Stocks Explode Post-Election
Whether you agree with President-elect Donald Trump’s economic policies or not, one thing is certain: the conclusion of the 2024 U.S. presidential election on Wall Street has unleashed the “animal spirits.” To be fair, stocks have been on a tear since the bear market lows of 2022, boosted by a falling inflation rate, AI/data center spending, and a dovish federal reserve board. That said, whether it was because of more business-friendly policy expectations, less uncertainty, or a combination of both, the recent election threw gas on the fire.
Unleashing the Animal Spirits
You don’t have to look far to notice that the animal spirits are alive and well on Wall Street. Bitcoin and bitcoin proxies like MicroStrategy (MSTR) have gone on rampages higher. In fact, Bitcoin has flipped silver from a market cap perspective. Meanwhile,Tesla (TSLA) just capped its biggest 5-day rally in four years, the lagging ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) soared 16% in a week, and small caps have clawed their way back to all-time highs after a multi-year drought. Presently, the market is in risk-on mode, and risk-takers are being rewarded handsomely. Below are 2 “spec” meme stocks to consider:
BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed (BZFD) is a left-leaning media organization recognized for crafting engaging content that often goes viral. The media platform combines pop culture trends and current events infused with humor and casual conversation styles that resonate with a younger demographic. BuzzFeed also delves into journalism, news coverage, and video content creation.
Vivek Takes a BuzzFeed Stake
BZFD has struggled since 2021, falling from nearly $60 to under a dollar at one point. However, former Republican presidential nominee, entrepreneur, and future Trump administration cabinet member Vivek Ramaswamy has injected life into the company by taking ~9% stake. In a letter to the BZFD board, Ramaswamy said, “BuzzFeed has lost its way. I own your stock because I believe BuzzFeed can still become a more valuable company than at its initial listing, but this requires a major shift in strategy.”
If anyone can turn around BZFD, it’s Ramaswamy. “Old media”, particularly left-wing media, has been losing viewership, with the latest evidence being Comcast (CMCSA) putting MSNBC up for sale. If Ramaswamy can inject some balance into it, it may have a positive impact. Ramaswamy is a best-selling author with strong connections to “new media” juggernauts like Tucker Carlson.
BZFD Breakout
After coiling for several weeks, BZFD shares are breaking out.
Image Source: TradingView
GameStop
GameStop (GME) is the leading video game retailer, offering the best selection of new and pre-owned video gaming consoles, accessories, and video game titles, in both physical and digital formats.
GME: The Original Meme Stock
Though GameStop is known for being a video game retailer, on Wall Street, its claim to fame is being the king of the meme stocks and speculation. GME has rewarded investors with several short squeezes in its history, most notably the 1600% one-month gain in early 2021. While many investors may scoff at GME’s fundamentals, the meme mania has real-world benefits on the company.
GameStop’s Massive Cash Hoard
Normally, when a stock becomes a meme stock, it has no net benefit when it eventually crashes down. However, GME’s management team has been savvy and sold millions of shares worth of the stock the last few times it spiked. Now, GME has a massive cash hoard.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The company’s massive cash position gives GME the flexibility to invest back into its business, expand into other businesses, pay a special dividend, etc.
Bottom Line
The U.S. election set off the animal spirits on Wall Street. With meme stocks in vogue, GME and BZFD are two stocks with bullish catalysts worth considering.
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ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK): ETF Research Reports
BuzzFeed, Inc. (BZFD) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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