Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading. Bank stocks — All 101 stocks in the State Street SPDR S & P Bank ETF (KBE) were down Friday as the spread widened between the 2- and 10-year Treasury yield in a move known as a bear steepening that often suggests increased expectations of future inflation. A steeper yield curve can compress banks’ net interest margins, devalue assets, raise credit risk and curb loan demand. Western Alliance Bancorp is down almost 12%, Rocket Companies is off 4% and ServisFirst Bancshares is lower by nearly 5%. Fertilizer stocks — Fertilizer stocks rallied once again on Friday, as the companies are likely to benefit from tight supplies and higher prices due to the war with Iran. More than a third of raw materials used in fertilizer travel through the Strait of Hormuz. CF Industries climbed 5%, hitting a fresh 52-week high and putting it on pace for a record close. Week to date, shares have surged about 17%. Intrepid Potash surged 9%, also hitting a 52-week high. Its week-to-date gains are likely to tally almost 17%. Nutrien shares added 2%, but the stock is only up 1% this week. United Airlines — Shares tumbled nearly 4% after CEO Scott Kirby said the recent spike in fuel prices since the U.S. and Israel struck Iran last weekend will have a “meaningful” impa …
