Ellison personally backs Paramount’s revised Warner Bros bid with $40.4B guarantee

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has pledged a $40.4 billion personal guarantee to strengthen Paramount Skydance’s hostile all-cash offer to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, addressing concerns over financing and trust backing. The amended bid keeps the $30 per share valuation and boosts breakup fees to match Netflix’s competing proposal, with the tender deadline extended to January 21, 2026 as shareholders weigh their options.

Gold prices surged past the $4,400-per-ounce mark amid rising expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts, while silver climbed to record highs near $69.44 per ounce. Safe-haven demand and a softer dollar supported bullion, driving gold toward its largest yearly gain since 1979. Platinum and palladium also advanced, reinforcing broad strength in precious metals markets linked to economic uncertainty.