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Market Analysis
Shares of Reddit and Trump Media Company Plummet as IPO Hype Dies Down
At the time of writing, Reddit shares were down 8.31% while DJT shares were down by over 26%.
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Shares of Reddit, Inc. (NYSE: RDDT) and Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. (NASDAQ: DJT) experienced significant declines on Monday, with both stocks falling victim to intense short-selling pressure. As of 1:20 PM EDT, Reddit’s stock price dropped by 8.31% to $45.22, while DJT plummeted by 26.67% to $45.44.
Reddit and Trump Media & Technology Group Shares Plummet
The steep losses come as short sellers have targeted these companies, expressing skepticism about their long-term prospects and current valuations. DJT, in particular, has become the most heavily shorted SPAC in the U.S., with a short interest of $168.6 million and 11.69% of its float sold short. Reddit has also drawn bearish bets, with at least 7.1% of its free share float being shorted.
Market analysts attribute the heavy short selling to various factors. For DJT, the limited availability of shares for shorting due to its SPAC status and high borrowing costs have made it an attractive target for short sellers.
Despite year-to-date mark-to-market losses of $158 million, bearish investors remain committed to their positions. Reddit’s stock, on the other hand, experienced a rapid decline of over 20% from its record high, which drew more short sellers looking to capitalize on its falling price.
Are Reddit and DJT Meme Stocks?
The meme stock phenomenon has also played a role in the trading activity surrounding these companies. DJT has been labeled a meme stock due to its rapid price increases, strong following among retail investors and association with former President Donald Trump.
Discussions on social media have revealed efforts by some investors to initiate a “Mother of All Short Squeezes” (MOASS) for DJT, further solidifying its meme stock status. While Reddit has not been explicitly labeled as a meme stock, its post-IPO volatility and heavy short-seller interest align with characteristics commonly associated with meme stocks.
Do you think either DJT or RDDT have a strong long-term outlook? Let us know in the comments below.
Disclaimer: The author does not hold or have a position in any securities discussed in the article.
Tim Fries
Tim Fries is the cofounder of The Tokenist. He has a B. Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Tim served as a Senior Associate on the investment team at RW Baird's US Private Equity division, and is also the co-founder of Protective Technologies Capital, an investment firm specializing in sensing, protection and control solutions.
