Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) executive Max de Zegher said on Sunday that the company is forecasting an increase in the use of its supercharger network over the next two weekends as the holidays near.

What Happened: “The next 2 weekends are busy,” de Zegher said in a post on social media platform X. The Director of Charging for North America, Europe Middle East & Africa as well as the Asia Pacific said that the company is now predicting 20+ GWh/ day use across North American, Asia Pacific and European Superchargers.

Tesla is now trying to ensure 100% uptime for all of its superchargers while also deploying attendants and Tesla Megapack-powered chargers at its busiest sites. The company will also continue to open new superchargers through the holidays, he said.

The next 2 weekends are busy. Forecasting 20+ GWh/day across North American, Asia Pacific and European Superchargers. We’re prepared by scrubbing the network to be close to 100% uptime, deploying attendants and @Tesla_Megapack Chargers at our busiest sites, having our 24/7/365…

— Max de Zegher (@MdeZegher) December 16, 2024

As of the end of the third quarter, Tesla had 6,706 supercharger stations around the globe and 62,421 connectors.

Why It Matters: The revenue from superchargers alone is difficult to determine from Tesla’s quarterly reports. The revenue from superchargers is included in a segment called “services and other revenue” which includes revenue from repairs and other services.

In the quarter ended September, Tesla reported services and other revenue of $2,790 million, significantly higher than the $2,166 million reported in the corresponding period of last year. The revenue from the segment accounted for about 11% of the company’s total revenue in the last quarter.

However, Tesla reduced supercharging prices earlier this month in the U.S., minimizing the revenue otherwise possible during the busy holiday season.

de Zegher then reasoned the reduction in supercharging prices as aimed at accelerating EV adoption while being financially sustainable to invest in expanding the network.

Earlier this year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that the company would invest $500 million into expanding the supercharging network this year.

Tesla has a consensus “buy” rating based on the ratings of 33 analysts. Wedbush securities analyst Dan Ives on Sunday hiked Tesla’s price target from $400 to a whopping $515.

Check out more of Benzinga’s Future Of Mobility coverage by following this link.

Read Next:

• Tesla’s Cybertruck Production Rate Was Reduced Even Before December’s Pause, Says Researcher

Image via Shutterstock

The Benzinga Future of Digital Assets conference sparked discussions on Bitcoin’s growing acceptance in institutional finance, emphasizing its role in reshaping portfolio strategies. Moderated by CNBC’s MacKenzie Sigalos, the panel featured Anthony Pompliano, founder and CEO of Professional Capital Management, who explored how institutions overcome hurdles to embrace cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin ETFs: A New Entry Point

The approval of Bitcoin ETFs has been a turning point for institutional investors, simplifying access to digital assets. Pompliano explained how these financial products are attracting traditional players who were previously hesitant. “Institutions are already familiar with ETFs; they fit into existing systems without requiring a complete overhaul,” he said.

ETFs not only lower the barriers to entry, he added, they also spark further curiosity. “Once institutions dip their toes in with Bitcoin ETFs, they start asking, ‘How do we engage more directly?’” This gradual adoption process could lead to broader involvement in native cryptocurrency ecosystems.

Addressing Regulatory Challenges

The regulatory environment remains an obstacle, but Pompliano highlighted the fatigue regulators and the crypto industry face. “Everyone’s exhausted,” he said. “Regulators are tired of playing whack-a-mole with new innovations, and the industry is weary of navigating inconsistent policies.”

Pompliano urged a balanced regulatory approach that provides clarity while allowing responsible development. We need to find common ground,” he said, advocating frameworks that support long-term stability.

Bitcoin’s Role in Institutional Portfolios

Bitcoin’s appeal to institutions lies in its unique liquidity and performance potential combination. Pompliano highlighted this as a key draw for investors. “Crypto is all about liquidity. It’s one of the reasons institutions are drawn to it—they can invest with confidence, knowing they aren’t locked in for a decade,” he explained.

This liquidity and Bitcoin’s price behavior create a compelling opportunity. “Bitcoin is the only asset where the higher the price goes, the less risky it becomes,” Pompliano said, describing the asset’s ability to attract larger pools of capital as it matures.

The Path Forward

Looking ahead, the panelists discussed the factors that could accelerate institutional adoption. Pompliano identified expanded custody solutions and regulatory clarity as essential steps. “The next two years will be critical,” he predicted, outlining a future where Bitcoin plays a central role in institutional strategies.

As cryptocurrency continues gaining traction, the conference discussions stressed Bitcoin’s transformative potential in traditional finance. With institutions gradually integrating digital assets, the financial landscape is poised for a notable shift.

Image: Shutterstock

Gainers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLU)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Utilities	78.53	0.94	1.21	10.0K
(NYSE:XLK)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Technology	240.55	2.52	1.05	28.1K
(NYSE:XLF)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Financial	49.79	0.21	0.42	221.0K
(NYSE:XLE)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Energy Select Sector	90.01	0.34	0.37	20.1K
(NYSE:XLY)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Consumer Discretionary	235.00	0.44	0.18	214
(NYSE:XLV)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Health Care	141.04	0.03	0.02	7.7K

Losers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLC)	The Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	101.77	-0.39	-0.39	10.6K

Pulled from Benzinga Pro data this sector movers alerts can help traders understand macro-level market trends. Traders often look for sector movers to provide high-level analysis on which sectors are over- or under-performing to make better investing decisions on exchange traded funds (ETFs) or individual tickers in those sectors.

For more information on sector movers, click here.

Cadence Design Sys (NASDAQ:CDNS) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 18.19% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 30.24%. Currently, Cadence Design Sys has a market capitalization of $84.64 billion.

Buying $1000 In CDNS: If an investor had bought $1000 of CDNS stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $53,806.09 today based on a price of $308.60 for CDNS at the time of writing.

Cadence Design Sys’s Performance Over Last 15 Years

Finally — what’s the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.

This article was generated by Benzinga’s automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Gainers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLU)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Utilities	77.86	0.23	0.29	6.0K
(NYSE:XLC)	The Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	102.15	0.18	0.17	507
(NYSE:XLE)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Energy Select Sector	90.50	0.10	0.11	18.3K

Losers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLRE)	Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (The)	42.78	-0.26	-0.61	3.9K
(NYSE:XLV)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Health Care	142.05	-0.09	-0.07	5.9K
(NYSE:XLF)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Financial	49.77	-0.03	-0.07	16.6K
(NYSE:XLK)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Technology	239.30	-0.07	-0.03	19.1K
(NYSE:XLY)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Consumer Discretionary	236.51	-0.01	-0.01	3.2K

Pulled from Benzinga Pro data this sector movers alert provides traders with a compiled way to read macro-level market trends. Investors garner a particular interest in sector movers to better determine sectors that are over- or under-performing to make better investing decisions on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or individual tickers in those sectors.

For more information on sector movers, click here.

Retailer Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) could show the early impact of a membership fee increase when the company reports first-quarter financial results Thursday after market close.

Earnings Estimates: Analysts expect Costco to report first-quarter revenue of $62.12 billion, up from $57.8 billion in last year’s first quarter, according to data from Benzinga Pro.

The company missed analyst revenue estimates in the fourth quarter. It also missed estimates in five of the last 10 quarters.

Analysts expect the company to report first-quarter earnings per share of $3.79, up from $3.48 in last year’s first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in seven straight quarters and nine of the last 10 quarters overall.

Read Also: Costco’s Strong Q4 Performance Sparks Mixed Analyst Reactions As Stock Slides

What Analysts Say: Costco’s unmatched value proposition, strong gross margins and a loyal customer base make the stock a core holding, JPMorgan analyst Christopher Horvers said in a recent analyst note.

The analyst maintained an Overweight rating on Costco and raised the price target from $945 to $1,090.

Horvers highlighted the company’s membership renewal rate of around 90%.

Along with the strength of gross margins and the membership renewal rates, Costco also has the potential to double its store count, the analyst added.

Bank of America analysts recently maintained a Buy rating and price target of $962 saying the company is well-positioned to benefit from a focus on value by consumers in the 2024 holiday season.

Here are other analyst ratings on Costco and their price targets:

• Oppenheimer: Reiterated Outperform rating, raised price target from $980 to $1,075
• Jefferies: Maintained Buy rating, raised price target from $1,050 to $1,145
• Stifel: Maintained Buy rating, raised price target from $935 to $1,000
• Wells Fargo: Maintained Equal-weight rating, raised price target from $850 to $950
• Baird: Maintained Outperform rating, raised price target from $975 to $1,075
• Telsey: Maintained Outperform rating, raised price target from $1,000 to $1,050

Key Items to Watch: Costco’s first-quarter results will cover the months of September, October and November. The company announced a membership fee increase earlier this year with the change going into effect on Sept. 1.

While it will take time for all current members to pay the higher price as their renewals come up, Thursday will mark the first quarterly results with the higher amount, which could provide a boost to the higher-margin membership revenue line.

Membership fees were $1.512 billion in the fourth quarter.

A Placer.ai report showed that foot traffic at Costco stores was up 7.2% year-over-year in the third calendar quarter of the year with September up 4.5% year-over-year and October up 3.6% year-over-year.

Compare that to foot traffic at its peers: Sam’s Club (+5.2%), BJ’s Wholesale (+5.9%), Target (+1.0%) and Walmart (+0.9%).

Costco’s monthly sales reports have shown strong sales growth and Thursday’s report could further illustrate that.

Investors and analysts will be watching to see if there are any comments on market share gains and new customer growth that could show taking customers from other retailers.

Price Action: Costco stock is up 1% to $1,003.19 on Wednesday versus a 52-week trading range of $623.22 and $1,007.80. The stock hit the new 52-week and all-time high of $1,007.80 earlier in Wednesday’s trading session. Costco stock is up 54% year-to-date in 2024.

Read Next:

• Costco Hires New CFO, But Don’t Expect $1.50 Hot Dog Combo Price To Change

Image: Shutterstock

Bank of America is bullish on U.S. brokers, asset managers and exchanges heading into 2025, raising price targets across the sector by an average of 14%, citing strong tailwinds from deregulation, rising retail investor engagement and solid U.S. GDP growth projected at 2%-2.5%.

In a new report released Wednesday, analyst Craig Siegenthaler dubbed 2025 as the year of “extensions” of ongoing trends, amid a fresh boost from a red political sweep and deregulation efforts under a Trump presidency.

According to Bank of America, the red wave of the 2024 elections is also set to open new doors for crypto and alternative investments (Alts) and give brokers and asset managers room to shine.

The report highlights three top Buy-rated stocks — Blue Owl Capital Inc. (NYSE:OWL), Interactive Brokers Group Inc. (NASDAQ:IBKR), and Tradeweb Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:TW) — and two key Underperformers: Charles Schwab Corp. (NYSE:SCHW) and Carlyle Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CG).

Alts: Blue Owl Leads The Charge

Alternative asset managers (Alts) are primed for a strong year, with Blue Owl Capital emerging as the standout pick.

• Buy Rating and $33 price target. Bank of America expects a four-fold earnings per share (EPS) growth by 2027.
• Valuation: Blue Owl trades at just 16x its 2027 EPS, offering a 4% dividend yield.
• Earnings Quality: Remarkably, 100% of Blue Owl’s EPS is Fee-Related Earnings (FRE), and nearly all of its asset under management (AUM) is locked in either permanently or long-term capital.
• Secular Growth Drivers: Key tailwinds include retail access to Alts (via RIAs), insurance partnerships, and consolidation among general partners.

Siegenthaler highlighted Blue Owl’s unique position: “Under-owned, undervalued and underappreciated.”

Brokers: Interactive Brokers In A “Goldilocks” Setup

Interactive Brokers is Bank of America’s top broker pick for 2025, as solid U.S. GDP growth (2.0%-2.5%) and sticky inflation (>2.5%) create a “Goldilocks” environment for brokers.

Bank of America is also bullish on Robinhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:HOOD), seen as “best-positioned given high tech/low legacy cost models with strong innovation track records.”

Interactive Brokers

• Buy Rating and $288 price target
• Fundamentals: Interactive Brokers boasts an operating margin of over 70%, with incremental margins exceeding 80%. It also holds $7 billion in excess capital, which supports reinvestment and growth.
• Competitive Edge: The broker’s tech-first approach, including investments in R&D and innovative tools like its Global Trader app, has spurred 20-40% annual account growth.
• Valuation: “Undervalued due to unique set of factors — float, voting rights/control, capital retention.”

Exchanges: Tradeweb Offers Long-Term Growth

Tradeweb Markets is Bank of America’s top pick among exchanges due to its wide product breadth, first-mover innovation, and long-term visibility.

• Buy Rating and $205 price target
• Competitive advantages: Tradeweb Markets offers a diverse menu spanning fixed income, ETFs and money markets, appealing to a broad client base, including market makers, financial advisors, and corporate treasurers.
• Innovation edge: Tradeweb Market’s portfolio trading and session trading protocols have driven consistent market share gains.
• Long-term growth visibility: The secular shift from voice to electronic bond trading provides a long runway for growth.

Read Next:

• Trump’s Tariff Storm: 3 Survival Strategies US Companies Are Using To Fight Back

Photo: Shutterstock

Adobe Inc (NASDAQ:ADBE) could highlight its strong subscriber revenue and growth when the company reports fourth-quarter results after market close Wednesday.

Earnings Estimates: Analysts expect Adobe to report fourth-quarter revenue of $5.54 billion, up from $5.05 billion in last year’s fourth quarter, according to data from Benzinga Pro.

The company has beaten analyst revenue estimates in seven straight quarters and nine of the last 10 quarters overall.

Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $4.65 in the fourth quarter, compared to $4.27 in last year’s fourth quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in 11 straight quarters.

Guidance from the company sees fourth-quarter revenue coming in a range of $5.50 to $5.55 billion and earnings per share coming in a range of $4.63 to $4.68.

Read Also: How Nvidia, PayPal, Adobe Are Driving GenAI’s Productivity Revolution: Report

What Analysts Are Saying: Adobe could offer a compelling risk-reward profile ahead of 2025, Piper Sandler analyst Brent Bracelin recently said.

The analyst reiterated an Overweight rating and $635 price target on the stock in the note.

Bracelin said with shares down year-to-date, the stock could go from laggard to leader.

Concerns of threats on Adobe’s business from artificial intelligence could be overshadowing healthy subscription growth trends, the analyst added.

The analyst said the earnings report could show the durability of subscription growth and high operating margins.

Adobe Express Mobile is also attracting new users with quarterly downloads over 10 million, Bracelin said.

Here are other analyst ratings on Adobe and their price targets:

• Citigroup: Maintained Neutral rating, lowered price target from $616 to $590
• BMO Capital: Maintained Outperform rating, lowered price target from $600 to $580
• RBC Capital: Reiterated Outperform rating, price target $610

Key Items to Watch: Subscription revenue and strength will be one of the biggest areas to watch, as shared by Bracelin above.

Investors and analysts will also be looking to hear any comments on how AI is impacting the company and what Adobe is doing to offset this competitive threat.

Updates on new products and their initial reaction will also be an item to watch.

With this being the fourth-quarter financial results, analysts and investors will also be waiting to see if Adobe shares guidance for the next fiscal year.

ADBE Price Action: Adobe stock is down 0.3% to $545.23 on Wednesday versus a 52-week trading range of $433.98 to $638.25. Adobe stock is down 6% year-to-date in 2024.

Read Next:

• Adobe Stock To Turn From Laggard To Leader, Analysts Highlight ‘AI Monetization Opportunities’ From MAX Creativity Conference

Photo: Shutterstock

Gainers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLE)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Energy Select Sector	90.58	0.33	0.36	5.1K
(NYSE:XLK)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Technology	236.46	0.51	0.21	5.7K
(NYSE:XLC)	The Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	100.50	0.17	0.16	126
(NYSE:XLF)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Financial	49.75	0.05	0.10	42.5K
(NYSE:XLU)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Utilities	78.14	0.02	0.02	7.9K

Losers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLV)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Health Care	143.87	-0.23	-0.16	1.8K
(NYSE:XLI)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Industrial	138.85	-0.15	-0.11	964
(NYSE:XLP)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Consumer Staples	82.60	-0.04	-0.05	487

Pulled from Benzinga Pro data this sector movers alerts can help traders understand macro-level market trends. Traders often look for sector movers to provide high-level analysis on which sectors are over- or under-performing to make better investing decisions on exchange traded funds (ETFs) or individual tickers in those sectors.

To read more about sector movers, click here.

Nikola Corp (NASDAQ:NKLA) shares are trading lower by some 11% over the trailing week to $1.50. The company early Monday announced an Equity Distribution Agreement with BTIG to sell up to $100 million of common stock via an at-the-market offering, paying BTIG a 2.5% commission, with flexible termination terms.

Separately, Nikola raised $65 million by selling common stock to convertible senior PIK toggle noteholders. Between December 3, 2024, and January 31, 2025, a temporary conversion rate will allow issuing up to 48.1 million shares, exceeding post-January 2025 levels.

Nikola also said it repaid $39.4 million in Series B-1 Senior Convertible Notes due 2025, terminated related agreements and canceled certain hydrogen take-or-pay agreements, significantly reducing contingent liabilities.

Read Also: Chinese Stocks Sink On Weak Trade Data Amid Rush ‘To Get Goods To The US’ Before Tariffs

Should I Sell My NKLA Stock?

Whether to sell or hold a stock largely depends on an investor’s strategy and risk tolerance. Swing traders may sell an outperforming stock to lock in a capital gain, while long-term investors might ride out the turbulence in anticipation of further share price growth.

Similarly, traders willing to minimize losses may sell a stock that falls a certain percentage, while long-term investors may see this as an opportunity to buy more shares at a discounted price.

Shares of Nikola have lost 93.05% year to date. This compares to the average annual return of -82.7%, meaning the stock has underperformed its historical averages. Investors can compare a stock’s movement to its historical performance to gauge whether this is a normal movement or a potential trading opportunity.

Investors may also consider market dynamics. The Relative Strength Index can be used to indicate whether a stock is overbought or oversold. Nikola stock currently has an RSI of 17.39, indicating oversold conditions.

For analysis tools, charting data and access to exclusive stock news, check out Benzinga PRO. Try it for free.

NKLA has a 52-week high of $34.50 and a 52-week low of $1.40.