Stocks of many fast food and casual dining companies are retreating significantly after President Obama proposed increasing the national minimum wage to $9 per hour from the current $7.25 per hour during his state of the Union speech last night. In late morning trading, McDonald's (MCD) dropped 1.7% to $93.50, Brinker (EAT) slid 3% to $32, Domino's Pizza (DPZ) dropped 2% to $45.50, BJ's Restaurant (BJRI) tumbled 3.5% to $33, and Darden Restaurant (DRI) retreated 2.5% to $45.50.
U.S. stocks ended little changed on Monday with indexes hovering near record levels as concerns about a correction …