Novo Nordisk Plunges, Palo Alto Falls, Union Pacific to Buy Norfolk Southern
Jul 29, 2025
Shares of Novo Nordisk plummeted by 23%, wiping out over $73 billion in market value due to disappointing sales forecasts for its weight-loss drugs. Meanwhile, Palo Alto Networks is eyeing a massive acquisition of CyberArk Software, which could redefine its position in cybersecurity. In the railroad industry, Union Pacific's $72 billion deal to acquire Norfolk Southern is set to create the only US transcontinental railroad, potentially reshaping the market and prompting further major mergers.
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insights INSIGHT
Novo Nordisk's Historic Drop
Novo Nordisk shares dropped over 23% after cutting sales and profit forecasts.
Struggles are due to competition and slumping weight-loss drug sales, marking the steepest drop since 1987.
insights INSIGHT
Palo Alto's Big Acquisition Move
Palo Alto Networks is negotiating to acquire CyberArk Software for over $20 billion.
This could be one of the biggest tech takeovers this year, with a deal possible this week.
insights INSIGHT
Historic US Railroad Merger
Union Pacific agreed to buy Norfolk Southern in a $72 billion deal to create the only US transcontinental railroad.
This deal reshapes the rail market and might spark further consolidation among rivals.
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- Novo Nordisk (NVO) shares close down 23%, erasing more than $73 billion in market value, after the maker of Wegovy and Ozempic cut its sales and profit forecasts, citing slumping sales of weight-loss drugs. The Danish drugmaker also named a company insider as its new CEO, which one investor said may disappoint those hoping for a radical shake-up under an external hire. It was the stock’s steepest one-day drop on record and took the shares to the lowest level since March 2022.
- Palo Alto Networks (PANW) shares fell after the Wall Street Journal reported that the company is in talks to buy CyberArk Software Ltd. (CYBR) in a deal that could value the Israeli cybersecurity firm at more than $20 billion. Palo Alto Networks may finalize a deal as soon as this week, the Journal reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter whom it didn’t identify. CyberArk declined to comment. Palo Alto Networks didn’t respond to a request for comment.
- Union Pacific (UNP) shares are down today. The company agreed to acquire Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC) in a $72 billion cash-and-stock transaction, forming the only US transcontinental railroad in what stands to be the industry’s largest deal ever. The tie-up will marry Union Pacific’s network across the western US with Norfolk’s East Coast routes, reshaping a domestic rail market that’s now comprised of just a half-dozen companies. Observers predict other major deals could follow, as competitive pressure rises on rivals including CSX Corp. and Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s BNSF. “We think the political environment is accommodating,” Union Pacific Chief Executive Officer Jim Vena said Tuesday in an interview. The companies have already spoken with regulators, members of the Trump administration and congressional lawmakers. “We wouldn’t have taken this path if we had not engaged and understood what they needed to see us deliver and whether we could.”