Roaring Kitty, the influential figure behind the meme stock phenomenon, returned to social media after a three-year absence on May 13, 2024. His posts on Reddit's Wallstreetbets ignited a surge in GameStop and AMC stocks at the opening bell. The return of Roaring Kitty brought back memories of the meme stock craze in 2021 when retail investors battled hedge funds over GameStop's stock, causing it to skyrocket.
Roaring Kitty gained notoriety for his posts on Wallstreetbets that fueled the short squeeze of GameStop and AMC stocks. The meme stock craze began in late 2020 when retail investors coordinated a buying spree in these stocks, catching short sellers off guard and causing massive gains. The buying surge continued into early 2021, with GameStop's stock price reaching an all-time high of $120.75 intraday before collapsing to a three-year low of $9.95.
GameStop was a struggling video game retailer in 2021 due to consumers switching from physical discs to digital downloads. Roaring Kitty and other investors saw potential value in the company, leading them to buy shares en masse and drive up the price. The short sellers, who had bet against GameStop's stock, faced unlimited losses unless they bought back their shares at inflated prices.
The meme stock craze also affected AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., which jumped 2,300% in 2021. Other meme stocks like Koss Co. and BlackBerry also saw significant gains during this period.
Roaring Kitty's return to social media on May 13, 2024, caused a renewed interest in these stocks, with GameStop's shares doubling at the opening bell and AMC leaping 23%. Shares of other meme stocks like Bed Bath & Beyond also saw gains.
Roaring Kitty's posts on Reddit sparked a battle between retail investors and hedge funds over GameStop's stock in 2021. The small investors, who were largely individual retail traders, won the battle for a time, driving up the price of GameStop and other meme stocks significantly.
The return of Roaring Kitty marks a potential turning point for these meme stocks. It remains to be seen whether this renewed interest will lead to sustained gains or another short-lived surge before collapsing once again.