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Pre-Market Movers: Bank Earnings, Trump Trade Threats, and M&A Activity Drive Stocks

Financial stocks dominate premarket trading as Bank of America and Morgan Stanley surge on strong earnings. Meanwhile, Trump’s trade threats boost agriculture stocks while M&A activity drives Papa John’s and Grindr higher. Discover all the major movers and market drivers.

Premarket trading witnessed significant volatility Wednesday as earnings season intensifies, with financial institutions leading gains while mixed economic signals and corporate developments created divergent price action across sectors. The early session highlighted continuing strength in banking, potential trade policy shifts, and renewed merger activity driving substantial moves in both directions.

Financial Sector Earnings Powerhouse

Economy and TradingInternational Business and Trade

Rare Earth Crisis: U.S. Sleepwalked Into China Dependency, Warns Top Economist

Top economist Jeremy Siegel warns the U.S. has sleepwalked into a rare earth crisis as China tightens export controls. The Wharton professor calls the lack of strategic reserves “scandalous” amid growing supply chain threats to defense and technology sectors.

Renowned Wharton economist Jeremy Siegel has labeled America’s rare earth elements vulnerability as “scandalous” following China’s sweeping new export controls that threaten global supply chains. The warning comes as China tightens its grip on the critical minerals powering everything from advanced weapons to electric vehicles, exposing what Siegel calls a major U.S. security failure.

Strategic Blind Spot in Rare Earth Dependence