2026-01-12 Noon Market Summary: Silver Surges 7.98% as Envirotech Vehicles Jumps 226%; Paramount Sues WBD in Hostile Takeover Battle

The U.S. market opened with a mixed tone at noon, as major indexes edged lower while commodities like gold and silver surged. The E-Mini S&P 500 Futures fell 0.10% to $6,997.75, the E-Mini Dow dropped 0.29% to $49,584.0, and the E-Mini Nasdaq 100 dipped 0.18% to $25,892.5. Commodities saw sharp divergences: gold futures jumped 2.97% to $4,634.6, silver surged 7.98% to $85.67, and copper rose 1.86% to $6.0120, while WTI crude oil slipped 0.12% to $58.87. Sectors were split, with materials (+1.91%) and consumer staples (+1.01%) leading gains, while financials (-0.53%) and healthcare (-0.34%) lagged. The market remains cautiously optimistic about inflation-linked assets but wary of tech sector volatility.

Hot Stocks

Tech Giants:

• Tesla (TSLA): +0.61%
• Apple (AAPL): +0.07%
• Microsoft (MSFT): -0.20%
• Nvidia (NVDA): -0.42%
• Meta (META): -1.13%

Chinese ADRs:

• Alibaba (BABA): +9.18%
• Baidu (BIDU): +5.63%

EVs & Mining:

• CoreWeave (CRWV): +9.59%
• Hecla Mining (HL): +9.13%
• Xpeng (XPEV): +6.19%

Extreme Movers:

• Envirotech Vehicles (EVTV): +226.06%
• Lulu's Fashion (LVLU): +45.94%
• Biodesix (BDSX): +42.31%
• Syntec Optics (OPTX): +37.17%

Macro & Corporate Narratives

1. Paramount Sues WBD in Hostile Takeover Battle

Paramount Skydance filed a Delaware lawsuit demanding Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) disclose details about its $72 billion Netflix deal, including valuation methodologies and risk adjustments. CEO David Ellison also announced plans to nominate directors for WBD’s 2026 board, escalating the proxy war. WBD’s board has repeatedly rejected Paramount’s $30/share all-cash offer, favoring its Netflix partnership.

2. Ethereum’s ‘Walkaway Test’ for Quantum Resistance

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin outlined a “walkaway test” for the blockchain’s long-term viability, emphasizing quantum resistance, scalability (via ZK EVM and PeerDAS), and account abstraction. He warned that delayed upgrades could expose the network to quantum computing threats, which could undermine current encryption standards.

3. PG&E $100M Shareholder Settlement Over Wildfires

PG&E’s parent company reached a $100 million settlement with shareholders over its 2017-2018 wildfire liabilities. The case, delayed by PG&E’s 2019 bankruptcy, highlights ongoing legal risks for utilities amid climate-driven disasters. The settlement does not resolve claims from wildfire victims, who received a separate $13.5 billion payout in 2020.

4. UK Pub Closures Loom as Business Rates Skyrocket

UK Hospitality warned that 540 pubs could close in 2025 due to a 15% annual rise in business rates, with landlords facing a 76% increase over three years. The crisis has sparked backlash against Labour’s tax policies, with pubs excluded from recent relief measures. Similar risks loom for hotels and restaurants, which face a 115% rate hike over the same period.

5. XRP Trapped in $2.04-$2.08 Range Amid Crypto Volatility

XRP traded in a tight range near $2.05, with buyers defending $2.04 support and sellers capping rallies at $2.08. The token’s indecision reflects broader crypto market caution, as traders await clarity on regulatory and technical catalysts. A break below $2.04 could trigger a test of $2.00, while a sustained move above $2.08 would target $2.17.