U.S. stock market midday update: Akanda plummets 23.85%, trading volume surges, market volatility significantly increases

U.S. Stock Market Midday Update Akanda, down 23.85%, with increased trading volume and no significant news recently. The trading is active, and the capital flow is evident. Considering the sector and industry trends, the stock shows significant volatility, and the specific reasons need further observation. Stocks with High Trading Volume in the Industry Eli Lilly up 3.06%, with increased trading volume. Based on recent key news: On December 12, Eli Lilly announced the results of its Phase III clinical trial for its new weight loss drug Retatrutide, showing an average weight loss of 28.7% in patients, significantly higher than competitor drugs. This result drove Eli Lilly's stock price up by 3.25%. Source: Caixin. On December 12, JP Morgan analysts pointed out that the incidence of side effects for Retatrutide is higher than similar drugs, but its significant weight loss effects still attract market attention. Source: Caixin. On December 12, industry insiders expect that with the success of Eli Lilly's new drug, the GLP-1 drug market will face a price war, affecting the market landscape. Source: Yicai. The competition in the GLP-1 drug market is intensifying, and a price war is imminent. Johnson & Johnson up 1.16%. Based on recent key news: On December 13, a California jury ruled that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn about the cancer risks of its baby powder and must pay $40 million in damages. This ruling negatively impacts the company's reputation and finances. On December 13, the U.S. FDA approved Johnson & Johnson's AKEEGA® for the treatment of BRCA2 mutation prostate cancer. This approval brings new market opportunities for the company and boosts investor confidence. On December 12, Citigroup raised Johnson & Johnson's target price to $232, maintaining a "Buy" rating. Analysts' optimistic expectations drove the stock price up. The pharmaceutical industry's innovative drug approvals present a positive market outlook. Merck up 0.92%, with increased trading volume. Based on recent key news: On December 15, the global pharmaceutical industry faces a "patent cliff," prompting Merck and other companies to accelerate cooperation with Chinese pharmaceutical firms to address revenue gaps. This trend marks a shift in the role of China's biotechnology industry, driving Merck's stock price up. Source: Evaluate. On December 12, Merck received a positive opinion from the EU CHMP for its drug Winrevair™, with a final decision expected in the first quarter of 2026. This news enhances investor confidence and drives the stock price up. Source: Business Wire. On December 13, analysts maintained a "Hold" rating on Merck but did not include it in the recommended buy list. Nevertheless, Merck remains in the spotlight for investors, and the stock price has risen. Source: MarketBeat. The pharmaceutical industry faces a patent cliff, accelerating innovative drug collaborations. Stocks with High Market Capitalization in the Industry AstraZeneca rose by 1.56%. Based on recent news, On December 11, Yuan Si Sheng Tai completed Series A and A+ financing, with AstraZeneca participating as the lead investor. This move demonstrates AstraZeneca's proactive layout in the biotechnology field, enhancing market confidence and driving up the stock price. On December 8, Pillar Biosciences announced an expansion of laboratory collaboration with AstraZeneca, covering the Chinese market. This collaboration aims to provide rapid and cost-effective tumor detection solutions, further enhancing AstraZeneca's competitiveness in the field of tumor diagnostics, which is favorable for the stock price. Recently, the research collaboration between AstraZeneca and Parexel was completed, showcasing the robustness of research design and execution. The completion of this research further solidifies AstraZeneca's leading position in drug development, boosting investor confidence. The biotechnology industry has shown strong performance recently, with significant capital inflows