corp (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cova#NASDAQ">COVA</a>).</li>
<li>Ecarx, founded in 2017 by Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd&rsquo;s (OTC: <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gelyy#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">GELYY</a>) Shufu and Ziyu Shen, develops software and hardware like digital cockpit and infotainment systems for cars.</li>
<li>The combined company will be worth $3.8 billion.</li>
<li>Ecarx would be the most prominent Chinese company to list in the U.S. following DiDi Global Inc&rsquo;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/didi#NYSE">DIDI</a>) debacle. </li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27411694/sony-goes-aggressive-on-gaming-pursuit-read-how" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Sony Goes Aggressive On Gaming Pursuit - Read How</a>
<ul>
<li>Sony Group Corp&rsquo;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sony#NYSE">SONY</a>) PlayStation division looks to acquire more game studios and increase investment in live services, PC and mobile offerings, its gaming chief said, Bloomberg reports.</li>
<li>Sony is yet to expand PlayStation Studios inorganically and will look to keep forging deals, Jim Ryan said.</li>
<li>Sony spent nearly half its PlayStation 5 investment budget developing and growing live services and looks to increase that ratio to 55% by FY25.</li>
<li>Sony projects PC net sales of $300 million in the current fiscal year, up almost four-fold from $80 million a year ago.</li>
</ul>

Financial Times
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/22/05/27413229/fed-explores-more-aggressive-interest-rate-hikes-to-counter-inflation-while-weighing-risks-associate" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Fed Explores More Aggressive Interest Rate Hikes To Counter Inflation While Weighing Associated Risks</a>
<ul>
<li>Federal Reserve officials discussed moving the U.S. central bank to a &ldquo;restrictive&rdquo; policy stance to counter inflation through more aggressive interest rate increases.</li>
<li>Most U.S. monetary policymakers agreed to increase the Fed&rsquo;s primary interest rate between 0.75% - 1% by 50 basis points at the next set of meetings.</li>
<li>The Fed officials saw risks to financial stability related to the tightening cycle that could hurt the liquidity of Treasury securities markets and the private sector&rsquo;s intermediation capacity.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27413724/venture-global-secretly-started-constructing-13b-lng-plant-on-us-gulf-coast" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Venture Global &lsquo;Secretly&rsquo; Started Constructing $13B LNG Plant On US Gulf Coast</a>
<ul>
<li>The Financial Times reported that Venture Global LNG would build one of the largest new liquefied natural gas export plants in the U.S. on the Louisiana coast.</li>
<li>The Plaquemines project will supply more than 13 million tons a year of LNG, equivalent to 15% of total U.S. export capacity.</li>
<li>A second phase could take the plant&rsquo;s capacity to 20 million tons a year.</li>
</ul>

Benzinga
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27409823/twitter-to-shell-out-150m-to-settle-privacy-complaint-alleging-it-used-phone-numbers-to-target-ads" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Twitter To Settle Complaint Alleging It Used User Phone Numbers To Target Ads For $150M</a>
<ul>
<li>Twitter Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/twtr#NYSE">TWTR</a>) will pay $150 million in civil penalties after the social media platform settled a complaint that alleged that the company used its members&rsquo; email addresses and phone numbers to target them with advertisements.</li>
<li>The settlement pertains to allegations that Twitter violated the Federal Trade Commission Act and an administrative order issued by the Federal Trade Commission in March 2011.</li>
<li>In addition to the penalty, Twitter has agreed to &ldquo;implement robust compliance measures&rdquo; to protect its users&rsquo; data privacy, according to a joint statement by the U.S. Department of Justice and the FTC.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27411060/u-n-votes-to-make-oil-food-and-other-prices-shoot-up-in-north-korea-after-effects-of-missile-testing" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Kim Jong-Un&rsquo;s Missile Test Spurs UN To Toughen Sanctions Against North Korea</a>
<ul>
<li>The United Nations Security Council will reportedly vote to strengthen sanctions on North Korea after the Kim Jong-Un-led country recently tested intercontinental ballistic missiles.</li>
<li>A senior U.S. official told AFP that at the request of the United States, which holds the rotating Security Council presidency for May, the U.N. would conduct a vote on a resolution aimed at toughening sanctions on North Korea.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27410895/gamestop-dishing-out-major-discounts-on-for-playstation-days-of-play-event" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">GameStop Is Dishing Out Big Discounts During This Special Playstation Event</a>
<ul>
<li>GameStop Corp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gme#NYSE">GME</a>) is dishing out some major discounts for Sony Group Corp&rsquo;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sony#NYSE">SONY</a>) PlayStation &ldquo;Days of Play&rdquo; event.</li>
<li>The event is due to take place between May 25 and June 8 this year. On offer are GameStop discounts on select PlayStation 4 and 5 games such as &ldquo;Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves&rdquo; and &ldquo;MLB The Show 22.&rdquo;</li>
<li>The discounts also extend to PS5 DualSense Controllers, which are going for $59.99 against the regular price of $69.99 to $74.99.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27410072/nio-bets-on-honeywell-refrigerant-with-low-global-warming-potential-for-et7-sedan-a-first-among-chin" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Why Nio Is Betting On This Honeywell Product To Fight Global Warming</a>
<ul>
<li>Nio Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nio#NYSE">NIO</a>) will use Honeywell International Inc&rsquo;s (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hon#NASDAQ">HON</a>) refrigerant with ultra-low global warming potential for its recently launched ET7 sedan, CnEVpost reported on Thursday, citing the U.S. industrial company.</li>
<li>Honeywell claims its hydrofluoroolefin (HFO)-based refrigerant has a global warming potential (GWP) of less than 1, a 99.9% reduction compared to HFC refrigerants currently used in the Chinese market.</li>
<li>The HFO-1234yf refrigerant was being used in more than 120 million vehicles globally at the end of last year, the report said, citing Honeywell.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/05/27409842/jpmorgan-bitcoins-fair-value-at-38-000-crypto-ahead-of-real-estate-in-alternative-assets" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">JPMorgan Sees Bitcoin&rsquo;s Fair Value At $38,000; Crypto Now Preferred Over Real Estate</a>
<ul>
<li>Analysts at JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co have reportedly forecast potential upside for Bitcoin BTC/USD and other cryptocurrencies in the months to come.</li>
<li>In a Wednesday research note to investors seen by Forbes, JPMorgan strategists, led by Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou, placed Bitcoin&rsquo;s &ldquo;fair value&rdquo; at $38,000, 28% higher than its current market price.</li>
<li>The bank also noted that cryptocurrencies had surpassed real estate as a preferred alternative asset.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/05/27409612/bitcoin-ethereum-trade-mixed-dogecoin-down-fomc-minutes-cheer-stocks-but-exuberance-distin" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Bitcoin Edges Up, Ethereum, Dogecoin Down: Fed Meet Cheers Stocks But Crypto Stuck In Rut</a>
<ul>
<li>Bitcoin and Ethereum were mixed at press time on Wednesday evening, breaking away from other risk assets after the U.S. Federal Reserve&rsquo;s policy meeting minutes came in line with expectations. The global cryptocurrency market cap fell 0.7% to $1.3 trillion.</li>
<li>Major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum failed to overcome resistance at the key $30,000 and $2,000 levels even though other risk assets like stocks rallied on Wednesday.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/05/27409933/wait-way-more-than-10-of-investors-now-own-crypto-kucoin-report" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Wait, Now 27% Of US Adults Own Or Trade Crypto: KuCoin Report</a>
<ul>
<li>A report by leading cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin reveals that 27% of U.S adults are now invested or have traded cryptocurrencies in the last six months.</li>
<li>KuCoin in a report titled &ldquo;Into The Cryptoverse&rdquo; provided insights into the growing cryptocurrency market in the United States.</li>
<li>The report didn&rsquo;t specify which digital coins are most popular among U.S. adults, but on-chain data shows that Bitcoin BTC/USD and Ethereum ETH/USD are the most prevalent cryptocurrencies worldwide.</li>
</ul>
Photo via Wikimedia Commons

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Morning Brief: Top Financial Stories Dominating on Thursday, May 26

<ul>
<li>Federal Reserve officials discussed moving the U.S. central bank to a &quot;restrictive&quot; policy stance to counter inflation through more fierce interest rate increases,&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.ft.com/content/5639bf4a-43dd-4565-a0bd-fd71c732d4d3" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">the Financial Times reports</a>.</li>
<li>However, the policy could undermine the strong recovery in the jobs market.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Some Fed officials also saw risks to commodities markets stemming from the disruptions associated with the Ukraine war.</li>
<li>Multiple officials saw risks to financial stability related to the tightening cycle that could hurt the liquidity of Treasury securities markets and the private sector&#39;s intermediation capacity.</li>
<li>Most U.S. monetary policymakers agreed to increase the Fed&#39;s primary interest rate between 0.75% - 1%, by 50 basis points at the next set of meetings.</li>
<li>The officials backed the central bank&#39;s plans to reduce its balance sheet and consider selling mortgage-backed securities as an additional tool.</li>
<li>Tackling the high inflation was currently the central bank&#39;s most significant challenge while retaining price stability to prevent the low-income households from getting bankrupt.</li>
<li>Photo by Pexels via Pixabay</li>
</ul>

Government

Regulations

Media

Fed Explores More Aggressive Interest Rate Hikes To Counter Inflation While Weighing Associated Risks

SPY: Resurgent Inflation, Soaring Yields, Geopolitical Turmoil - 1970s All Over Again?

Bearish sentiment above historical averages amid rate cut uncertainty, earnings

AAII Sentiment Survey: Pessimism Jumps To Highest Level Since November

Buy This Market Despite Rising Geopolitical Risk

Weekly Indicators: Industrial Commodity Prices Spike To 12-Month High

While commodities are the year's big winner, there's still room for debate on whether the latest move is more than a bounce within a trading range.