DOYU shares soared 27.66% in a single day following the announcement of a special dividend of $9.94, signaling strong financial confidence. Similarly, MKTW surged 25.6% after declaring a special dividend of $0.03, further boosting investor sentiment. AKA climbed 16.84% on news of its new CEO appointment, a move expected to drive strategic growth and innovation. Meanwhile, OPCH gained 15.55% after unveiling a $500 million stock buyback plan, signaling a commitment to returning value to shareholders and strengthening market confidence.

Bank Earnings: Strong Results Across the Board

Major U.S. banks reported upbeat December-quarter earnings, kicking off the season with solid performances. JPMorgan Chase posted a strong quarter, with profits exceeding expectations and a 20.6% return on tangible equity—well above its medium-term target. CEO Jamie Dimon reiterated his plans to remain at the helm, adding confidence to the bank’s future.

Goldman Sachs also beat earnings forecasts, attributing gains to a boost in corporate confidence following the U.S. election. CEO David Solomon noted a “meaningful shift” in optimism among corporate leaders, driving increased deal activity. The bank’s shares rose over 2% on the news.

Citigroup swung to a profit, forecasting full-year 2025 revenue of $83.5–$84.5 billion, surpassing analyst estimates. The bank also announced an uptick in share buybacks, further energizing investors.

Capital inflows into bank bonds surged, reflecting market optimism. As earnings season progresses, investors are watching for further signs of economic momentum.

TikTok's Future Hangs in the Balance Amid Merger Proposal and Offers

Perplexity AI has submitted a merger proposal to ByteDance, aiming to combine its AI-driven capabilities with TikTok U.S. to create a new entity. The proposal would allow ByteDance investors to retain equity stakes while addressing national security concerns surrounding TikTok’s Chinese ownership. This follows the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a law requiring ByteDance to divest from TikTok or face a U.S. ban.

Adding to the drama, investor Kevin O’Leary announced a $20 billion cash offer to acquire TikTok U.S. during a media appearance. O’Leary emphasized the urgency of resolving the situation before the incoming Trump administration enforces the law. The combined pressure of legal deadlines and high-stakes proposals underscores the complexity of TikTok’s position.

President-elect Donald Trump has signaled he will “most likely” grant a 90-day extension to ByteDance to negotiate a resolution, potentially averting a ban that could disrupt access for over 170 million U.S. users. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew expressed gratitude for Trump’s willingness to explore solutions, while ByteDance has yet to confirm plans for a sale or merger.

The Irony of Little Red Book’s Rise Amid TikTok’s U.S. Ban

As the U.S. moves to ban TikTok over concerns about Chinese influence, the irony is striking: the app surging in its place is Little Red Book, or Xiaohongshu—a Chinese platform referencing Mao Zedong's iconic text. With its name steeped in Chinese history, this TikTok alternative has quickly become the top download in the U.S., highlighting the paradox of banning one Chinese app only for another to rise in its place. Little Red Book’s meteoric rise underscores the complexity of regulating global tech while user behavior often defies policy intentions.

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