Following are the week’s biggest winners and losers. Find out why shares of Wal-Mart and Whole Foods popped while Chesapeake Energy and Wells Fargo dropped.
POPS (stocks that jumped higher)
Wal-Mart (WMT) popped 8%. The largest retailer reported 4th quarter earnings that beat expectations and said earnings should continue to climb this year. - It looks interesting right here, says Guy Adami.
iShares Silver Trust ETF (SLV) popped 5%. The silver ETF popped this week along with gold as investors flocked to safe havens.
Whole Foods (WFMI) popped 29%. The gourmet supermarket posted a quarterly profit that beat Wall Street estimates and forecast 2009 earnings ahead of analyst expectations.
DROPS (stocks that slid lower)
Prudential Financial (PRU) dropped 30%. The insurance firm lost its eligibility for the US commercial paper program after a downgrade by Fitch Ratings. - I'd stay away, counsels Karen Finerman.
Chesapeake Energy (CHK) dropped 16%. The natural-gas producer reported fourth quarter earnings that were below analysts' estimates. - Give them credit; they're trying to raise cash right now, says Joe Terranova
iShares MSCI emerging markets ETF (EEM) dropped 10%. Stocks fell around the world on concerns of deepening recession and further financial losses. - If commodities trade down emerging markets will probably trade down too, explains Tim Seymour.
Wells Fargo (WFC) dropped 31%. As investors hammered Citigroup and Bank of America on fears of nationalization, they also dragged down this bank. - I'm long Wells preferred, says Karen Finerman, but I think they're in the same boat as Bank of America.
Deere (DE) dropped 20%. Goldman Sachs downgraded the company to “sell” from “neutral” and sees the downturn in demand continuing into next year. - Joe Terranova doesn't know what to say.
U.S. Steel Corp (X) dropped 19%. UBS cut its 2009 earnings estimates to a loss of 55 cents a share, down from break even. - Watch this space because the steel guys are looking for higher tariffs, explains Tim Seymour.
Time Warner (TWX) dropped 15%. Activist investor Carl Icahn sold his holdings in the company. - There's nothing to see here, says Karen Finerman.
LDK Solar (LDK) dropped 43%. The maker of silicon wafers used in solar cells reported fourth-quarter revenue that was less than analysts had estimated.
______________________________________________________
Got something to to say? Send us an e-mail at fastmoney-web@cnbc.com and your comment might be posted on the Rapid Recap! If you'd prefer to make a comment but not have it published on our website send your e-mail to fastmoney@cnbc.com.
Trader disclosure: On Feb. 20th, 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 (AAPL), (EEM), (FXI), (PBR); Seymour's Firm Owns (VIP); Adami Owns (AGU), (BTU), (C), (GS), (INTC), (MSFT), (NUE); Terranova Owns (KCE), (XBI), (AMGN), (FXC), (DIS); Terranova Owns Nymex MACI; Terranova Owns (IBM) Calls; Terranova Owns (AMGN) Puts; Finerman's Firm Is Short (IYR), (IJR), (IWM), (MDY), (SPY), (USO), (BAC), (BBT); Finerman's Firm Owns (RIG), (MSFT), (FL); Finerman's Firm Owns (BAC) Preferred; Finerman's Firm Owns (DNA) & (DNA) Call Spreads; Finerman's Firm Owns (WFC) Preferred
