GameStop Up 23% YTD on Short-Squeeze Speculation and Cohen Buyout Buzz
GameStop shares have surged 23% year-to-date in 2026, outperforming meme peers as short-squeeze speculation and buyout chatter around CEO Ryan Cohen’s potential acquisition target drive bullish sentiment. Opendoor shares are down 17% YTD, SoundHound AI has lost 21%, and AMC has plunged 29% over the same period.
1. Year-to-Date Outperformance
GameStop shares have risen 23% year-to-date in 2026, trading near $24.64 after closing at $20.08 at the end of 2025, while Opendoor shares have fallen 17%, SoundHound AI is down 21% and AMC has plunged 29%. This performance sets GameStop apart in the meme-stock sector.
2. Buyout Speculation and Sentiment
Renewed short-squeeze speculation and chatter around CEO Ryan Cohen’s potential acquisition of a publicly traded consumer company—widely linked to eBay—have fueled bullish retail sentiment, pushing the composite sentiment score above 57. Cohen’s compensation plan, which could be worth up to $35 billion if milestones are met, underscores ambitious growth targets.
3. Strategic Transformation Outlook
Beyond meme dynamics, GameStop is executing a strategic transformation by closing underperforming stores, investing in Bitcoin and shifting focus toward collectibles and digital gaming. With $8.8 billion in cash and securities at the end of Q3 FY2025 and net income of $77.1 million, the company has a substantial war chest to support potential deals and long-term growth.