VIP Exclusive: Trade Talks Inch Forward, and These 5 Stocks Are Making Moves

We’re back to talking trade — again — but with good reason. It’s driving markets.

U.S. and China negotiators have reportedly reached a new trade agreement framework after extended talks in London. The deal still needs final approval from Presidents Trump and Xi, but the tone has shifted toward cautious optimism. If enacted, the agreement would scale back tech and rare-earth restrictions, a move that could ripple across multiple sectors.

Markets are treading carefully while awaiting confirmation. Futures were mixed heading into today’s open, and the mood suggests investors are looking for clarity before committing to a direction.

Meanwhile, we’ve got earnings moves, deal news, and sector shifts in motion. These five stocks are worth tracking as they react to both macro and micro catalysts.

Intel | INTC

Price: $20.68

Intel shares jumped more than 8% recently despite Apple phasing out Intel support for future MacOS versions — a shift that’s been expected for years. Instead, bullish sentiment was driven by renewed trade optimism and defense tailwinds.

Reports suggest that the ongoing U.S.-China talks could ease export restrictions, giving chipmakers like Intel room to reclaim market share in the international tech supply chain. In parallel, the U.S. Department of Defense is developing zero-trust cybersecurity standards that rely heavily on hardware vendors, such as Intel. This opens the potential for deeper integration into sensitive government systems.

Analysts remain cautious overall, with a consensus “Hold” rating and lingering downside risk. But in a sector where geopolitical winds shift fast, Intel may be better positioned than it appears on paper.

Ford | F

Price: $10.66

Ford stock gained nearly 3% yesterday on news of a major expansion at its Louisville plant. The $12M project includes EV charging stations, new docks, and 52,000 square feet of upgraded capacity. Despite some job disruptions during construction, the move underscores Ford’s commitment to long-term EV production.

Ford also made headlines with its F1 racing ambitions, doubling down on its partnership with Red Bull ahead of the 2026 season. While regulations present challenges, the push aligns with Ford’s broader pivot toward high-performance EV development.

Wall Street is split, but analysts recognize Ford’s EV investments could pay off — if execution improves.

Warner Bros. Discovery | WBD

Price: $10.51

WBD launched a $14.6 billion debt buyback this week in an aggressive move to reshape its capital structure. With $37.4 billion in total debt, the media giant is under pressure to streamline its balance sheet ahead of a planned 2026 spinoff into two separate entities.

Analysts suggest that the debt repurchase could enhance flexibility and attract new buyers. The offer includes early tender premiums and consent solicitation incentives, providing existing bondholders with additional motivation to participate. Alongside the restructuring, WBD is rebranding its streaming service as HBO Max in an effort to strengthen brand loyalty and identity.

While S&P downgraded WBD’s credit rating to BB+, analysts at BofA and Raymond James remain cautiously optimistic, citing strong content assets and a potential for margin recovery in the Studios division.

Eli Lilly | LLY

Price: $808.61

Eli Lilly is back in the spotlight, this time for its oncology efforts. Shares have climbed on strong ovarian cancer treatment data, where its ADC drug LY4170156 showed a 55% response rate. This announcement comes on the heels of its $1 billion acquisition of SiteOne Therapeutics, a biotech company working on non-opioid treatments for chronic pain.

Lilly continues to lead in the obesity drug race despite recent setbacks. Sales of Zepbound and Mounjaro beat expectations in Q1, although the company cut its full-year earnings outlook. Regulatory and supply-side issues remain, but new FDA approvals (like Zepbound for sleep apnea) could help offset near-term hurdles.

Fundamentally, Lilly’s diversified pipeline and global scale could support a longer-term rebound.

Grab Holdings | GRAB

Price: $4.72

Trading under $5, Grab Holdings may be one of the most compelling value plays in Southeast Asia’s tech ecosystem. The Singapore-based super app operates in eight countries, offering ride-hailing, payments, delivery, and fintech services to over 44 million monthly users.

Hedge fund interest has surged, and analysts see Grab’s affluent user base and strong market share as key advantages in a challenging macro environment. The company’s Travel Pass product and tiered services give it pricing flexibility and retention advantages over regional competitors.

JPMorgan recently trimmed its price target slightly but maintained an “Overweight” rating, citing ongoing user growth and a path to EBITDA improvement. Grab could emerge as a sleeper success in a region often overlooked by U.S. investors.

Today’s headlines are dominated — once again — by trade talks. And while a framework deal is in progress, it’s not final. Both sides need to sign off, and history suggests that implementation could face challenges.

Still, markets are reacting. From Intel’s bounce on China hopes to Grab’s steady rise in Southeast Asia, there’s movement in every corner of the market. Add in corporate restructuring at WBD, a factory bet from Ford, and pharma momentum at Eli Lilly, and it’s clear the right catalyst can cut through the noise.

Expect more updates on trade as the week unfolds, and keep these names on your radar.