Memes on the move: Who are the winners and losers in today's stock market trading

U.S. stock markets have transitioned from a middling start to solid gains, with the S&P 500 up 0.25% to a record 6964. The Nasdaq is leading with a 0.7% increase to 23718, still shy of November's record just above 24,000. The Russell 2000, which has been performing well this year, is down 0.1% today. Intel stands out as a big winner, surging 8% amid meme stock enthusiasm. This is linked to the White House's 10% stake acquisition, hinting at its potential as a future AI player. CarMax is also up 5.2%, buoyed by positive ISM service numbers suggesting increased consumer spending. Lower Treasury yields are aiding borrowing costs. American Airlines has shown notable performance as well, supported by a report from Jefferies indicating a bifurcation in airline strategies catering to different consumer bases. Other notable gainers include Palo Alto Networks and Eli Lilly, both rising about 4.5%. Conversely, First Solar has dropped 9.7%, possibly reflecting market skepticism following the Supreme Court’s stance on tariffs. Western Digital is down 9.5% in the aftermath of the meme stock frenzy, alongside declines in the energy sector due to challenges in Venezuelan oil production.