Finance
Verizon Shares Take a Hit After Q1 Sales Warning
March 13, 2025
A fresh trend is taking over LinkedIn, with users gaining attention by publicly calling out bad bosses, turning the platform into a hotbed for "punching up" as the latest career strategy.
On the stock market front, there was a mixed finish as investors hold their breath for tomorrow’s jobs report. Meanwhile, US financial markets are closed today in observance of a national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away last month at the age of 100.
Quantum computing stocks took a major hit after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang cast doubt on the tech’s near-term prospects, claiming it could be decades before the technology is truly useful. Huang’s comments, suggesting that "very useful" quantum computers may not emerge until 20 years from now, spooked investors, sending shares of Rigetti Computing plummeting 45%. Other key players like D-Wave Quantum, Quantum Computing, and IonQ also saw drops of around 40%. Huang did assure that Nvidia would play a major role in quantum’s development, though his remarks likely didn’t sit well with many in the space.
While the hype around quantum computing had been building—especially after Google introduced its quantum chip, Willow, last year—investors are now reconsidering. The potential applications of quantum tech range from speeding up drug discovery to revolutionizing AI, but some fear its power could eventually compromise encryption and disrupt markets like cryptocurrency. Still, Huang and others argue that such breakthroughs are a long way off. After a dramatic rise in stock prices late last year, quantum stocks are now experiencing high volatility, with many investors questioning whether the promises of the tech are coming too soon.
Presented by Nasdaq
A recent study from the Nasdaq Index Research Team found that among global large cap companies, patent filers recorded the fastest sales growth over the trailing 15 years. Growth for patent filers ranged 60-70%, nearly 2x the average for the entire cohort (35%).1
Investors looking to access innovative, patent filing companies need look no further than the Nasdaq-100® (NDX®).2
The success of NDX can be attributed in part to the value of its constituents’ patents, which has grown ~10.5x since May 2007, vs. ~4x across all publicly listed, tracked companies globally. Growth for the S&P 500 overall was ~5.5x, but only ~4x when excluding the contribution of overlapping Nasdaq-100 firms.3
Learn more about the innovative index here: Nasdaq-100 Index.®
A new ride for SkyMiles… Delta AirlinesDAL $65.22 (-2.78%) is ending its partnership with LyftLYFT $13.06 (0.08%) after eight years, shifting its loyalty program focus to UberUBER $66.15 (-0.42%). Starting in April, passengers who are SkyMiles members can link their Uber accounts to earn miles on both rides and food deliveries. With Uber boasting 161 million monthly users compared to Lyft’s 24 million, this move is set to boost Delta's appeal among frequent travelers. The airline also has deals with StarbucksSBUX $93.65 (1.38%) and HertzHTZ $3.51 (-7.16%).
In the air and beyond… Delta is adding more perks to attract and retain its 120 million loyalty members. This includes free access to YouTube Premium on flights, where travelers can watch high-definition videos, including content from creators like MrBeast, as part of a broader in-flight entertainment upgrade planned for next year. Other airlines like UnitedUAL $105.00 (-2.24%) are also enhancing onboard services to keep pace.
Loyalty's profit game… These loyalty programs are more than just customer incentives; they’re a key revenue driver for airlines. The profit margin on credit card partnerships can reach 50%, far outstripping that from ticket sales. Since 2017, Delta’s revenue from selling miles to credit card companies has more than doubled, with the airline bringing in $1.8 billion last quarter alone through its partnership with American ExpressAXP $297.02 (1.30%).
Potential turbulence ahead… However, the loyalty program model isn’t without scrutiny. The U.S. government has started investigating the airline industry’s dynamic pricing methods for rewards programs, with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg raising concerns about the fluctuating value of miles and points, which critics argue complicates the process for customers trying to redeem rewards.
Presented by Gray Scale
Bit by bit… Diversify your portfolio with Bitcoin exposure, wherever you invest. Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (ticker: BTC) is one of the most affordable1 ways to gain exposure to Bitcoin through your existing brokerage account (though brokerage fees may still apply). That’s right — you don’t need a separate crypto wallet like you would to hold actual Bitcoin. You can invest in BTC the same way as any ETF.
For the crypto-curious… Grayscale is a great place to start. They’ve been offering exposure to crypto through familiar investment vehicles for over a decade. Today, they offer a suite of over 20 different funds covering Solana, Filecoin, Chainlink, and others for investors to choose from.
Type BTC on your preferred investment platform to check out the Bitcoin Mini from Grayscale. Think crypto, invest Grayscale.2
Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF ("BTC"), an exchange traded product, is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (or the ’40 Act) and therefore is not subject to the same regulations and protections as 1940 Act registered ETFs and mutual funds.
Advertiser's disclosures:
¹ Source: Nasdaq Global Indexes, Nasdaq AI Team, IFI Claims, Factset as of 8/29/2024. Index data as of 12/31/2013 and 12/31/2023. Companies are ranked on prior full-year total patent filings.
² It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
³ See slide 26 for further details on the growth in the value of patents for NDX®, S&P 500, and Global ex-US since May 2007.
Nasdaq®, Nasdaq-100 Index®, Nasdaq-100®, and NDX® are trademarks of Nasdaq, Inc. The information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice, either on behalf of a particular security or an overall investment strategy. Neither Nasdaq, Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any recommendation to buy or sell any security or any representation about the financial condition of any company. Statements regarding Nasdaq-listed companies or Nasdaq proprietary indexes are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should undertake their own due diligence and carefully evaluate companies before investing. ADVICE FROM A SECURITIES PROFESSIONAL IS STRONGLY ADVISED.
⁴ The Deloitte rankings are based on submitted applications and public company database research, with winners selected based on their fiscal-year revenue growth percentage over a three-year period.
⁵ Mode Mobile recently received their ticker reservation with Nasdaq ($MODE), indicating an intent to IPO in the next 24 months. An intent to IPO is no guarantee that an actual IPO will occur.
⁶ Minimum investment is $999.96. Please read the offering circular and related risks at invest.modemobile.com. This is a paid advertisement for Mode Mobile’s Regulation A+ Offering.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing in private company securities is not suitable for all investors because it is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. It should only be considered a long-term investment. You must be prepared to withstand a total loss of your investment. Private company securities are also highly illiquid, and there is no guarantee that a market will develop for such securities.
DealMaker Securities LLC, a registered broker-dealer, and member of FINRA | SIPC, located at 105 Maxess Road, Suite 124, Melville, NY 11747, is the Intermediary for this offering and is not an affiliate of or connected with the Issuer. Please check our background on FINRA's BrokerCheck.
