Podcast Summary: The Rundown

Episode: Banks Cash In on Volatility, Boeing Outsells Airbus
Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Zaid Admani (Public.com)

Episode Overview

In this fast-paced, under-10-minute episode, host Zaid Admani covers:

• The drivers behind gold and silver’s continued rally
• How recent bank earnings reveal impacts of market volatility
• Major moves in the Netflix/Warner Bros. Discovery/Paramount deal saga
• A huge defense contract for Huntington Ingalls and the impact of China’s cybersecurity restrictions
• A “fun fact” about Boeing outselling Airbus for the first time since 2018

The tone is casual and energetic, with moments of self-reflection and humorous asides.

Market Recap & Economic Trends

Key Points & Insights

• Indexes:
  • S&P 500 down 0.2%
  • NASDAQ down 0.1%
  • Despite these drops, half the stocks in the S&P finished positive, dragged down by big financial names
• Notable Laggards:
  • JP Morgan: Fell over 4% after disappointing earnings
  • Visa: Drops continue amid fears of a potential 10% cap on credit card interest rates ([00:25])

Quotes

“Half the stocks in the S&P actually finished in the green yesterday, but the overall index was dragged down because of a handful of big financial stocks like JP Morgan and Visa, which dropped more than 4%.” — Zaid Admani [00:15]

Bitcoin & Precious Metals Rally

Key Points & Insights

• Bitcoin:
  • Breaks $95,000, up 5%, first time above this level since November
• Gold & Silver:
  • Gold hits a new record: $4,600/oz (+1%)
  • Silver surges above $90/oz; up 25% YTD
  • Rising prices driven by uncertainty, Fed independence debates, and geopolitical tensions (especially Venezuela, Iran)
  • Silver in particular boosted by demand for tech components (EV batteries, AI data)

Quotes

“Silver is already up 25% since the start of this year. Investors tend to rush into gold and silver when there’s increased uncertainty.” — Zaid Admani [01:25]

“I do think, though, the price is going up a little too fast and it feels a little bubblish. But maybe I’m just coping because I missed this rally.” — Zaid Admani [02:10]

Bank Earnings: Volatility Breeds Opportunity

Bank of America

• Strong Quarter: Beat revenue and profit estimates
• Trading Revenue: +23% ($2B+) in Q4 due to volatility
• Net Interest Income: Hit a record $15.9B (+10% YOY)
• Total Revenue: +7%; Profits: +12% YOY

“Bank of America’s net interest income... hit a record $15.9 billion in Q4, which is up nearly 10% year over year ahead of the 8% estimates.” — [03:05]

Wells Fargo

• Missed Estimates: Due to higher severance and cost-cutting plans (5,600 job cuts, $600M in costs)
• Bright Side:
  • Stock +33% in 2025 (double S&P’s return)
  • Regulator-imposed $1.95T asset cap finally lifted (legacy of fake account scandal)

“Zooming out though, things are still improving at the bank... The stock jumped 33%, roughly double what the S&P 500 did.” — [04:05]

Citigroup

• Beat on Earnings/Revenue: Helped by fewer loan losses

“Overall, it’s been a busy week for bank earnings and things will continue to roll on this week.” — [04:50]

Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount: Deal Drama

Key Points & Insights

• Netflix’s Bid: Considering an all-cash offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, eliminating the stock component to outmaneuver Paramount’s competing bid
• Deal Details:
  • Netflix offer: $23.25/share cash + $4.50 in stock (originally)
  • Paramount counter: $30/share, all cash, includes cable networks (which Netflix doesn’t want)
• Goal: Avoid regulatory scrutiny, shareholder lawsuits; speed up sale before more obstacles emerge
• Stock Impact: Netflix slightly up, though still -13% from deal’s initial announcement

“I think Netflix is hoping that making their offer all cash, it’ll lead to less regulatory scrutiny, less shareholder lawsuits, and hopefully speed up the sale.” — Zaid Admani [06:05]

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Paramount comes back with an increased offer, so I don’t think this deal is going to close anytime soon.” — [06:50]

Defense & Cybersecurity Stocks: Big Moves

Huntington Ingalls

• Major Win: $151B defense contract for the SHIELD missile defense program
• Growth: Mission Technologies division leading the way; stock up 3% yesterday, 2% this morning, doubled in past year

“The company’s Mission Technologies division won a missile defense and agency contract with a ceiling of up to $151 billion... This is a big win for Huntington Ingalls.” — [07:15]

“Over the last year, this company stock has more than doubled in value.” — [07:55]

Cybersecurity Stocks

• Negative News: China tells domestic firms to drop US/Israeli cybersecurity software, citing national security risks
• Result: Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, others down ~2%

“As a result, shares of Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, and other cybersecurity companies are down around 2% this morning.” — [08:20]

Notable Stat: Boeing Outsells Airbus

Key Points & Insights

• Boeing: 1,173 net plane orders in 2025, highest since 2018, surpasses Airbus (1,000 orders)
• Comeback Story: Overcame two 737 Max crashes (2018), door plug blowout scandal (2024), labor/production issues
• Deliveries: Airbus still leads (793 to Boeing’s 600 in 2025), but Boeing’s delivery count is a 7-year high
• Stock Impact: Boeing up nearly 50% in the past year

Quotes

“The fact that airlines are once again lining up to buy Boeing planes, gotta say, that’s pretty impressive.” — Zaid Admani [09:15]

“Shout out to anyone that bought the Boeing dip over the last few years.” — [10:05]

Timestamps

• [00:00] Opening & Market Recap
• [01:00] Bitcoin, Gold & Silver Rally
• [03:00] Bank Earnings Breakdown: Bank of America
• [04:00] Wells Fargo Update
• [04:50] Citigroup and Earnings Week Outlook
• [05:20] Netflix/Warner Bros/Paramount M&A Drama
• [07:10] Huntington Ingalls’ Mega-Contract
• [08:10] Cybersecurity: China’s Ban Hurts US Stocks
• [09:00] Fun Fact: Boeing Beats Airbus

Memorable Moments & Tone

• Zaid’s self-deprecating humor about missing the rally in silver adds a personable, relatable touch.
• Light sarcasm about government acronyms:

  “The government, man, they love their acronyms.” — [07:20]

• Enthusiastic shout-outs to Boeing investors who were patient through down years.

Summary

This episode delivers a brisk, insightful roundup of the day’s biggest financial stories, with actionable context for investors. From precious metals mania and Wall Street bank performance, to high-stakes media M&A and big wins in the defense sector, Zaid Admani keeps things both informative and engaging—peppered with opinions, market wisdom, and a dash of humor.