GameStop, MicroStrategy, and Coinbase stocks among top performers today

US Stock Market Rebounds, GameStop Surges

The US stock market is experiencing a revival after a period of intense sell-off, thanks to the intervention of the Federal Reserve. GameStop (GME) has risen by over 4% today, extending its winning streak to four consecutive days.

This recent surge follows a Christmas post by retail investor icon Keith Gill, also known as "Roaring Kitty," which ignited a rally in the stock and continued its volatile run in 2024.

GameStop, a video game retailer, has witnessed a remarkable 77% increase this year, making it one of the most watched stocks in the market. This surge has captured the attention of traders and further fueled the already-hot market.

Crypto-Linked Stocks Decline

In contrast to the overall market recovery, crypto-linked stocks have not shared the same fortune. MicroStrategy, Coinbase, and Riot Platforms all witnessed a decline as Bitcoin experienced a sharp drop. MicroStrategy, often regarded as a Bitcoin proxy, fell by approximately 3%, Coinbase by 2%, and Riot Platforms by more than 2%. Bitcoin itself had depreciated by 3% at the time of writing.

MicroStrategy Buoys Bitcoin

MicroStrategy has recently made a significant investment of $561 million to expand its Bitcoin holdings. This purchase marks seven consecutive weeks of non-stop purchases, with the latest acquisition made at an average price close to Bitcoin's record highs last week. The company has announced plans to issue additional shares to further increase its Bitcoin accumulation.

Bitcoin's Dominance Wanes

Despite the recent dip, Bitcoin has posted a substantial 135% gain this year, far surpassing the returns on gold and global stocks. However, analysts caution against complacency, as traders anticipate significant volatility due to the looming expiration of massive Bitcoin and Ether derivatives contracts.

Broader Market Correction

The broader crypto market has not been spared the recent correction, with tokens like Ether, Solana, and Dogecoin experiencing declines of around 3%. As Bitcoin slid, stock futures followed suit, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures losing 150 points, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures both dropping by 0.3%. Markets were closed on Wednesday for Christmas, but Thursday morning trading indicated a waning of the holiday cheer.

Santa Claus Rally Fizzles

The Santa Claus rally, a period typically associated with market optimism, has lost some momentum. The S&P 500 has climbed by 1.8% this week, while the Nasdaq has surged by 2.3%, lifted by major tech players such as Tesla, Apple, and Alphabet.

However, the Dow has managed a meager 1% gain. For perspective, the S&P 500 typically averages a 1.3% return during this end-of-year period, significantly higher than its usual weekly gain of 0.3%.

Labor Market Tightens

Jobless claims have added some tension to the holiday trading buzz. Claims for the week ending December 21 totaled 219,000, below the 225,000 estimate. However, continuing claims, which represent individuals applying for benefits week after week, reached 1.91 million, the highest number since November 2021.

Overall, the S&P 500 is holding onto a marginal 0.1% gain for December. The Nasdaq has performed better, gaining 4.2% for the month, while the Dow is down 3.6%, on track for its worst monthly performance since April.

If the Dow can maintain its gains, it could end its three-week losing streak, its longest since March. The overall market sentiment can be summarized in one word: uneasy.