Gamestop stock news: Robinhood boss defends trading halt as investors set to get access back
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Video game retailer GameStop’s stock price has been on a rollercoaster this week due to the actions of users on the WallStreetBets subreddit and the subsequent blocking of their ability to buy stock by several online brokerages.
The Reddit users pushed the stock up from $20 on 11 January to a high of $146.97. At its peak on Thursday morning, the stock was valued at 468.49. Other stocks with a similar profile to GameStop - firms that have struggled in the pandemic - have also soared in value including Bed, Bath & Beyond, AMC, and Nokia.
The decision by online brokerage Robinhood and others to stop the purchase of a number of stocks by amateur investors led to a sharp backlash online and a demand for an investigation by both market commentators and lawmakers.
After the morning surge in value in pre-market trading, stock in GameStop dropped sharply as markets opened on Thursday, before climbing again. By lunchtime it was down 32 per cent, eventually closing down 44 per cent wiping out almost $11bn in market value.
However, Robinhood announced it will allow limited purchasing of the restricted stocks on Friday causing a bump in the value of shares after the closing bell.
Was this Wall Street’s equivalent of a populist uprising as some are saying or were other forces at work? Elizabeth Warren questioned the David vs Goliath narrative in her calls for more regulation and a sharper toothed SEC.
Both the House and the Senate will now hold hearings into what transpired.
Follow all the latest in our rolling coverage.
- GameStop shares surge 40% before dropping sharply as Reddit-fuelled rollercoaster continues
- GameStop: Reddit users claim victory as $13bn hedge fund closes position, accepting huge losses
- ‘You stand for everything I hate’: Reddit WallStreetBets posts open letter to Wall Street Hedge Funds
- How the internet is reacting to GameStop, Reddit and Wall Street debacle
- GameStop: How a fight between Reddit users and Wall Street saw video game company’s stock increase tenfold
Explainer: How the fight between Reddit users and Wall Street unfolded
Video game retailer GameStop’s stock price increased dramatically due to the actions of users on the WallStreetBets subreddit. After online brokerages halted purchases of the stock the price has begun to plummet. Amateur traders are crying foul.
How GameStop’s stock grew tenfold from a fight between Reddit users and Wall Street bankers
The subreddit r/WallStreetBets pushed the retail company’s stock so that ‘everybody was making money’
AOC: ‘This is unacceptable’
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez demands more information on Robinhood’s decision to block amateur investors from buying stock when Wall Street can continue to do so.
Trevor Noah provides his own GameStop explainer
With a little help from Margot Robbie.
Trevor Noah has fans in hysterics with Margot Robbie GameStop explainer
Comedian parodied scene from The Big Short, in which Robbie explains complex financial terms
More unexpected allies
Trumpism and the Progressive Left find a common cause.
Yes, the creator of ‘Billions’ knows this would make a good episode
The creator of Showtime's Billions would like the world to know that yes, he is aware of the GameStop short selling war, and yes, he's aware you think it would make a great episode of television.
Maybe time to ease off on the tweets, everyone?
Fed-up creator of Billions bombarded by fans all pitching the same GameStop plot idea
The show’s creator spent two days fielding the same pitch
Meme break: GameStop edition
The Independent’s Chelsea Ritschel rounds up some of the choicest memes about the GameStop saga. Enjoy.
The best GameStop memes after Redditors inflated company’s value
GameStop saga has led to countless memes about the stock market, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Redditors
AOC calls for Congressional probe into Robinhood purchase ban
AOC demands probe after Robinhood app banned GameStop purchases
The app banned users from purchasing the stock, prompting a mass sell-off. The stock has since rebounded.
AOC happy to work with GOP on Robinhood probe
But definitely not with Ted Cruz.
GameStop staff on minimum wage hit out at Reddit stock war
GameStop shares may be rising but many employees feel they won’t benefit, Olga Kharif reports.
GameStop staff on minimum wage hit out at Reddit stock war
GameStop shares may be rising but many employees feel they won’t benefit
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