Crypto-linked momentum roared back to life as event-based “bets” caught fire, while viral celebrity power proved it can still move real money.

But the mood wasn’t all upside, as fresh fundraising reminded traders how fast dilution can kill a rally.

Modernization Wave (Sponsored)

Cyber threats are rising — and government agencies are accelerating modernization programs in response.

One cybersecurity services provider reports expansion through public-sector contract wins and multi-year deployments.

Its platform approach focuses on inspecting and blocking malicious activity in real time.

The pipeline includes recurring work tied to modernization and managed services.

Click to read the full update

Markets

U.S. stocks fell sharply, led by tech names, after reports that China restricted imports of Nvidia’s H200 chips, which dragged the Nasdaq down.

Markets were also cautious as big bank earnings failed to impress and producer price data showed inflation pressures remained elevated.

  • DJIA [-0.09%]

  • S&P 500 [-0.53%]

  • Nasdaq [-1.00%]

  • Russell 2k [+0.58%]

Market-Moving News

Consumer Staples

Big Soda, Bigger Lawsuit, and a Pricing Strategy Under Fire

PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) is facing a serious antitrust lawsuit that goes straight at how its pricing engine works in the U.S. soft drink market.

The case alleges PepsiCo quietly built a long-running pricing structure that favored one retailer, Walmart, while everyone else paid more.

PepsiCo provided Walmart with materially better wholesale pricing, deeper discounts, and richer promotional support than it offered to other retailers.

That gap allegedly made it nearly impossible for competing grocery chains and convenience stores to match prices on Pepsi-branded drinks.

When Volume Deals Start Looking Like Leverage

At issue is not whether big retailers get better terms; that is normal.

The lawsuit argues the scale tipped into distortion, locking in Walmart’s advantage while limiting real competition elsewhere.

For PepsiCo, this cuts close to the bone. Distribution strategy, promotional incentives, and pricing discipline are core to how consumer staples protect margins at scale.

A court fight risks pulling those mechanics into public view.

The Pressure Point PepsiCo Can’t Ignore

The timing is rough. PepsiCo is already dealing with price-sensitive consumers, private-label pressure, and shifting beverage habits.

Any forced change to pricing or promotional frameworks could squeeze margins or weaken relationships with non-Walmart retailers that still matter for volume stability.

If you care about how pricing power survives in essential categories, this case is one to watch.

And if you are tracking how big brands manage fairness versus scale, PepsiCo is now right in the spotlight.

Automotive

Full Self-Driving Goes Subscription-Only, and Tesla Changes the Game Again

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is making a clean break in how it sells Full Self-Driving.

Starting mid-February, the company will eliminate the one-time purchase option and move FSD entirely to a monthly subscription model.

That is not a pricing tweak. It is Tesla redefining autonomy as a living service rather than a static feature.

Instead of asking buyers to commit thousands of dollars upfront, Tesla is lowering the barrier and turning FSD into something you opt into, stay with, or walk away from.

Software Economics Take the Wheel

Subscription-only FSD pulls Tesla closer to how real software businesses scale. Recurring revenue smooths cash flow, expands adoption, and keeps customers engaged over time.

It also gives Tesla flexibility to adjust pricing, bundle features, and evolve the product as capabilities improve.

This matters as competition heats up. Rivals are rolling out their own driver-assistance systems, many of which are already priced monthly.

Tesla is choosing adaptability over locking users into legacy pricing promises.

Less Promise, More Control

There is another layer here. Treating FSD as a service reduces long-term expectations tied to older hardware and early buyers.

Tesla gains room to manage upgrades, performance gaps, and liability as autonomy evolves.

For Tesla, this move is about control and scale. For drivers, it reframes autonomy as something you subscribe to when it delivers value.

And if you are tracking where Tesla’s next high-margin business really lives, this shift makes it clearer than ever.

Domestic Revival (Sponsored)

Silver is skyrocketing, driven by AI growth and expanding global power grids.

As prices surpass $50/oz., the demand for silver in electronics, batteries, and sensors has never been higher.

Eric Sprott’s latest move has the industry buzzing, as he backs a U.S. junior explorer focused on America’s first silver mine.

With modern tech and historic high-grade samples, this project is set to unlock new potential.

Get in early – learn more about this exciting opportunity today!

Banking

Bank of America’s Loan Engine Wakes Up and Changes the Setup for 2026

Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) is heading into 2026 with a shift that matters more than a headline quarter.

Loan momentum is broadening, and the composition is changing in a way that strengthens the entire franchise.

After years where corporate and institutional activity carried the load, consumer lending is picking up again. That mix matters.

Consumer credit tends to be diversified, repeat-driven, and less dependent on capital markets timing.

When you see it return alongside steady commercial demand, it signals a healthier, more durable growth base.

Scale Starts Doing the Heavy Lifting

Bank of America’s advantage shows up in moments like this.

Its deposit base allows it to deploy capital across consumer, middle-market, and commercial channels without stretching for risk.

When demand improves unevenly, that flexibility becomes leverage.

You do not need one segment to carry the entire story. You need balance, and this is where BAC quietly excels.

The Setup Heading Into Policy Noise

Regulatory uncertainty remains in the background, especially regarding consumer credit rules.

But Bank of America enters that environment with diversification, risk controls, and deep customer relationships already in place.

The takeaway is simple. This is not a short-term pop. It looks like a franchise moving into the next phase of the cycle with momentum, visibility, and structural resilience.

When loan growth returns this way, it usually sticks.

Want to make sure you never miss our post-market roundup?

Elite Trade Club now offers text alerts — so you get trending stocks and market-moving news sent straight to your phone right after the closing bell rings.

Email’s great. Texts are faster.

Top Winners and Losers

High Roller Technologies Inc [ROLR] $18.66 (+430.11%)

High Roller exploded after announcing a strategic partnership with Crypto.com to launch a U.S. event-based prediction markets product, sparking hype around a major expansion opportunity.

Rich Sparkle Holdings Limited [ANPA] $143.24 (+70.50%)

Rich Sparkle jumped after announcing it completed an acquisition tied to TikTok superstar Khaby Lame, fueling bullish expectations for global creator-commerce monetization.

Critical Metals Corp [CRML] $17.92 (+32.54%)

Critical Metals climbed after publishing strong drilling assay results from its Tanbreez rare earth project in Greenland, reinforcing resource expansion and strategic metals upside.

Briacell Therapeutics Corp [BCTX] $4.86 (-55.49%)

BriaCell sank after pricing a $30 million best-efforts public offering at $5.59 per unit, far below its prior trading level, triggering heavy dilution fears.

Tryhard Holdings Limited [THH] $32.00 (-41.87%)

TryHard fell after unveiling a $25M equity purchase agreement, raising concerns about future share issuance and dilution despite the added funding runway.

Trip.com Group Ltd [TCOM] $62.78 (-17.05%)

Trip.com dropped after China’s market regulator opened an antitrust investigation, reviving fears of regulatory penalties and weakened pricing power ahead of peak travel season.

Poll: How do you usually feel about paying for convenience?

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Macro Forces Align (Sponsored)

Liquidity is rising as the Fed shifts toward easier monetary policy.

Institutional capital continues flowing into crypto at record levels, while a pro-crypto administration accelerates favorable regulation.

Mid-term elections historically reward market-friendly policies—and after months of consolidation, conditions are aligning for a powerful move.

But this is one of the strongest setups seen in years—while prices remain relatively low.

Crypto Revolution reveals a disciplined system for building crypto wealth without gambling, sleepless nights, or chasing every price swing.

Get instant access to the book plus $788 in bonuses now.

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*The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional where appropriate. Readers acknowledge that the authors are not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical, or professional advice. The reader agrees that under no circumstances Boardwalk Flock, LLC is responsible for any losses, direct or indirect, which are incurred as a result of the use of the information contained within this, including, but not limited to, errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.

*Results may not be typical and may vary from person to person. Making money trading digital currencies takes time and hard work. There are inherent risks involved with investing, including the loss of your investment. Past performance in the market is not indicative of future results. Any investment is at your own risk.

Everything Else

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