Here’s a look at the companies making headlines in midday trading: Rigetti Computing — Quantum computing stocks soared 10%, adding to the industry’s strong year-end gains. Rigetti shares have risen 1,674% this year. KULR Technology Group — Shares fell about 9%, reversing the previous session’s gains. On Thursday, the stock rose more than 40% after the space technology company said it purchased 217.18 Bitcoin worth approximately $21 million. This is the company’s first purchase since announcing plans for a new Bitcoin vault on December 4, when Bitcoin topped the $100,000 mark for the first time. Honda – Shares of the automaker rose 1%, extending gains after announcing earlier this week that it had officially begun merger talks with Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. That brings Honda’s week-to-date gain to 20.7%, putting the stock on track for its best weekly performance since 1988. Then fell slightly. The new agreement extends the deadline to complete the $3.3 billion merger. MicroStrategy — Cryptocurrency-related stocks fell nearly 4%. Previously, prices were trading higher on Friday morning as Bitcoin prices rose above $96,000. Red Cat Holdings — Drone shares plunge nearly 10%. The stock, which had previously moved higher on Friday morning, has surged 1,275% year to date. Red Cat shares rose in December after drone sightings in the Northeast reignited Wall Street’s interest in the industry. SOUTH KOREA – South Korean stocks traded in the U.S. on Friday after lawmakers impeached acting President Han Deok-soo, ousting the country’s second head of state since a brief martial law was imposed earlier this month. The iShares MSCI Korea ETF (EWY) fell 1%. U.S.-listed shares of Korea Electric Power and Coupang fell 2%, while Posco Holdings and KT Corporation fell 1%. —CNBC’s Sean Conlon and Alex Harring contributed reporting.
