AlphaMark Actively Managed Small Cap ETF (NASDAQ: SMCP)

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AlphaMark Actively Managed Small Cap ETF

<p>Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on <strong>Humana</strong>.</p>
<p>Looking at options history for Humana (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HUM#NYSE">HUM</a>) we detected 11 trades.</p>
<p>If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 36% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 45% with bearish.</p>
<p>From the overall spotted trades, 3 are puts, for a total amount of $136,443 and 8, calls, for a total amount of $489,765.</p>
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
<p>Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $270.0 to $340.0 for Humana over the last 3 months. </p>
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
<p>In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Humana stands at 190.7, with a total volume reaching 1,036.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Humana, situated within the strike price corridor from $270.0 to $340.0, throughout the last 30 days.</p>
<h3>Humana Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713899742_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>HUM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$68.9</td>
<td>$67.9</td>
<td>$67.9</td>
<td>$280.00</td>
<td>$122.2K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HUM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/26/24</td>
<td>$9.4</td>
<td>$9.2</td>
<td>$9.2</td>
<td>$325.00</td>
<td>$91.9K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">154</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">112</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HUM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/26/24</td>
<td>$9.5</td>
<td>$9.2</td>
<td>$9.47</td>
<td>$325.00</td>
<td>$78.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">154</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">254</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HUM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/21/24</td>
<td>$11.2</td>
<td>$10.7</td>
<td>$11.0</td>
<td>$320.00</td>
<td>$55.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">338</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HUM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$32.3</td>
<td>$30.9</td>
<td>$31.51</td>
<td>$340.00</td>
<td>$50.4K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">59</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">29</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About Humana</h3>
<p>Humana is one of the largest private health insurers in the U.S. with a focus on administering Medicare Advantage plans. The firm has built a niche specializing in government-sponsored programs, with nearly all its medical membership stemming from individual and group Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and the military's Tricare program. The firm is also a leader in stand-alone prescription drug plans for seniors enrolled in traditional fee-for-service Medicare. Beyond medical insurance, the company provides other healthcare services, including primary-care services, at-home services, and pharmacy benefit management.</p>
<p>In light of the recent options history for Humana, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.</p>
<h3>Current Position of Humana</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 837,701, the price of HUM is up 0.41% at $326.62. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 1 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Humana</h3>
<p>In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $366.4.</p>
<ul>
<li>Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Goldman Sachs continues to hold a Buy rating for Humana, targeting a price of $385. </li>
<li>An analyst from Barclays has decided to maintain their Equal-Weight rating on Humana, which currently sits at a price target of $310. </li>
<li>An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald has revised its rating downward to Neutral, adjusting the price target to $391. </li>
<li>An analyst from Wells Fargo has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Humana, which currently sits at a price target of $350. </li>
<li>Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from TD Cowen keeps a Buy rating on Humana with a target price of $396. </li>
</ul>
<p>Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Humana with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.</p>


Options

Markets

Behind the Scenes of Humana's Latest Options Trends

<p>High-rolling investors have positioned themselves bullish on Vale (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VALE#NYSE">VALE</a>), and it's important for retail traders to take note.<br />
\This activity came to our attention today through Benzinga's tracking of publicly available options data. The identities of these investors are uncertain, but such a significant move in VALE often signals that someone has privileged information.</p>
<p>Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 8 options trades for Vale. This is not a typical pattern.</p>
<p>The sentiment among these major traders is split, with 37% bullish and 37% bearish. Among all the options we identified, there was one put, amounting to $30,030, and 7 calls, totaling $331,030.</p>
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
<p>Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $1.0 to $15.0 for Vale over the recent three months. </p>
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
<p>Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Vale's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Vale's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $1.0 to $15.0 over the preceding 30 days.</p>
<h3>Vale Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713899737_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>VALE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>07/19/24</td>
<td>$11.1</td>
<td>$11.0</td>
<td>$11.05</td>
<td>$1.00</td>
<td>$66.3K</td>
<td>410</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VALE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/19/24</td>
<td>$11.3</td>
<td>$11.25</td>
<td>$11.3</td>
<td>$1.00</td>
<td>$56.5K</td>
<td>410</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">160</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VALE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/19/24</td>
<td>$11.3</td>
<td>$11.25</td>
<td>$11.27</td>
<td>$1.00</td>
<td>$56.3K</td>
<td>410</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">230</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VALE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/21/24</td>
<td>$13.25</td>
<td>$10.65</td>
<td>$11.25</td>
<td>$1.00</td>
<td>$51.7K</td>
<td>1.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">46</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VALE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>07/19/24</td>
<td>$11.1</td>
<td>$11.0</td>
<td>$11.05</td>
<td>$1.00</td>
<td>$44.2K</td>
<td>410</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">40</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About Vale</h3>
<p>Vale is a large global miner and the world's largest producer of iron ore and pellets. In recent years the company has sold noncore assets such as its fertilizer, coal, and steel operations to concentrate on iron ore, nickel, and copper. Earnings are dominated by the bulk materials division, primarily iron ore and iron ore pellets. The base metals division is much smaller, consisting of nickel mines and smelters along with copper mines producing copper in concentrate. Vale has agreed to sell a minority 13% stake in energy transition metals, its base metals business, which is expected to become effective in 2024, and which is likely the first step in separating base metals and iron ore.</p>
<p>Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Vale, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.</p>
<h3>Vale's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 25,204,551, the VALE's price is up by 0.45%, now at $12.26. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 1 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Vale</h3>
<p>In the last month, 4 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $16.5.</p>
<ul>
<li>An analyst from Barclays has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Vale, which currently sits at a price target of $17. </li>
<li>An analyst from JP Morgan has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Vale, which currently sits at a price target of $20. </li>
<li>Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Deutsche Bank continues to hold a Hold rating for Vale, targeting a price of $16. </li>
<li>An analyst from B of A Securities has revised its rating downward to Neutral, adjusting the price target to $13. </li>
</ul>
<p>Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Vale with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.</p>


VALE

Vale Options Trading: A Deep Dive into Market Sentiment

<p>Financial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on Lowe's Companies. Our analysis of options history for Lowe's Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LOW#NYSE">LOW</a>) revealed 11 unusual trades.</p>
<p>Delving into the details, we found 27% of traders were bullish, while 72% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 9 were puts, with a value of $537,872, and 2 were calls, valued at $62,524.</p>
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
<p>Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $210.0 to $260.0 for Lowe's Companies over the recent three months. </p>
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
<p>Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Lowe's Companies's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Lowe's Companies's whale trades within a strike price range from $210.0 to $260.0 in the last 30 days. </p>
<h3>Lowe's Companies Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713899731_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>LOW</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$40.1</td>
<td>$39.45</td>
<td>$39.85</td>
<td>$260.00</td>
<td>$155.4K</td>
<td>298</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LOW</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/21/24</td>
<td>$12.7</td>
<td>$12.55</td>
<td>$12.7</td>
<td>$240.00</td>
<td>$101.5K</td>
<td>1.9K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">83</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LOW</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$34.1</td>
<td>$34.05</td>
<td>$34.05</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$85.1K</td>
<td>96</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LOW</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$14.2</td>
<td>$13.7</td>
<td>$14.05</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$44.9K</td>
<td>165</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">78</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LOW</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$23.45</td>
<td>$22.65</td>
<td>$23.14</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$37.0K</td>
<td>229</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">39</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About Lowe's Companies</h3>
<p>Lowe's is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world, operating more than 1,700 stores in the United States, after the 2023 divestiture of its Canadian locations (RONA, Lowe's Canada, Réno-Dépôt, and Dick's Lumber). The firm's stores offer products and services for home decorating, maintenance, repair, and remodeling, with maintenance and repair accounting for two thirds of products sold. Lowe's targets retail do-it-yourself (around 75% of sales) and do-it-for-me customers as well as commercial and professional business clients (around 25% of sales). We estimate Lowe's captures a high-single-digit share of the domestic home improvement market, based on U.S. Census data and management's market size estimates.</p>
<h3>Lowe's Companies's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 822,284, the LOW's price is up by 1.7%, now at $234.04. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 28 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Lowe's Companies</h3>
<p>Over the past month, 5 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $266.2.</p>
<ul>
<li>Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Evercore ISI Group continues to hold a In-Line rating for Lowe's Companies, targeting a price of $275. </li>
<li>In a cautious move, an analyst from Gordon Haskett downgraded its rating to Hold, setting a price target of $245. </li>
<li>Reflecting concerns, an analyst from DA Davidson lowers its rating to Neutral with a new price target of $270.</li>
<li>An analyst from Evercore ISI Group persists with their In-Line rating on Lowe's Companies, maintaining a target price of $270. </li>
<li>An analyst from Truist Securities has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Lowe's Companies, which currently sits at a price target of $271. </li>
</ul>
<p>Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Lowe's Companies options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.</p>


What the Options Market Tells Us About Lowe's Companies

<p>Per the Federal Reserve&#39;s report, industrial production rebounded 0.4% each in February and March 2024, following a 0.8% dip in January. However, the overall performance for the first quarter of 2024 showed a decline at an annual rate of 1.8%. In March 2024, the Institute for Supply Management&#39;s manufacturing index was 50.3% &mdash; the first expansion in 16 months. Despite this uptick, the index averaged 49% for the January-March quarter. The New Orders Index displayed two months of expansion (with a reading of more than 50%) within the quarter, which was promising. Our latest Earnings Trends report, thus, indicates a 1.6% decline for the Industrial Products sector&#39;s first-quarter top line, as weak demand seen early in the quarter is expected to have been offset by this late-quarter growth in orders.<br />
The sector continues to face challenges from rampant cost inflation, and constraints on the availability of raw materials, labor and trucking resources. Despite recent improvements in the supply chain reported by the industry players, pricing actions, cost-control measures and productivity improvements are being pursued to mitigate these challenges. We expect the Industrial Products sector&#39;s earnings for the first quarter to decline 3.8% year over year. The sector is among nine of the 16 Zacks Sectors that are likely to witness a decline in earnings in the January-March quarter of 2024.<br />
Some major industrial stocks like <strong>Caterpillar </strong>(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cat#NYSE">CAT</a>), <strong>W.W. Grainger, Inc.</strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gww#NYSE">GWW</a>), <strong>Dover Corporation</strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/dov#NYSE">DOV</a>), <strong>Ball Corporation</strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ball#NYSE">BALL</a>) and <strong>Avery Dennison</strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/avy#NYSE">AVY</a>) are set to announce their earnings during this week, will significantly impact market sentiment. Caterpillar&#39;s performance, in particular, is closely watched by investors, as it serves as a key economic indicator for the sector.<br />
Our quantitative model predicts an earnings beat for a company if it has a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). This combination increases the chances of an earnings beat.<br />
Let us take an in-depth look at the factors that are expected to have influenced the earnings performances of these companies in the to-be-reported quarter and whether they will surpass or fall short of expectations.<br />
<strong>Caterpillar</strong>&#39;s top-line results for the first quarter of 2024 are expected to reflect the impacts of the solid backlog of $27.5 billion reported at the beginning of the quarter and the improvement in order trends through the quarter. The Resource Industries segment&#39;s volumes are anticipated to have taken a hit from the weak mining demand, which is likely to have been offset by higher volumes in the Energy &amp; Transportation segment (reflecting the solid demand across Oil &amp; Gas, Power Generation, and Transportation). Despite facing higher costs for raw materials, freight, selling, general and administrative expenses, and research and development, we anticipate CAT&#39;s cost-control measures, restructuring actions and pricing strategies to have mitigated some of these challenges.<br />
Our proven model predicts that CAT will register an earnings beat when it releases first-quarter 2024 results on Apr 25. CAT has an Earnings ESP of +0.69% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.</p>
<div class="chart_embed">
<h3>Caterpillar Inc. Price and EPS Surprise</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/chart/CAT/price-eps-surprise?icid=chart-CAT-price-eps-surprise"><img alt="Caterpillar Inc. Price and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/36/1713877529.png" style="height:302px; width:624px" title="" /> </a></p>
<p>Caterpillar Inc. price-eps-surprise | Caterpillar Inc. Quote</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Grainger </strong>has been witnessing strong growth in core and non-pandemic product sales for the past few quarters. Also, GWW has been focusing on improving the end-to-end customer experience by making investments in its e-commerce and digital capabilities, and executing improvement initiatives within its supply chain. The High-Touch Solutions segment has consistently outperformed the U.S. MRO (maintenance, repair and operating) market. These factors are likely to have contributed to the company&#39;s first-quarter 2024 performance. However, elevated material, freight costs, and higher operating costs and incremental SG&amp;A expenses due to higher technology investments are likely to have negatively impacted its margins.<br />
Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Grainger this time around. GWW has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #2. GWW is scheduled to release first-quarter 2024 results on Apr 25.</p>
<div class="chart_embed">
<h3>W.W. Grainger, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/chart/GWW/price-eps-surprise?icid=chart-GWW-price-eps-surprise"><img alt="W.W. Grainger, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/f1/1713878226.png" style="height:300px; width:624px" title="" /> </a></p>
<p>W.W. Grainger, Inc. price-eps-surprise | W.W. Grainger, Inc. Quote</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Dover </strong>has been witnessing robust bookings and order backlogs across its segments on strong demand and shipment levels, which are likely to have benefited its first-quarter 2024 top line. Gains from the recent acquisitions are also likely to have contributed to the company&#39;s performance in the to-be-reported quarter. Dover&#39;s margins have been gaining from a strong volume, an improved price-cost spread and tight cost controls for a while, offsetting the negative impacts of supply-chain constraints, input inflation and production disruptions. These are likely to have driven DOV&#39;s profitability in the quarter under review.<br />
Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Dover this season. DOV currently has an Earnings ESP of -0.55% and a Zacks Rank # 3, and is set to release results on Apr 25.</p>
<div class="chart_embed">
<h3>Dover Corporation Price and EPS Surprise</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/chart/DOV/price-eps-surprise?icid=chart-DOV-price-eps-surprise"><img alt="Dover Corporation Price and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/8c/1713878112.png" style="height:300px; width:624px" title="" /> </a></p>
<p>Dover Corporation price-eps-surprise | Dover Corporation Quote</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Ball Corp</strong> has lately been witnessing weaker-than-expected demand, as customer spending has been muted amid higher retail prices, particularly in the United States. This is likely to get reflected in the company&#39;s first-quarter 2024 results. High input and labor costs due to supply constraints are also anticipated to have impacted the company&#39;s performance in the quarter. However, BALL has been focused on improving its efficiency and reducing costs, which is likely to have negated these impacts and aided margins in the to-be-reported quarter.<br />
Our model predicts an earnings beat for Ball Corp this time around. BALL has an Earnings ESP of +1.50% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. BALL is scheduled to release first-quarter 2024 results on Apr 26.</p>
<div class="chart_embed">
<h3>Ball Corporation Price and EPS Surprise</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/chart/BALL/price-eps-surprise?icid=chart-BALL-price-eps-surprise"><img alt="Ball Corporation Price and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/5b/1713878255.png" style="height:304px; width:624px" title="" /> </a></p>
<p>Ball Corporation price-eps-surprise | Ball Corporation Quote</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Avery Dennison</strong> has been witnessing solid demand for the labeling of non-durable consumer goods like food, beverage, and home and personal care products, which is expected to have aided its first-quarter 2024 revenue growth. However, raw material, labor and freight cost increases, and supply-chain constraints are expected to have impacted the company&#39;s margins in the to-be-reported quarter. Its ongoing pricing and re-engineering actions are expected to have negated these headwinds on its margins.<br />
Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Avery Dennison this time around. It is scheduled to release first-quarter 2024 results on Apr 24. AVY has an Earnings ESP of 1.21% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present.</p>
<div class="chart_embed">
<h3>Avery Dennison Corporation Price and EPS Surprise</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/chart/AVY/price-eps-surprise?icid=chart-AVY-price-eps-surprise"><img alt="Avery Dennison Corporation Price and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/49/1713878147.png" style="height:303px; width:624px" title="" /> </a></p>
<p>Avery Dennison Corporation price-eps-surprise | Avery Dennison Corporation Quote</p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2260525/analyzing-q1-earnings-beat-or-miss-for-cat-four-industrial-stocks?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|earnings_preview_-_esp-2260525">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a></p>


Earnings

News

Federal Reserve

Trading Ideas

BALL

Analyzing Q1 Earnings Beat or Miss for CAT & Four Industrial Stocks

<p><strong>UnitedHealth Group</strong>&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) revealed Monday that it paid a ransom to cyber threat actors following the February cyberattack on its subsidiary<strong>, Change Healthcare</strong>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The company acknowledged that personal data was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/04/38363718/unitedhealth-ceo-to-testify-before-us-house-panel-regarding-cyberattack-on-technology-unit" rel="noreferrer noopener">compromised in the breach</a>.</p>
<p>Despite the company not disclosing the exact amount paid in ransom, the admission underscores the severity of the attack. With over 152 million customers, UnitedHealth emphasized its ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and cybersecurity firms to investigate the incident thoroughly.</p>
<p>According to a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/22/unitedhealth-paid-ransom-to-bad-actors-says-patient-data-was-compromised-in-change-healthcare-cyberattack.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a>&nbsp;provided to CNBC, the attack was orchestrated by malicious threat actors, necessitating swift action to mitigate the impact on patient data.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The breach extends beyond UnitedHealth customers, potentially affecting a significant portion of the American population.</p>
<p>Change Healthcare, a crucial player in payment and revenue cycle management within the healthcare&nbsp;sector,&nbsp;processes&nbsp;more than 15 billion transactions annually.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Given its widespread influence, even individuals outside UnitedHealth&#8217;s customer base may have&nbsp;been impacted&nbsp;by the breach.</p>
<p>In response to the breach, UnitedHealth has taken steps to support affected individuals, including establishing a dedicated website and a call center offering identity theft protections and credit monitoring for two years.&nbsp;</p>
<p>However, due to the situation&#8217;s complexity, the company noted limitations in providing specific details about the impact of individual data.</p>
<p>Reuters noted that UnitedHealth stated that although a comprehensive analysis of the breached data would require &#8220;several months,&#8221; there&#8217;s no indication that doctors&#8217; charts or complete medical histories of individuals were compromised.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The company didn&#8217;t specify the exact number of affected individuals but mentioned that it&#8217;s actively monitoring online forums where hackers typically distribute or exchange such data packets.</p>
<p>UnitedHealth reported that 22 screenshots, supposedly showing compromised files, have been shared on the dark web.&nbsp;</p>
<p>They assured that no additional data had been exposed, and there was no indication that doctors&#8217; charts or complete medical histories were breached.</p>
<p><strong>Price Action:</strong>&nbsp;UNH shares&nbsp;are&nbsp;down 1.16% at $485.52&nbsp;at the last check Tuesday.</p>
<p><em><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.</em></p>
<p><em>Photo: B_A from Pixabay</em></p>


Large Cap

Health Care

General

Patient Data Compromised - UnitedHealth Group Admits Ransom Payment in Cyberattack

<p><strong>Warren Buffett</strong> is one of the most well-known investors and has made some great stock picks over the years. Tesla CEO <strong>Elon Musk</strong> often likes to remind the billionaire how he missed out on investing in <strong>Tesla Inc </strong>(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) before it became a market leader <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/01/36768363/tesla-q4-earnings-highlights-revenue-miss-eps-miss-model-y-a-global-bestseller-next-gen-vehicle-upd">for electric vehicles.</a></p>
<p><strong>What Happened: </strong>Over the years, Musk has taken to social media to remind Buffett and the late<strong> Charlie Munger</strong> how they <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/23/03/31505925/did-warren-buffett-miss-tesla-train-at-bargain-200m-valuation-elon-musk-reminds-investme">missed out on investing </a>in Tesla years ago.</p>
<p>The Tesla CEO often references a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/02/31061532/elon-musks-investment-advice-to-warren-buffett-invest-in-company-that-starts-with-a-t">2019 lunch meeting </a>with Munger, who served as the Vice Chairman of <strong>Berkshire Hathaway Inc</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>)(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) before he passed away in November 2023.</p>
<p>Munger served as the right-hand man to Buffett and often shared investing ideas, which may have included recommending to pass on investing in Tesla.</p>
<p>"I was at a lunch with Munger in 2009 where he told the whole table all the ways Tesla would fail. Made me quite sad, but I told him I agreed with all those reasons &amp; that we would probably die, but it was worth trying anyway," Musk previously <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1494065800482902030?lang=en">said</a>.</p>
<p>Musk references a $200 million valuation of Tesla at the time when Buffett had the opportunity to invest in the company, which would have been before <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/23/04/31815434/if-you-invested-1-000-in-tesla-stock-at-ipo-heres-how-much-youd-have-today">the company&#8217;s IPO </a>in June 2010.</p>
<p>It's unclear how much Berkshire Hathaway could have bought at the time, but based on the $200 million valuation a 10% investment could have been done for $20 million.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Tesla has a market capitalization of $463 billion, which mean's Berkshire's hypothetical investment would be worth $46.3 billion today.</p>
<p>This represents a potential return of 231,400%.</p>
<p><em>Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/23/11/35740425/elon-musk-mocks-buffett-over-missed-opportunity-too-bad-he-didnt-invest-in-tesla-when-it-was-0-1-of">Elon Musk Mocks Buffett Over Missed Opportunity: &#8216;Too Bad He Didn&#8217;t Invest In Tesla When It Was 0.1% Of Today&#8217;s Value&#8217;</a></em></p>
<p><strong>Why It's Important</strong>: Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway never invested in Tesla, but they did get in on the growth of electric vehicles by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38352429/warren-buffett-backed-byd-names-cybertruck-challenger-shark-with-plug-in-hybrid-system-for-extra-bit"> investing in Tesla rival </a><strong>BYD Co</strong> (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDY#OTC">BYDDY</a>) in 2008.</p>
<p>The company has also benefitted from an investment made in <strong>Apple </strong>in 2016, which is now one of the biggest pieces of the valuation of Berkshire Hathaway today.</p>
<p>Berkshire Hathaway is valued at $883 billion today.</p>
<p>While Munger and Buffett may have passed on investing in Tesla in 2009, both investors have often had strong words of praise for the company and for Musk.</p>
<p><em>Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/04/26775738/lot-of-companies-make-cars-but-you-have-to-make-cars-that-people-want-warren-buffett-on-elon-musk-an-1">You Have To Make Cars That People Want: Warren Buffett On Elon Musk And Tesla</a></em></p>
<p><em>Image generated using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.</em></p>


Education

BYDDY

TSLA

Here's How Much Warren Buffett Could Have Made Investing In Tesla

<p>Tuesday,&nbsp;<strong>Novartis AG</strong>&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVS#NYSE">NVS</a>)&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.novartis.com/news/media-releases/novartis-radioligand-therapy-lutathera-fda-approved-first-medicine-specifically-pediatric-patients-gastroenteropancreatic-neuroendocrine-tumors" rel="noreferrer noopener">received</a>&nbsp;FDA approval for its&nbsp;Lutathera&nbsp;(lutetium Lu 177&nbsp;dotatate&nbsp;/ INN: lutetium (177Lu)&nbsp;oxodotreotide) for pediatric patients 12 years and older with somatostatin receptor-positive (SSTR+) gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), including foregut, midgut, and hindgut NETs.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This approval makes Lutathera the first therapy specifically reviewed and approved for use in pediatric patients with GEP-NETs.</p>
<p><strong><em>Related:</em></strong><em>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/04/38377536/novartis-stock-gains-on-european-drugmakers-q1-earnings-surprise-lifts-annual-outlook" rel="noreferrer noopener">Novartis Stock Gains On European Drugmaker&#8217;s Q1 Earnings Surprise, Lifts Annual Outlook</a>.</em></p>
<p>NETs are a type of cancer&nbsp;that originates&nbsp;in neuroendocrine cells throughout the body and are commonly considered slow-growing malignancies1.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The diagnosis of NETs&nbsp;is often delayed&nbsp;due to the inactive nature of the disease, and approximately 10% to 20% of pediatric patients are diagnosed with metastatic disease.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The approval&nbsp;was based&nbsp;on the NETTER-P trial, which evaluated Lutathera in patients aged 12 to &lt;18 with SSTR+ GEP-NETs7.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The study reported a safety profile consistent with&nbsp;the adult&nbsp;population studied in NETTER-1, the pivotal trial for&nbsp;approval of&nbsp;Lutathera in adults.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In addition, the estimated radiation absorbed dose in pediatric patients was within established organ thresholds for external beam radiation and comparable to that in adults for the approved dose.</p>
<p>Lutathera&nbsp;(lutetium Lu 177&nbsp;dotatate) is approved in the US for adults and children 12 years and older with SSTR-positive GEP-NETs.</p>
<p>Lutathera is also approved in Europe for unresectable or metastatic, progressive, well-differentiated (G1 and G2), SSTR-positive GEP-NETs in adults, and&nbsp;in&nbsp;Japan for SSTR-positive NETs.</p>
<p><strong>Price Action:</strong>&nbsp;NVS shares are up 2.29% at $97.30&nbsp;at&nbsp;the last check Tuesday.</p>


Biotech

Movers

FDA Approves Novartis' Lutathera As First Therapy For Pediatric Patients With Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

<p>Over the past 24 hours, <strong>XT.com's</strong> (CRYPTO:XT) price has risen 3.54% to <strong>$3.12</strong>. This continues its positive trend over the past week where it has experienced a 20.0% gain, moving from $2.59 to its current price. As it stands right now, <strong>the coin's all-time high is $366.24</strong>. </p>
<p>The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for XT.com over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713899025_0.png" alt="price_chart" /></p>
<p>The trading volume for the coin has tumbled 63.0% over the past week while the circulating supply of the coin has risen inf%. This brings the circulating supply to 1.00 billion. According to our data, the current market cap ranking for XT is #43 at $3.11 billion.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713899025_1.png" alt="supply_and_vol" /></p>
<p><a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/api">Powered by CoinGecko API</a></p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


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

Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency XT.com's Price Increased More Than 3% Within 24 hours

Management

Evotec SE Appoints Dr Christian Wojczewski As CEO Effective July 1, 2024

<p>Tuesday,&nbsp;<strong>Incyte Corporation</strong>&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INCY#NASDAQ">INCY</a>)&nbsp;agreed to acquire&nbsp;<strong>Escient Pharmaceuticals</strong>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/04/b38375064/incyte-announces-acquisition-of-escient-pharmaceuticals-and-its-pipeline-of-first-in-class-oral-mr" rel="noreferrer noopener">for $750 million</a>.</p>
<p>Escient&#8217;s pipeline includes EP262, a&nbsp;small&nbsp;molecule antagonist of Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2), and EP547, a first-in-class oral MRGPRX4 antagonist.</p>
<p>&#8220;EP262 and EP547 are complementary additions to our portfolio, providing an opportunity to leverage our expertise, address the needs of patients with inflammatory diseases, and additional potential launch opportunities starting in 2029,&#8221; said Hervé Hoppenot, Incyte&#8217;s CEO.</p>
<p>With this update, Cantor Fitzgerald&nbsp;has initiated coverage on Incyte&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/INCY/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">with a Neutral rating</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Cantor analyst suggests that Incyte&#8217;s shares are undervalued primarily due to the cash and expected cash flow from Jakafi and Opzelura but expresses reservations about the company&#8217;s pipeline prospects.&nbsp;</p>
<p>However, Incyte&#8217;s stock has declined by 31% in the past year due to concerns about the 2029 patent expiration for Jakafi, its high-margin drug.</p>
<p>Both growth and value investors are hesitant to support the company&#8217;s current strategy. Value investors particularly note Incyte&#8217;s reluctance to return cash to shareholders. A&nbsp;major&nbsp;stock buyback before pivotal pipeline updates could alleviate concerns and bolster valuation.</p>
<p>The analyst questions Incyte&#8217;s ability to allocate over 40% of its revenue to R&amp;D&nbsp;efficiently&nbsp;and suggests prioritizing high-return pipeline candidates.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Cantor highlights the potential value of acquiring U.S. rights to&nbsp;<strong>MorphoSys AG&#8217;s</strong>&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MOR#NASDAQ">MOR</a>)&nbsp;pelabresib, which could&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/02/36954650/novartis-agrees-to-acquire-german-blood-cancer-drug-developer-morphosys-for-2-7b" rel="noreferrer noopener">complement Jakafi</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Despite optimism for certain pipeline assets like&nbsp;povorcitinib, the analyst remains cautious about others lacking differentiation or&nbsp;strong scientific&nbsp;rationale.</p>
<p>William Blair suggests that although the approval of another significant asset by the end of the decade will benefit Incyte in the long term, investors are seeking assets that can generate revenue before the patent exclusivity of Jakafi expires in 2028.&nbsp;</p>
<p>They maintain their positive outlook on Incyte, emphasizing that favorable Phase 3 results with&nbsp;povorcitinib&nbsp;in hidradenitis&nbsp;suppurativa&nbsp;in 2025 could alter perceptions and reaffirm their recommendation to Outperform.</p>
<p>Regarding the&nbsp;<strong>Escient deal,&nbsp;</strong>William Blair highlights the intriguing potential of the MRGPRX2 target. Initial data in chronic inducible urticaria suggests that EP262 complements the company&#8217;s existing inflammation and immunology franchises, tapping into significant market opportunities.</p>
<p><strong><em>Read Next:</em></strong><em>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/23/11/35902449/goldman-sachs-downgrades-incyte-amid-concerns-over-jakafi-studies-competitiveness" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goldman Sachs Downgrades Incyte Amid Concerns Over Jakafi Studies, Competitiveness</a>.</em></p>
<p><strong>Price Action:</strong> INCY shares are up 0.25% at $52.05 at the last check Tuesday. </p>
<p><em>Illustration of Phrama lab worker created with MidJourney.</em></p>


Analyst Color

Equities

Initiation

Analyst Ratings

INCY

Morgan Stanley Capital Protected Notes for S&P 500 Index

Incyte Should Consider Significant Stock Buyback And Prioritize R&D, Analyst Recommends

<p>Over the past 24 hours, <strong>dogwifhat's</strong> (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">WIF</a>) price has risen 7.57% to <strong>$3.09</strong>. This continues its positive trend over the past week where it has experienced a 19.0% gain, moving from $2.59 to its current price. As it stands right now, <strong>the coin's all-time high is $4.83</strong>. </p>
<p>The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for dogwifhat over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713898955_0.png" alt="price_chart" /></p>
<p>The trading volume for the coin has tumbled 41.0% over the past week while the circulating supply of the coin has risen 0.15%. This brings the circulating supply to 998.93 million, which makes up an estimated 100.0% of its max supply of 998.93 million. According to our data, the current market cap ranking for WIF is #44 at $3.09 billion.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713898955_1.png" alt="supply_and_vol" /></p>
<p><a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/api">Powered by CoinGecko API</a></p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


$WIF

Cryptocurrency dogwifhat's Price Increased More Than 7% Within 24 hours

<p>Over the past 24 hours, <strong>Pepe's</strong> (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">PEPE</a>) price rose 15.13% to <strong>$0.0000077</strong>. This continues its positive trend over the past week where it has experienced a 46.0% gain, moving from $0.0000053 to its current price.</p>
<p>The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for Pepe over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713898944_0.png" alt="price_chart" /></p>
<p>The trading volume for the coin has increased 80.0% over the past week. while the overall circulating supply of the coin has decreased 0.2% This puts its current circulating supply at an estimated 100.0% of its max supply, which is 420.69 trillion. The current market cap ranking for PEPE is #41 at $3.24 billion.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713898944_1.png" alt="supply_and_vol" /></p>
<p><a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/api">Powered by CoinGecko API</a></p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


$PEPE

Cryptocurrency Pepe Up More Than 15% In 24 hours

<p>First Solar (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NASDAQ">FSLR</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 12.45% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 23.93%. Currently, First Solar has a market capitalization of $19.35 billion. </p>
<p><strong>Buying $100 In FSLR:</strong> If an investor had bought $100 of FSLR stock 5 years ago, it would be worth <strong>$293.73</strong> today based on a price of $180.76 for FSLR at the time of writing.</p>
<h3>First Solar's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713898898_0.png" alt="comp_fig" /></p>
<p>Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.</p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


FSLR

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning First Solar Stock In The Last 5 Years

<p>Ratings for Tandem Diabetes Care (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TNDM#NASDAQ">TNDM</a>) were provided by 5 analysts in the past three months, showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.</p>
<p>The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Indifferent</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bearish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bearish</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Total Ratings</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Last 30D</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>1M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $34.0, a high estimate of $40.00, and a low estimate of $24.00. This current average has increased by 26.87% from the previous average price target of $26.80. </p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713898886_0.png" alt="price target chart" /></p>
<h2>Breaking Down Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Examination</h2>
<p>The standing of Tandem Diabetes Care among financial experts becomes clear with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Mathew Blackman</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$37.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joanne Wuensch</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mathew Blackman</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$37.00</td>
<td>$24.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joanne Wuensch</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rick Wise</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$24.00</td>
<td>$17.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Action Taken:</strong> Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Tandem Diabetes Care. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li><strong>Rating:</strong> Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Tandem Diabetes Care compared to the broader market.</li>
<li><strong>Price Targets:</strong> Delving into movements, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Tandem Diabetes Care's stock. This analysis reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
<p>Capture valuable insights into Tandem Diabetes Care's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TNDM/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights"><strong>Stay up to date on Tandem Diabetes Care analyst ratings.</strong></a></p>
<h2>Get to Know Tandem Diabetes Care Better</h2>
<p>Tandem Diabetes Care Inc designs, manufactures, and markets durable insulin pumps for diabetes patients. The firm first entered this market in 2012 and has since introduced multiple generations of pumps leading to its current t:slim X2 device. Nearly three quarters of total revenue is derived from the U.S., with the remainder primarily from other developed nations. The pumps themselves generate just over half of total sales, and another one third is from disposable infusion sets that need to be changed over every 2 to 3 days.</p>
<h3>Unraveling the Financial Story of Tandem Diabetes Care</h3>
<p><strong>Market Capitalization Analysis:</strong> With an elevated market capitalization, the company stands out above industry averages, showcasing substantial size and market acknowledgment.</p>
<p><strong>Revenue Growth:</strong> Tandem Diabetes Care's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has faced challenges. As of 31 December, 2023, the company experienced a revenue decline of approximately <strong>-10.75%</strong>. This indicates a decrease in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Health Care sector.</p>
<p><strong>Net Margin:</strong> Tandem Diabetes Care's net margin lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of <strong>-15.25%,</strong> the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Equity (ROE):</strong> The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of <strong>-9.56%,</strong> the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Assets (ROA):</strong> Tandem Diabetes Care's ROA is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of <strong>-3.17%,</strong> the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.</p>
<p><strong>Debt Management:</strong> Tandem Diabetes Care's debt-to-equity ratio is notably higher than the industry average. With a ratio of <b>1.33</b>, the company relies more heavily on borrowed funds, indicating a higher level of financial risk.</p>
<h2>Understanding the Relevance of Analyst Ratings</h2>
<p>Analyst ratings serve as essential indicators of stock performance, provided by experts in banking and financial systems. These specialists diligently analyze company financial statements, participate in conference calls, and engage with insiders to generate quarterly ratings for individual stocks.</p>
<p>Beyond their standard evaluations, some analysts contribute predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, furnishing investors with additional guidance. Users of analyst ratings should be mindful that this specialized advice is shaped by human perspectives and may be subject to variability.</p>
<p>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</p>


TNDM

Cracking The Code: Understanding Analyst Reviews For Tandem Diabetes Care

<p>Over the past 24 hours, <strong>Aptos's</strong> (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">APT</a>) price has fallen 3.87% to <strong>$9.79</strong>. This is opposite to its positive trend over the past week where it has experienced a 8.0% gain, moving from $9.12 to its current price. </p>
<p>The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for Aptos over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713898875_0.png" alt="price_chart" /></p>
<p>The trading volume for the coin has tumbled 19.0% over the past week while the circulating supply of the coin has risen 0.93%. This brings the circulating supply to 426.02 million. According to our data, the current market cap ranking for APT is #28 at $4.16 billion.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713898875_1.png" alt="supply_and_vol" /></p>
<p><a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/api">Powered by CoinGecko API</a></p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


$APT

Cryptocurrency Aptos Down More Than 3% Within 24 hours

<p>Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bearish approach towards Cameco (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCJ#NYSE">CCJ</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in CCJ usually suggests something big is about to happen.</p>
<p>We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 22 extraordinary options activities for Cameco. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.</p>
<p>The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 13% leaning bullish and 31% bearish. Among these notable options, 9 are puts, totaling $483,673, and 13 are calls, amounting to $1,667,990.</p>
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
<p>Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $40.0 to $70.0 for Cameco over the last 3 months. </p>
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
<p>Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Cameco's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Cameco's whale trades within a strike price range from $40.0 to $70.0 in the last 30 days. </p>
<h3>Cameco Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713898861_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>CCJ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>09/20/24</td>
<td>$2.3</td>
<td>$2.21</td>
<td>$2.25</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$1.1M</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
<td>5.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CCJ</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$3.15</td>
<td>$3.05</td>
<td>$3.1</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$145.1K</td>
<td>1.7K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CCJ</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$14.2</td>
<td>$14.0</td>
<td>$14.1</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$114.2K</td>
<td>429</td>
<td>162</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CCJ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>09/20/24</td>
<td>$3.5</td>
<td>$3.3</td>
<td>$3.4</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$76.5K</td>
<td>2.4K</td>
<td>255</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CCJ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$6.75</td>
<td>$6.6</td>
<td>$6.7</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$67.0K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td>367</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About Cameco</h3>
<p>Cameco Corp is a provider of uranium needed to generate clean, reliable baseload electricity around the globe. one of those uranium producers. Cameco has three reportable segments, uranium, fuel services and Westinghouse. It derives maximum revenue from Uranium Segment. It has some projects namely; Millennium, Yeelirrie, Kintyre and Exploration. The company operates in Canada, Kazakhstan, Germany, Australia and United States.</p>
<p>In light of the recent options history for Cameco, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.</p>
<h3>Where Is Cameco Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 1,666,157, the price of CCJ is up by 2.83%, reaching $48.63.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 7 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Cameco</h3>
<p>1 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $55.0.</p>
<ul>
<li>Reflecting concerns, an analyst from Goldman Sachs lowers its rating to Buy with a new price target of $55.</li>
</ul>
<p>Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Cameco with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.</p>


Unpacking the Latest Options Trading Trends in Cameco

<p>Financial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on Analog Devices. Our analysis of options history for Analog Devices (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADI#NASDAQ">ADI</a>) revealed 10 unusual trades.</p>
<p>Delving into the details, we found 30% of traders were bullish, while 60% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 5 were puts, with a value of $183,718, and 5 were calls, valued at $231,119.</p>
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
<p>Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $165.0 to $210.0 for Analog Devices during the past quarter. </p>
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
<p>In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Analog Devices options trades today is 233.17 with a total volume of 1,472.00.</p>
<p>In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Analog Devices's big money trades within a strike price range of $165.0 to $210.0 over the last 30 days.</p>
<h3>Analog Devices Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713898855_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ADI</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$10.4</td>
<td>$9.9</td>
<td>$10.34</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
<td>$53.5K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">103</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">98</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ADI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/10/24</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>$3.1</td>
<td>$3.1</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
<td>$49.6K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">346</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">470</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ADI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/10/24</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$2.95</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
<td>$46.5K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">346</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">310</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ADI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$17.8</td>
<td>$17.2</td>
<td>$17.67</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$46.1K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">281</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">49</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ADI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/10/24</td>
<td>$2.95</td>
<td>$2.75</td>
<td>$2.9</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
<td>$44.6K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">346</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">155</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About Analog Devices</h3>
<p>Analog Devices is a leading analog, mixed signal, and digital signal processing chipmaker. The firm has a significant market share lead in converter chips, which are used to translate analog signals to digital and vice versa. The company serves tens of thousands of customers, and more than half of its chip sales are made to industrial and automotive end markets. Analog Devices' chips are also incorporated into wireless infrastructure equipment.</p>
<p>Having examined the options trading patterns of Analog Devices, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance</p>
<h3>Current Position of Analog Devices</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 1,684,241, with ADI's price up by 2.34%, positioned at $190.68.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 29 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Analog Devices</h3>
<p>Over the past month, 2 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $233.0.</p>
<ul>
<li>An analyst from Morgan Stanley persists with their Overweight rating on Analog Devices, maintaining a target price of $212. </li>
<li>An analyst from Evercore ISI Group has revised its rating downward to Outperform, adjusting the price target to $254. </li>
</ul>
<p>Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Analog Devices options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.</p>


Check Out What Whales Are Doing With ADI

<p>Ratings for Vertex (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VERX#NASDAQ">VERX</a>) were provided by 10 analysts in the past three months, showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.</p>
<p>The table below summarizes their recent ratings, showcasing the evolving sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Indifferent</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bearish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bearish</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Total Ratings</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Last 30D</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>1M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>In the assessment of 12-month price targets, analysts unveil insights for Vertex, presenting an average target of $38.3, a high estimate of $45.00, and a low estimate of $32.00. Surpassing the previous average price target of $31.78, the current average has increased by 20.52%.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713898851_0.png" alt="price target chart" /></p>
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
<p>A clear picture of Vertex's perception among financial experts is painted with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Steven Enders</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Patrick Walravens</td>
<td>JMP Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Market Outperform</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brad Sills</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adam Hotchkiss</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$39.00</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joe Goodwin</td>
<td>JMP Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Outperform</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brad Sills</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$23.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adam Hotchkiss</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$39.00</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Daniel Jester</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joshua Reilly</td>
<td>Needham</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Samad Samana</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$27.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Action Taken:</strong> Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Vertex. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li><strong>Rating:</strong> Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Vertex compared to the broader market.</li>
<li><strong>Price Targets:</strong> Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance.</li>
</ul>
<p>Analyzing these analyst evaluations alongside relevant financial metrics can provide a comprehensive view of Vertex's market position. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/VERX/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights"><strong>Stay up to date on Vertex analyst ratings.</strong></a></p>
<h2>About Vertex</h2>
<p>Vertex Inc is a provider of tax technology and services. Its software, content, and services help customers stay in compliance with indirect taxes that occur in taxing jurisdictions all over the world. Vertex provides cloud-based and on-premise solutions to specific industries for every line of tax, including income, sales, consumer use, value-added, and payroll. The company offers solutions such as tax determination, Tax Data Management, document management, and compliance and reporting among others. The company derives revenue from software subscriptions.</p>
<h3>Vertex's Economic Impact: An Analysis</h3>
<p><strong>Market Capitalization Analysis:</strong> The company exhibits a lower market capitalization profile, positioning itself below industry averages. This suggests a smaller scale relative to peers.</p>
<p><strong>Revenue Growth:</strong> Vertex's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 31 December, 2023, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of <strong>18.14%</strong>. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Information Technology sector.</p>
<p><strong>Net Margin:</strong> Vertex's net margin surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive <strong>9.9%</strong> net margin, the company effectively manages costs and achieves strong profitability.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Equity (ROE):</strong> Vertex's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROE, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROE of <strong>6.48%,</strong> the company showcases efficient use of equity capital and strong financial health.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Assets (ROA):</strong> Vertex's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROA, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROA of <strong>2.07%,</strong> the company showcases efficient use of assets and strong financial health.</p>
<p><strong>Debt Management:</strong> Vertex's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of <b>0.26</b>, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.</p>
<h2>What Are Analyst Ratings?</h2>
<p>Ratings come from analysts, or specialists within banking and financial systems that report for specific stocks or defined sectors (typically once per quarter for each stock). Analysts usually derive their information from company conference calls and meetings, financial statements, and conversations with important insiders to reach their decisions.</p>
<p>Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders.</p>
<p>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</p>


VERX

Cracking The Code: Understanding Analyst Reviews For Vertex

<p>Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on <strong>Qualcomm</strong>.</p>
<p>Looking at options history for Qualcomm (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) we detected 70 trades.</p>
<p>If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 52% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 38% with bearish.</p>
<p>From the overall spotted trades, 17 are puts, for a total amount of $1,164,630 and 53, calls, for a total amount of $5,656,812.</p>
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
<p>Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $120.0 to $220.0 for Qualcomm over the last 3 months. </p>
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
<p>Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for Qualcomm's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Qualcomm's significant trades, within a strike price range of $120.0 to $220.0, over the past month.</p>
<h3>Qualcomm 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713898850_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>QCOM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/17/24</td>
<td>$11.25</td>
<td>$11.1</td>
<td>$11.1</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
<td>$987.9K</td>
<td>8.6K</td>
<td>3.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QCOM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$14.9</td>
<td>$11.75</td>
<td>$12.89</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
<td>$451.1K</td>
<td>533</td>
<td>356</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QCOM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/17/24</td>
<td>$11.15</td>
<td>$11.05</td>
<td>$11.05</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
<td>$392.2K</td>
<td>8.6K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QCOM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/17/24</td>
<td>$11.05</td>
<td>$11.0</td>
<td>$11.0</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
<td>$254.1K</td>
<td>8.6K</td>
<td>920</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QCOM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$37.65</td>
<td>$37.0</td>
<td>$37.11</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$241.2K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
<td>161</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About Qualcomm</h3>
<p>Qualcomm develops and licenses wireless technology and designs chips for smartphones. The company's key patents revolve around CDMA and OFDMA technologies, which are standards in wireless communications that are the backbone of all 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. Qualcomm's IP is licensed by virtually all wireless device makers. The firm is also the world's largest wireless chip vendor, supplying nearly every premier handset maker with leading-edge processors. Qualcomm also sells RF-front end modules into smartphones, as well as chips into automotive and Internet of Things markets.</p>
<p>Having examined the options trading patterns of Qualcomm, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance</p>
<h3>Qualcomm's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 3,256,112, with QCOM's price up by 1.22%, positioned at $162.14.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 8 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Qualcomm</h3>
<p>A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $195.4.</p>
<ul>
<li>An analyst from Keybanc persists with their Overweight rating on Qualcomm, maintaining a target price of $205. </li>
<li>An analyst from Benchmark downgraded its action to Buy with a price target of $200. </li>
<li>An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald persists with their Neutral rating on Qualcomm, maintaining a target price of $190. </li>
<li>An analyst from Susquehanna has decided to maintain their Positive rating on Qualcomm, which currently sits at a price target of $205. </li>
<li>An analyst from Evercore ISI Group has revised its rating downward to In-Line, adjusting the price target to $177. </li>
</ul>
<p>Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Qualcomm with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.</p>


QCOM

What the Options Market Tells Us About Qualcomm

<p>7 analysts have shared their evaluations of Affirm Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFRM#NASDAQ">AFRM</a>) during the recent three months, expressing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.</p>
<p>The table below offers a condensed view of their recent ratings, showcasing the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Indifferent</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bearish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bearish</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Total Ratings</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Last 30D</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>1M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Providing deeper insights, analysts have established 12-month price targets, indicating an average target of $33.57, along with a high estimate of $50.00 and a low estimate of $16.00. This upward trend is apparent, with the current average reflecting a 12.54% increase from the previous average price target of $29.83.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713898843_0.png" alt="price target chart" /></p>
<h2>Breaking Down Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Examination</h2>
<p>In examining recent analyst actions, we gain insights into how financial experts perceive Affirm Holdings. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Ramsey El-Assal</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>James Fotheringham</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$47.00</td>
<td>$44.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Reginald Smith</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vincent Caintic</td>
<td>Stephens &amp; Co.</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$16.00</td>
<td>$6.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Daniel Perlin</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$26.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mike Burton</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>$18.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>David Chiaverini</td>
<td>Wedbush</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Underperform</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Action Taken:</strong> Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Affirm Holdings. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li><strong>Rating:</strong> Analysts assign qualitative assessments to stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey the analysts' expectations for the relative performance of Affirm Holdings compared to the broader market.</li>
<li><strong>Price Targets:</strong> Understanding forecasts, analysts offer estimates for Affirm Holdings's future value. Examining the current and prior targets provides insight into analysts' changing expectations.</li>
</ul>
<p>Capture valuable insights into Affirm Holdings's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AFRM/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights"><strong>Stay up to date on Affirm Holdings analyst ratings.</strong></a></p>
<h2>All You Need to Know About Affirm Holdings</h2>
<p>Affirm Holdings Inc offers a platform for digital and mobile-first commerce. It comprises a point-of-sale payment solution for consumers, merchant commerce solutions, and a consumer-focused app. The firm generates its revenue from merchant networks, and through virtual card networks among others. Geographically, it generates a majority share of its revenue from the United States.</p>
<h3>Affirm Holdings: A Financial Overview</h3>
<p><strong>Market Capitalization Analysis:</strong> Positioned below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization faces constraints in size. This could be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.</p>
<p><strong>Revenue Growth:</strong> Affirm Holdings's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has been noteworthy. As of 31 December, 2023, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately <strong>47.94%</strong>. This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company surpassed expectations with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Financials sector.</p>
<p><strong>Net Margin:</strong> The company's net margin is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of <strong>-28.24%,</strong> the company may need to address challenges in effective cost control.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Equity (ROE):</strong> Affirm Holdings's ROE is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of <strong>-6.42%,</strong> the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns for shareholders.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Assets (ROA):</strong> Affirm Holdings's ROA lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns from its assets. With an ROA of <strong>-1.91%,</strong> the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.</p>
<p><strong>Debt Management:</strong> Affirm Holdings's debt-to-equity ratio stands notably higher than the industry average, reaching <strong>2.37</strong>. This indicates a heavier reliance on borrowed funds, raising concerns about financial leverage.</p>
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
<p>Ratings come from analysts, or specialists within banking and financial systems that report for specific stocks or defined sectors (typically once per quarter for each stock). Analysts usually derive their information from company conference calls and meetings, financial statements, and conversations with important insiders to reach their decisions.</p>
<p>Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders.</p>
<p>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</p>
