Self-driving Star Rises 29% Today

Good Afternoon! 

Hey, everyone. It's Adam from Elite Trade Club. 

Here’s what moved the market today.

Cryptocurrency

This coming Wednesday, January 15, at 8 p.m. ET, tech legend Jeff Brown will reveal how President Trump’s day-one executive orders could help send his top five “Trump coins” higher than anyone can imagine…

Giving you a rare chance to turn a tiny stake into a six-figure nest egg, possibly by the end of the year.

Markets 📈

U.S. indexes dropped again today as the overall market remains down. The Nasdaq Composite saw the biggest loss, dropping nearly two percent on the day.

  • DJIA [-0.42%]

  • S&P 500 [-1.11%]

  • Nasdaq [-1.89%]

  • Russell 2K [-0.74%]

Market-Moving News 📈

McDonald's Expands Value Offerings With Nationwide McValue Platform

Restaurants

McDonald’s is stepping up its efforts to attract more customers in 2025 with the launch of its McValue platform. This initiative is designed to emphasize affordability and provide a competitive edge in the fast-food market, which has faced challenges from budget-conscious consumers and rival chains offering appealing deals.

The McValue platform includes a variety of promotions aimed at boosting foot traffic, such as discounted meal combinations and exclusive app-based deals. Franchise operators are optimistic that these offers will draw in more diners, even if they come with tighter profit margins. The strategy aligns with McDonald’s focus on maintaining its position as a leader in value offerings while encouraging customers to explore higher-priced menu items during their visits.

While some analysts believe the platform may not significantly enhance profitability, they recognize its potential to increase customer visits and transaction volumes. McDonald’s approach reflects the growing emphasis on value in the fast-food industry, with competitors likely to follow suit.

As McDonald’s rolls out this platform nationwide, its ability to balance affordability with business growth will be closely watched. With new deals and partnerships planned for early 2025, the company aims to reinforce its commitment to delivering value while navigating a highly competitive market.

Social Media

Meta Shifts to Community Moderation Model to Prioritize Free Expression

Meta is making a significant shift in its approach to content moderation by phasing out its third-party fact-checking program. In its place, the company plans to implement a Community Notes system, a model that allows users to contribute context to posts across its platforms. This initiative, set to roll out in the United States over the coming months, reflects Meta's commitment to prioritizing free expression and simplifying its content policies.

The new approach will focus on addressing illegal and severe violations while reducing restrictions on topics such as immigration and gender. To further align with this vision, Meta is relocating its trust and safety teams from California to Texas, signaling a strategic pivot in its operational focus.

Meta has also announced leadership changes to reinforce its policy direction, with Joel Kaplan stepping into the role of chief policy officer. Kaplan, who has extensive experience in Republican political circles, will play a key role in shaping the company’s relationship with the incoming administration.

This policy overhaul underscores Meta's intent to rebuild trust with users and policymakers. By embracing a community-driven moderation model, the company aims to foster a more open and inclusive digital environment while addressing longstanding concerns about bias and censorship on its platforms.

AI

As Nvidia (NVDA) faces mounting challenges—from waning AI chip demand to antitrust investigations in China—a new player is emerging in the AI space, catching the attention of top investors and analysts.

This under-the-radar stock has already outperformed, hitting a 52-week high while NVDA stumbles.

Analysts are calling it the “invisible” AI stock poised to lead the next wave of innovation in 2025.

Even Wall Street legend Marc Chaikin and CNBC’s Jim Cramer have taken notice, with Chaikin naming it his #1 AI pick for 2025.

Don’t miss your chance to discover the name and ticker of this potential game-changer.

Automotive

Ram Unveils Revamped Heavy-Duty Trucks to Boost Sales

Stellantis is introducing revamped Ram heavy-duty trucks for 2025, aiming to rejuvenate sales after three consecutive years of decline. The refreshed Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, along with the chassis cab models, boast updated exterior and interior designs, alongside a new 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel engine. This engine delivers impressive performance, offering 430 horsepower and industry-leading torque, designed to meet the needs of heavy-duty truck users.

The updated models are set to reach U.S. dealerships in the first quarter, with starting prices around $47,560, reflecting a modest increase over the current versions. These trucks follow the earlier release of the redesigned Ram 1500, which experienced delays in its rollout last year.

The heavy-duty lineup for 2025 includes a range of trims to cater to various preferences and needs, from the rugged Power Wagon to the luxurious Limited. Built in Saltillo, Mexico, these trucks continue to serve as a critical segment for the Ram brand, which has faced challenges in recent years.

With these updates, Stellantis is positioning the Ram heavy-duty lineup to compete more effectively against rivals like Ford and Chevrolet, aiming to regain momentum in the competitive truck market.

Top Winners and Losers 🔥

Aurora Innovation Inc [AUR] $8.39 (+29.08%)

Aurora Innovation skyrocketed today after securing a partnership with Nvidia.

Inari Medical Inc [NARI] $79.45 (+22.23%)

Inari Medical announced its acquisition by Stryker in a $4.9 billion deal, sending shares up.

Shutterstock Inc [SSTK] $34.50 (+14.81%)

Shutterstock shared news of its merger with Getty Images, causing its shares to jump.

Apogee Enterprises Inc [APOG] $57.60 (-19.02%)

Apogee Enterprises fell despite a favorable Q3 report, likely due to slow revenue growth from the year prior.

Serve Robotics Inc [SERV] $18.61 (-18.70%)

Serve Robotics entered into securities purchase agreements for the purchase and sale of more than 4 million shares of common stock, sparking concern among shareholders.

T Stamp Inc [IDAI] $7.17 (-13.20%)

T Stamp faltered after announcing a plan to sell over 40,000 of its shares to a single institutional investor.

That's it for today! Please, write us back, and let us know what you think of the Closing Bell Roundup. We're always eager to hear feedback!

Thanks for reading. I'll see you at the next open! 

Best Regards,
Adam G.
Elite Trade Club

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