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Benzinga, 1 Campus Martius, Detroit, MI (2025)

07/11/2025

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07/11/2025

Mark Zuckerberg-led Meta has reportedly acquired a minority stake in EssilorLuxottica.

What Happened: Meta has acquired nearly 3% of EssilorLuxottica, the French-Italian eyewear giant behind brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley, reported Bloomberg on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The stake is worth approximately €3 billion ($3.52 billion) at current market prices and comes amid Meta's growing ambitions in the wearable tech space.

As per the report, Meta could increase its stake to as much as 5% over time.

Meta did not immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comments.

Why It's Important: Last month, it was reported that Meta and EssilorLuxottica plan to release new AI smart glasses under the Oakley and Prada brands.

This comes after the popularity of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which launched in 2023 and have reportedly sold millions of units. In October 2024, it was reported that Ray-Ban and Meta's smart glasses have become the best-selling product in 60% of Ray-Ban stores across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Meanwhile, Meta rival Apple Inc. AAPL reportedly has at least seven headsets and smart glasses in development. This includes Vision Pro M5 models, Vision Air, XR glasses and a display accessory, with some expected to launch starting in 2027.

07/11/2025

Early data from Amazon Prime Day 2025 is in, and one major firm sees the mega-sale event driving traffic and grabbing market share for the retailer.

Early Data: Analysts from Telsey Advisory Group highlighted Google Trends data showing that Amazon's web traffic increased by more than 50% during the first 36 hours of Prime Day, compared to the previous two-week period.

U.S. online retail sales from the first day of Prime Day climbed 10% year-over-year to reach $7.9 billion, according to Adobe Analytics.

Categories showing the strongest sequential growth included appliances, electronics, tools and home improvement, home and garden, furniture, apparel and toys.

Amazon has doubled the duration of its sales event from 24 hours to 48 hours this year, and Telsey Group sees the longer promotional period driving increased traffic and sales for the retailer.

According to data from Numerator, the average household spent $126.26 on Amazon—almost identical to the $126.54 average during the first 32 hours of Prime Day 2024.

The average order value was $57.12, compared to about $60.03 last year. Top-selling items were household essentials including Liquid I.V., Dawn Platinum Powerwash, Premier Protein Shakes and electronics including the Fire TV Stick.

If average spend continues on a similar trend for the duration of 2025's extended Prime Day, Amazon could see record-breaking sales over the four-day period.

Telsey analysts pointed to a projection from Adobe Analytics for total sales over the Prime Day event to approach $23.8 billion, which would be a 60%+ jump over last year's event.

Telsey Advisory Group maintained Amazon stock with an Outperform rating and $235 price target.

07/11/2025

Perplexity AI launched its Comet web browser on Wednesday, following Alphabet Inc.’s Google Chrome’s rejection of the startup’s offer to become a default search engine option, according to CEO Aravind Srinivas.

“I reached out to Chrome to offer Perplexity as a default search engine option a long time ago. They refused. Hence we decided to build Perplexity Comet browser,” Srinivas wrote on X Wednesday.

The move escalates competition in the browser market, where Google Chrome maintains a dominant market share. Perplexity’s entry comes as the San Francisco-based company, backed by Nvidia, carries a $14 billion valuation from its latest funding round, up from $9 billion in November.

Comet positions itself as an artificial intelligence-powered browser that transforms browsing into “thinking,” according to Perplexity’s announcement. The browser integrates conversational AI capabilities, allowing users to ask questions directly without traditional search navigation. The company describes the shift as moving “from navigation to cognition.”

07/11/2025

Analysts from LightShed Partners have suggested that Apple should consider a change in leadership to prioritize product innovation, particularly in the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence (AI).

What Happened: In a note on Wednesday, the LightShed analysts proposed that Apple might benefit from a new CEO, as reported by MarketWatch. The suggestion comes in the wake of the impending departure of Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams.

The analysts acknowledge Cook’s operational expertise but argue that Apple now needs a leader who is more focused on product development. The company “needs a product-focused CEO,” states analysts.

They also express doubts about Apple’s ability to achieve a “supercycle” of upgrades and note the company’s struggles to keep pace in the field of artificial intelligence.

They warned, “AI will reshape industries across the global economy, and Apple risks becoming one of its casualties.”

According to Piecyk and Galone, Apple’s recent attempts to enhance its Siri personal assistant have been disappointing. They also caution that Apple’s failure to keep up with the AI race could significantly impact the company’s long-term growth potential.

Why It Matters: This call for a change in Apple’s leadership follows a series of significant developments within the company. Just a day before the analysts’ note, Apple announced the upcoming retirement of its COO, Jeff Williams, who was once tipped as a potential successor to Tim Cook.

This news came amid criticism from the White House trade advisor, Peter Navarro, who expressed dissatisfaction with Cook’s reluctance to move Apple’s production out of China.

These events have sparked discussions about Apple’s future, with some industry experts, like Dan Ives, urging the company to make strategic moves, such as acquiring Perplexity AI for its search engine. Amid these debates, the suggestion for a new CEO adds another layer to the ongoing discussions about Apple’s direction and leadership.

07/11/2025

Analysts from LightShed Partners have suggested that Apple should consider a change in leadership to prioritize product innovation, particularly in the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence (AI).

In a note on Wednesday, the LightShed analysts proposed that Apple might benefit from a new CEO, as reported by MarketWatch. The suggestion comes in the wake of the impending departure of Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams.

The analysts acknowledge Cook’s operational expertise but argue that Apple now needs a leader who is more focused on product development. The company “needs a product-focused CEO,” states analysts.

They also express doubts about Apple’s ability to achieve a “supercycle” of upgrades and note the company’s struggles to keep pace in the field of artificial intelligence.

They warned, “AI will reshape industries across the global economy, and Apple risks becoming one of its casualties.”

According to Piecyk and Galone, Apple’s recent attempts to enhance its Siri personal assistant have been disappointing. They also caution that Apple’s failure to keep up with the AI race could significantly impact the company’s long-term growth potential.

07/10/2025

Most people call into "The Ramsey Show" buried in debt, desperate for a plan. But Cheyenne, a 55-year-old widow from Arizona, had a different problem: she was debt-free with $400,000 saved — and was paralyzed with fear about investing it.

"My money is just sitting in the bank," she admitted on an episode titled "I Have $400,000 and I'm Afraid to Invest Any of It." Dave Ramsey didn't even ask the rate — he assumed it was the typical 1%. "You can't leave $400,000 sitting at 1%," he said. "That's why you called."

Cheyenne explained she'd talked to two financial professionals and done her research, but kept hitting moral roadblocks. "I just didn't want to invest in a McDonald's or a Pepsi or some kind of chemical farming," she said. "I want to put my money where my heart is."

But her biggest fear wasn't just ethics — it was losing it all.

She told Ramsey about a friend who lost $80,000 in one month. "That just feels so out of control for me to put it somewhere where I have no control."

Ramsey didn't hold back: "Your friend was investing in some kind of high-risk something to lose $80,000 in one month. Or she has two million dollars invested — one of the two."

He explained that the "market" could mean anything — from wild speculation to slow, steady growth. "You don't have the stomach for it," he told her. "You've attempted to gain enough knowledge to get some peace and it hasn't worked."

So he suggested real estate.

"If you had a $400,000 property that someone rented for $3,000 or $4,000 a month, you'd be making a whole lot more than the bank."

But Cheyenne had tried that. She owned two properties during the pandemic and didn't enjoy it. "I didn't lose, but it certainly wasn't worth it."

So if real estate wasn't the answer and traditional stocks felt morally off-limits, what was left?

Ramsey recommended she look into the Timothy Plan — a faith-based mutual fund that avoids companies engaged in to***co, alcohol, or practices they consider un-Christian. "They've done very well," he said, noting a long-term track record. "I don't have money with them, but they've got a fund that's beating the market."

He made one more point: "That bank is paying you 1%. I guarantee you they're engaged in things you don't like."

Cheyenne's story isn't about greed — it's about fear, values, and wanting to do the right thing without sacrificing financial stability. And for anyone who relates, Ramsey didn't offer a formula — just a push: try something manageable. Start small. Understand what you can tolerate. Because eventually, doing nothing becomes its own kind of risk.

07/10/2025

Mark Zuckerberg-led Meta has reportedly acquired a minority stake in EssilorLuxottica.

What Happened: Meta has acquired nearly 3% of EssilorLuxottica, the French-Italian eyewear giant behind brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley, reported Bloomberg on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The stake is worth approximately €3 billion ($3.52 billion) at current market prices and comes amid Meta's growing ambitions in the wearable tech space.

As per the report, Meta could increase its stake to as much as 5% over time.
Meta did not immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comments.

Why It's Important: Last month, it was reported that Meta and EssilorLuxottica plan to release new AI smart glasses under the Oakley and Prada brands.

This comes after the popularity of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which launched in 2023 and have reportedly sold millions of units. In October 2024, it was reported that Ray-Ban and Meta's smart glasses have become the best-selling product in 60% of Ray-Ban stores across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Meanwhile, Meta rival Apple Inc. AAPL reportedly has at least seven headsets and smart glasses in development. This includes Vision Pro M5 models, Vision Air, XR glasses and a display accessory, with some expected to launch starting in 2027.

07/10/2025

OpenAI has recruited Apple Inc.‘s director of data center engineering as the artificial intelligence company bolsters its physical infrastructure capabilities amid a $6.4 billion acquisition of designer Jony Ive’s hardware startup.

Spas Lazarov, who spent nearly 11 years at Apple overseeing data center operations across North America, Europe, and Asia, joined OpenAI as a technical staff member, according to a Wednesday announcement by OpenAI President Greg Brockman on X. Brockman confirmed the company is “building out our physical infrastructure team” with multiple new hires.

Prior to Apple, Lazarov worked for 26 years at General Electric Co., including as director of critical power systems engineering. He serves on the global advisory council at Infrastructure Masons, an industry group focused on data center development.

07/10/2025

A Canadian homebuyer browsing real estate listings in Texas was shocked by what his money could buy. “I am in awe of what you can get for the price of a 2-bedroom sh*t heap in a rough neighborhood where I live,” he wrote in a now-archived Reddit post.

He even floated the idea of moving to Texas to his wife, adding, “Honestly, she’s starting to lean towards it.” But he asked the big question: “What’s the catch?”

Texans responded fast—and didn’t sugarcoat it. The most common answers: high property taxes, expensive home insurance, and hidden risks like flood damage. While the average home in Texas costs about $306,000—well below the U.S. average—those savings can be wiped out by extras. Insurance alone averages $4,585 a year, more than double the national rate.

Commenters also warned about unpredictable weather, long commutes in rural areas, and the culture shock that can come with relocating. Others pointed to politics, healthcare costs, and infrastructure issues as key trade-offs.

Some still saw value. “If you work in oil and gas and can handle the weather, you’ll probably live like a king,” one user said.

Bigger homes may come cheaper in Texas—but it’s not always the deal it seems.

07/10/2025

Shaquille O'Neal may have four championship rings and a Hall of Fame plaque, but he's not handing his son a basketball legacy without a warning label.

In his new Netflix series "Power Moves with Shaquille O'Neal," the 53-year-old NBA legend sits down with his 25-year-old son Shareef — a G League forward with NBA ambitions — and delivers a gut-check most young athletes never hear from their superstar parents.

"Are you ready to live that life? Because if you want to be great, my man, you've gotta sacrifice everything," Shaq told his son. "I've lost a family trying to be great."

O'Neal didn't say it for the cameras — he meant it. And this wasn't the first time he's opened up about the personal cost of building an empire.

"The Big Podcast with Shaq" last year, he spoke with retired NFL star Jason Kelce about the fallout of his obsession with success.

"I made a lot of du***ss mistakes to where I lost my family and I didn't have anybody," Shaq said. "Lost my whole family. I'm in a 100,000-square-foot house by myself."

That kind of clarity didn't come from a post-game press conference — it came from hindsight.

Now, as his son prepares to try out for the Sacramento Kings, O'Neal admits he's hesitant to watch Shareef step into a spotlight that may never fully be his own.

"I don't want him to play because it will be unfortunate for him that they will compare him to me," he said. "Similar to what Bronny James is going through now. Unfair to him, and I don't really want him to go through that."

He continued, "What he doesn't realize about me is I was crazy. Basketball's the only thing I cared about. It did jeopardize our relationship a little bit, and I don't want him to ever have to live like that. Everything comes back to the O'Neal name."

For Shareef, that name is both a blessing and a bullhorn.

"My dad missed birthdays, games, you know, Christmas," he said. "I respect it now. I know when I was a kid, we always used to ask, is your dad going to be here? We kind of knew that, okay, he's playing basketball, he's busy."

Despite the weight of comparisons and expectations, Shareef isn't backing down.

"I'm going to try out for the team, and if they offer me a spot, then I've got a lot to think about. I don't really have a plan B."

Shaq, once obsessed with greatness, now seems more focused on legacy — not just stats, but stability. What started as a father-son talk about basketball turned into something deeper: a lesson about limits, identity, and the real scoreboard that matters when the buzzer sounds.

Because it turns out, being great on the court can cost you everything off it — and Shaq's making sure his son understands the difference.

07/10/2025

Billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg almost ended up in a cage fight over their competing social media platforms. Musk may not want to look at the latest metrics from X rival Threads, or he could be proposing a cage match again.

Meta Platforms launched Threads in 2023 and was viewed as a potential X killer and a new social media platform to lure users from Musk's platform. Threads has grown to more than 350 million registered users and according to new metrics, is nearing X in one category.

In June, Threads had 115.1 million daily active users on the mobile app, according to data from Similarweb shared by TechCrunch. That total was up 127.8% year-over-year and also came closer to X than in past months.

X had 132 million daily active users on mobile in June, which was down 15.2% year-over-year.

Bluesky, another social media rival, trailed both with 4.1 million daily active users on mobile in June, but that figure was up an impressive 372.5% year-over-year.

For U.S. users, the data was also close. X had 33.1 million daily active users for mobile in June, while Threads had 15.3 million daily active users. Bluesky had around 1.1 million daily active users for U.S. mobile in June.

The data shows that Threads is seeing an increase in mobile usage while X is seeing declines. The lines of daily active users are getting closer together, at least for mobile. This comes as Meta said it passed the 350 million monthly active users milestone for Threads recently and is working on further monetizing this user base.

X, which is no longer public, had 600 million monthly active users in 2024, according to data from Musk.

Why It's Important: While Threads is closing the gap for mobile daily active users in the latest data, it still has a long way to go for web visits.

Similarweb data showed that X had 145.8 million daily web visits in June, compared to only 6.9 million daily web visits for Threads. Bluesky was even lower at 5.3 million daily web visits.

The data for the U.S. region was similar, with X having 33.1 million daily web visits in June, with Threads having 985,200 daily web visits and Bluesky having 2.4 million daily web visits.

This shows that X still ranks as one of the most visited social media platforms and gets significantly more web traffic than Threads. Threads was set up as a mobile app, with the web version launched later.

Add it up, and X is still dominant over Threads, but it should be worried about mobile growth for Threads and usage decline on its platform.

While there is room for many social media platforms, users in the U.S. and around the world only have so much time to commit to each platform, and X and Threads both want to get as much usage and monetization opportunities as possible.

The battle between X and Threads comes with Musk and Zuckerberg are also the two richest people in the world at this time. Musk is the world's richest person, worth $349 billion according to Bloomberg. Zuckerberg ranks second with $254 billion.

Similar to their mobile usage trajectory, Musk is on the decline and Zuckerberg is on the rise. Musk's net worth is down $83.9 billion year-to-date in 2025, while Zuckerberg's wealth is up $46.9 billion. This comes, of course, with Tesla stock down 22% in 2025 and Meta stock up 22% in 2025.

Benzinga

07/11/2025

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