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Gainers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLC)	The Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	99.71	0.93	0.94	4.1K
(NYSE:XLU)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Utilities	78.93	0.24	0.30	1.2K
(NYSE:XLY)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Consumer Discretionary	232.68	0.62	0.26	1.1K
(NYSE:XLE)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Energy Select Sector	91.07	0.20	0.22	5.5K
(NYSE:XLF)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Financial	49.76	0.05	0.10	26.9K
(NYSE:XLI)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Industrial	139.49	0.15	0.10	913
(NYSE:XLP)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Consumer Staples	82.29	0.04	0.04	1.3K
(NYSE:XLV)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Health Care	144.73	0.03	0.02	1.0K

Losers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLRE)	Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (The)	43.6000	-0.26	-0.60	275
(NYSE:XLK)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Technology	238.4999	-0.77	-0.33	7.2K

Pulled from Benzinga Pro data the above sector movers alert assists traders in understanding macro-level trends and market variations. Traders will look for sector movers providing information on sectors that are over- or under-performing, deriving these results into investing decisions on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or individual tickers in those sectors.

To read more about sector movers, click here.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) shareholders will cast their votes on whether the company should publicly assess adding Bitcoin to its balance sheet on Dec. 10.

The vote, scheduled for 8:30 AM PST, comes as Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) trades at $98,050, after touching a record high of $103,679 and gains endorsement from global leaders such as President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The proposal, titled “Assessment of Investing in Bitcoin,” was submitted by the National Center for Public Policy Research, which describes Bitcoin as “an excellent hedge against inflation,” Quartz reported, quoting an SEC filing.

Despite this advocacy, Microsoft’s board of directors has recommended voting against the measure, asserting that the company already evaluates a broad range of assets, including Bitcoin, as part of its existing investment strategy.

“The company carefully considers this topic as part of our broader financial framework,” the board noted in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Also Read: Bitcoin Saw ‘Historic Rally’ In November Thanks To Trump Win, Says JPMorgan

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has consistently expressed skepticism about cryptocurrencies, often citing their speculative nature.

His views appear to align with the board’s position, further diminishing the likelihood of shareholder approval.

While some tech giants like Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) and MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) have embraced Bitcoin, Microsoft has yet to follow suit.

MicroStrategy, for example, holds 423,650 BTC, valued at approximately $42 billion at current market prices, making it the largest corporate Bitcoin holder.

Read Next:

• Record Week: Bitcoin ETFs Net $2.5 Billion In Inflows, Ethereum ETFs Took In $1.2 Billion

Photo: Shutterstock

Gainers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLE)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Energy Select Sector	91.60	0.58	0.63	19.0K
(NYSE:XLY)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Consumer Discretionary	233.98	1.18	0.50	6.5K
(NYSE:XLI)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Industrial	140.96	0.40	0.28	594
(NYSE:XLP)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Consumer Staples	82.50	0.12	0.14	3.3K
(NYSE:XLF)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Financial	50.47	0.07	0.13	36.2K
(NYSE:XLU)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Utilities	79.72	0.03	0.03	5.0K

Losers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLK)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Technology	240.0800	-0.760	-0.32	16.4K
(NYSE:XLV)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Health Care	144.1617	-0.118	-0.09	7.6K

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.

To read more about sector movers, click here.

BTC Digital Ltd (NASDAQ:BTCT) shares are trading lower by 25.4% to $11.69 during Friday’s session after the company announced a $20 million public offering.

What Else: The offering includes 2.5 million ordinary shares and pre-funded warrants, priced at $8.00 per share or $7.999 per Pre-Funded Warrant, which have a nominal exercise price of $0.001 and are immediately exercisable.

Aegis Capital Corp. has a 45-day option to purchase up to 15% additional Ordinary Shares to cover potential over-allotments.

The offering is expected to close on December 9, pending customary conditions. Proceeds will support general corporate needs and working capital.

Read Also: Private Credit Tokenization Hits $650 Million Monthly, Setting A New Benchmark

Should I Sell My BTCT 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 BTC Digital have gained 258.84% year to date. This compares to the average annual return of 40.89%, meaning the stock has outperformed 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. BTC Digital stock currently has an RSI of 46.72, indicating neutral conditions.

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

BTCT has a 52-week high of $25.40 and a 52-week low of $1.32.

Gainers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLY)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Consumer Discretionary	229.55	1.55	0.67	2.3K
(NYSE:XLU)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Utilities	80.83	0.14	0.17	3.4K
(NYSE:XLI)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Industrial	140.95	0.03	0.02	401
(NYSE:XLK)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Technology	239.94	0.03	0.01	19.8K
(NYSE:XLV)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Health Care	145.12	0.02	0.01	1.0K

Losers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLE)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Energy Select Sector	92.37	-0.22	-0.24	9.5K
(NYSE:XLF)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Financial	50.40	-0.01	-0.02	30.6K

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.

To read more about sector movers, click here.

In a recent note, senior analyst Pablo Zuanic digs into the financial standing and valuation of Village Farms (NASDAQ:VFF), the only cannabis company anointed by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as one of the 25 DPs (“designated participants”) in the administrative hearing for the rescheduling of cannabis to Schedule III.

According to Zuanic, the company experienced temporary sales disruptions in the second half of the year, primarily due to stockouts caused by strong first-half demand. These disruptions are expected to normalize by the first quarter of 2025. Although the overall demand for Canadian recreational cannabis is slowing down, Village Farms has been able to increase prices for some SKUs.

• Get Benzinga’s exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter here. You can’t afford to miss out if you’re serious about the business.

Global Reach And Scale

Beyond Canada, Village Farms is focused on growing its international business, particularly in Germany, Australia, and the UK. It plans to allocate Canadian production based on return on investment (ROI) and may consider minority investments in international markets.

The company will prioritize its branded domestic cannabis business and international sales. It will reduce B2B sales for domestic purposes and allocate more output to its branded products.

Branded sales margins are recovering to the 30-40% range and B2B margins are increasing due to higher prices and increased overseas demand. Zuanic noted approximately one-third of domestic B2B sales are re-exported to Germany.

Read Also: Prohibitionist Group Denies Collusion Allegations Ahead Of DEA Cannabis Rescheduling Hearing

Market Share 

Hifyre data for October and November shows a sequential improvement in the Canadian recreational cannabis market, with a year-over-year growth of 6.7%. However, Village Farms experienced a deceleration to 1% year-over-year growth.

• Among the top 10 players, Tilray (NASDAQ:TLRY) (-21%), Decibel (OTC:DBCCF) (-23%), and Canopy Growth (NASDAQ:CGC) (-21%) experienced a decline in growth. On the other hand, Cannara (OTC:LOVFF) (+67%) and WeedMD (+23%) saw significant growth. 
• OGI (NASDAQ:OGI) (+13%), Auxly (OTC:CBWTF) (+33%), Motif (+10%), and Cronos Group (NASDAQ:CRON) (+4%) also exhibited positive growth.
• In terms of November market share, Tilray (TLRY) (9.1%) held the largest share, followed by OGI (7.0%), VFF (6.2%), Auxly (5.6%), Motif (5.3%), Cronos Group (5.1%), Decibel (4.7%), Cannara (4.0%), WeedMD (2.9%), and Canopy Growth (2.3%).

Read Also: Village Farms Quarterly Revenue Grows 20% YoY As The Cannabis Company Doubles International Sales

Valuation 

Zuanic argues that Village Farms’ stock is undervalued due to its complex business model and gradual growth strategy, despite its strong performance in the Canadian cannabis market, international expansion and potential US opportunities. 

He calculates the company’s enterprise value (EV) to be around US$120 million. This valuation implies a low multiple of 0.4x current sales estimates and 5.6x EBITDA.

Zuanic says the market is not fully recognizing the value of VFF’s assets. 

If we strip out the value of the produce business, US CBD operations and Texas greenhouses, Zuanic suggests that the remaining valuation for the cannabis unit is around US$19 million, or 0.1x estimated 2025 sales and 3x EBITDA. This is significantly lower than the valuations of other major cannabis companies like Tilray and Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ:ACB).

Read Next: Three Paths To Cannabis Profits: Village Farms, Green Thumb, And Jushi Show Divergent Strategies—Which Will Deliver?

Gainers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLP)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Consumer Staples	82.540	0.080	0.09	728
(NYSE:XLE)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Energy Select Sector	92.251	0.021	0.02	25.0K

Losers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLI)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Industrial	142.3000	-0.350	-0.25	438
(NYSE:XLK)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Technology	240.8700	-0.260	-0.11	5.6K
(NYSE:XLF)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Financial	50.2476	-0.012	-0.03	102.9K

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.

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Shopify (NYSE:SHOP), 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 SHOP usually suggests something big is about to happen.

We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga’s options scanner highlighted 36 extraordinary options activities for Shopify. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.

The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 50% leaning bullish and 33% bearish. Among these notable options, 5 are puts, totaling $296,377, and 31 are calls, amounting to $1,900,164.

Projected Price Targets

Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $45.0 to $160.0 for Shopify over the last 3 months.

Volume & Open Interest Trends

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 Shopify’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 Shopify’s whale trades within a strike price range from $45.0 to $160.0 in the last 30 days.

Shopify Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days

Significant Options Trades Detected:

Symbol	PUT/CALL	Trade Type	Sentiment	Exp. Date	Ask	Bid	Price	Strike Price	Total Trade Price	Open Interest	Volume
SHOP	CALL	TRADE	BEARISH	01/16/26	$30.25	$29.5	$29.76	$105.00	$297.6K	3.8K	103
SHOP	CALL	TRADE	BULLISH	01/16/26	$27.8	$27.0	$27.6	$110.00	$276.0K	2.3K	149
SHOP	CALL	TRADE	BEARISH	01/16/26	$36.7	$34.1	$35.1	$95.00	$105.3K	7.1K	35
SHOP	CALL	SWEEP	BEARISH	03/21/25	$37.35	$37.15	$37.21	$80.00	$100.4K	1.5K	28
SHOP	CALL	TRADE	BULLISH	06/20/25	$48.4	$48.15	$48.4	$70.00	$96.8K	7.3K	20

About Shopify

Shopify offers an e-commerce platform primarily to small and medium-size businesses. The firm has two segments. The subscription solutions segment allows Shopify merchants to conduct e-commerce on a variety of platforms, including the company’s website, physical stores, pop-up stores, kiosks, social networks (Facebook), and Amazon. The merchant solutions segment offers add-on products for the platform that facilitate e-commerce and include Shopify Payments, Shopify Shipping, and Shopify Capital.

Having examined the options trading patterns of Shopify, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance

Where Is Shopify Standing Right Now?

• With a volume of 5,192,439, the price of SHOP is up 0.83% at $112.79.
• RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be overbought.
• Next earnings are expected to be released in 69 days.

Professional Analyst Ratings for Shopify

In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $118.8.

Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move

Benzinga Edge’s Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. Click here for access.
* An analyst from Wells Fargo has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Shopify, which currently sits at a price target of $120.
* Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from RBC Capital keeps a Outperform rating on Shopify with a target price of $130.
* An analyst from Keybanc has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Shopify, which currently sits at a price target of $130.
* Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Piper Sandler keeps a Neutral rating on Shopify with a target price of $94.
* An analyst from JMP Securities persists with their Market Outperform rating on Shopify, maintaining a target price of $120.

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 Shopify with Benzinga Pro for real-time alerts.

Gainers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLK)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Technology	239.75	2.95	1.24	26.3K
(NYSE:XLY)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Consumer Discretionary	224.70	0.63	0.28	2.3K
(NYSE:XLC)	The Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	100.12	0.11	0.10	750

Losers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change ($)	Change (%)	Volume
(NYSE:XLE)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Energy Select Sector	94.3502	-0.16	-0.17	8.4K
(NYSE:XLRE)	Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (The)	43.9900	-0.07	-0.16	1.2K
(NYSE:XLP)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Consumer Staples	82.6000	-0.09	-0.11	246
(NYSE:XLF)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Financial	50.3999	-0.05	-0.10	133.2K
(NYSE:XLV)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Health Care	146.7000	-0.12	-0.09	4.4K
(NYSE:XLI)	SPDR Select Sector Fund – Industrial	141.9400	-0.09	-0.07	3.0K
(NYSE:XLB)	Materials Select Sector SPDR	94.3900	-0.03	-0.04	319

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.

Discount retailers Dollar General (NYSE:DG), Dollar Tree Inc (NASDAQ:DLTR) and Five Below Inc (NASDAQ:FIVE) will look to win over investors when each company reports third-quarter financial results this week.

Here’s a look at their earnings estimates and what analysts are saying.

Dollar General

The Goodlettsville, Tennessee-based company is set to report third-quarter financial results before the market opens Thursday, Dec. 5.

According to data from Benzinga Pro, analysts expect:

• Third-quarter revenue of $10.15 billion, up from $9.69 billion in last year’s third quarter,
• Earnings per share of 94 cents, down from $1.26 in last year’s third quarter.

The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in six of the last 10 quarters, as well as estimates for earnings per share in five of the last 10 quarters.

Data from Placer.ai shows third quarter visits to Dollar General were up 4.8% year-over-year — positive in all the months tracked for the quarter. The report said discount and dollar store leaders like Dollar General are showing consistent strength in the retail space.

Oppenheimer analyst Rupesh Parikh currently has a Perform rating and no price target.

There are low expectations for Dollar General and a risk of lower guidance from the company, he said. It could also see pressure from the impact of several hurricanes in the south and the continued macroeconomic backdrop.

“On the top line, we expect another soft quarter driven by ongoing discretionary category headwinds and expectations for continued pressures on the company’s low-end consumer,” Parikh said.

Dollar General stock typically struggles after the company reports quarterly results. Shares fell each of the past eight report days, Parikh said, adding, “We remain sidelined with our entire dollar store coverage.”

Read Also: Breaking Down Dollar Gen: 8 Analysts Share Their Views

Dollar Tree

The Chesapeake, Virginia-based company reports third-quarter financial results before the market opens on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Analysts expect:

• Third-quarter revenue of $7.44 billion, up from $7.32 billion in last year’s third quarter.
• And third-quarter earnings per share of $1.07, up from last year’s 97 cents per share in the third quarter.

The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in six of the last 10 quarters, plus estimates for earnings per share in six of the last 10 quarters.

Data from Placer.ai shows third quarter visits to Dollar Tree up 5.3% year-over-year, with each month in the quarter up year-over-year.

In the second quarter, Dollar Tree initiated a formal review of strategic alternatives for its Family Dollar business, which include a sale or spin-off. Investors will be looking for an update on how the review is going.

Five Below

The Philadelphia-based company reports third-quarter financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Analysts expect:

• Third-quarter revenue of $795.4 million, up from $736.4 million in last year’s third quarter.
• Third-quarter earnings per share of 17 cents, down from 26 cents per share in last year’s third quarter.

The company has beaten analyst revenue estimates in five of the last 10 quarters and estimates for earnings per share in five of the last 10 quarters.

Data from Placer.ai shows third quarter visits for Five Below up 13.8% year-over-year, suggesting a potentially strong quarter for the company. The report highlights Five Below opening a record 205 new stores last year, which will add to its potential growth for the 2024 holiday shopping season.

Telsey analyst Joseph Feldman recently downgraded Five Below stock from Outperform to Sector Perform and lowered the price target from $102 to $95.

The analyst cautioned on the stock with a transition for its business model and leadership changes taking time.

“The company dealt with the last round of tariffs by breaking the $5 price point and gradually increasing prices since then, while quality did not always keep pace, thereby eroding value,” Feldman said.

What’s Next: Placer.ai said weekly visits to both Dollar Tree and Dollar General locations tend to increase after Black Friday and peak around the last full week before Christmas.

This could make early commentary on the current fourth quarter and guidance important when the companies report.

Similarly, Five Below sees its traffic increase leading up to the Christmas holiday with its busiest day often Super Saturday, or the Saturday before Christmas. Last year, Five Below saw traffic up 337.3% on Super Saturday compared to its daily average.

Price Action:

• Dollar General stock is up 1.62% Tuesday to $79.04 versus a 52-week trading range of $72.12 to $168.07. Shares are down 43% year-to-date in 2024.
• Dollar Tree stock is down 0.45% to $72.48 on Tuesday versus a 52-week trading range of $60.49 to $151.22. Shares are down 49% year-to-date.
• Five Below stock is up 4% to $103.20 at last check Tuesday versus a 52-week trading range of $64.87 to $216.18. Shares are down 52% year-to-date.

Read Next:

• Dollar General Aims To Draw Customers From Walmart, Amazon With Holiday Sales Events

Image: Pixabay