Kohl’s, Opendoor Surge as Meme Stock Mania Spreads

In 2025, Kohl's and Opendoor Technologies have emerged as the latest meme stocks, gaining significant popularity and surging stock prices primarily driven by social media chatter rather than fundamental financial performance. Kohl's stock nearly doubled overnight, fueled by activity on platforms like Reddit's Wall Street Bets, despite the company's ongoing struggles including CEO turnover and weak sales amid competition and higher costs from President Donald Trump's tariffs. Kohl's has a substantial short interest, with nearly 50% of its stock shorted, which has attracted retail traders aiming to trigger a short squeeze. Meanwhile, Opendoor Technologies has experienced an even more dramatic rise, with its stock increasing about 500% over the past month, despite the company continuing to report losses and negative operating results. Both stocks reflect a renewed meme stock mania reminiscent of the 2021 surge involving companies like GameStop and AMC, where retail investors drive prices up via social media enthusiasm, often creating volatile market conditions. Analysts caution that while these surges provide quick gains, the prices can drop sharply, underscoring the risks inherent in meme stock investing.