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Pi Network mainnet to happen in Q1: Is Pi coin a good buy?

The Pi Network price continued its downtrend this week, reaching a low of $38, its lowest swing in almost three months. It has dived by more than 56% from its all-time high as investors wait for more direction on the mainnet launch. So, how will the Pi coin token trade ahead of the upcoming mainnet launch?

Pi Network is preparing for the mainnet launch

Pi Network, which we have covered before here and here, is one of the most popular players in the crypto industry. Launched in 2018, the network has accumulated over 50 million users, while the Pi Browser has had over 100 million downloads. 

Pi Network aims to become the biggest and most useful cryptocurrency project in the industry by making it easy for people to mine the token. Anyone with a smartphone can receive an invite and become a pioneer. 

Pi’s network has been in development for the past few years, with many pioneers mining and accumulating millions of coins. 

The challenge, however, is that these coins have been worthless since holders had no way of selling them or converting them into fiat currencies. Worse, the developers have left the Pi Network into an enclosed mainnet since 2021.

An enclosed mainnet is a state where the blockchain is live to members of the ecosystem only. It is different from a public mainnet where users can interact with the network and developers can build. 

The developers have hinted that the mainnet launch will happen in the first quarter of this year. However, these creators have been wrong before, meaning that the mainnet launch may be delayed again. 

Earlier last year, they promised that the mainnet launch would happen in 2024, which did not happen. Their goal is to have the launch when at least 10 million pioneers have migrated their tokens to the mainnet. 

The first deadline for these pioneers to do their KYC verification was in November, which was then postponed to December 31 and January 31. The hope is that the mainnet launch will happen in the first quarter once the verification process completes. 

Pi hopes to be a better coin than Bitcoin

Pi Network hopes to be a better cryptocurrency than Bitcoin and other coins. The most notable change is that it is fairly easy to mine since it uses the tap-to-earn approach. After receiving an invite, one needs to install the app and tap for more coins. 

Unlike Bitcoin, Pi Network hopes to have dApps in its ecosystem, which would give the Pi coin utility. About 80 Pi apps will now become public to people when the mainnet is launched. 

Pi Network has also hopes to be a universal currency accepted by sellers worldwide. The Map of Pi, a top dApp in its ecosystem, has already registered over 27,000 shops willing to accept the Pi coin once it becomes available.

Still, the biggest challenge for Pi Network price is that there seems to be a divergence between its developers and the pioneers. The developers want the token to become an alternative to the US dollar, while pioneers just want to make a quick buck. 

This divergence means that the Pi coin price will likely crash after going public as many pioneers sell their tokens. 

We have seen this before as many “to earn” tokens have crashed over time. Some of the most notable of these tokens are Hamster Kombat, Sweat Economy, and Catizen. 

These developments explain why the Pi Network IoU token has crashed in the past few weeks. This IoU is only available on HTX and is not associated with the developers. It is often seen as the best proxy of the main Pi project. 

The post Pi Network mainnet to happen in Q1: Is Pi coin a good buy? appeared first on Invezz

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Crypto price predictions: Shiba Inu, Dogecoin, Pepe Coin, Dogelon Mars

Cryptocurrency prices and the crypto fear and greed index dropped after Donald Trump ignored the industry in his first day as the US president. Bitcoin, which reached a record high of $109,200 on Monday and then pulled back below $102,000. This article explores some of the biggest meme coins in crypto: Shiba Inu, Dogecoin, Dogelon Mars, and Pepe Coin. 

Shiba Inu price analysis

Shiba Inu, Dogecoin, and Pepe have all dropped recently as crypto investors turned their focus to the newer coins like Fartcoin, Melania, and Official Trump. 

SHIB token peaked at $0.0000338 in December and has now crashed to $0.000020. This decline is in line with the plunge of other coins and the ongoing weak performance of the Shibarium layer 2 network.

Shiba Inu price has now dropped below the 50-day and 200-day weighted moving averages (EMA) and the two lines risk having a death cross. This is a high-risk chart pattern that often leads to more downside. 

There are signs that the SHIB price has formed a head and shoulders chart pattern, another popular risky sign in the market. Shiba Inu is attempting to cross the key support at $0.00001960, where it has failed to drop below several times this year. 

The coin has also moved below the bottom of the trading range of Murrey Math Lines tool. Therefore, a drop below the key support at $0.00001958 will point to more downside, potentially to the next level at $0.000012, the ultimate support point. 

On the positive side, the coin has formed a small triple-bottom chart pattern at $0.000019, which may lead to a breakout if bulls defend that support.

Dogecoin price forecast

The DOGE price retreated this week after Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency was sued in the US. The plaintiffs argue that the appointment and the creation of the advisory board did not follow the law. 

The coin has continued to slowly form the bullish pennant chart pattern on the weekly chart. This pattern comprises a long vertical line in November last year, which was the flag pole. 

The pennant section of the pattern is formed by its ongoing consolidation. During most periods, this pattern is one of the most popular bullish chart patterns in the market. The bullish breakout usually happens when the two triangle lines are nearing their confluence levels. 

Therefore, the DOGE price is likely to have a strong bullish breakout. The next point to watch is its all-time high of $0.7600, which is about 122% above the current level. 

Pepe Coin price prediction

The daily chart shows that the Pepe Coin price peaked at $0.00002837, giving it a market cap of over $10 billion. It has now dropped sharply and settled at a low of $0.0000135, which coincides with the 200-day moving average. 

Pepe Coin has formed a falling wedge chart pattern, which is made up of two descending and converging trendlines. The two lines are now nearing their convergence, meaning that a strong bullish breakout could happen soon. If this happens, the next point to watch will be at the all-time high of $0.00002837, which is about 90% above the current level. 

Dogelon Mars

The Dogelon Mars price went parabolic, reaching a high of $0.000000685 on January 19 as most celebrity-themed tokens surged. It then dropped to a low of $0.0000002490 as the momentum ended. 

The token has crashed below the key support level at $0.00000030, its highest point in November and December last year. It remains above the 50-day moving average and the rising trendline that links the lowest swings since September. Therefore, the coin will likely remain under pressure as traders wait for the upcoming actions by the Donald Trump administration.

The post Crypto price predictions: Shiba Inu, Dogecoin, Pepe Coin, Dogelon Mars appeared first on Invezz

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DJT stock price forecast: can Trump save this sinking ship?

The Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT) stock price has done well following the November election in the United States. DJT bottomed at $26.60 on November 14 and has jumped to $40, a 50% increase. So, is this a good stock to buy after Donald Trump’s inauguration to become the 47th president of the United States?

Trump Media could benefit from his presidency

There are rising chances that Trump Media, the operator of Truth Social, will benefit from the Trump presidency. There is precedence into this in that his Washington hotel receives millions of dollars from lobbyists and foreign governments. 

Therefore, many governments and lobbying firms will likely start advertising on the platform to attract his attention. Some companies seeking favor with the new administration may also start advertising on the platform. 

Trump Media could also benefit since Trump is the head of the executive branch. In this, he may direct agencies in the branch to start using the platform for official communication. Most government agencies rely on social media platforms like X and Facebook. 

Core challenges remain

Still, Trump Media faces an uncertain future even with Trump being the president. For one, Trump has re-embraced social media platforms like X and Facebook, where he has more followers. 

At the same time, data shows that website traffic has plummeted in the past few months. In December, it had over 13.53 million visitors, a 20% drop from the previous month. 13.5 million monthly traffic is fairly small for a company valued at over $6 billion.

A good example is BuzzFeed, a media company with a market cap of over $110 million. SimilarWeb data shows that website traffic in December was 97.40 million, a 7.7% increase from the previous month. The Daily Beast and HuffPost had over 20.2 million and 50.3 million visitors, respectively.

TruthSocial’s traffic was also much lower than other social media platforms like Reddit and X. This means that the company will likely struggle to attract any meaningful advertisers except those seeking favor with the new administration. 

Historically, companies have been highly selective of where they allocate their ad dollars. Most of them are afraid of advertising in companies that seem to be toxic, including Elon Musk’s X and Rupert Murdoch’s Fox. 

Read more: What Donald Trump’s presidency means for DJT’s future: everything investors need to know

Therefore, all this means that TruthSocial and the company’s streaming division will struggle to make any revenue and profits. 

The most recent results showed that the company had an operating loss of $23.7 million and a net loss of over $19.2 million. It made just $1 million n revenue and $4.7 million in net investment income. 

The company has over $673 million in cash and no debt, but the cash burn will see its resources dwindle in the next few quarters. As such, a potential solution would be to copy MicroStrategy and start embracing a Bitcoin strategy since the social media approach is not working. 

DJT stock price analysis

The daily chart shows that the Trump Media stock price has rebounded in the past few weeks and has moved above $40. It formed a golden cross pattern as the 50-day and 200-day moving averages crossed each other. 

DJT stock has also formed an inverse head and shoulders chart pattern, a popular bullish sign. Therefore, the short-term outlook is where the stock rises and hits the crucial resistance level at $54.6, its highest swing in October last year. 

The long-term outlook for the DJT stock is extremely bearish unless the company makes major changes such as a Bitcoin strategy. 

The post DJT stock price forecast: can Trump save this sinking ship? appeared first on Invezz

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iDEGEN accelerates as Trump family meme coins crash after inauguration: what’s next for IDGN?

Cryptocurrencies started this week with massive volatility that propelled Bitcoin to new all-time highs.

The Trump family contributed to the developments as they officially joined the meme tokens space on Monday.

However, the new themed tokens have slumped over the past day, losing up to 65% of their value.

Such trends have attracted discussions of utility over hype, and iDEGEN appears as the option as it combines virility and unique use cases.

iDEGEN is an AI-centered crypto project that went viral over the past weeks due to its inimitability.

It has witnessed massive commitment from savvy investors, with IDGN ICO raising nearly $17.5 million (so far).

Let’s assess why iDEGEN might be perfect for individuals searching for lucrative long-term gems.

Trump family tokens slump

TRUMP (Official Trump) dominated crypto trends on Monday following explosive surges to ATHs above $70.

While many expected the alt to hit $100 amidst the inauguration, massive bearishness emerged hours before the ceremony.

TRUMP began plummeting after Trump’s wife launched her MELANIA meme token.

The former trades at $36.80 after dropping nearly 40% of its value within the past day.

MELANIA joined the bloodbath, sliding from yesterday’s peak above $13 to $4.08 at press time.

Chart by Coinmarketcap

The altcoin remains poised for extended losses or consolidation unless massive catalysts emerge.

However, prevailing trends suggest faded interest in the latest PolitiFi coins.

The crypto community has criticized the president’s family after the ‘rug pulls.”

While analysts believe the inauguration doesn’t determine cryptos’ future, whales have reduced their meme exposure after the ceremony.

On-chain analytics platforms have highlighted two large-scale investors and their TRUMP transactions.

Whale Alert shows one investor moved TRUMP worth over $67.39 million (1.621,351 tokens).

The transfer happened after the president’s speech, signaling an imminent dump.

Also, another player sold TRUMP coins worth about $6.83 million, 194,799 assets after Trump’s oath.

Notably, the investor lost $2.55M after the transaction.

The prevailing bearish wave could intensify large-scale selloffs, triggering more crashes for Trump-linked memes.

iDEGEN: The unstoppable meme coin

While new themed tokens fail to keep pace, iDEGEN continues to flex its muscles.

The project uses AI to learn from Crypto Twitter and post on X every hour.

However, its wild comments on the social site—ranging from philosophy to conspiracies— have resulted in bans as well.

Meanwhile, that didn’t stop the IDGN community as investors continued to pour money into the project.

X lifted the ban yesterday, which iDEGEN cheered, stating that even massive firms such as BlackRock can’t stop it.

The AI experiment seems unavoidable since it’s everywhere.

Besides the hype, IDGN’s roadmap highlights notable volatility, cementing the project’s long-term presence in the crypto world.

Source – iDEGEN

IDGN trades at $0.038 and early adopters have netted over 10,900% in profits.

With its current momentum, iDEGEN looks to revolutionize the meme crypto world after its exchange debut on 27 February.

You can visit IDGN’s official website for more details.

The post iDEGEN accelerates as Trump family meme coins crash after inauguration: what’s next for IDGN? appeared first on Invezz

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DJT stock price forecast: can Trump save this sinking ship?

The Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT) stock price has done well following the November election in the United States. DJT bottomed at $26.60 on November 14 and has jumped to $40, a 50% increase. So, is this a good stock to buy after Donald Trump’s inauguration to become the 47th president of the United States?

Trump Media could benefit from his presidency

There are rising chances that Trump Media, the operator of Truth Social, will benefit from the Trump presidency. There is precedence into this in that his Washington hotel receives millions of dollars from lobbyists and foreign governments. 

Therefore, many governments and lobbying firms will likely start advertising on the platform to attract his attention. Some companies seeking favor with the new administration may also start advertising on the platform. 

Trump Media could also benefit since Trump is the head of the executive branch. In this, he may direct agencies in the branch to start using the platform for official communication. Most government agencies rely on social media platforms like X and Facebook. 

Core challenges remain

Still, Trump Media faces an uncertain future even with Trump being the president. For one, Trump has re-embraced social media platforms like X and Facebook, where he has more followers. 

At the same time, data shows that website traffic has plummeted in the past few months. In December, it had over 13.53 million visitors, a 20% drop from the previous month. 13.5 million monthly traffic is fairly small for a company valued at over $6 billion.

A good example is BuzzFeed, a media company with a market cap of over $110 million. SimilarWeb data shows that website traffic in December was 97.40 million, a 7.7% increase from the previous month. The Daily Beast and HuffPost had over 20.2 million and 50.3 million visitors, respectively.

TruthSocial’s traffic was also much lower than other social media platforms like Reddit and X. This means that the company will likely struggle to attract any meaningful advertisers except those seeking favor with the new administration. 

Historically, companies have been highly selective of where they allocate their ad dollars. Most of them are afraid of advertising in companies that seem to be toxic, including Elon Musk’s X and Rupert Murdoch’s Fox. 

Read more: What Donald Trump’s presidency means for DJT’s future: everything investors need to know

Therefore, all this means that TruthSocial and the company’s streaming division will struggle to make any revenue and profits. 

The most recent results showed that the company had an operating loss of $23.7 million and a net loss of over $19.2 million. It made just $1 million n revenue and $4.7 million in net investment income. 

The company has over $673 million in cash and no debt, but the cash burn will see its resources dwindle in the next few quarters. As such, a potential solution would be to copy MicroStrategy and start embracing a Bitcoin strategy since the social media approach is not working. 

DJT stock price analysis

The daily chart shows that the Trump Media stock price has rebounded in the past few weeks and has moved above $40. It formed a golden cross pattern as the 50-day and 200-day moving averages crossed each other. 

DJT stock has also formed an inverse head and shoulders chart pattern, a popular bullish sign. Therefore, the short-term outlook is where the stock rises and hits the crucial resistance level at $54.6, its highest swing in October last year. 

The long-term outlook for the DJT stock is extremely bearish unless the company makes major changes such as a Bitcoin strategy. 

The post DJT stock price forecast: can Trump save this sinking ship? appeared first on Invezz

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Stocks

CSI 300, Hang Seng lead Asian market gains as Trump delays tariff threats for now

Asian stock markets showed mixed performance on Tuesday, a day after Donald Trump returned to office as US president.

Investor sentiment remained cautious as US President Donald Trump refrained from imposing China-specific tariffs on his first day in office but hinted at potential tariffs on Canada and Mexico by February 1.

The Wall Street was closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

Japan’s market mixed

Tokyo stocks were jittery on Tuesday morning. Early gains, fueled by hopes that Trump would delay tariffs were erased as he hinted at imposing 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada countries next month.

The Nikkei 225 rose by 49.27 points, or 0.13%, to 38,951.77, while the broader Topix index fell by 1.95 points, or 0.07%, to 2,709.32.

The US dollar initially dropped to a one-month low in the upper 154 yen range due to a decrease in long-term Treasury yields, following eased inflation concerns and no immediate tariff announcements during Trump’s inauguration.

However, the dollar later recovered to the lower 156 yen range after Trump’s tariff comments.

Stocks had opened higher, with automakers and export-focused companies attracting buying interest, as markets were relieved that Trump had refrained from imposing tariffs on his first day in office.

Toyota gained almost 1%, while Honda increased by 0.4%. However, both gave up the gains soon after.

China and Hong Kong stocks open higher

Chinese stocks opened higher, with the CSI300 Index rising by 0.8% at the start of the session.

However, the index soon lost some of its momentum and traded flat for the remainder of the session. The yuan also strengthened by 0.3% against a broadly weaker dollar.

The market reacted positively to Trump’s inaugural speech, which did not immediately target China with tariffs.

This shift in tone allowed investors to breathe a sigh of relief, especially after months of speculation surrounding the US-China trade tensions.

Trump’s call for federal agencies to investigate and remedy persistent trade deficits and unfair trade practices, including currency manipulation, signaled a move toward negotiations rather than immediate punitive measures.

The CSI300 Index had dropped roughly 5% since Trump’s victory in November, mainly due to fears of tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese goods.

However, the index has rebounded over the past week, as market sentiment improved amid signs of goodwill between Beijing and Washington.

The Hang Seng Index climbed up over 1% to 20,130.40, while the Hang Seng Tech Index surged over 2%.

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, China’s largest chipmaker, surged 6%. iPhone camera lens maker Sunny Optical rose 6%.

Other regional markets

In Australia, the stock market posted notable gains, with the S&P/ASX 200 index increasing by 0.72% to 8,407.90.

The broader All Ordinaries Index rose by 0.74% to 8,658.30 led by strength in mining and financial stocks.

However, energy and technology stocks showed some weakness, limiting overall market gains.

 South Korea’s Kospi was in the green at the time of writing. The index opened close to 1% higher on Tuesday but gave up the early gains soon after.

The index is up 0.21% to trade at 2,525.29.

The post CSI 300, Hang Seng lead Asian market gains as Trump delays tariff threats for now appeared first on Invezz

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Inox Green Energy, Premier Energies and six other stocks to buy for the short-term

The Indian stock market saw a sharp downturn on January 21, with the Nifty 50 falling nearly 1% in intraday trade after Monday’s 0.61% gain.

Profit booking at higher levels, coupled with lingering uncertainty around Donald Trump’s trade policies, the US Federal Reserve’s rate trajectory, lackluster Q3 earnings, and foreign capital outflows, kept investor sentiment subdued.

Experts warn of continued market fragility ahead of the Union Budget 2025 and recommend selective stock buying.

Here’s a detailed look at analyst-recommended stocks with significant upside potential.

HFCL (Upside: 16%)

Buying range: ₹100–₹106

Target price: ₹122

Stop loss: ₹94

Why buy HFCL?

HFCL has shown a robust recovery from its low of ₹92 after correcting from ₹171 over the past four months.

“Further rise is anticipated, with the RSI also confirming a positive trend reversal from the highly oversold zone and signalling a buy with much upside potential visible on the daily chart. With the chart technically well-placed and attractive, we suggest buying the stock for an upside target of ₹122, keeping the stop loss at ₹94,” Shiju Koothupalakkal, Technical Research Analyst, PL-CAPITAL – Prabhudas Lilladher, said.

Havells India (Upside: 8%)

Buying range: ₹1,550–₹1,590

Target price: ₹1,725

Stop loss: ₹1,480

Why buy Havells?

Havells has tested the base of a descending channel near ₹1,508 and is showing signs of recovery.

The stock’s RSI has indicated a positive trend reversal from the highly oversold zone, supporting further upward movement.

“With the chart technically looking good, we anticipate further rise and suggest buying the stock for an upside target of ₹1,725, keeping the stop loss of ₹1,480,” said Koothupalakkal.

Varun Beverages (Upside: 9%)

Buying price: ₹550

Target price: ₹600

Stop loss: ₹520

Why buy Varun Beverages?

The stock remains above its 21-month EMA, signaling a long-term bullish trend. Recent corrections have brought it to a strong demand zone.

Declining selling pressure indicates consolidation while positive price action is supported by rising momentum.

“Varun Beverages has upside potential, supported by favourable technical indicators,” said Vishnu Kant Upadhyay of Master Capital Services.

HBL Engineering (Upside: 13%)

Buying range: ₹545–₹565

Target price: ₹640

Stop loss: ₹520

Why buy?

The stock has shown signs of bottoming out, forming a double-bottom pattern near ₹525.

Rising volumes and an improving RSI from the oversold zone signal potential for significant upside.

“With rising volume participation witnessed, we anticipate a further rise in the coming days and suggest buying the stock for an upside target of ₹640, keeping the stop loss of ₹520 level,” Koothupalakkal said.

Nestle India (Upside: 10%)

Buying price: ₹2,215

Target price: ₹2,430

Stop loss: ₹2,090

Why buy Nestle India?

Nestle India is trading well above its 50-month EMA, supported by a double-bottom pattern that signals a bullish reversal.

Volume analysis supports a positive outlook, with the recent price recovery accompanied by a surge in trading activity, reflecting heightened investor interest.

Price movements indicate strong bullish momentum, further confirmed by momentum oscillators signaling a favorable buying trend.

Inox Green Energy Services (Upside: 14%)

Buying price: ₹171.72

Target price: ₹190–₹195

Stop loss: ₹161

Why buy Inox Green Energy?

The stock is consolidating below a descending trend line, with increasing trading volumes reflecting strong buying interest.

A breakout above ₹174 could trigger significant upside, supported by upward RSI momentum.

“With the RSI at 54.34 trending upward, a close above ₹174 could unlock short-term targets of ₹190 and ₹195. Immediate support lies at ₹167, making it a good buying opportunity on dips, while a stop-loss at ₹161 is advised to safeguard against unexpected reversals,” said Mandar Bhojane, Equity Research Analyst, Choice Broking.

Premier Energies (Upside: 11%)

Buying price: ₹1,193.95

Target price: ₹1,300–₹1,320

Stop loss: ₹1,134

Why buy Premier Energies?

Premier Energies is trading within a parallel channel and showing signs of a bullish reversal.

A close above ₹1,200 could confirm the breakout, while rising trading volumes support the upward trend.

“A sustained close above ₹1,200 could trigger targets of ₹1,300 and ₹1,320. On the downside, key support is at ₹1,160, presenting an attractive entry point for investors. To mitigate risks, a stop-loss at ₹1,134 is recommended,” Bhojane said.

Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services (Upside: 10%)

Buying price: ₹536.25

Target price: ₹580–₹590

Stop loss: ₹510

Why buy Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services?

Zaggle is nearing a breakout from a descending trend line on the daily chart, signaling potential bullish momentum.

Price consolidation near the breakout level, supported by a surge in trading volume, highlights strong investor interest.

The RSI, currently at 52.92 and trending upward, indicates strengthening buying pressure.

“A decisive close above ₹540 could trigger short-term targets of ₹580 and ₹590. Immediate support at ₹525 offers a favorable entry point, with a stop-loss at ₹510 to mitigate risks,” said Bhojane.

The post Inox Green Energy, Premier Energies and six other stocks to buy for the short-term appeared first on Invezz

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Virtu Financial stock price target: to hit $52 in the long term

Virtu Financial stock price is nearing its all-time high as hopes of friendly regulations in the United States continues. VIRT was trading at $37.25, a few points below the all-time high of $38.25 ahead of the upcoming earnings. So, is Virtu a good market maker stock to buy?

VIRT stock and regulations

Virtu Financial is a leading American company that many people have never heard of. However, millions of Americans indirectly use its services most weekdays whenever they buy and sell stock using popular companies like Robinhood and Schwab.

Virtu Financial is one of the biggest money makers in the US, and it competes with Citadel and Susquehanna. The company executes billions of orders daily and takes a small cut, through a process known as Payment for Order Flow (PfOF).

PfOF is what enables firms like Robinhood and Schwab to offer trading services without taking commissions. It is also a highly controversial business that the SEC, under Gary Gensler, wanted to change. These new policies will likely be put on ice now that the SEC will have a change of guard. 

Virtu Finance earnings ahead

The next important catalyst for the Virtu Finance stock price will be the upcoming earnings scheduled on Friday. 

Its most recent financial results showed that its revenue increased by 12% in the third quarter to $706 million. This growth was mostly because of the trading revenue, which jumped by 40% to $444 million.

Virtu’s market making segment made $576 million, while its execution division had $125 million, bringing the total amount to $706 million. 

Its net income rose slightly from $117 million to $119 million. The nine-month net profit rose to $359 million. 

This performance was mostly because American stocks did well in 2024 with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices having over 20% gains during the year. While market-making is an all-weather business, companies like Virtu do well when the stock market is in a bull market. 

Analysts are optimistic that the upcoming results will be strong. The average estimate is that the revenue will be $391 million, a 50% increase from the same period a year earlier. 

They expect the full-year results to be $1.52 billion, followed by $1.56 billion this year. Virtu Finance has a good record of delivering strong results than expected. 

Virtu’s profits are expected to keep growing, with the average earnings per share estimate being $3.25 followed by $3.29 in 2025. 

The company is also seen as being undervalued. It has a forward price-to-earnings ratio (PE) of 14.18 and a PEG ratio of 0.82. These numbers are significantly lower than the broader market.

Virtu Financial stock price analysis

The weekly chart shows that the VIRT share price peaked at $38.25 in December and then retreated and retested the key support at $34.18. This was an important level since it was also the highest point in April 2021. Notably, it was the upper side of the cup and handle pattern, a highly popular continuation sign. 

As such, Virtu Financial stock has formed a break and retest, pointing to more gains ahead. It has also formed a bullish flag pattern.

If this C&H pattern works out well, the stock will likely rise and retest the key resistance at $52.60. This target is based on the cup’s death, which is then extrapolated from its upper side. 

The post Virtu Financial stock price target: to hit $52 in the long term appeared first on Invezz

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World News

Stay or leave? Western companies in Russia grapple with next steps under Trump administration

As Donald Trump prepares to be sworn in as US president today, his impending leadership has created a new dilemma for Western companies still operating in Russia, forcing them to reassess how his policies might impact their business interests.

A Reuters report, based on discussions with lawyers, bankers, advisers, and business leaders involved in numerous Western corporate exits from Russia, reveals that companies still operating in the country are closely monitoring Trump’s potential actions and adapting their strategies accordingly.

Since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, over a thousand multinational firms have faced the difficult decision of whether to stay or leave.

Many, including household names like Renault, McDonald’s, and Heineken, opted to exit, absorbing substantial losses through writedowns and discounted asset sales dictated by Russian authorities.

However, a number of companies have chosen to remain.

Consumer goods producers like PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, and Mondelez defend their presence in Russia by citing the humanitarian importance of their products, while financial institutions such as Raiffeisen Bank International and UniCredit are constrained by profits trapped in the country and the complex approval process required for exit.

The cost of leaving Russia has risen sharply since October when Moscow introduced stricter exit terms.

Companies are now required to sell their assets at a minimum 60% discount and contribute 35% of the deal’s value to the Russian budget—a charge referred to by US officials as an “exit tax.”

This policy has added a significant financial burden to multinationals looking to cut ties with Russia.

Trump’s return: a potential game-changer?

With Trump’s inauguration, many companies are recalibrating their plans for Russia.

His administration’s promises to negotiate an end to the Ukraine conflict, even if unlikely to be fulfilled quickly, have created a new layer of geopolitical complexity.

“Trump’s election victory adds another layer of uncertainty for multinationals with assets in Russia,” said Ian Massey, Head of Corporate Intelligence, EMEA, at global risk consultancy S-RM.

While the Kremlin continues to ratchet up the costs of leaving the Russian market, Trump may reduce the costs of staying, creating a kind of stasis.

Legal and financial advisers working with companies in Russia note that Trump’s return could provide political cover for firms that decide to stay, while others may wait for potential sanctions relief that could make exits easier.

Alan Kartashkin, a partner at Debevoise and Plimpton, suggested that even limited sanctions relief might unfreeze foreign-owned assets stuck in Russia, unlocking another wave of divestments.

“We might see some sanctions being dialled down if the new administration is able to negotiate a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine,” he said.

The cost of leaving Russia

For companies aiming to leave Russia, the path has become significantly more arduous.

Moscow has implemented strict rules governing asset sales, requiring valuations by government-approved appraisers and auctions between local buyers.

High-value deals exceeding 50 billion roubles ($488 million) must be personally approved by President Vladimir Putin, with buyers required to demonstrate how the purchase benefits the Russian economy.

“The possibility of selling a large asset at the minimally accepted conditions is significantly limited,” said a Russian lawyer involved in corporate exits.

These hurdles have dramatically reduced the number of deals, now less than 20% of their mid-2023 peak, according to advisers.

Financing challenges compound the issue. With interest rates at 21%, the cost of borrowing is prohibitively high for many potential buyers, further shrinking the pool of eligible bidders.

The risks of staying in Russia

For companies that choose to remain, the risks are significant.

Moscow has placed more than a dozen foreign-owned assets under temporary state control, a move widely seen as a negotiating tactic to push down prices for local buyers.

Carlsberg learned this the hard way when its stake in Baltika Breweries was seized in July 2023, derailing a nearly finalized sale.

The Danish brewer eventually secured a 34-billion-rouble ($413 million) deal in December, but not without considerable delays and uncertainty.

Unilever managed to divest its Russian assets, including four factories, just before stricter rules took effect in October.

The deal, worth close to €500 million, marked a rare success story for a multinational navigating Russia’s tightened exit regime.

Trump’s wildcard effect

Trump’s return to the White House presents both risks and opportunities for Western companies.

On one hand, his administration could facilitate the easing of sanctions, potentially creating a window for smoother exits.

On the other, his unpredictable approach to international relations could lead to new complications.

“Trump is a wild card,” said a financial services professional familiar with Russia’s business environment.

“You just don’t know what he’s going to do,” he said.

For now, many multinationals are adopting a wait-and-see approach, weighing the costs of leaving against the risks of staying in an increasingly volatile market.

The coming months will likely determine whether Trump’s presidency shifts the balance in their favor—or adds new layers of uncertainty to an already fraught decision.

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Trump to TikTok’s rescue: app restoring services in the US amid ban uncertainty

TikTok was accessible to some US users on Sunday after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to issue an executive order delaying a federal ban on the platform.

The ban, originally set to take effect that day, was tied to the failure of TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest the app to a non-Chinese entity.

In a statement on X, TikTok confirmed that it was working to restore access for American users. “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the company wrote.

“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.”

The company described the move as a victory for free expression.

“This decision is a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship,” TikTok added. It also pledged to collaborate with the incoming administration on a “long-term solution” to maintain its U.S. operations.

Earlier on Sunday, Trump addressed the issue on Truth Social, urging companies to support TikTok’s continued operation.

“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!” he wrote, adding that an executive order would follow his Monday inauguration to extend the timeline for compliance.

Trump wrote:

“I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.”

The TikTok ban still looms

TikTok had been shut down for US users late Saturday night and removed from Apple and Google app stores. However, some users reported being able to access the platform on Sunday through mobile apps and desktops.

The law banning TikTok, upheld by the Supreme Court on Friday, prohibits internet service providers, including Apple and Google, from supporting the app.

Trump’s intervention temporarily shields service providers from penalties, but TikTok’s future in the US remains uncertain.

Trump has advocated for a US-controlled joint venture in which a US entity would hold a 50% stake in TikTok to secure its operations domestically.

However, ByteDance has maintained that it has no plans to sell the company.

While TikTok has temporarily avoided a full shutdown, the broader issues surrounding its ownership and compliance with US laws remain unresolved.

TikTok’s potential buyers

Several parties, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, have shown interest in acquiring TikTok’s rapidly growing business in the US, which analysts suggest could be valued at up to $50 billion.

Reports have also indicated that Beijing has explored the possibility of selling TikTok’s US operations to Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a Trump ally, though the company has denied such discussions.

Additionally, US-based Perplexity AI reportedly submitted a bid to ByteDance, proposing a merger with TikTok U.S. to create a new entity through a combination with other partners.

ByteDance, which is privately held, is primarily owned by institutional investors such as BlackRock and General Atlantic, holding 60% of the company, while the founders and employees each own 20%. The company employs over 7,000 people in the U.S.

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