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NEWS
Market Falls Ill Over Virus Concern

Source: Tenor.com

Stock market bulls were struck with a string of bad luck as tariff concerns, lackluster earnings, and a fear of a new virus weighed on sentiment. It was a major day for healthcare and crypto, with catalysts impacting several major players. 👀 

Today’s issue covers the market’s health scare, healthcare sector news heating up, crypto’s largest hack ever, and more from a busy Friday on Wall Street. 📰

Here’s the S&P 500 heatmap. 2 of 11 sectors closed green, with consumer staples (+1.17%) leading and technology (-2.71%) lagging.

Source: Finviz.com

And here are the closing prices: 

STOCKS
Health Scare Hits Stocks 😬 

The stock market was already having a tough time, but its downside accelerated on reports that researchers in a Chinese lab discovered a COVID-like bat virus.

In a story that came straight out of a time machine, researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China reportedly discovered a new coronavirus in bats that enters cells using the same gateway as the virus that causes COVID-19.

While it hasn’t been detected in humans, the mere idea of another potential pandemic caused vaccine makers like Moderna, Novavax, BioNTech SE, Pfizer, and others to jump.

On top of the health-related risks to the world (and market), Billionaire Steve Cohen voiced concerns that remain headwinds for the stock market like tariffs and DOGE’s cuts being the catalyst for a market correction. ⚠️ 

Weekends present a tricky situation for investors, who are a bit nervous to take risks in their portfolios due to the number of times a new headline risk appears and causes a market meltdown on Monday. Given the strength of selling pressure today and the major indexes closing at their lows, bulls are clearly cautiously going into next week.

As for market bulls, many are betting on Nvidia earnings on Wednesday as the next catalyst to push prices higher. Time will tell if they’re right. 🤷 

Source: Stocktwits

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COMPANY NEWS
Even More Healthcare Stock Moves 🤯 

It was a busy day in healthcare, with the virus impacting the broader market’s sentiment, but individual stock news sending several companies moving sharply.

The Department of Justice reportedly recently launched an investigation into UnitedHealth Group’s Medicare billing practices. The new civil fraud investigation is examining practices for recording diagnoses that trigger extra payments to its Medicare Advantage plans, including at physician groups the firm owns. 🕵️ 

This Medicare billing investigation adds to the already widespread scrutiny against the $400 billion health insurance giant and its “monopolistic practices” in the industry. Shares plunged 7% on the day to roughly 1-year lows, but the Stocktwits community is still ‘bullish’ on the stock. 🐂 

Source: Stocktwits

Meanwhile, Hims & Hers Health tumbled 26% after the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) removed semaglutide from its shortage list. The agency will start taking action against compounders (custom alternatives allowed during brand-name drug shortages) in the next 60 to 90 days. 💊 

Despite the downside, Stocktwits sentiment remained ‘extremely bullish,’ as investors hope the company’s recent product diversification can help reduce its reliance on these weight-loss drug compounders.

And finally, BlueBird Bio fell 42% after announcing it would sell itself to private equity firms Carlyle and SK Capital for about $30 million. It comes as the entire gene therapy industry faces scrutiny over whether these treatments can be translated into successful businesses. 🐦️ 

CRYPTO
A Frisky Friday In Crypto-Land 🪙 

Crypto bulls had a hot start to the day, with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) reportedly dropping its lawsuit against U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase. 🥳 

In a blog post titled “Righting a major wrong,” Coinbase said SEC staff agreed in principle to dismiss a suit accusing it of acting as an unregistered securities broker.

Coinbase management also reiterated its view that the majority of global GDP will eventually run on crypto rails, but the question is whether the U.S. will be the leader in the space. Ultimately, it believes the current administration will help implement real change to allow “continued building” to take place. 🏗️ 

That was all good and well for a bit, but the bull’s enthusiasm was interrupted by the largest crypto hack in history…

Our Litepaper writer Jonathan Morgan has all the details, but the skinny of the situation is that crypto exchange Bybit reportedly lost $1.4 billion in the largest crypto hack to date. Although its CEO says the exchange can withstand a bank run due to its reserves, the possibility of widespread issues sent fear through the market.

Bitcoin sentiment on Stocktwits slid alongside prices, with the cryptocurrency failing to stay above the elusive $100,000 level once again. 😬 

Source: Stocktwits

STOCKS
Other Noteworthy Pops & Drops 📋️ 

Arbor Realty Trust ($ABR-13%): The REIT’s fourth-quarter distributable earnings fell, with revenues rising marginally and provision for loan losses jumping $3.4 million.

ConocoPhillips ($COP -4%): The oil and gas giant disclosed the sale of its interests in the Ursa and Europa Fields and Ursa Oil Pipeline Company to Shell for $735 million.

Solaris Energy Infrastructure ($SEI +21%): Total revenues rose 52% YoY,, offsetting an earnings per share miss of $0.01.

Akamai Technologies ($AKAM -21%): First-quarter and full-year 2025 guidance fell short of estimates, prompting multiple analyst downgrades.

Fidelity National Financial ($FNF +4%): The title insurance and settlement services provider topped earnings and revenue estimates, but retail sentiment stumbled.

Grab Holdings ($GRAB +2%): The “Uber of Southeast Asia” was upgraded by JPMorgan from ‘Neutral’ to ‘Overweight’ with a $5.60 price target.

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Hosts Ben and Emil talk about Palantir leadership’s plans to sell, Chinese stocks catching a major bid, a move lower in cruises, struggles for the “Uber of Southeast Asia” ($GRAB) and “Amazon of Africa” ($JMIA), and a whole lot more. Plus, the case for Oscar Health ($OSCR) becoming a “meme stock.” 🍿 

COMMUNITY VIBES
One Tweet To Sum Up The Week 🥵 

WOAH, the S&P just had its worst day of 2025 📉

Happy Friday?

— Stocktwits (@Stocktwits)
9:13 PM • Feb 21, 2025

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📲 Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row

🆘 Nissan turning to Tesla as potential investor after Honda deal fell through

🧑‍💼 Fed’s Barr, stepping down from regulatory post, warns against weaker bank rules

🧑‍🏭 It’s a make-or-break moment for Germany’s economy. Trump’s tariffs won’t help

*3rd Party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Stocktwits. See disclosure here.

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