Nasdaq Proposes Fast-Track Rule to Accelerate Index Inclusion for Major New Listings 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Prudential Financial Reports Higher Q4 Profit on Strong Underwriting and Investment Gains 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
SpaceX Pushes for Early Stock Index Inclusion Ahead of Potential Record-Breaking IPO 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Australian Scandium Project Backed by Richard Friedland Poised to Support U.S. Critical Minerals Stockpile 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
AMD Shares Slide Despite Earnings Beat as Cautious Revenue Outlook Weighs on Stock 
Namyang Dairy saw a surge in its shares after claiming its Bulgaris yogurt variants can help lower the risk of COVID-19 infection. The company's day trading on Wednesday, April 14, reportedly increased.
As per The Korea Herald, Namyang Dairy’s shares once shot up by 28.68% to KRW489,000 or around $437.39 in the early morning trading. It was added that within 20 minutes after the opening bell, the company’s preferred stocks also surge by the daily allowable limit of 29.78% to reach KRW231,000.
Prior to Wednesday’s results, it was reported that the firm’s shares went up 7.19% and 6.71% on Friday and Monday, respectively. It then increased again by 8.57% on Tuesday, and this shows that Namyang Dairy’s shares have been on the rise since last weekend and continued this week.
Namyang’s COVID-19 claim
Observers are saying that the company’s surge in shares may be due to its claims that its Bulgaris yogurt lineup can help reduce the risk of getting COVID-19. Some market insiders also think that some investors may have also used information that caused the hike in the recent stock tradings.
At any rate, what triggered the sudden increase in shares of Namyang Dairy was the statement given by the company during a news conference in Seoul.
“We’re the first firm in the country that has discovered fermented dairy products are effective in preventing influenza and COVID-19 viruses,” Namyang’s chief of antiviral immune research center, Park Jong Su, said at that time. “Our experiments showed that Bulgaris helped remove the Influenza A (H1N1) virus at a 99.999 percent rate of success, and the COVID-19 at a 77.8 percent success rate.”
He added that the test of the yogurt’s effectiveness in fighting coronavirus was done using the lung cells of a monkey. As a result of this claim, people reportedly rushed out to purchase Namyang Dairy’s Bulgaris yogurts in stores.
Statement from S. Korea’s health officials
After the announcement from Namyang, the public health authorities released a statement. The agency expressed its concern over the claims.
“The latest research result has not proved to be effective in eliminating those viruses in the human body,” the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency stated. “Therefore, it is hard to say whether it can serve as an actual prevention or treatment measure for (the viruses).”
