Darla Mercado is an on-air correspondent with CNBC. She is the author of the Daily Money Report of stocks making big moves in midday trading. Her insights were shared in an article published on August 19, 2025, at 12:43 PM EDT. This major coverage is a continuation of CNBC’s long-standing commitment to provide investors with the most relevant and important stock action in real time.
In her analysis, Mercado underscored the stocks that were most attracting investors’ attention. These were Home Depot (HD), Intel (INTC), Viking Therapeutics (VKTX), and Nvidia (NVDA). These companies were part of some spectacular volatility, capturing the imagination of traders and market participants. By highlighting these midday movers, Mercado aims to provide viewers and readers with valuable insights to navigate their investment decisions.
CNBC offers various platforms for investors to stay updated on market trends. The WATCH LIVE feature brings twenty-four hour access to real-time market updates and expert commentary straight from CNBC’s world headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. For readers who want more in-depth analysis and customized content, CNBC in addition has a PRO mobile app. This subscriber-only application gives RIAs exclusive access to actionable insights and tools designed to sharpen their investment strategies.
You’ll be able to watch live TV and the PRO app on CNBC. Furthermore, the new Market Insider section provides a full slate of features including news on the markets and stock performance. This section collects critical market intelligence that helps investors make strategic, timely and informed decisions. Mercado’s emendations to this section further highlight her dedication to delivering detailed financial guidance and insight paired with her in-depth expertise.
In her long and distinguished career, Mercado has built a powerful reputation as a credible, reliable voice in the financial world. What’s new, what to look for She’s very vocal about her ideas on social media, especially from her Twitter at @darla_mercado. By interacting with followers, she’s able to offer timely insights and analysis on market events that impact the investment landscape and help shape investment strategies.
The stocks featured in Mercado’s write-up have generally trended upwards for the duration of the trading day. Home Depot, a leading home improvement retailer, often reflects broader economic trends due to its consumer-facing nature. In many ways, Intel is the linchpin of the semiconductor ecosystem. Shifts in technology demand and changes in supply chain dynamics can make or break the company.
Viking Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on developing innovative therapies, has seen fluctuations based on clinical trial results and regulatory news. Nvidia, known widely for its cutting-edge graphics processing units, has proven to be at the forefront of trends in both gaming and AI technologies. Consequently, it always captures the interest and imagination of market analysts.
As the new trading day gets underway, we encourage investors to keep a close eye on these pro-climate stocks. Market events can lead to dramatic fluctuations in stock prices, for good or ill. Follow smart long-term strategies like CNBC’s Investors Toolkit.