đźš— Get In Loser, We're Making Gains

Carvana's stock put the pedal to the metal after the close. Plus, a legal alternative to insider trading.

Happy Thursday, Zingers! There are a lot of ways to make money in the stock market. You can search for undervalued companies with strong cash flows like Warren Buffett. You can trade momentum names like Cramer. Or you can just tail Nancy Pelosi’s trades and laugh all the way to the bank.

The California senator and her husband bought $NVDA calls back in November. They’re already up more than $2 million on the trade. That’s why I’m gonna stick to insider trading — and by “insider trading” I mean trading stocks that are inside Sen. Pelosi’s portfolio.

Today’s Price Action:

$SPY: +2.07%
$QQQ: +2.93%
$DIA: +1.16%

Before we dive in, today’s partner is using robots to combat crime.

And, did someone forward you this email? Click here to subscribe to this Benzinga newsletter and more.

TODAY’S MOST VOLATILE STOCKS
TODAY’S TOP STORY
cars will GIF

Briefly: Gone are the sleazy used car salesmen telling you the “basically brand new” 10-year-old sedan you’re looking at “definitely won’t break down.” Now we have online used car retailers that “definitely won’t declare bankruptcy.”

So Basically: Bankruptcy concerns hovered over Carvana for much of last year. But the used-car vendor reported strong earnings after the close today, sending the stock higher by more than 20%.

Quoted: “2023 was an exceptional year for Carvana, where our deliberate focus on efficiency and profitability drove fundamental business improvements that not only led to our best-ever financial results but also increased customer NPS throughout the year,” says CEO and founder Ernie Garcia.

So What? Carvana expects retail units sold in the first quarter to be “slightly up” on a year-over-year basis. The company anticipates first-quarter adjusted EBITDA “significantly above” $100 million. And Garcia maintains, “Carvana is stronger than ever.”

What Next: Read more here.

PRESENTED BY KNIGHTSCOPE

In an ever-evolving world, public safety is in need of an upgrade. AI and robotics are part of the solution to create safer public spaces while decreasing human error that can come from human police officers and security guards. Knightscope (KSCP) is a technology company ushering in the dawn of Autonomous Security Robots (ASRs) and working hard to protect U.S. citizens from crime across the country.

The company’s robots are designed to enhance safety and security in various environments, such as corporate campuses, shopping malls and hospitals. Knightscope robots operate autonomously, meaning they can navigate and patrol areas without human intervention using A.I., including autonomously recharging.

Knightscope’s influence and reach seem to be on the rise. Just in 2023, the company has made more than 50 announcements including numerous contracts and reports it is on track to double its revenue versus 2022. These contracts further validate the growing demand for Knightscope's robotic solutions as they continue to work through a nearly $5 million backlog of new orders.

The company is currently offering an investment opportunity for interested parties to buy bonds.

The robotics market was valued at $31.38 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $110.39 by 2030 with a CAGR of 15% from 2022-2030. Knightscope seems well-positioned to capitalize on this growth and be a potential leader in the U.S. market. Click here to learn more about the Rise of the Robots.

FIVE MOVERS

Rocket shares took off after the close, following the company’s double earnings beat and strong growth numbers.

Capital One and Discover shares slumped today as trading remains volatile after the companies’ merger was announced earlier this week.

Rivian slammed the brakes, closing down more than 25% today as investors worry about the company’s burn rate.

Meta stock closed higher by more than 3% today amid overall strength in the tech market powered by NVIDIA’s strong report.

Moderna shares shot higher today after the company reported a strong quarter, despite lower sales from its COVID-19 vaccine.

ONE TRADE IDEA FOR TOMORROW
Old Motherboard

Briefly: Need a new trade idea? I’ve got some Intel for you.

So Basically: Yesterday, chipmaker Intel rolled out a new roadmap. CEO Pat Gelsinger highlighted two distinct business units, Intel Products, covering traditional product lines for clients, data center and networking, and Intel Foundry for internal/external fabrication services.

So Then: Oppenheimer analyst Rick Schafer had a Perform rating on Intel, but noted that Intel’s success as a contract manufacturer is mainly limited to advanced packaging, as the company has yet to succeed in delivering five nodes in four years.

So What? Schafer recognized Intel’s efforts to achieve process leadership and foundry ambitions but believes the company remains in prove-it mode as multiyear turnaround efforts play out. He remains sidelined for now.

What Next: Read more here.

PRESENTED BY KNIGHTSCOPE

It’s a strange world out there ladies and gentlemen. The aftermath of the pandemic has seen an increase in violence in certain areas of the country and internationally. Meanwhile, police violence and racial discrimination are escalating. With that said, there are companies aiming to solve this problem. 

Enter Knightscope: A pioneering public safety firm, Knightscope (NASDAQ: KSCP), introduced innovative AI and robotics, mitigating crime and human error in law enforcement. 

With notable successes in reducing crime by 46%, their Autonomous Security Robots are gaining traction. Recent contracts with major corporations and diverse industries showcase their impact.

The company is currently offering an investment opportunity for interested parties to buy bonds. This includes 10% interest, paid in cash annually, on up to a 5-year bond. This won’t last forever though. Click here to short the criminals.j