📈 Eli Lilly's Pill Revolution

Good morning.

⚡ The Fast Five → Hyundai announces $30B US investment, Clearlake to buy Dun & Bradstreet for $4.1B, eToro files for IPO, 23andMe files for bankruptcy, Eli Lilly to release key data on weight loss pill

🔎 Market Trends → Wall Street ends sharply higher, Nvidia and Tesla rally; US Futures Rise to Kick Off the Week

And now…

⏱️ Your 5-minute briefing for Tuesday, March 25, 2025:

MARKET BRIEF
Before the Open

Pre-Market

Fear & Greed

Markets in Review

Equities Surge as Tariff Hopes and Private-Sector Growth Drive Optimism

The Nasdaq climbed 2.3% to 18,188.6, S&P 500 rose 1.8% to 5,767.6, and the Dow Jones advanced 1.4% to 42,583.3. All sectors gained, led by consumer discretionary, except for utilities.

The Big Picture:

Investor sentiment was buoyed as private-sector output growth accelerated in March, despite concerns over tariffs. Tesla (TSLA) and other tech stocks powered the rally as market participants digested news about US-China trade tensions and potential tariff relief. While tariff risks remain, the market is optimistic about economic growth and potential positive trade policy adjustments.

Crude oil prices climbed 1.3% to $69.19 per barrel as geopolitical tensions surrounding US sanctions on Iranian oil and Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks raised market volatility. Investors are closely watching for any supply disruptions that could impact global oil prices.

Market Movers:

• Tesla (TSLA) surged 12%, leading the S&P 500 after strong market sentiment and positive growth forecasts for electric vehicle demand.

• Nvidia (NVDA) rose 3.2% on the back of increased demand for AI hardware, while Amazon (AMZN) gained 3.6%, benefiting from robust cloud and retail performance.

• James Hardie (JHX) dropped 17% after acquiring Azek (AZEK) in an $8.75 billion deal, signaling market uncertainty about the long-term impact of the acquisition.

What They’re Saying:

"A key concern over tariffs is the impact on inflation, with the March survey indicating a sharp rise in costs," said Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at S&P Global.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Events

• There are no events scheduled for today.

Earnings Reports

• Today: GameStop, Smithfield Foods, McCormick & Company, Movado Group, Canadian Solar, 3D Systems, Rumble

• Tomorrow: Dollar Tree, Chewy, Petco, Paychex, RH (Restoration Hardware), Cintas, Steelcase, Jefferies Financial Group

MARKET BRIEF
Leading News

Eli Lilly's Potential Pill Revolution: The Next Weight-Loss Fortune Maker

Why it matters:

Eli Lilly's (LLY) upcoming oral weight-loss medication could democratize access to the $150+ billion GLP-1 market while cementing the company's dominance in what might be the decade's most profitable pharmaceutical category.

Zoom Out:

The pharmaceutical colossus plans to release late-stage clinical trial data on its once-daily obesity pill, orforglipron, this year. Wall Street is watching intently as the results will show whether this needle-free alternative can deliver Wegovy-like effectiveness without the prick.

Unlike existing oral options, Eli Lilly's pill doesn't require fasting or dietary restrictions, potentially making it the first truly convenient oral GLP-1 treatment. The company is positioning itself approximately three years ahead of competitors in the oral space.

Key Insights:

• Market dominance brewing: Oral GLP-1s could capture $50 billion of the projected $150 billion annual GLP-1 market by the early 2030s. Lilly's significant manufacturing investment—recording a $550 million "pre-launch inventory" charge—signals strong confidence in orforglipron's approval prospects.

• Efficacy expectations: Phase II trials showed patients losing 13.5% of body weight after 36 weeks on a 36mg dose—comparable to Wegovy's 15% in its pivotal trials. Analysts expect similar performance in phase III, potentially with slightly higher gastrointestinal side effects than Zepbound but comparable to Wegovy.

• Global reach potential: Beyond U.S. markets, orforglipron could penetrate international markets where cold-chain infrastructure for injectable GLP-1s is limited or nonexistent.

Market Pulse:

"This could join a growing toolbox of medications for obesity, and it could be a game-changer," says Dr. Eduardo Grunvald, medical director for UC San Diego's Center for Advanced Weight Management.

Bull’s Take:

For patient investors, Lilly represents not just a pharmaceutical play but an entry point into healthcare's most promising growth frontier. Expect this pill to swallow competition while potentially delivering market-beating returns as obesity treatment shifts from niche to mainstream medicine.

Headlines

• Hyundai announces a $20 billion investment in the United States (link)

• PE firm Clearlake to buy Dun & Bradstreet for $4.1 billion in cash (link)

• Trading platform eToro files for IPO (link)

• Palantir Insiders including PLTR CEO Dump Shares as Valuation Skyrockets 340% (link)

• DNA testing firm 23andMe files for bankruptcy as demand dries up (link)

• Ubisoft stock surges on Assassin's Creed Shadows release success (link)

CRYPTO
Fear & Greed

Headlines

• Bitcoin gains above $87,000 alongside XRP, SOL as Trump tariff concerns ease (link)

• Kraken considers $1 billion debt raise with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan ahead of possible IPO (link)

• Trump's media company partners with Crypto.com to launch 'Made in America' ETFs of digital assets and stocks (link)

DAILY SHARE
On the Socials