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Monday, December 22

Noteworthy macro moves today: Gold +2.0%. Oil (WTI) +2.7%. Platinum +3.4%. 

Global equity markets are trading mixed as investors react to a combination of economic data releases and geopolitical developments. In the U.S., equity indices are generally higher, buoyed by optimism surrounding potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts following soft inflation data, while Asian markets also reflect positive sentiment from Wall Street's recent performance.

In Europe, however, equity indices are trading lower amid concerns over inflation and geopolitical tensions affecting market stability. The UK reported a current account deficit that narrowed to £12.1 billion, better than expected, which may influence future monetary policy considerations; however, GDP growth remains sluggish at just 0.1% for Q3.

Commodity prices are experiencing significant gains today, with gold rising approximately 2.0%, oil (WTI) up about 2.7%, and platinum increasing by around 3.4%. These movements reflect heightened demand for safe-haven assets amid ongoing geopolitical risks and expectations of easier monetary policy in the U.S., contributing to a strong performance in precious metals markets this year.

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) [+1.8%]
Gold prices have recently surged to a new all-time high of approximately 4,397 per ounce, driven by central bank buying and rising geopolitical risks. This increase has generated significant attention towards gold-related investments, with SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) becoming the top trending ticker on Stocktwits, indicating heightened retail activity. Concurrently, silver prices have also reached record highs, reinforcing the positive momentum in precious metals. Spot gold surpassed its previous high of 4,381.4 per ounce recorded on October 20 and crossed the 4,400 per ounce threshold shortly thereafter. Discussions on social media reflect this heightened interest, noting upward movement in GLD futures. Additionally, silver has seen a notable increase, which may influence movements in GLD given the historical correlation between these assets.

Bitcoin (BTC/USD) [+1.3%]
Bitcoin has increased in price, buoyed by a significant rise in global equity markets, largely influenced by positive sentiment from the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates amid soft inflation data and strong performances in technology stocks across Asia. CoinEx reported that institutional investors are reshaping market dynamics as Bitcoin transitions into a macro reserve-grade asset, with spot ETFs becoming standard portfolio components. Social media discussions highlight that Bitcoin is forming a Wave 4 contracting triangle, which could lead to upward movement towards $130,000 to $150,000 upon completion of this phase. Despite this, there are signs of market strain, as Bitcoin ETFs experienced substantial net outflows last week, totaling $497 million, with Bitcoin accounting for $460 million of the $952 million in total crypto product outflows.

WBD | +3.7% | +2.6B
Warner Bros Discovery Inc | Movies & Entertainment
Paramount Skydance has revised its all-cash offer for Warner Bros. Discovery to $30 per share, now including a $40.4 billion personal guarantee from Larry Ellison for equity financing and damages claims. The regulatory reverse termination fee has been increased from $5 billion to $5.8 billion, aligning with Warner Bros. Discovery's pending transaction with Netflix. The tender offer expiration has been extended to January 21, 2026, with 397,252 shares tendered as of December 19. Concurrently, Netflix has secured $25 billion in new financing related to its bid for Warner Bros., which includes a $5 billion unsecured revolver and $20 billion in delayed draw term loans, as part of a broader $59 billion bridge loan. Discussions on social media highlight concerns regarding the reliability of the Ellison family's financing and the competitive landscape between Netflix and Paramount for Warner Bros. Discovery's assets.

ORCL | +2.9% | +15.8B
Oracle Corp | Systems Software
Oracle Corp's stock has shown notable movement, increasing by approximately 2.8% since Friday. Recent commentary from Wells Fargo has contributed to this rise, as they published a report asserting that Oracle is undervalued, with an estimated upside potential of nearly 50%. The firm reiterated its overweight rating and set a price target of $280. They attributed recent stock pullbacks to pessimism surrounding AI and concerns regarding Oracle's exposure to OpenAI. Additionally, sentiment appears to be improving regarding Oracle's potential deal with TikTok in the U.S. Social media discussions highlighted significant trading activity, including the largest trade in Oracle's history last Friday, and noted a slight uptick in stock value overnight. Despite these developments, the Dividend Safety Score for Oracle was downgraded recently, reflecting some caution among analysts.

RKLB | +4.3% | +1.5B
Rocket Lab USA Inc | Aerospace & Defense
Rocket Lab USA Inc has announced a significant $816 million prime contract with the U.S. Space Development Agency to design and manufacture 18 satellites for the Tracking Layer Tranche 3 program. This contract, which includes a base award of $806 million and options worth up to $10.45 million, represents Rocket Lab's largest single contract to date. Following this announcement, the company’s existing government backlog now exceeds $1.3 billion. Additionally, social media discussions have highlighted that Rocket Lab successfully completed its 79th Electron mission in 2025, achieving a record of 21 launches with a 100% mission success rate. Stifel has raised its price target for Rocket Lab from 75 to 85, reflecting optimism regarding the company's future prospects. In overnight trading, Rocket Lab's stock experienced increased activity, rising significantly and nearing all-time highs.

ASTS | +4.4% | +889.6M
AST SpaceMobile Inc | Alternative Carriers
AST SpaceMobile Inc. has seen a notable increase of 4.6% in pre-market trading, coinciding with heightened activity surrounding its upcoming BlueBird 6 satellite launch scheduled for December 23, 2025. This event marks the initiation of an accelerated deployment cycle, with plans to launch satellites approximately every 45 days throughout 2026. The company has confirmed that BlueBird 7 has completed manufacturing and is en route to Cape Canaveral, Florida, for launch preparations. Meanwhile, satellites numbered 8 through 25 are currently being assembled and tested in Texas. Year-to-date, AST SpaceMobile's stock has increased significantly, reflecting growing enthusiasm for its long-term strategy to provide space-based cellular connectivity. Social media discussions have further amplified excitement regarding the launches, with users speculating on price targets and the broader aerospace sector's positive outlook following recent executive orders on space exploration.

MRVL | +2.5% | +27.7B
Marvell Technology Inc | Semiconductors
Citi has initiated an Upside 30-Day Catalyst Watch on Marvell Technology Inc, suggesting potential positive movements in the stock price, although specific catalysts remain unspecified. The company is recognized as a key supplier in the AI infrastructure sector, a sentiment echoed on social media. Additionally, Marvell is enhancing its role in this market through its Golden Cable initiative, which aims to improve the active electrical cable ecosystem for faster hyperscaler AI deployments. Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and expectations of substantial revenue growth from its AI connectivity solutions. In related market activity, Monolithic Power Systems Inc has seen an increase in its stock price, indicating potential shared influences within the semiconductor sector.

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