Pops & Drops: Caterpillar, Merck...

Following are the week’s biggest winners and losers. Find out why shares of Caterpillar and Merck popped while McDonald's and Ericsson dropped.

POPS (stocks that jumped higher)

Caterpillar (CAT) popped 23%. The world's largest maker of construction equipment moved higher after beating on earnings and boosting its full year forecast. - It's not for me. They have too much exposure to non-residential construction, says Joe Terranova.

Merck (MRK) popped 12%. The drug titan reported strong second quarter earnings and reaffirmed its full year outlook. - I'm a buyer, says Steve Grasso.

eBay (EBAY) popped 15%. The auction site offered investors a better than expected third quarter forecast.

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) popped 43%. The firm reported numbers that blew past Wall Street expectations, as instrument and accessories revenue jumped.

DROPS (stocks that slid lower)

Regions Financial (RF) dropped 9%. The regional bank posted a worse than expected loss due to rising loan delinquencies. - Not too good, says Tim Seymour.

McDonald's (MCD) dropped 3%. The fast food giant slipped after a stronger dollar cut profits from international sales. - I like this stock on the pullback, says Pete Najarian, but it's been hitting resistance at $60.

Ericsson (ERIC) dropped 4%. The company said the economic downturn is taking a larger toll on its mobile networks than they had previously thought.




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Trader disclosure: On July 24th, 2009, the following stocks and commodities mentioned or intended to be mentioned on CNBC’s Fast Money were owned by the Fast Money traders: Seymour Owns (TSL), (MSFT); Grasso Owns (ASTM), (BAC), (BA), (COST), (FAZ), (OXY), (V), (WMT), (XLF), (T); Terranova Owns (MSFT), (MCD), (GOOG), (AMZN), (AXP); Najarian Owns (CSCO) Call Spread; Najarian Owns (INTC) Call Spread; Najarian Owns (JPM) And Is Short (JPM) Calls; Najarian Owns (MCD) And Is Short (MCD) Calls; Najarian Owns (MS) And Is Short (MS) Calls; Najarian Owns (MSFT) And Is Short (MSFT) Call; Najarian Owns (YHOO) Call Spread; Najarian Owns (V) And Is Short (V) Calls; Najarian Owns (HIG) Calls

For Steve Grasso:
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (ABT)
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (CUBA)
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (GERN)
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (MSFT)
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (NWS.A)
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (NXST)
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (NYX)
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (PDE)
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (PRST)
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (RDC)
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (ROK)
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (TLM)
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (XOM)
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (XRX)
Stuart Frankel And Its Partners Own (SDS)

For Joe Terranova:
Terranova Works For (VRTS)
Terranova Is Chief Alternatives Strategist Of Virtus Investment Partners, Ltd.
Terranova Is Co-Portfolio Manager Of The Virtus Diversifier PHOLIO
Virtus Diversifier PHOLIO Owns (IGE)
Virtus Diversifier PHOLIO Owns (DBC)
Virtus Diversifier PHOLIO Owns (DBV)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (ABD)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (CBL)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (CAL)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (CLB)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (DLR)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (EXR)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (IGE)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (MEE)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (DBC)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (DBV)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (DBA)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of St Mary Land & Exploration Co
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of Seagate Tax Refund Rights
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (SKT)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (TNB)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (UA)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (WBMD)