Wall Street’s Cha-Cha: Shutdowns, Surges, and Market Shenanigans—Weekly Market Wrap, Nov. 14, 2025 -( $AAPL $CDTX $EPRX $LLY $MCD $MODD $MRK $MTWO $NVDA $OPEN $RIO $SER $WHSP Rise!)

If scorekeepers gave points for wit, this week would earn an honorable mention—showcasing the market’s ability to sprint, stumble, and get up again before anyone starts playing the national anthem. Investors, however, are left pondering what comes next, armed with quarterly reports, delayed macro data, and a fresh appreciation for the market’s sense of mischief. Yes indeed as Wall Street’s week came to a close like a well-matured cabernet—complex, a little tart on Thursday’s downswing, but still adding a dash of optimism for those with a taste for macroeconomic uncertainty and tech-sector volatility. For those who prefer their numbers shaken, not stirred, here’s the latest market wrap for the week ending Friday, November 14, 2025.

Equity Index Performance

The S&P 500 eked out a fractional gain, holding onto record territory after a Thursday stumble, and finishing at 6,734.11 for a nearly flat week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average weathered a bumpier ride, slipping 0.7% Friday but still settling up 0.3% for the week, bravely defending its recent foray above 48,000. The Nasdaq Composite, however, couldn’t outpace the high-speed turbulence in tech, ending 0.5% lower for the week—prompting some traders to wonder if artificial intelligence might one day program a less temperamental index. Small caps, represented by the Russell 2000, finished lower as investors donned defensive hats and ducked for cover amid broader risk aversion. but many bids were found on Friday, especially in the biotech sector that swing significantly.

Macroeconomic Reports & US Shutdown Update

Investors hoping for a feast of government economic data found the table a little bare, thanks to the longest shutdown in US history—43 days and counting—a streak that left key figures like CPI, Retail Sales, and the October jobs report languishing in limbo. Private-sector data helped fill the gaps: global manufacturing edged up, though contraction persisted in big economies like Japan and Taiwan, while US consumer debt grew at a 3.1% annual rate and small business optimism inched lower. With shutdowns easing but data delays in the forecast, analysts are bracing for belated government releases, possibly weighed down by more caveats than a Wall Street prospectus.

Company Highlights

Eli Lilly (LLY, $1,025, +10.92% over the last 5-days): The pharmaceutical giant found itself in the buy zone, riding positive sentiment as investor enthusiasm for healthcare stocks continued.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC, $284.82, -.59% over the last 5-days): TSMC kept its chip fabrication running at capacity, with reports of scaling efforts to aid growth-hungry AI players like Nvidia and Tesla.
Nvidia (NVDA, $190.17, +1.07% over the last 5-days): After a Monday rally, Nvidia fell victim to a tech-sector sell-off midweek, as US blocks on certain chip sales to China raised fresh regulatory hurdles.
Apple (AAPL, $272.41, +1.47% over the last 5-days): Apple weathered volatility with little news splash; traders continue to monitor its supply chain and AI investments.
Tesla (TSLA, $404.35, -5.86% over the last 5-days): CEO Elon Musk hinted at a possible “mega AI chip fab” and mused about a possible Intel collaboration, fueling speculation but no signed deals yet.
Broadcom (AVGO, $342.46, -1.99% over the last 5-days): Still riding high on AI optimism, Broadcom seemed to quietly sidestepped the chip-sector noise.
Meta (META, $609.46, -1.97% over last 5-days): Meta got caught in the AI downdraft; its stock declined as investors grew wary of tech valuations.
Nokia (NOK, $6.73,-1.61% over the last 5-days): Nokia kept a lower profile, with its European peers seeing muted action.
McDonald’s (MCD, $307.03, +2.46% over the last 5-days): Digesting steady global sales data, McDonald’s shares remained largely resilient in a defensive sector week.
Rio Tinto (RIO,$70.63, +1.88% over the last 5-days): The miner swept up positive resource news, tracking higher commodity prices.
Oracle (ORCL, $222.85, -6.86% overt he last 5-days): Oracle joined the downward parade with its fellow tech heavyweights, reflecting the sector’s broader malaise, but rebounded a bit on Friday.
Intel (INTC, $35.52, -6.85% over the last 5-days): Potential AI ambitions and chip partnership chatter (thank you, Tesla) kept the rumor mill buzzing, but it nonetheless recoiled significantly this week.
OKLO (OKLO, $97.57, -13.39% over the last 5-days): Low-volume chatter on energy storage startups suggests investors still have an appetite for alternative energy, but OKLO chunked down double digits this week.
Opendoor (OPEN): Shares jumped 23.78% over the last 5-days.
Palantir Technologies (PLTR, $174.20, -2.20% over the last 5-days): Led an AI surge Monday, but saw profit-taking as tech momentum waned.

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Buyouts

Dealmakers found reason to toast: Merck (MRK, $92.92, +7.70% over the last 5-days) acquired Cidara Therapeutics (CDTX, $217.71, +108.55% over the last 5-days) in a $9.2 billion bet on experimental flu prevention, and Lundbeck lobbed a disruptive $2.25 billion bid for Avadel Pharmaceuticals (AVDL, $23.56, +26.06% over the last 5-days). Postman’s API platform vision accelerated with the acquisition of liblab, though most headlines tracked big pharma’s moves as sector standouts.

IPOs

IPOs remained robust, with WeShop Holdings making its direct listing Nasdaq debut under ticker “WSHP,” joining a cohort that has pushed US IPO totals for 2025 nearly 62% higher year-over-year. WHSP share jumped 50.90%. Several filings are still working through delayed data, but overall, the new listing pace remains brisk.

Tariffs and Trade Updates

Tariff talk popped up as AI chip exports to China received fresh restrictions, sparking sales declines at NVIDIA and other tech majors. No new broad-based US import tariff actions were announced this week.

Yield Curve, Interest Rates & FOMC

Bond yields staged a retreat after shutdown resolution, with the 10-year Treasury falling to 4.07% (down 9 basis points), while the 2-year landed at 3.57%. Rate-cut odds for December fell from near-certainty (95%) in October to a coin toss at 50%, courtesy of hawkish Fed remarks and data delays. The next critical FOMC signals and meeting minutes are expected in the coming week, pending data resumption.

Commodities: Gold, Silver, Oil & Bitcoin

Gold staged a volatile show: briefly surging above $4,200/oz before ending at $4,084.40 and stunningly 59.04% higher year-over-year. Silver mirrored these moves, retreating to $50.40/oz, up 65.20% YoY. Oil rebounded to $59.95/bbl, up modestly for the week amid supply hiccups, while OPEC’s 2026 outlook weighed on futures. Bitcoin tumbled below $100,000, trading near $95,266.32 Friday afternoon, suffering in the risk-off sweep that seized equities and crypto markets alike.

VP Watchlist Updates

Modular Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: MODD., $.5333, +2.56% over the last 5-days), a leader in innovative insulin delivery technology, announced (Nov. 3) the successful validation of its Pivot controller line, a critical milestone in preparing for the commercial launch of its Pivot patch pump targeted for Q1 2026. The Pivot controller line validation further demonstrates manufacturing readiness for high-volume production, positioning Modular Medical to meet the growing demand in the diabetes treatment market for advanced technology.

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: EPRX, $6.56, +20.37% over the last 5-days), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging its proprietary Diffusphere™ technology to optimize local, controlled drug delivery for diseases with significant unmet need, announced (Nov. 13) the second set of 52-week follow up data from its ongoing Phase 1b/2a RESOLVE trial evaluating a single administration EP-104GI for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (“EoE”). James A. Helliwell, Chief Executive Officer of Eupraxia stated, “These data further highlight the strong durability and tolerability profile of EP-104GI, reinforcing its potential to become a convenient, once-a-year treatment that fits seamlessly into routine disease management by aligning with annual patient endoscopies. The Cohorts 5 & 6 patients – the only groups to have reached 52 weeks in the trial – are demonstrating levels of symptom relief that is durable and clinically meaningful – we are very encouraged by this outcome. We’re also pleased that our previously announced 52-week data were presented as a late-breaking presentation at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting (ACG). These new results build on that momentum. Given that current EoE therapies often struggle with long-term adherence, we believe a durable, once-yearly treatment could meaningfully improve patient outcomes and establish EP-104GI as a preferred option for both physicians and their patients.”

GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX, $.4511), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing multi-antigen vaccines and immunotherapies for infectious diseases and cancer, reported (Nov. 13) its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, and provided a business update highlighting key corporate and clinical advancements across its vaccine and oncology programs. David Dodd, CEO of Geovax stated, “As highlighted in this report, during the third quarter GeoVax continued making important progress, advancing innovative vaccines and immunotherapies that address urgent and underserved medical needs. With continued global Mpox spread and constrained vaccine supply, our GEO-MVA program represents a U.S.-based, scalable, next-generation MVA platform. Our EMA and BARDA-aligned program position GeoVax to accelerate regulatory readiness and commercial entry. For our GEO-CM04S1 COVID-19 vaccine program, recent clinical presentations validate our belief that multi-antigen vaccines – expressing both spike and nucleocapsid – are essential for breadth and durability in vulnerable immunocompromised populations. In particular, the robust immune responses demonstrated in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) patients represents a meaningful step forward in addressing the unmet needs of over 40 million immunocompromised Americans. In our Gedeptin(R) oncology program, the expansion into multiple solid tumor indications builds upon a growing recognition that tumor-targeted immune priming can dramatically improve checkpoint outcomes. We are executing a clear path to clinical and commercial value creation. GeoVax continues to execute with purpose and discipline. Our multi-antigen vaccine and immunotherapy platforms position the Company squarely within the national call to strengthen America’s health security, expand domestic manufacturing, and deliver equitable global solutions.”

Volato Group, Inc. (NYSE American: SOAR, $1.35) and M2i Global, Inc. (MTWO, $.10, +.0.00%) announced (Oct. 16) the next phase of development of the digital and commercial infrastructure underpinning the U.S. Strategic Mineral Reserve (SMR). M2i initiated the SMR framework and technical specifications earlier this year. Volato is now applying its proven enterprise-software expertise to build and operationalize the secure technology backbone that will support critical mineral traceability, contracting, and compliance across the United States and allied nations. This infrastructure is being developed to serve as the market-facing layer of the U.S. Strategic Mineral Reserve initiative, providing miners, refiners, recyclers, manufacturers, and government entities with a trusted environment for physical critical mineral transactions—with verified provenance, end-to-end custody visibility, and regulatory compliance at its core.

Serina Therapeutics (NYSE American: SER, $4.09, +4.60% over the last 5-days ) stands at a pivotal juncture as it harnesses fresh capital, regulatory momentum, and a sharpened communications strategy to propel its lead program, SER-252, into late-stage clinical testing for advanced Parkinson’s diseas. The Alabama-based biotech is betting its proprietary POZ platform and reimagined approach to apomorphine delivery may redefine the treatment paradigm for patients who have exhausted standard oral therapies.

The InterGroup Corporation (NASDAQ: INTG, $34.24) reported results (Oct. 9) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, including improved segment income in Hotel and Real Estate, increased liquidity, the alleviation of going-concern uncertainty at majority-owned subsidiary Portsmouth Square, Inc., and the Company’s return to compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements.