Global Stocks Decline on Powell Investigation, Mastercard Drops | MarketReader Minute
Global equity markets decline amid fears of Federal Reserve's political pressure and weak U.S. job growth, prompting a surge in gold and silver prices.
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Monday, January 12
Noteworthy macro moves today: Gold +2.3%. Copper +2.8%. US Dollar Index -0.5%. Noteworthy US mega-cap moves today: Walmart Inc (WMT) +3.2%. JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM) -2.2%. Mastercard Inc (MA) -1.7%.
Global equity markets are trading lower as concerns over the Federal Reserve's independence intensify following news that Chair Jerome Powell is under federal investigation. This development has raised fears of political pressure on monetary policy, leading to a sell-off in U.S. stocks and a flight to safety in precious metals like gold and silver, which have surged significantly.
The latest U.S. employment data showed nonfarm payrolls increased by only 50,000 in December, below expectations of a larger gain. This has contributed to market speculation that the Federal Reserve may maintain current interest rates at its upcoming meeting on January 27–28. It also raises questions about potential rate cuts later in the year if economic momentum continues to weaken.
In Europe, geopolitical tensions related to Iran and Venezuela are causing mixed reactions across equity indices. While some markets are experiencing declines due to these uncertainties and concerns about rising tariffs from the U.S., others remain relatively stable as investors assess the broader economic implications of these developments.

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) [+2.3%]
Gold has surpassed $4,600 an ounce for the first time, propelled by geopolitical tensions and expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts following recent legal challenges facing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Concurrently, silver has reached an all-time high near $84 an ounce. This surge in precious metals occurs amid rising market risk aversion, as evidenced by downward pressure on stock futures. Social media discussions reflect a notable increase in activity around SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), highlighting significant option flows and bullish sentiment, with speculations of potential price targets for gold reaching $5,000 and $100 for silver. Additionally, silver's increase of over 5% aligns with historical correlations to gold, further underscoring the current dynamics in the precious metals market.
iShares Silver Trust (SLV) [+6.9%]
The iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has seen a price increase of 6.9% since Friday, coinciding with silver reaching an all-time high near $84 per ounce, driven by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties. Gold has also surged past $4,600 an ounce. The recent rise in silver prices reflects heightened risk aversion among market participants, particularly amidst escalating tensions with Iran and scrutiny surrounding Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Social media discussions highlight that silver futures have hit a two-week high, with significant trading volume noted last week. Additionally, platinum has recorded a notable return, contributing to the broader dynamics affecting precious metals, including silver.


TEVA | +5.4% | +2.1B
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd | Pharmaceuticals
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has announced a significant funding agreement with Royalty Pharma, securing up to 500 million for the development of TEV-'408, an investigational monoclonal antibody targeting vitiligo. The initial funding of 75 million will support a Phase 2b study set to begin in 2026, with the potential for an additional 425 million for Phase 3 development based on Phase 2b results. TEV-'408 is also being tested for celiac disease and has received Fast Track designation from the U.S. FDA. Additionally, Teva is scheduled to present at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, where CEO Richard Francis will discuss the company's achievements and strategic initiatives aimed at reinforcing its position as a leading biopharmaceutical firm. For 2025, Teva anticipates revenues between 16.8 billion and 17.0 billion, with an operating margin of 26.2% to 27.1%.
TEM | +12.2% | +1.5B
Tempus AI Inc. | Life Sciences Tools & Services
Tempus AI Inc. has announced a record total contract value exceeding 1.1 billion as of December 31, 2025, signaling notable growth for the company. Preliminary data indicates application revenue of approximately 316 million for 2025, reflecting a 31% year-over-year increase, while the Insights data licensing segment reported a robust growth rate of 38%. In 2025, Tempus signed data agreements with over 70 customers, including major pharmaceutical firms like AstraZeneca and Pfizer. The company's preliminary Q4 results showed sales of 367 million, surpassing estimates, alongside a net revenue retention rate of 126%. Overall revenue for the year reached 1.27 billion, marking an 83% year-over-year growth, with diagnostics revenue reaching 955 million, driven by a significant increase in oncology volume. Social media sentiment reflects positive reception to these developments, coinciding with a notable rise in share price during pre-market trading.
ALNY | -4.9% | -2.3B
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc | Biotechnology
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has experienced a notable decline, coinciding with mixed evaluations from analysts. A recent report indicates that the average price target has increased, yet some analysts, including Leerink Partners, have downgraded their rating to Market Perform, lowering their price target significantly. The company's debt-to-equity ratio stands at 5.59, reflecting a heavy reliance on borrowed funds. Despite positive revenue growth projections for FY 2025 and the ambitious "Alnylam 2030" plan aiming for leadership in transthyretin amyloidosis treatment, recent sales of its key drug, Amvuttra, have not met expectations. Preliminary net product revenues for 2025 are projected to show substantial growth compared to 2024, with further guidance for 2026 indicating continued revenue increases driven by TTR products.
JPM | -2.1% | -19.8B
JPMorgan Chase & Co | Diversified Banks
JPMorgan Chase & Co. has experienced a decline of 2.1% in pre-market trading, coinciding with a broader downturn in the Diversified Banks sector. This movement follows President Trump's recent proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10%, which has reignited regulatory concerns within the financial sector. Major U.S. credit card stocks, including JPMorgan, have reacted negatively to this announcement, despite analysts suggesting the likelihood of the cap being enacted is low. The proposal has intensified scrutiny over potential impacts on credit access and profitability for banks. Additionally, Citigroup has seen a significant decline, further influencing market sentiment affecting JPMorgan. Social media discussions have highlighted the upcoming Q4 earnings report for JPMorgan, anticipated to be strong, amidst a busy earnings season for financial institutions.
MA | -2.2% | -11.3B
Mastercard Inc | Transaction & Payment Processing Services
Mastercard Inc has seen a notable decline of nearly 2.2% in pre-market trading. This follows billionaire investor Bill Ackman's criticism of credit card rewards programs, which he claims unfairly burden low-income consumers while benefiting wealthier cardholders. His remarks coincide with heightened regulatory concerns in the credit card sector, particularly after former President Trump's proposal for a 10% interest rate cap on credit cards. Although analysts suggest the likelihood of this cap passing Congress is low, it raises significant risks for issuers and could affect credit availability for higher-risk borrowers. Social media discussions have highlighted reactions to Trump's announcement, with users expressing surprise and clarifying that Mastercard's revenue primarily comes from transaction fees rather than interest rates, suggesting that the company's business model may not be directly impacted by the proposed cap.
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