Friday morning’s premarket trading was a wild ride, with Charter Communications, Doximity, and Novo Nordisk making big waves for different reasons. Charter’s stock shot up on news of a blockbuster merger, while Doximity and Novo Nordisk took hits from shaky guidance and a surprise CEO exit. Other names like Applied Materials and Take-Two Interactive joined the action, giving investors plenty to chew on before the opening bell in a market already jittery from a hot streak.
Charter Communications (CHTR) was the show’s star, jumping 7% after dropping a bombshell: a $34.5 billion merger with Cox Communications. The deal, which values Cox’s equity at $21.9 billion, could make Charter a cable juggernaut, beefing up its broadband and TV muscle. Shares hit $424.77 early Friday, and you could feel the buzz—investors love the idea of two giants teaming up. But not everyone’s sold. “It’s a big swing,” said analyst Craig Moffett of MoffettNathanson. “Great for scale, but regulators might have a field day.” The news lit a fire under telecom stocks, with folks on social media calling it “the kind of deal that changes the game.”
Doximity (DOCS) wasn’t so lucky, cratering 19% after a gloomy 2026 outlook. The telehealth company’s stock, which ended Thursday at $58.45, slumped to $52.26 before the market opened. Sure, they beat earnings, but the cautious forecast hit like a ton of bricks, especially for a stock that rode high during the pandemic. “That guidance stung,” said Jessica Tassan at Piper Sandler. “Investors aren’t forgiving slowdowns.” Social media platforms were full of grumbling, with one trader posting, “Doximity crushed it this quarter, so why tank us with that forecast?” It’s a rough reminder that digital health stocks are on a tightrope.
Novo Nordisk (NVO) also got hammered, down 5.3% to $64.08, after CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen blindsided everyone by stepping down. The maker of weight-loss drug Wegovy has already lost half its value since its 2024 high, and this news didn’t help. Jørgensen’s exit comes as Novo struggles to ramp up Wegovy supply and fend off rivals. “Losing your CEO now? Bad look,” said Peter Welford of Jefferies. On social media, people were stunned—one user asked, “Why bail when Wegovy’s still killing it?” The slide shows how nervous investors are about Novo’s next steps.
Other stocks were in the mix, too. Applied Materials (AMAT) popped 3% on a solid earnings report, giving chipmakers a boost. Take-Two Interactive (TTWO) slipped 4% after weak 2026 bookings, tied to a delayed Grand Theft Auto VI launch that’s got gamers and investors bummed. Constellation Brands (STZ) inched up 2% thanks to analyst love, while CAVA Group (CAVA) dropped 3% on iffy earnings. Vistra (VST) nudged up 1.5%, riding energy sector vibes. All these moves kept traders on their toes.
The bigger picture’s got everyone on edge. The S&P 500’s been climbing for five days, but a weak consumer sentiment report has folks bracing for a dip. Charter’s merger fits a wave of telecom deals as cable companies fight off streaming and wireless competitors. Doximity’s tumble is a wake-up call for health tech, where sky-high expectations can burn you. Novo’s drama ties into biotech’s bigger headaches, like supply snags and looming patent issues.
People didn’t hold back. Social media lit up with Charter fans hyping the Cox deal—one post called it “a power move for cable.” Doximity’s drop had traders split: some cried foul, others sniffed a bargain. Novo’s CEO news sparked wild theories, with posts wondering if there’s trouble brewing. Analysts are all over it, too—some see Charter’s deal as a winner, but others worry about red tape. Doximity and Novo are facing downgrades, with Barclays slashing Doximity’s target and Morgan Stanley flagging Novo’s “messy transition.”
This matters. Charter’s rally could fizzle if the FCC or DOJ pushes back, messing with its $56.76 billion market cap. Doximity’s $11.14 billion valuation is wobbling, and Novo’s $288.15 billion empire needs to steady the ship. These premarket swings could shake up ETFs and indices once trading starts.
What’s next? Charter’s merger is headed for a long regulatory slog, maybe into 2026. Doximity’s got to win back trust at its next earnings call. Novo’s board is hustling to name an interim CEO while hunting for a permanent one. For now, Friday’s market open is shaping up to be a rollercoaster, with traders ready to pounce on these stocks’ next moves.
