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May 9, 2025

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Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD) is back in the spotlight, wrestling with its four-year highs and turning heads on Wall Street. It debuted in 2021 as an IPO darling, capturing the imagination of young Gen Z traders before its dramatic fall as a meme stock fueled by crypto and an unhealthy dose of FOMO.

Now, with year-to-date gains outpacing the S&P 500 ($SPX), the former disruptor is looking to claim its space as a serious contender rather than a speculative fad.

Robinhood Stock’s Price Action: Breaking Out or Topping Out?

If you’ve been checking the StockCharts Technical Rank (SCTR) Reports, you’ve probably noticed the stock popping up on the Large Cap Top 10 list.

FIGURE 1. SCTR REPORT LARGE CAP TOP 10. Robinhood is second from the top.

If you’re eyeing HOOD, you’re likely asking two key questions: How is it performing relative to its Financials sector peers, and how strong is the sector itself in terms of market breadth? Just as important, you’ll want a longer-term view: How has the stock held up over time, both on its own and compared to the broader S&P 500?

Let’s tackle all those questions in one shot.

Financial Sector Breadth Shows Bullish Tailwinds for HOOD

The chart below, which tracks the Financial Sector Bullish Percent Index, offers a quick read on sector strength and market positioning.

NOTE: The BPI spans three years.

FIGURE 2. FINANCIAL SECTOR BPI. Market breadth and comparative price performance look exceedingly bullish.

From a breadth perspective, the Financial sector looks bullish, bordering on overbought, with over 82% of the stocks within the sector triggering Point & Figure Buy Signals, according to its Bullish Percent Index (BPI) reading. Meanwhile, HOOD is crushing it on a 3-year relative basis—outperforming its sector by 250% and the S&P 500 by nearly 300%.

This paints a bullish picture. But before jumping to conclusions, let’s take a step back and look at HOOD’s price history, going back to when it IPO’d in 2021.

From Meme Craze to Measured Recovery

Check out the weekly chart below.

FIGURE 3. WEEKLY CHART OF HOOD. It’s above the 10-week and 40-week SMAs, but it has quite a distance to go before testing its yearly high.

You don’t need annotations to spot where HOOD’s meme-stock frenzy peaked and where the crash began, fueled by a sharp drop in retail trading activity, crypto market volatility, and intensifying regulatory pressure.

After basing for two years, HOOD began picking up steam in 2024. Its improving technical strength is reflected in the sharp spike of its SCTR, breaking above the 90 line. Fundamentally, HOOD began to recover as it started raking in profits, expanding its product lineup, and reigniting its user growth.

It’s trading above its 10-week and 40-week simple moving average (SMA), which is equivalent to a 50-day and 200-day SMA, respectively. Still, it has quite a way to go before testing its high of $66.90.

Short-Term Trading Setup

If you’re looking to buy HOOD, you’ll need to zoom in to find favorable entry points. Let’s switch over to a daily chart.

FIGURE 4. DAILY CHART OF HOOD. Support levels are clear and accumulation looks promising.

HOOD was in an intermediate-term downtrend starting in early February, where it peaked at $66.90, all the way down to the early part of April, where it bottomed sharply at around $29. HOOD quickly recovered, breaking above $50 (a local swing high) to $54, where it is now (at the time of writing).

Can HOOD Hold Its Gains or Is Consolidation Coming?

The Stochastic Oscillator warns that HOOD may be overbought and due for a pullback. Here are a couple of scenarios to consider, and note that the Ichimoku Cloud visually provides a wider range of potential support:

  • Watch for support at $46 or $39, both recent swing lows.
  • If it stalls between those levels, it could signal a failed breakout and continued consolidation until a new catalyst emerges.
  • If it drops below $39, the next key level is at $29, but be a little cautious at that point, as such a deep retracement may indicate weakening momentum, sentiment, and fundamental weakness.

On the bullish side of things, the Accumulation/Distribution Line (ADL), currently well above the price, is indicating strong accumulation, suggesting that demand is outpacing supply—which, if it continues, can drive prices higher.

At the Close

Robinhood’s stock price is showing real signs of strength, not just on a chart, but in its fundamentals. With relative performance beating its sector and the S&P 500, and strong accumulation under the surface, HOOD’s comeback narrative is gaining technical validation. But with overbought signals flashing and key support levels in play, the next move may depend on whether bulls defend the breakout, or if the stock consolidates further while waiting for its next catalyst.

In either case, keep a close eye on volume, momentum shifts, and those support zones. HOOD may still have more room to run, but timing your entry could make all the difference.



Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

NorthStar Gaming Holdings Inc. (TSXV: BET) (OTCQB: NSBBF) (‘NorthStar’ or the ‘Company’) today announces that its principal regulator, the Ontario Securities Commission, has granted its request for a management cease trade order (‘MCTO’) effective May 8, 2025.

As previously announced on April 29, 2025, the Company applied for the MCTO due to a delay in filing its annual audited financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis and related certifications for the financial year ended December 31, 2024 (the ‘Annual Filings’) which were required to be filed by April 30, 2025.

The delay is primarily due to a restatement of certain amounts owed by the Company’s payment service providers as well as player loyalty bonuses for the prior fiscal years. During the year-end reconciliation process, the Company identified that its payment processor had deducted additional merchant fees from daily remittances, which had not been properly accounted for. Specifically, service provider fees (cost of revenue) were previously understated, while the amounts due from the payment processor and accounts receivable were overstated in the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The Company is working diligently and expeditiously to complete the Annual Filings as soon as practicable, and currently anticipates it will be in a position to file the Annual Filings on or before May 15, 2025.

The MCTO restricts the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer from trading in the Company’s securities but does not affect the ability of other shareholders, including the public, to trade in securities of the Company.

About NorthStar

NorthStar proudly owns and operates NorthStar Bets, a Canadian-born casino and sportsbook platform that delivers a premium, distinctly local gaming experience. Designed with high-stakes players in mind, NorthStar Bets Casino offers a curated selection of the most popular games, ensuring an elevated user experience. Our sportsbook stands out with its exclusive Sports Insights feature, seamlessly integrating betting guidance, stats, and scores, all tailored to meet the expectations of a premium audience.

As a Canadian company, NorthStar is uniquely positioned to cater to customers who seek a high-quality product and an exceptional level of personalized service, setting a new standard in the industry. NorthStar is committed to operating at the highest level of responsible gaming standards.

NorthStar is listed in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange (‘TSXV’) under the symbol ‘BET’ and in the United States on the OTCQB under the symbol ‘NSBBF’. For more information on the company, please visit: www.northstargaming.ca.

No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This communication contains ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada (‘forward-looking statements’), including without limitation, statements with respect to the following: expected performance of the Company’s business, and the timing of the release of the Company’s financial results. The foregoing is provided for the purpose of presenting information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of the Company’s anticipated financial position, results of operations, and operating environment. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as ‘plans’, ‘expects’, ‘is expected’, ‘budget’, ‘scheduled’, ‘estimates’, ‘continues’, ‘forecasts’, ‘projects’, ‘predicts’, ‘intends’, ‘anticipates’ or ‘believes’, or variations of, or the negatives of, such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results ‘may’, ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘should’, ‘might’ or ‘will’ be taken, occur or be achieved. This information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. This forward-looking information is based on management’s opinions, estimates and assumptions that, while considered by NorthStar to be appropriate and reasonable as of the date of this press release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward- looking information. Such factors include, among others, the following: risks related to the Company’s business and financial position; risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry risks; future legislative and regulatory developments; the ability of the Company to implement its business strategies; and those factors discussed in greater detail under the ‘Risk Factors’ section of the Company’s most recent annual information form, which is available under NorthStar’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Many of these risks are beyond the Company’s control.

If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the opinions, estimates or assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results or future events might vary materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors not presently known to the Company or that the Company presently believes are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future results. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date made. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents NorthStar’s expectations as of the date specified herein, and are subject to change after such date. However, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws.

All of the forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements.

For further information:

Company Contact:
Corey Goodman
Chief Development Officer 647-530-2387
investorrelations@northstargaming.ca

Investor Relations:
RB Milestone Group LLC (RBMG)
Northstar@rbmilestone.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/251431

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

When the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected Lykos Therapeutics’ new drug application for MDMA-assisted therapy last August, the initial disappointment cast a shadow over the psychedelics industry.

However, the sector is seeing a resurgence of optimism in 2025 on the back of various US developments.

“The psychedelic industry in 2025 will likely see significant advancements in clinical applications, particularly in treating PTSD, depression, and addiction, as research continues to validate their therapeutic potential,” Dr. Markus Ploesser, chief innovation officer at Open Mind Health, told Microdose in January.

This sentiment is underscored by a variety of recent positive developments, including the FDA’s approval of Johnson & Johnson’s (NYSE:JNJ) ketamine-derived nasal spray to combat treatment-resistant depression, and an initiative to study MDMA-assisted therapy efficacy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder in veterans.

In addition, alternative medicine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as head of the US Department of Health and Human Services has created potential for further policy shifts related to mental health and psychedelics research.

Combined, these factors could make 2025 a pivotal year for the industry.

Legal state psychedelics markets take shape

Psychedelic compounds remain federally illegal in the US, but some states have pursued legalization and decriminalization. In November 2020, Oregon became the first state to legalize psilocybin for therapeutic use through the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act. From 2021 to 2022, the Oregon Health Authority and the Psilocybin Advisory Board created rules for the act and began taking applications on January 2, 2023.

Oregon also decriminalized personal possession of all drugs in 2020 through the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act, which went into effect in February 2021. Many of the provisions in that bill have since been reversed, with the possession of small amounts of hard drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin being recriminalized as of September 1, 2024. However, psilocybin remains legal for therapeutic and facilitated use.

As of the end of March, Oregon Psilocybin Services counted 374 state-wide psilocybin facilitators, 29 service centers, 10 manufacturers and 808 worker permits. Satya Therapeutics, located in Ashland, is recognized as one of the state’s most experienced and successful service providers, with roughly 40 to 50 clients serviced monthly.

Publicly traded Florida-based cannabis company Kaya Holdings (OTCQB:KAYS) was awarded a license to operate a psilocybin service center in Oregon through its Fifth Dimension Therapeutics subsidiary in May 2024. Its treatment center, called the Sacred Mushroom, opened its doors in Portland on July 2, 2024.

In 2025, industry advocates are focused on analyzing outcomes from Oregon’s psychedelics program in order to fine tune areas requiring improvement. In February, state lawmakers sought to expand psychedelic therapy through the introduction of HB 3817, which establishes an access pathway for individuals with PTSD to access ibogaine. At the time of this writing, the bill had not yet been scheduled for a public hearing or committee vote.

Despite its growth, affordability has been a barrier to the development of Oregon’s psilocybin therapy program, with sessions typically costing over US$1,500. Some communities in the state also voted to ban psilocybin and psilocybin businesses in 2024, reflecting ongoing public concerns about drug liberalization.

In Colorado, a series of legislative actions regarding psychedelic substances led to state legalization in November 2022. Proposition 122 legalized the regulated access to psilocybin and psilocin in healing centers for adults over 21, decriminalized the personal use and cultivation of these substances and established a Natural Medicine Advisory Board.

SB 23-290, signed in May 2023, amended Proposition 122’s regulations and created a legal framework for healing centers. HB 22-1344, passed in June 2022, paved the way for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD if federally approved.

The final rules for licensed psilocybin therapy centers were filed with the secretary of state and became effective on December 15, 2024. Colorado then began accepting applications for licenses. In March, the Department of Revenue issued its first healing center license to the Center Origin in Denver. As of May 2 of this year, there were over 50 pending applications for healing centers, cultivation facilities and manufacturers.

As the psychedelics industry begins to take shape in Colorado, Tasia Poinsatte, the state’s director of the nonprofit Healing Advocacy Fund, told Stateline that centers plan to offer sliding-scale rates and discounts for veterans, Medicaid enrollees and low-income individuals to help address the affordability problem.

New psychedelics laws and research initiatives

Apart from Oregon and Colorado, a wave of legislative activity concerning psychedelics is evident across the US, with states like Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Maine and New York pursuing various forms of legalization, including decriminalization, research funding and regulated therapeutic programs. Additionally, several cities in Washington and Michigan have decriminalized certain substances, with Washington also considering bills to create a regulated psilocybin services market and to provide funding to study ibogaine for opioid use disorder.

Utah passed legislation in March 2024 to create a program for psilocybin and MDMA as alternative treatments at the University of Utah Health and Intermountain Health. The program began in May 2024 and will run for three years.

Multiple institutions in Maryland, Texas and North Carolina are also conducting studies to assess the efficacy of psychedelics in treating various mental health conditions.

Senate Bill 242 established a working group tasked with studying the therapeutic use of entheogens in Nevada in 2023. A recommendations report was delivered in December 2024, and has garnered support from key legislative figures.

Several cities in California have deprioritized the enforcement of laws against the personal use and possession of certain psychedelics, and the state is considering a psilocybin pilot program for veterans and first responders.

Massachusetts has multiple bills focused on decriminalization and therapeutic pilot programs. In April of this year, New Mexico’s governor signed a bill for a therapeutic psilocybin program.

Meanwhile, Rhode Island has a bill that would legalize psilocybin possession if the federal government reschedules it, and Alaska established a task force in May 2024 to prepare for potential federal legalization of psychedelic therapies.

These actions reflect a shift in psychedelics sentiment and a growing trend of exploring their therapeutic potential.

Psychedelics investing options

To track the financial health of the psychedelic industry, investors can use the Psychedelic Invest Index, which monitors publicly traded companies in the space. Some of the top stocks in the index include Pasithea Therapeutics (NASDAQ:KTTA), MindMed (NASDAQ:MNMD), Compass Pathways (NASDAQ:CMPS) and Cybin (NYSEAMERICAN:CYBN), all of which are involved in developing psychedelic compounds for mental health treatments.

MindMed has developed a synthetic LSD analog, MM120, currently in Phase III trials for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). An oral tablet of MM120 was awarded a patent in July 2024.

Cybin has developed a proprietary deuterated psilocybin analog called CYB003, as well as CYB004, a proprietary deuterated DMT compound; both are protected by patents. The company also acquired SPL028, another deuterated DMT compound, through its merger with Small Pharma in 2023. Phase 2 CYB004 topline safety and efficacy data in GAD is expected in H1 2025. A pivotal study of CYB003 is scheduled for mid-2025.

Meanwhile, Compass Pathways’ Phase 2b randomized controlled study evaluating its synthetic psilocybin therapy, COMP360, was the most extensive psilocybin clinical trial to date. With data presented in 2022, the trial found that one 25 milligram dose of COMP360 resulted in a decline in depressive symptoms after three weeks when combined with psychological guidance, with positive effects reportedly lasting for as long as 12 weeks.

Other key players in the psychedelics market include atai Life Sciences (NASDAQ:ATAI), GH Research (NASDAQ:GHRS), Bright Minds Biosciences (NASDAQ:DRUG) and Silo Pharma (NASDAQ:SILO).

Canadian companies in this sector include Numinus Wellness (TSX:NUMI,OTCQB:MTPLF), Optimi Health (CSE:OPTI,OTCQX:OPTHF), BetterLife Pharma (CSE:BETR,OTCQB:BETRF), Pharmala Biotech (CSE:MDMA,OTCQB:MDXXF) and Restart Life Science (CSE:REST,OTC Pink:NMLSF).

Other avenues for investors include strategic investments in specialized real estate ventures.

Healing Realty Trust (HRT) specializes in acquiring healthcare infrastructure assets, focusing on developing mental and behavioral healthcare facilities. The company established preferred real estate partnership agreements with providers like NeuroSpa, Cambridge Biotherapies and Cathexis in 2024. It has also secured the first tranche of a US$25 million Series A funding round, with the funds earmarked to acquire healthcare facilities in Texas, Ohio and Connecticut.

HRT is reportedly preparing for an initial public offering, with a potential listing in late 2025 or early 2026.

Investor takeaway

Against this backdrop, the psychedelics market could see promising growth in 2025.

While challenges remain, the expansion of legalization and decriminalization, combined with ongoing research, positions the industry for growth and presents potential opportunities for investors.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold direct investment interest in some of the companies mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

A group of investors sued UnitedHealthcare Group on Wednesday, accusing the company of misleading them after the killing of its CEO, Brian Thompson.

The class action lawsuit — filed in the Southern District of New York — accuses the health insurance company of not initially adjusting their 2025 net earning outlook to factor in how Thompson’s killing would affect their operations.

On Dec. 3 — a day before Thompson was fatally shot — the company issued guidance that included net earnings of $28.15 to $28.65 per share and adjusted net earnings of $29.50 to $30.00 per share, the suit notes. And on January 16, the company announced that it was sticking with its old forecast.

The investors described this as “materially false and misleading,” pointing to the immense public scrutiny the company and the broader health insurance industry experienced in the wake of Thompson’s killing.

The group, which is seeking unspecified damages, argued that the public backlash prevented the company from pursuing ‘the aggressive, anti-consumer tactics that it would need to achieve’ its earnings goals.

‘As such, the Company was deliberately reckless in doubling down on its previously issued guidance,’ the suit reads.

The company eventually revised its 2025 outlook on April 17, citing a needed shift in corporate strategy — a move that caused its stock to drop more than 22% that day.

‘The company denies any allegations of wrongdoing and intends to defend the matter vigorously,’ a UnitedHealthcare spokesperson said in a statement.

Thompson’s fatal shooting on the streets of New York City in broad daylight sent shockwaves across the nation.

Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old man accused of the killing, has pleaded not guilty to federal and state charges against him. The legal defense fund for Mangione surpassed the $1 million mark in donations on Tuesday.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Krispy Kreme stock plunged 24% on Thursday morning after the doughnut chain said it is “reassessing” its rollout with McDonald’s and pulled its full-year outlook in part due to economic “softness.”

Krispy Kreme is not planning to launch its doughnuts in any additional McDonald’s locations in the second quarter, suspending a nationwide rollout. As of March 30, more than 2,400 of the burger chain’s roughly 13,500 domestic locations carried Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

“I remain confident in the long-term national opportunity, but we need to work together with them to identify levers to improve sales,” Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth said.

Over the last year, Krispy Kreme shares have shed more than 70% of their value, dragging the company’s market value down to less than $600 million.

Truist downgraded the stock on Thursday from buy to hold.

“We are shocked by the speed at which the story fell apart,” Truist analyst Bill Chappell wrote. ”… We no longer have high conviction in management’s previously stated strategy and execution of these initiatives, and it will likely take several quarters before we or investors can regain confidence.”

The two restaurant companies announced more than a year ago that Krispy Kreme doughnuts would be sold in all McDonald’s U.S. locations by the end of 2026. The rollout began roughly six months ago.

While the beginning phases were promising, sales fell below projections, Krispy Kreme executives said on Thursday.

As consumers worry about the broader economy and a potential recession, they have been pulling back their spending at restaurants. McDonald’s reported a 3.6% decline in its U.S. same-store sales for the first quarter. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said that the fast-food industry’s traffic fell as middle- and low-income diners visited restaurants less frequently.

For Krispy Kreme, profitability appears to be the key reason for slowing the rollout with McDonald’s.

“However, we are seeing that after the initial marketing launch demand dropped below our expectations requiring intervention to deliver sustainable, profitable growth,” Charlesworth told analysts on the company’s conference call.

“We are partnering with McDonald’s to increase sales by stimulating higher demand and cutting costs by simplifying operations,” he added. “At the same time, we are reassessing our deployment schedule together with McDonald’s as we work to achieve a profitable business model for all parties.”

Krispy Kreme reported a net loss of $33 million for the quarter ended March 30.

To supply all of McDonald’s U.S. restaurants, Krispy Kreme was investing in expanding capacity quickly, which weighed on profits. In the last year, the company has reported three quarters of net losses.

The company uses a “hub and spoke” model that lets it make and distribute its treats efficiently. Production hubs, which are either stores or doughnut factories, send off freshly made doughnuts every day to retail locations such as grocery stores and gas stations. Krispy Kreme is looking to prune its unprofitable locations, which could affect up to 10% of its U.S. network.

Krispy Kreme also pulled its 2025 outlook, citing “macroeconomic softness” and uncertainty around the schedule for the McDonald’s partnership.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS