Shares of Novo Nordisk experienced a dip after the results of the latest clinical trial for its next-generation weight-loss drug, CagriSema, fell short of investor expectations. While the drug helped patients lose 15.7% of their body weight over 68 weeks, the results were not as impressive as those from an earlier trial, which showed a 22.7% weight loss in the same timeframe. For context, Novo Nordisk's current blockbuster weight-loss medications, Ozempic and Wegovy, help patients shed around 15% of their weight over 68 weeks. If the latest CagriSema trial results stand, it would be comparable in effectiveness to the company's existing drugs.

The Danish pharmaceutical giant has been working on developing a successor to its highly successful weight-loss treatments, especially as competition in this growing market intensifies. Eli Lilly, a major rival, has introduced its own weight-loss drugs, which have shown to be even more effective than Novo Nordisk's offerings. Additionally, Amgen is entering the race with its promising new weight-loss drug, MariTide, which has demonstrated strong results in its trials. As the battle for the next "miracle" weight-loss drug heats up, Novo Nordisk is facing increased pressure to stay ahead of the competition.

Robinhood Faces a Rough Day After Setback from Multiple Headwinds

Robinhood’s shares took a sharp dive on Monday, putting the popular trading platform on track for its worst day of 2025 so far. The company's stock was hit by a trifecta of negative news, all of which contributed to the downturn. One of the major factors driving the decline was a continuing slump in the cryptocurrency market, which had a direct impact on Robinhood’s trading volumes. Crypto trading had been a significant contributor to the company's strong earnings in recent months, and the ongoing selloff in digital assets cast a shadow on its future performance.

Adding to the pressure, Robinhood's stock took a hit as investors expressed disappointment that the company was not included in the latest round of additions to the S&P 500 index. Many analysts had speculated that Robinhood might be one of the next firms to join the prestigious list, so its absence from the announcement left some shareholders feeling disillusioned.

Finally, the brokerage firm faced regulatory issues that contributed to the negative sentiment. Late Friday, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) revealed that Robinhood had agreed to pay nearly $30 million to settle investigations into numerous compliance failures. These failures included lapses in anti-money laundering protocols and other reporting obligations. Robinhood did not admit to or deny the findings but expressed satisfaction at resolving these historical matters, some of which date back to 2014. Despite these challenges, Robinhood remains focused on remediating the issues within its operations.

Hims & Hers to Discontinue Apostrophe, Focus on Streamlining Dermatology Offerings

Hims & Hers (HIMS) has announced that it will be winding down Apostrophe, a skincare startup it acquired in 2021 for $190 million. The company shared the news with Business Insider on Friday, revealing that it will cancel all current Apostrophe subscriptions as of March 7. On Apostrophe’s website, the company stated that this decision was part of an effort to “simplify our dermatology products and operations into one seamless experience.” While Hims & Hers already offers dermatology services through its flagship platform, the decision to discontinue Apostrophe marks a shift in how the company plans to focus its resources.

The move reflects a strategic decision by Hims & Hers to consolidate its dermatology offerings rather than maintaining two separate brands. Although Apostrophe provided additional skincare services, many of these will be absorbed into Hims & Hers’ existing platform. For now, shares of Hims & Hers have remained relatively unchanged, despite the news.

In addition to this restructuring, Hims & Hers received a boost on Monday when it was added to the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index. This inclusion could expose the telepharmacy platform to a broader base of investors, potentially increasing its market visibility and shareholder interest. The company's shift to simplify its dermatology services, paired with the S&P 400 recognition, indicates that Hims & Hers is focusing on long-term growth while streamlining its product offerings.

What’s Holding Up in the Market Meltdown? Processed Foods and Defense Stocks Shine Amid the Downturn

As major stock indexes continue to slide and recession concerns mount, some sectors are showing surprising resilience. Processed food companies and defense contractors, often seen as staples during economic uncertainty, are performing better than most other industries amid the market turmoil. Brands like Conagra, which makes Slim Jim, and J.M. Smucker, known for Uncrustables, are seeing their stocks rise even as the broader market struggles. Kraft Heinz, a leader in instant mac and cheese, and Campbell's Soup, famous for its canned products, are also showing strong performance, bucking the downward trend.

The defense sector is another surprising standout. Companies like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, which provide weapons and defense systems, are seeing their stocks climb in a market that's largely painted in red. While the rest of the market is deep in the red today, these sectors appear to be holding steady or even gaining ground, offering some investors a safer haven during these turbulent times.

This resilience is not entirely unexpected. Last week, my colleagues Hyunsoo Rim and David Crowther predicted that certain stocks would be less sensitive to a market crash. Their analysis highlighted several of the very stocks that are performing well today, reinforcing the idea that even in the midst of a market meltdown, certain sectors remain more insulated from economic downturns.

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