Midday Leaders and Laggards: Nasdaq 100

The index, which includes 100 of the largest nonfinancial securities listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, fell 18.93 points to 2,012.37 by midday. The broader Nasdaq composite fell 27 points to 2,506.73.

Light, sweet crude for June delivery jumped as high as $127.82 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange Friday. Crude recently traded up $2.54 at $126.66.

Meanwhile, the government said construction of new homes rose 8.2 percent last month, the largest monthly boost in more than two years.

Yet the oil news spooked investors, with shares of United Airlines parent UAL Corp. among the biggest decliners.

UAL shares fell 63 cents, or 4.4 percent, to $13.75. The profitability of airline operators is closely linked to jet-fuel costs.

Shares of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. slipped $1.16, or 3.4 percent, to $33.43.

Shares of SanDisk Corp. slipped $1.21, or 3.7 percent, to $31.89.

On the gaining side, shares of Level 3 Communications Inc. gained 24 cents, or 7.3 percent, to $3.52.

Shares of Stericycle Inc. jumped $3.29, or 6.3 percent, to $55.97.

Shares of Virgin Media Inc. rose 51 cents, or 3.5 percent, to $15.01.