GameStop shares surged, led by the meme stock icon Roaring Kitty, achieving a dramatic 110% rise early Monday and closing with a 74% increase. The excitement was sparked by a cryptic social media post, leading to multiple trading halts throughout the day as the stock hit a significant high.
The enthusiasm wasn’t limited to GameStop; the surge affected other meme stocks as well, with AMC Entertainment seeing a 78% increase. In the cryptocurrency sector, meme-coins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu also enjoyed gains, rising over 6% and about 5% respectively, demonstrating a broader market reaction.
The surge in interest from individual investors, many of whom were alerted during the pandemic lockdowns to GameStop’s low stock price, seized the opportunity for potential gains. This revival of meme stocks indicates a continued appetite for speculative trading among retail investors.
Despite the recent rally, GameStop has faced challenges since its peak in 2021. The shift towards virtual reality gaming and the dominance of mobile gaming have posed significant hurdles. The company’s fourth-quarter earnings report revealed disappointing sales and substantial layoffs, highlighting ongoing struggles within the firm.