Brief Overview:

• Roaring Kitty’s comeback fuels a surge in GameStop and AMC stocks.

• Keith Gill’s post on social platform X sparked speculation and enthusiasm among traders.

• Nevertheless, industry analysts are skeptical about the rally in meme stocks.

The return of trader and investor Keith Gill, better known by his nickname “Roaring Kitty,” sparked a strong rally in GameStop and AMC shares, which surged more than 70% each. The event was reminiscent of a stock market spectacle a few years ago, but this time, Gill’s comeback was the direct cause of the surge.

Just Monday, investor enthusiasm for 2021's most talked-about meme stocks was reignited thanks to the sudden return to social media of trader and investor Keith Gill, better known as "Roaring Kitty."

Speculation around meme stocks continues to grow

Keith Gill's post on Platform X showed a video player leaning forward and concentrating on a game, a move often seen as a sign of deep engagement in a game. This was enough to send GameStop and AMC's stock prices soaring, with increases of 77.5% and 77.9%, respectively.

Gill’s cryptic post, his first since his last public appearance about three years ago, quickly garnered more than 12 million views, and he followed it up within hours with a suggestive video, further fueling speculation and excitement among traders.

GameStop's stock price briefly surged to a staggering 110% gain before stabilizing. The trading frenzy in the stock was so intense that it triggered trading halts multiple times throughout the day. Meanwhile, AMC shares have also experienced significant gains, even doubling in price at one point during the trading session.

GameStop stock's renewed rise is directly tied to Gill's influence in the early days of the pandemic. At the time, he publicly backed the struggling video game retailer, a move that drew support from a slew of retail investors who rallied against hedge funds that were betting against GameStop stock. This collective action resulted in a sharp increase in GameStop stock price. The collective buying behavior of retail investors forced hedge funds that had shorted the stock to buy the stock at a high price to cover their positions. This collective action forces short sellers to engage in large-scale buying operations, resulting in a sharp increase in stock prices and significant volatility in the market.

This price increase and market volatility attracted widespread attention and not only had a significant impact on GameStop's share price, but also had a ripple effect on the entire stock market, sparking discussions about market manipulation and investor protection. At the same time, this incident also demonstrated the influence of social media and online communities in modern financial markets, and how they can quickly gather and mobilize investors to have a substantial impact on the market.

Gill’s recent activity sparked buying in GameStop and AMC and spread to other meme stocks like BlackBerry and Trump Media & Technologies Group Inc., which have each experienced their own rallies.Some industry analysts remain skeptical, however.

GME and AMC stock performance | Source: TradingView

While Gill's recent move has sparked a surge in GameStop and AMC shares, and other meme stocks including BlackBerry and Trump Media Technology Group have also seen their own share price rebounds, some analysts in the industry have expressed reservations about the sustainability of the rally.

“I don’t think they have enough firepower to keep the current rally going, and I don’t think the bears have the same level of conviction that Gabe Plotkin showed three years ago, so it’s likely that this run will eventually fade as the fundamentals continue to deteriorate,” said Michael Pachter of Wedbush.

Conclusion

In this meme stock rally led by Keith "Roaring Kitten" Gill, we have witnessed the close connection between social media influence and stock market volatility. Gill's comeback not only evoked investors' memories of meme stocks such as GameStop and AMC, but also once again highlighted the power of collective action by retail investors. However, the market's violent volatility and trading suspensions remind us that uncertainty and risk always exist in the stock market.

Analysts' skepticism also reminds investors that although stock prices may fluctuate in the short term due to market sentiment and speculation, in the long run, the company's fundamentals and industry trends are the key factors that support stock prices. Therefore, for investors in meme stocks, staying rational and paying attention to the company's long-term development potential and changes in the market environment is a more prudent investment strategy.

Ultimately, how this stock market boom triggered by social media will develop remains to be tested by the market and time. Investors should remain vigilant, carefully assess risks, and avoid blindly following the trend to achieve steady growth of assets. At the same time, regulators and market participants should also pay attention to the potential impact of social media on stock market fluctuations to ensure market fairness and transparency. #迷因股票 #RoaringKitty