Pops & Drops: US Steel, Sprint...

Following are the week’s biggest winners and losers. Find out why shares of US Steel and Sprint popped while Kroger and Eli Lilly dropped.

POPS (stocks that jumped higher)

US Steel (X) popped 6%. Investors appear to be using this and other steel stocks as a bet on a 2010 recovery. - I expect steel prices to rally even more, says Joe Terranova.

Airlines (XAL) popped 7%. With crude dropping to a 2 month low investors turned bullish on the airlines sector. - That's a big pop, says Pete Najarian.

Sprint (S) popped 10%. Citi upgraded the company to 'buy' from 'hold' partly due to a belief it could strike a deal with T-Mobile. - I like the name, says Guy Adami.

UnitedHealth (UNH) popped 11%. This and other health insurance stocks climbed on news out of Washington that a public option might be off the table. - Cigna and Wellpoint are also worth a look, says Joe Terranova.

Suntech (STP) popped 10%. Barclays upgraded this stock as well as rival Sunpower saying they expect strong demand for solar to continue into the first half of 2010. - I like TSL better, says Guy Adami.

DROPS (stocks that slid lower)

Kroger (KR) dropped 11%. The supermarket reported disappointing earnings due to deflation, increased competitive activity, and cautious spending behavior from its customers. - If you want to be in the space, play it with Walmart, says Karen Finerman.

Eli Lilly (LLY) dropped 6%. JPMorgan said its long term outlook is shaky and could see margin erosion. - Keep an eye on this stock, says Pete Najarian. It may get too cheap.

Activision (ATVI) dropped 3%. The NPD Group reported sales of equipment and software fell 7.6% in November. - But in the space I think GameStop had some positive news, adds Karen Finerman.

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Trader disclosure: On Dec. 11th, 2009, the following stocks and commodities mentioned or intended to be mentioned on CNBC’s Fast Money were owned by the Fast Money traders; Adami Owns (AGU), (C), (GS), (INTC), (MSFT), (NUE), (BTU); Najarian Owns (AAPL) Calls; Najarian Owns (BAC); Najarian Owns (DELL) Calls; Najarian Owns (FCX) Call Spread; Najarian Owns (GE) Calls; Najarian Owns (GCI) Call Spread; Najarian Owns (INTC), Is Short (INTC) Calls; Najarian Owns (RIMM) Call Spread; Najarian Owns (UUP) Calls; Najarian Owns (TXN), (TXN) Call Spread; Najarian Owns (CLF); Finerman's Firm Is Short (IJR), (IWM), (MDY), (SPY), (UNG), (KFT), (TLT); Finerman's Firm Owns (BAC) Preferred, (BAC), (BAC) Call Spreads; Finerman Owns (BAC) Preferred, (BAC); Finerman's Firm Owns (CBY), (MSFT), (TGT); Finerman's Firm And Finerman Own (WFC) Preferred; Finerman's Firm Owns (WMT); Finerman Owns (AAPL); Finerman Owns (GOOG); Finerman's Firm Owns (BSX)

GE Is The Parent Company Of CNBC

Terranova Works For (VRTS)
Terranova Is Chief Market Strategist Of Virtus Investment Partners, Ltd.
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 (XLY)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (DBV)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (UA)

For Brian Stutland
Stutland Owns (ORCL)

For Peter Schiff
Schiff Owns Gold