Key Points Of Global Stock Market News

Paramount-WBD Battle: Paramount launched a hostile $30-per-share all-cash tender offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, challenging Netflix’s accepted bid and setting up a high-stakes fight that could prompt counteroffers and legal battles as shareholders weigh value, control, and regulatory risk.

U.S.-China Chip Shift: President Trump approved Nvidia’s H200 AI chip sales to “approved” Chinese customers in exchange for a 25% revenue share with the U.S. government, marking a significant shift in tech-trade policy and lifting semiconductor sentiment despite lingering geopolitical tensions.

Middle East AI Momentum: Ray Dalio said the UAE and Saudi Arabia are emerging as global AI hubs, attracting talent and capital through large-scale cloud and data-center investments, while warning that global markets face a precarious period driven by debt burdens, political conflict, and stretched valuations.

Farm Aid Package: The White House unveiled a $12 billion aid program to support U.S. farmers hit by trade-war fallout, offering one-time payments funded by tariff revenues as China’s agricultural imports remain below prior levels despite a tentative trade thaw.

Paramount Escalates Battle for WBD With Hostile $30 Cash Offer

Paramount intensified its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, launching a hostile all-cash tender offer at $30 per share above Netflix’s previously accepted $27.75 cash-and-stock deal. Backed by $41 billion in equity financing and $54 billion in debt commitments, the offer sets up a high-stakes contest that could prompt a counter-move from Netflix. WBD’s board reaffirmed support for its agreement with Netflix but will review Paramount’s proposal, which some analysts say could gain shareholder traction. A prolonged fight may lead to legal challenges, while questions around regulatory approval and deal synergies add further complexity to the streaming industry’s largest potential consolidation in years.

U.S. Clears Nvidia’s H200 Chip Sales to China Under New Revenue-Sharing Deal

President Trump said the U.S. will allow Nvidia to sell its H200 AI chips to “approved” Chinese customers, provided 25% of the revenue goes to the U.S. government - a sharp increase from the 15% sharing arrangement agreed earlier this year. Trump said President Xi “responded positively,” framing the policy as supportive of U.S. jobs and manufacturing, with similar terms expected for AMD and Intel. Nvidia shares rose on the approval before paring gains. The decision marks a notable shift in U.S.-China tech policy and adds a new commercial layer to the countries’ AI competition, even as export controls and geopolitical tensions remain unresolved.