출처: Block Media
GoPro and Krispy Kreme Stocks Soar Amid Retail Trading Frenzy: A Potential "GameStop 2.0"?
Shares of GoPro and Krispy Kreme witnessed extraordinary intraday volatility, fueling speculation about the possibility of a new retail trading upheaval akin to the infamous "GameStop 2.0" scenario. Both stocks became the latest focal point of heated discussions on Reddit’s WallStreetBets forum, reigniting memories of the 2021 retail trading saga that rattled Wall Street.
On October 23, GoPro's stock jumped 12.41%, closing at $1.54 per share on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Earlier in the day, GoPro’s shares skyrocketed by a staggering 73% during early trading—a meteoric rise from its earlier position firmly below $1, classifying it as a "penny stock." However, intense price oscillations throughout the session led to most of those early gains being erased.
Similarly, Krispy Kreme (ticker symbol: DNUT) mirrored this frenetic activity. The company’s stock surged by 39% during the initial hours of trading before losing steam. Despite this pullback, the donut giant still managed to end the day 4.6% higher, closing at $4.32 per share.
WallStreetBets and the Power of Retail Traders
The major driver behind this turbulence appears to be WallStreetBets, the high-risk, stock-centric Reddit community that has gained notoriety for its ability to mobilize retail traders en masse. Both GoPro and Krispy Kreme became trending topics within the forum, with some posts sparking widespread interest. One viral comment coined the phrase “YOLO DNUT”, cleverly merging the popular high-risk trading acronym “YOLO” (you only live once) with Krispy Kreme's stock ticker, DNUT.
This scenario drew comparisons to the 2021 GameStop phenomenon, where WallStreetBets members banded together to target heavily shorted stocks. Their coordinated efforts triggered massive price surges, overwhelming institutional short-sellers and causing significant hedge fund losses. The GameStop saga also launched a nationwide conversation about retail investors, market manipulation, and the need for tighter regulatory oversight.
Now, with fresh chatter surrounding GoPro and Krispy Kreme, analysts are yet again scrutinizing the turbulent role of retail traders as they revel in speculative plays.
Short Interest Drives Market Speculation
Adding fuel to the fire, both stocks displayed notable levels of short interest, according to data compiled by FactSet. Approximately 28% of Krispy Kreme’s trades involved short positions, while 10% of GoPro’s activity was linked to short-selling. This high degree of bearish bets by institutional investors appears to have caught the attention of retail traders, sparking a potential attempt at short squeezes that could amplify price swings.
The heavy short interest is a hallmark similarity to the original GameStop episode, where shorted stocks became prime targets for retail traders. In addition to orchestrating short squeezes, the speculative fervor among Reddit users has added to the stocks’ rapid swings, making them a focal point for both retail investors and concerned institutional traders.
Wider Implications for Market Stability
The sudden, Reddit-fueled trading frenzy around GoPro and Krispy Kreme is the latest reminder of how quickly retail investors can disrupt financial markets. As seen during the GameStop saga, these retail-driven movements pose unique challenges for both institutional investors and regulatory entities by exposing cracks in traditional market structures.
Regulators and analysts are closely monitoring these developments to assess whether the growing influence of forums like WallStreetBets destabilizes markets or, alternatively, democratizes trading by challenging institutional dominance. Speculative trading and short squeezes raise important questions about market fairness and potential vulnerabilities within the system.
As the situation evolves, the financial world remains on high alert, with one key question looming: Could this be the beginning of a new era of retail-driven volatility, or will it simply be another fleeting chapter of speculative excess?
