Global equities are under pressure again today as the tech-led selloff rolls on and traders dial back expectations for a near‑term Federal Reserve rate cut. U.S. futures were down sharply ahead of the open and the major indices have extended Thursday’s losses, with AI‑linked growth names leading the decline. [1]
Yet beneath the red on the screen, several big NYSE‑listed companies are moving on powerful, stock‑specific catalysts. Here are five of the most interesting NYSE stocks to watch today, November 14, 2025—and why their news matters.
1. Walmart (NYSE: WMT) – CEO Transition Jolts the World’s Biggest Retailer
What happened today
Walmart announced that its board has elected John Furner, 51, to succeed long‑time CEO Doug McMillon as President and Chief Executive Officer of Walmart Inc., effective February 1, 2026. McMillon will retire as CEO on January 31, 2026, stay on the board through the next annual meeting, and help oversee the transition. [2]
Furner is a company veteran: he currently runs Walmart U.S. and previously led Sam’s Club, giving investors continuity rather than a radical strategic reset. [3]
How the stock is reacting
Markets don’t love CEO surprises:
- WMT shares fell roughly 3% in pre‑market trading after the announcement, and were still down around 2–3% early in the regular session, according to multiple market reports. [4]
The move comes after a strong multi‑year run in Walmart stock, supported by its omnichannel strategy, advertising, memberships and automation investments. [5]
Why it matters
- Leadership risk vs. continuity: McMillon has been one of the most successful CEOs in modern retail. Any change at the top introduces uncertainty, but Furner’s internal promotion signals a “stay‑the‑course” approach on e‑commerce, grocery, and automation. [6]
- Macro bellwether: Walmart touches hundreds of millions of consumers. Its tone on U.S. demand, inflation, and consumer trade‑downs will be closely watched in the coming quarters.
Key things to watch next
- Furner’s first major strategy updates and commentary at upcoming earnings. [7]
- Any changes to capital allocation, including buybacks and store investment cadence.
- Whether today’s selloff in WMT is a short‑term reaction or the start of a longer de‑rating as markets reassess leadership risk.
2. Merck (NYSE: MRK) – $9.2 Billion Bet on Flu Prevention
What happened today
Merck announced a definitive agreement to acquire Cidara Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CDTX) in a cash deal valued at approximately $9.2 billion, or $221.50 per share. [8]
The acquisition gives Merck:
- CD388, a late‑stage antiviral being developed for prevention of influenza in high‑risk populations.
- A broader platform of drug‑Fc conjugate (DFC) technologies that could create long‑acting treatments and prophylactics. [9]
The companies expect the transaction to close in Q1 2026, subject to regulatory and shareholder approval. [10]
How the stocks are reacting
- Cidara stock has exploded, jumping around 100–105% to the low‑$200s, essentially converging on the agreed deal price. [11]
- Merck shares are fractionally lower, down only a small amount on the news as investors weigh the premium against the long‑term strategic value of the antiviral franchise. [12]
Why it matters
- Big pharma deal flow is back: A $9.2B acquisition signals that Merck is willing to deploy its balance sheet to diversify beyond its existing blockbusters and lean into infectious‑disease prevention. [13]
- Vaccines & prophylaxis remain a growth lane: A successful long‑acting flu prophylactic could complement—or partially disrupt—traditional vaccines, giving Merck a differentiated position in influenza prevention. [14]
- Sector read‑through: When a large acquirer pays a triple‑digit premium for a biotech with a single key asset, it can reset valuation expectations across the antiviral and infectious‑disease biotech space. [15]
Key things to watch next
- Regulatory scrutiny on pricing and competition in the flu‑prevention market.
- Merck’s updated capital‑allocation guidance and R&D priorities on Monday’s planned investor call. [16]
- Data readouts from CD388 and related DFC programs that could justify the premium price tag.
3. Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) – Major Setback for Milvexian in Heart Disease
What happened today
Bristol Myers Squibb and partner Johnson & Johnson announced they are discontinuing the Phase 3 Librexia ACS trial of milvexian in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after a scheduled interim analysis concluded the study was unlikely to meet its primary efficacy endpoint. [17]
Key details:
- The decision is based on efficacy concerns, not new safety issues; no new safety signals were identified. [18]
- Other Phase 3 studies of milvexian in atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention will continue, with data expected in 2026. [19]
How the stock is reacting
- BMY shares fell about 5% in pre‑market trading and remain down roughly 4–5% intraday as investors reassess the drug’s commercial potential in cardiology. [20]
- J&J shares are only modestly lower, reflecting the fact that milvexian is less central to its overall pipeline than it is to BMY’s growth story. [21]
Why it matters
- Pipeline reset: Milvexian was a flagship asset in BMY’s push into next‑generation anticoagulation via factor XIa inhibition. Losing the ACS indication trims one of the larger potential use‑cases. [22]
- Valuation pressure: BMY already trades at a discount to many large‑cap pharma peers; further doubts about long‑term growth drivers can increase that discount, at least in the short term. [23]
- But not a total write‑off: The continued Librexia programs in atrial fibrillation and stroke leave room for milvexian to still become a meaningful product if those trials succeed. [24]
Key things to watch next
- More granular efficacy data when BMY discloses the Librexia ACS interim results. [25]
- Management commentary on how they’ll fill the revenue gap if ACS is off the table.
- Any shifts in R&D or BD (business development) strategy to backfill the cardiology pipeline.
4. Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) – Shareholders Greenlight a Historic $85 Billion Rail Merger
What happened today
Norfolk Southern shareholders voted overwhelmingly—nearly 99% in favor—to approve the previously announced $85 billion cash‑and‑stock merger with Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP). [26]
Under the agreed terms:
- Each NSC share will be converted into 1.0 Union Pacific share plus $88.82 in cash. [27]
- Earlier today, Union Pacific shareholders also approved the deal, with 99.5% of votes cast in favor of issuing new UNP shares for the transaction. [28]
The combined railroad would create the first coast‑to‑coast transcontinental freight network in the U.S., spanning more than 50,000 route‑miles across 43 states and connecting roughly 100 ports. [29]
The deal still requires approval from the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and other regulators, and is expected to close by early 2027 if approved. [30]
How the stocks are reacting
- Following the twin shareholder votes, UNP shares are up about 0.2% and NSC about 0.2%—modest moves that suggest much of the merger premium was priced in when the deal was announced in July. [31]
Why it matters
- Industry‑defining consolidation: This is the largest rail merger in U.S. history, and could significantly reshape competition in freight transport, from grain and autos to chemicals and intermodal. [32]
- Regulatory wild card: The STB has taken a tougher line on rail consolidation after earlier mega‑mergers created operational bottlenecks. Chemical shippers and rival railroad BNSF have already raised competition concerns, while major unions and many shippers support the combination. [33]
- Valuation & synergy story: Company materials project over $2.75 billion in annual synergies and more than $30 billion of potential value creation for shareholders if the merger goes through. [34]
Key things to watch next
- The formal merger application to the STB and the initial reaction from regulators. [35]
- Any legal or political challenges, given the size and strategic importance of the combined network.
- How CSX and Canadian railroads respond—analysts already speculate it may spur further consolidation or new commercial alliances. [36]
For traders, NSC has effectively become a deal‑spread story: future returns will hinge on regulatory risk and timing rather than traditional earnings momentum.
5. Vertiv Holdings (NYSE: VRT) – Big Dividend Hike on the Back of AI‑Driven Growth
What happened today
Vertiv, a key player in power and cooling equipment for data centers and AI infrastructure, announced that its board has raised the company’s regular annual cash dividend by 67%, from $0.15 to $0.25 per share, to be paid quarterly. [37]
Details:
- The Q4 dividend is set at $0.0625 per Class A share, payable on December 18, 2025 to shareholders of record as of November 25, 2025. [38]
- Management explicitly tied the increase to “strong financial performance and cash flow”, after revenue growth of roughly 29% over the past year and improving profitability. [39]
How the stock is reacting
- Vertiv shares are up roughly 5% today, according to S&P/MarketScreener data, making it one of the more notable NYSE gainers in an otherwise weak tape. [40]
Why it matters
- AI infrastructure winner with cash returns: In a market where many AI stories are still cash‑hungry, Vertiv is signaling confidence by returning more capital to shareholders while still leaning into growth. [41]
- Signal on cycle strength: A big dividend hike often implies management believes current demand—here, for high‑density power and liquid cooling for AI data centers—is more than just a short‑term spike. [42]
- Balance sheet check: Vertiv’s current ratio of about 1.8 and moderate leverage, highlighted in recent analysis, suggest it has room to both invest and pay out more cash. [43]
Key things to watch next
- Whether the company pairs the dividend hike with long‑term guidance upgrades in future earnings releases.
- Any signs of AI capex slowdown from hyperscale and cloud customers that could challenge growth expectations.
- How dividend‑oriented investors respond—today’s move could broaden Vertiv’s shareholder base beyond pure growth buyers.
Other Notable NYSE Movers to Have on Your Radar
Beyond the five headline names above, several other NYSE‑listed stocks are making news on November 14, 2025:
- Albemarle (NYSE: ALB) – The lithium producer’s shares have climbed about 18% this week and recently hit a 52‑week high near $114, buoyed by cost cuts, asset sales and a wave of analyst price‑target hikes after a smaller‑than‑expected quarterly loss. [44]
- The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) – Disney shares are under pressure, with some reports flagging a 7–8% drop after earnings that missed revenue expectations and raised questions about streaming profitability. [45]
- Spectrum Brands (NYSE: SPB) – SPB has rallied after a big earnings beat, with Q4 EPS massively topping consensus estimates. [46]
These names may not have made today’s top‑five list, but they highlight how stock‑specific catalysts—earnings surprises, strategic deals, and regulatory milestones—are driving pronounced dispersion across the NYSE even as index‑level volatility is dominated by tech and macro headlines. [47]
How to Use Today’s NYSE Action as an Investor
A few themes cut across today’s most interesting NYSE stories:
- Leadership and governance matter.
- Walmart’s CEO transition is a reminder that even when fundamentals are solid, succession headlines can move mega‑caps in a hurry. [48]
- M&A continues to reshape sectors.
- Merck’s Cidara deal and the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger show that strategic acquisitions are alive and well, especially where management teams see long‑duration assets (antivirals, rail networks) at attractive prices. [49]
- Pipelines are as important as current earnings for pharma.
- Bristol Myers’ drop on the milvexian ACS setback illustrates how trial outcomes can quickly reprice expectations for future revenue streams. [50]
- Cash‑flow strength is being rewarded.
- Vertiv’s dividend hike is getting a positive reaction even on a down day for the broader market, underlining investor preference for profitable growth stories that can fund shareholder returns. [51]
As always, these moves shouldn’t be taken as buy or sell recommendations on their own. They’re starting points for deeper research into each company’s fundamentals, competitive positioning, and risk profile.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any security, or a substitute for professional financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.
References
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