Top meme stocks to watch in 2026
Meme stocks can surge massively overnight and crash just as fast. From Reddit-fuelled rallies to short squeezes and TikTok trends, meme stocks continue to mesmerise traders and investors alike. Below are some things we think you should take note of before taking on these stocks.
Important to know
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment or trading advice. Please ensure you understand the risks and consider your individual circumstances before trading.
Key takeaways
Meme stocks are driven by social media hype and retail trader enthusiasm
Trading meme stocks can offer opportunities for short-term profits
They also come with high volatility and significant risks, requiring careful risk management
What are meme stocks?
Meme stocks are shares that gain rapid popularity on social media platforms like Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, or Discord - usually driven more by online hype than by fundamentals.
These stocks often become trending topics due to:
- Retail traders piling in to drive up prices
- Viral memes, videos or influencer shoutouts
- Strong communities like WallStreetBets coordinating trades
The most famous examples include GameStop (GME) and AMC Entertainment (AMC), but in 2025, new meme stocks continue to pop up across tech, AI, and even biotech.
Why do meme stocks move so rapidly?
Meme stocks are known for their massive spikes and equally sharp drops. A few key reasons:
1. High short interest
When a stock is heavily shorted and starts rising, short sellers may rush to cover their positions - triggering a short squeeze. This creates sudden buying pressure and pushes prices even higher.
2. Low float
Meme stocks often have a low number of shares available to trade, so even small surges in demand can cause large price swings.
3. Herd behaviour
FOMO (fear of missing out), hype cycles and viral content can create self-reinforcing price rallies, often detached from company performance.
Did you know?
The meme stock phenomenon started when Reddit's WallStreetBets community coordinated a mass buying of GameStop shares in January 2021, after discovering that the stock had been heavily shorted by hedge funds. This then created a short squeeze that sent the stock soaring by over 2,300%!
What makes a stock go viral?
There's no guaranteed formula, but meme stocks often share these traits:
- A compelling story: Turnaround potential, disruption, or simply a David vs Goliath narrative (eg: retail vs hedge funds)
- Social media buzz: Trending hashtags, TikTok breakdowns or Reddit threads
- Cult-like investor base: Online communities that view the stock as a movement or inside joke
- Cheap share price: Traders love “cheap” stocks under $10, even if the market cap is high
Risks of trading and investing in meme stocks
While meme stocks can offer explosive opportunities, they come with significant risk, especially for inexperienced traders.
1. Volatility
Meme stocks can swing 30–50%+ in a single day, sometimes with no news at all.
2. Liquidity traps
Fast in, slow out - thin order books or halted trading can make it hard to exit at a good price.
3. Hype over fundamentals
Many meme stocks are unprofitable or struggling companies. Prices often disconnect from earnings or growth potential.
4. Emotional trading
Online communities can drive herd behaviour and encourage risky trades. It’s easy to get swept up in the crowd and abandon your strategy.
Quick fact
Use guaranteed-stop loss orders to minimise your risk.
Top 5 meme stocks to watch
Company
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52-week low share price*
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52-week high share price*
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Short interest*
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Available for CFD trading with IG?
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Available for investing with IG Markets Singapore app?
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US$19.93
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US$35.81
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~16%
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✅
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✅
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US$2.05
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US$4.47
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~10%
|
✅
|
✅
|
|
US$25.71
|
US$66.44
|
~17%
|
✅
|
✅
|
|
US$166.01
|
US$457.22
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~12%
|
✅
|
✅
|
|
US$6.19
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US$23.94
|
~14%
|
✅
|
✅
|
*As of 12 December 2025
1. GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME)
Industry: Specialty retail (video games)
Market cap: US$7.0 billion
About the company: GameStop is a specialty video game retailer with a global footprint, offering physical and digital games, collectibles, and accessories.
Technical indicators: GME shares surged to US$38.75 in mid‑2025 before correcting. Short interest stood at around 16% in early December 2025. Trading volumes spiked around earnings, with options activity concentrated near US$25 to US$30 strike levels.
Financial performance: GameStop reported Q3 FY2025 net sales of US$821 million, down by 4.6% year‑over‑year (YoY). Net income (profit) was US$77.1 million, compared with US$17.4 million in Q3 FY2024. Adjusted earning per share (EPS) was US$0.24 for the 13-week period, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of US$0.20 per share.
Risk assessment: Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter has argued that GameStop’s valuation remains driven largely by speculation rather than fundamentals, describing it as reliant on a ‘greater fools’ dynamic and noting the lack of a clear turnaround strategy for its core video game business in a June 2025 note highlighted by CNBC.
2. AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMC)
Industry: Entertainment (movie theaters)
Market cap: US$1.3 billion
About the company: AMC Entertainment is the largest US theatre chain, operating premium formats and subscription services.
Technical indicators: AMC shares rallied to a high of US$4.47 in July 2025 before retracing. Short interest was ~10% in December 2025. Volatility, a hallmark of the stock, continues to coincide with blockbuster release schedules and meme trading cycles.
Financial performance: AMC reported third-quarter (Q3) 2025 revenue of US$1.30 billion, down 3.6% YoY and beating analyst estimates of US$1.23 billion. Net loss widened 278% to US$298.2 million, compared with US$20.7 million in Q3 2024. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 39.6% YoY.
Risk assessment: A MarketWatch report via Morningstar noted that AMC’s 2025 debt‑for‑equity exchanges help push out maturities but significantly dilute existing shareholders, with the company still carrying a ‘sizeable debt load’ despite the latest restructuring.
3. Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMCI)
Industry: AI servers and data center hardware
Market cap: US$46.0 billion
About the company: Super Micro Computer designs and manufactures high‑performance servers and storage systems, closely aligned with AI and cloud infrastructure demand.
Technical indicators: SMCI shares hit a 52‑week high of US$66.44 in July 2025. Short interest was ~17% in early December 2025. Options implied volatility remains elevated around earnings.
Financial performance: Super Micro reported Q1 FY2026 net sales of US$5.0 billion, significantly below analyst expectations of US$6.46 billion, according to LSEG consensus cited by CNBC. Net income was US$168 million, compared with US$424 million in Q1 FY2025. Adjusted diluted EPS was US$0.35, missing analysts’ estimates of US$0.46.
Risk assessment: An AInvest commentary on Super Micro’s ‘financial control woes’ flagged concerns around the company’s internal controls and governance, arguing that these issues represent a ‘critical risk for AI‑server optimists’ who are pricing in sustained hyper‑growth without disruption.
4. MicroStrategy Incorporated (NASDAQ: MSTR)
Industry: Enterprise analytics; Bitcoin treasury strategy
Market cap: US$22.0 billion
About the company: MicroStrategy provides enterprise analytics software and is notable for its Bitcoin‑focused treasury strategy.
Technical indicators: MSTR shares rallied alongside Bitcoin, reaching a 52-week high of US$457.22 in July 2025. Short interest was around 12% on 12 December 2025. The stock historically trades with high correlation to BTC price moves.
Financial performance: MicroStrategy reported Q3 2025 revenue of US$128.7 million, up 10.9% year‑over‑year, and above analyst expectations of US$116.9 million. The company posted adjusted diluted EPS of US$8.42, which fell significantly short of the analyst consensus estimate of US$31.27 (a miss of US$22.85). MicroStrategy ended the quarter with 640,808 BTC, up from 524,253 BTC in the prior quarter.
Risk assessment: A December 2025 Yahoo Finance piece summarising TD Cowen’s stance noted that analysts had become more cautious on MicroStrategy (now rebranded as “Strategy”), citing ‘ongoing volatility and shareholder dilution’ linked to its capital raises and leveraged Bitcoin exposure.
5. Riot Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIOT)
Industry: Bitcoin mining and data center infrastructure
Market cap: US$5.8 billion
About the company: Riot Platforms operates large‑scale Bitcoin mining facilities and is expanding into data center infrastructure.
Technical indicators: RIOT shares peaked at US$23.94 in October 2025 before correcting. Short interest was around 14% in early December 2025. Trading activity trends closely with Bitcoin price movements.
Financial performance: Riot Platforms reported Q3 2025 revenue of US$180.2 million, above analyst expectations of US$169.24 million. The company posted diluted EPS of US$0.26, outperforming the consensus estimate of ‑US$0.16. Riot’s official release confirmed net income (profit) of US$104.5 million and adjusted EBITDA of US$197.2 million for the quarter.
Risk assessment: An AInvest review of Riot’s September 2025 production results highlighted that rising energy costs — estimated at 60–80% of operating expenses — pose a significant margin risk despite higher hash rate and improved fleet efficiency, particularly as power credits declined sharply and competitors secure cheaper subsidised power and alternative financing structures.
How to trade and invest in meme stocks with IG Singapore
CFD share trading
- Create a live or demo account
- Find an opportunity among one of our 10,000+ stocks with our stock screener
- Click ‘buy’ to go long or ‘sell’ to short
- Set your position size
- Take steps to manage your risk
- Open and monitor your position
Investing
- Open an account via IG Markets Singapore app
- Search for meme stocks on the app
- Choose the shares you want to buy
- Determine how many shares you want to purchase
- Place your order
- Monitor your investment and collect any dividends
FAQs about meme stocks
What are some common meme stocks?
GameStop (GME), AMC Entertainment (AMC), BlackBerry (BB), and Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) were some of the original meme stocks. In 2025, new names often trend based on social media buzz.
Can I short meme stocks with IG?
Yes, with CFDs you can speculate on meme stocks falling in price. Just keep in mind that shorting is high risk, especially during a short squeeze.
Are meme stocks safe to trade?
Meme stocks are extremely volatile and not considered safe for long-term investing. However, short-term traders may find opportunities using proper risk management.
Do meme stocks only exist in the US?
Most meme stocks are listed on US exchanges like the NYSE or NASDAQ, but meme-like activity has appeared in markets globally, including in Hong Kong and Europe
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