New Lows for Goldman Sachs, General Electric Stocks

Larry Culp issued a stern warning on GE's debt level earlier

Losses for the U.S. stock market are stiff in the second half of the session, with a sharp sell-off for big-cap bank stock Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) dragging on the Dow. Among other names making notable moves are former Dow component General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) and Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR). Here's a quick look at what's moving shares of GS, GE, and NKTR.

Goldman Sachs Hits New Low on Malaysia News

After hitting a two-year low of $205.90 earlier, Goldman Sachs stock was last seen down 7.3% to trade at $206.61. Reports Malaysia is asking the financial firm to refund fees associated 1MDB -- a scandal-ridden and failed investment deal -- are pressuring the shares, though today's price action is just more of the same for GS. The equity has spent most of the year churning beneath its 320-day moving average, and is down more than 18% in 2018.

Goldman Sachs options volume is accelerated today, with around 42,400 calls and 28,500 puts on the tape -- two times what's typically seen at this point in the day. New positions are being initiated in the monthly November series, which expires at this Friday's close, with the 215, 225, and 217.50 calls most active.

Another Analyst Cut Their GE Price Target

General Electric shares tagged a nine-year low of $7.72 out of the gate, most recently seen trading down 6.7% at $8.01. This follows a debt warning from GE CEO Larry Culp, who said the company has "no higher priority right now than bringing leverage levels down," and that they "have plenty of opportunity to do that through asset sale."

In reaction, GE saw its price target cut to $10 from $12 at Credit Suisse, though this is still well above J.P. Morgan Securities' Street-low target price. With the stock now down 54.1% year-to-date, there's room for more bearish brokerage notes to come down the pike. While nine of 20 analysts still maintain a "buy" or better rating, the average 12-month price target of $13.97 is a 74.4% premium to current levels.

Nektar Therapeutics Stock Bounces After Drug Data

Nektar Therapeutics stock hit an annual low of $33.50 last Friday, Nov. 9, but is up 9% today to trade at $37.08. In addition to closing in oversold territory last week -- per its 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI), which settled Friday at 28.9 -- the company presented data for its combination cancer treatment with Bristol-Myers Squibb's (BMY) Opdivo over the weekend.

A number of options traders appear to be betting on yesterday's low to hold as a short-term bottom. Amid heavier-than-usual intraday volume, the November 33 put is most active, and it looks like speculators may be selling to open new positions here. If this is the case, they expect NKTR to stay above $33 through front-month expiration at the close this Friday, Nov. 16.