Noon Market Summary: Nasdaq Dips 1.25% as Tech Slumps; Eli Lilly Surges 10.7%

The U.S. market at noon showed a mixed performance, with energy and healthcare sectors outpacing tech declines. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.57% to 49,523.57, while the S&P 500 fell 0.38% to 6,891.33 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.25% to 22,964.22. Commodities saw divergent trends: gold and silver surged by 0.47% and 4.67%, respectively, while copper plummeted 2.7%. Energy stocks gained 0.56%, and healthcare climbed 1.19%, contrasting with a 1.52% tech sector slump. Market sentiment remains cautious as investors weigh corporate earnings and geopolitical tensions.

Hot Stocks

Tech Giants:

• Apple (AAPL): +2.81%
• Microsoft (MSFT): +0.79%
• Nvidia (NVDA): -2.36%
• Tesla (TSLA): -2.27%

Pharma & Healthcare:

• Eli Lilly (LLY): +10.68%
• Amgen (AMGN): +6.16%
• Johnson & Johnson (JCI): +6.64%

Energy & Industrials:

• Super Micro Computer (SMCI): +14.12%
• Dow (DOW): +6.36%
• Fortive (FTV): +9.71%

Chinese ADRs:

• Elong Power (ELPW): +97.76%
• Zhongchao (ZCMD): +55.04%

Controversial Movers:

• iQSTEL (IQST): -10.84%
• Republic Power Group (RPGL): -14.31%

Macro & Corporate & Global Narrative

1. Washington Post Layoffs Spark Media Sector Jitters

The Washington Post announced mass layoffs, cutting a third of its workforce and closing departments like books and sports. The move, criticized by former editors, reflects broader media industry struggles with declining readership and cost pressures. The news weighed on investor sentiment, particularly in the communication services sector (-0.95%).

2. Trump-Xi Call Eases Trade Tensions, But Geopolitical Risks Linger

A phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of a planned in-person meeting in April 2026 eased short-term trade war fears. However, concerns over China’s growing trade ties with U.S. allies and U.S. pressure on Iran kept geopolitical risks in focus, dampening risk-on sentiment.

3. Amazon’s AI-Driven TV Production Strategy Sparks Debate

Amazon’s AI Studio, led by Albert Cheng, announced a closed beta for AI tools to streamline film and TV production. While the initiative aims to reduce costs and accelerate workflows, it has raised concerns among Hollywood creatives about job displacement. The news added to mixed sentiment in the tech sector, where AI-related stocks like Nvidia faced selling pressure.

4. Private-Sector Hiring Slumps to 22,000 Jobs in January

ADP reported a weaker-than-expected 22,000 private-sector job gain in January, far below the 45,000 forecast. The data, coupled with flat wage growth, reinforced fears of a sluggish labor market, prompting speculation about extended Federal Reserve support. The report weighed on consumer discretionary and industrial sectors.

5. Tether Scales Back $20B Funding Target Amid Investor Skepticism

Stablecoin giant Tether reduced its fundraising target from $20 billion to as low as $5 billion after investor resistance. CEO Paolo Ardoino defended the company’s profitability and $500 billion valuation but acknowledged institutional scrutiny over transparency. The move highlighted ongoing crypto market volatility, with Bitcoin’s RSI hitting overbought levels.

6. Eli Lilly’s Obesity Drug Dominance Outpaces Novo Nordisk

Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound drove 43% Q4 sales growth, with global revenues exceeding $7.4 billion. The company’s market share gains in the obesity drug sector contrasted with Novo Nordisk’s declining sales and profit forecasts, underscoring the sector’s competitive dynamics. Lilly’s stock surge underscored investor confidence in its pharmaceutical innovation.