Do you want to get in on the hottest stock trades of 2022? With meme stocks surging across the investing world, it’s impossible to ignore the incredible market potential these stocks can provide.
Some traders have shifted away from traditional exchanges in recent years to trade meme stocks instead. But which meme stocks were the most popular in 2022?
From tech giants to fashion labels and fast-food companies, several meme stocks warrant attention. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most popular options from 2022 and what makes them so attractive. Let’s dive into the top meme stocks of 2022!
What is a Meme Stock?
Meme stocks are stocks that have become popular online due to their association with online memes or other viral trends. Retail investors heavily trade these stocks and use social media platforms like Reddit and Twitter to discuss them.
Meme stocks tend to be highly volatile, as they can experience large price swings based on the online community’s sentiment. As such, they can be a risky investment, but they can also offer huge potential rewards.
The Top 8 Meme Stocks of 2022
Below are some of the most popular meme stocks in 2022.
Gamestop Corp. (NYSE: GME)
- Market cap as of January 20, 2023: $5.79 billion
GameStop is an American video game retailer that went viral in late January 2021. The company’s stock price soared, suddenly making everyday people into millionaires overnight. This was due to a group of small investors on the Reddit group WallStreetBets (WSB) who had noticed that hedge funds had heavily short-sold the stock. They banded together and began buying large amounts of the stock, driving its price to extraordinary levels. It became known as “meme stock.”
Hedge funds invested in short positions on GameStop stock and lost billions when the stock rose, while individual investors made huge profits by selling their shares at peak prices.
GameStop’s stock surge drew attention to day trading and investing for individuals, enabled by new technologies which grant retail investors previously exclusive access to information and opportunities.
The meme stock sensation sparked debates about the regulation of financial markets. Investors were buying stocks like AMC Entertainment and Blackberry despite there being little reason for the stock prices to increase. Pump-and-dump trading is the term for this phenomenon.
AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMC)
- Market cap as of January 20, 2023: $2.83 billion
AMC Entertainment was one of the most popular meme stocks in 2022 due to its involvement in the “GameStop Saga.” In r/wallstreetbets, users share their gains on investments in GameStop and AMC in an ongoing debate about Wall Street, market manipulation, and financial literacy. Reddit stories have given these stocks a narrative that makes them more appealing to retail investors than institutional financing.
AMC is a highly volatile stock, making it attractive to traders looking for short-term gains. The company’s stock has increased rapidly, incentivizing investors to take advantage of market opportunities quickly. It also serves as a reminder that even seemingly unfavorable or uncertain situations can present opportunities if approached correctly.
Adam Aron, CEO of AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc., has attracted the attention of meme stock investors by introducing a unique marketing strategy specifically targeted at a group of retail investors called “Apes.” As a result, AMC Entertainment has increased in reputation among those retail investors.
The company exceeded the projection for earnings per share in Q2 of 2022, coming in at $0.03 higher than predicted. Additionally, the revenue for this period was up 162.29% compared to 2021, with a total of $1.17 billion.
Blackberry Ltd. (NYSE: BB)
- Market cap as of January 20, 2023: $2.40 billion
Blackberry Ltd. is the subject of an online phenomenon that has recently grown in popularity. The meme stocks, also known as WSB stocks, are those that day traders targeted on the WallStreetBets subreddit who seek to capitalize on short-term opportunities. Blackberry Ltd was one of the most heavily traded stocks as part of this phenomenon, and as such, it has become linked with WSB and meme stocks worldwide.
Furthermore, many believe that Blackberry’s presence in the meme stock market is partially due to its brand recognition. Its name still holds clout despite the company’s struggles over the past decade, making it appealing to investors like day traders looking for quick returns. In addition to its brand appeal, Blackberry offers attractive growth potential, given its focus on improving software and services for enterprise customers.
Because of its unique history surrounding products such as handheld devices and malware protection services, Blackberry often appears in current events, which helps keep it relevant in the public eye and encourages investor interest. As a result, investors have been keenly watching how this stock performs over time, and many have been eager to jump on board for potentially lucrative new opportunities.
Connected cars and mobile security are becoming increasingly important, with much growth in these areas still to come. According to Fortune Business Insights, the cybersecurity sector is predicted to have an annual growth rate of 13% until 2029. The connected car industry is expected to expand by 18% annually up to 2028. In addition, the Internet of Things (IoT) industry is expected to experience annual growth of over 26% until 2029.
This all shows how BlackBerry is well-positioned for success today!
Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA)
- Market cap as of January 20, 2023: $401.57 billion
Tesla, Inc. has become one of the most popular meme stocks in 2022 due to its wildly successful growth trajectory as an electric vehicle manufacturer and clean energy innovator. The company’s iconic CEO, Elon Musk, has an unconventional decision-making style, and an ability to defy conventional market forces that have made it a favorite among investors on social media platforms such as Reddit’s WallStreetBets forum.
The market is often driven by sentiment. Tesla has been able to capitalize on this by creating hype with announcements of upcoming products or technology breakthroughs (such as the announcement of its Cybertruck) that drive up the price of its stock.
Additionally, Tesla’s innovative use of technology, such as Autopilot, and focus on sustainability have attracted many investors who want both short-term profits and long-term gains from investing in the company, making it an especially attractive option for these individuals.
Lastly, meme stocks are usually heavily shorted, resulting in rapid gains when these investors are squeezed out — results which these investors can also expect from Tesla.
©Michael Vi/Shutterstock.com
Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY)
- Market cap as of January 20, 2023: $0.44 billion
Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc. became a popular meme stock due to its role in the short squeeze of GameStop in 2021. The stock is attractive to novice investors and risk-takers due to its high volatility and low share prices. As a result, many people bought into the stock hoping for big returns, and it has since seen a significant surge in trading volume.
Due to its involvement in rallying other stocks such as AMC, Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc. has become an attractive long-term investment opportunity for amateur traders. Other retail stocks, such as Nordstrom, have followed suit, giving investors further opportunities for potentially large returns.
In August 2022, Redditors from WallStreetBets caused Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.’s stock price to skyrocket by 67% after creating a buzz in their forum. Then, in October, Bloomberg reported that creditors were negotiating a debt swap between the company and bondholders that would involve trading notes due in 2024 for longer-dated securities.
Because of this potential agreement, Bed Bath & Beyond saw a 3.37% increase in premarket trading on October 12. This agreement could also help relieve debt pressures for the company.
Nokia Corporation (NYSE: NOK)
Nokia Corporation is one of the world’s largest and most iconic mobile device companies, with a legacy of industry-leading innovation and creativity. As such, the company has achieved cult status among some retail investors, making it one of the most popular meme stocks in 2022 on Reddit.
Nokia rose to global popularity in the early 2000s due to its innovative mobile technology, from software and hardware design to computer-inspired devices.
Nokia’s diversification into 5G technology attracts investors because of its potential financial benefits. This has cemented it as one of the top trending meme stocks.
The firm has also been lauded for its transparency within the investing community and its commitment to responsible production practices. Traditional market analysts laud the characteristics millennials and other socially conscious investors value over short-term benefits, such as long-term sustainability from their investments.
Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE)
- Market cap as of January 23, 2023: $1.42 billion
Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. is a popular meme stock because it has become associated with the WallStreetBets community on Reddit. This group of novice investors has become popular in recent years for buying stocks of companies they regard as “meme stocks.”
The general investing community is not familiar with many of these stocks. Virgin Galactic fits into this category as it’s a space tourism company that has only been public for three years.
Richard Branson’s company competes against Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Soon, Virgin Galactic intends to offer space tourism voyages with tickets costing $250,000 each, alongside their existing science research flights.
Palantir Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: PLTR)
- Market cap as of January 23, 2023: $14.60 billion
The retail investor movement is where individual traders use online platforms to buy stocks they think are undervalued or misunderstood. Palantir Technologies, Inc. is often seen as a representative of this movement.
Palantir has become the poster child of this trend due to its involvement in various controversial initiatives. These include providing technical support for U.S. immigration authorities and fueling speculation and excitement among people who believe that Palantir’s stock is undervalued. This makes it more attractive to investors.
Some investors see Palantir as a potential growth stock due to its broad customer base, which includes governments, businesses, and non-profit organizations. Furthermore, the company has experienced strong revenue growth over recent years.
CEO Alex Karp’s outspoken remarks on various topics have helped foster a growing community of retail speculators passionate about investing in Palantir’s stock.
Wrapping Up
These are just a few of the most popular meme stocks in 2022. With so many options available, it’s important to research and find the stock that best suits your investment goals. Whether you’re looking for short-term gains or long-term growth, there’s sure to be a meme stock that fits the bill.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Spyro the Dragon/Shutterstock.com.
