Money

Market Movers: Consumer Discretionary Stocks Surge and Decline Intraday

On Thursday, the consumer discretionary sector witnessed significant fluctuations, with several stocks demonstrating substantial intraday gains while others experienced sharp declines. This dynamic activity reflects varied investor responses to recent corporate developments, including the release of third-quarter earnings reports from some of the featured companies. The diverse movements underscore the inherent volatility and opportunities present within this segment of the market.

Among the top performers, Playboy Inc. (NASDAQ:PLBY) saw its stock price climb by 28.7%, reaching $1.75 during regular trading hours. This surge occurred after the company released its Q3 earnings report yesterday, with its market capitalization currently standing at $146.2 million. Similarly, Dillard's Inc. (NYSE:DDS) shares appreciated by 19.76%, closing at $725.71. The retail giant's market value is now approximately $9.4 billion, following its Q3 earnings announcement today.

Bragg Gaming Group Inc. (NASDAQ:BRAG) also experienced a notable increase, with its stock rising by 19.51% to $2.47. The company, which has a market capitalization of $52.6 million, had also disclosed its third-quarter financial results earlier today. Torrid Holdings Inc. (NYSE:CURV) recorded an 17.82% increase in its share price, reaching $1.35, pushing its market value to $114.0 million. Lulus Fashion Lounge Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LVLU) saw its stock jump by 16.97% to $5.72, bringing its market capitalization to $13.4 million, following its Q3 earnings release yesterday.

Greenlane Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:GNLN) shares also advanced by 11.94%, trading at $3.00, with a market cap of $12.6 million. These positive movements suggest a favorable market reaction to these companies' recent performance or other positive news influencing investor sentiment.

Conversely, several consumer discretionary stocks faced considerable downward pressure. Kaixin Holdings (NASDAQ:KXIN) witnessed a sharp decline of 64.1%, with its shares falling to $0.43 and its market capitalization at $32.9 million. PetMed Express Inc. (NASDAQ:PETS) shares decreased by 32.93%, trading at $1.95, resulting in a market value of $60.9 million. ECD Automotive Design Inc. (NASDAQ:ECDA) stock plummeted by 30.51% to $0.64, with its market cap reduced to $1.3 million.

Newton Golf Co Inc. (NASDAQ:NWTG) shares dropped by 23.15% to $1.03, impacting its market value to $6.1 million, as the company's Q3 earnings were released today. Classover Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:KIDZ) shares also declined by 21.83% to $0.48, with its market capitalization standing at $15.2 million. Lastly, KinderCare Learning Companies Inc. (NYSE:KLC) saw its stock fall by 18.81% to $4.06, with a market value of $590.6 million, after reporting its Q3 earnings yesterday. These declines indicate potential concerns among investors regarding these companies' financial health or future prospects.

The intraday trading session presented a mixed bag for consumer discretionary companies, showcasing both significant growth opportunities and substantial risks. Investor sentiment, driven by recent earnings reports and broader economic factors, played a crucial role in determining the daily trajectories of these stocks. This highlights the dynamic nature of the market, where rapid shifts can occur based on company-specific news and overall sector performance.

Palantir CEO Questions AI Investment Value, Warns of Bubble Risks

Palantir's chief executive, Alex Karp, has expressed reservations regarding the extensive capital being poured into artificial intelligence, cautioning that a significant portion of these investments might not generate adequate returns to offset their considerable expenditures. This perspective emerges as the technology sector grapples with escalating AI spending and investor concerns about the long-term viability of these ventures.

Palantir's CEO Highlights Disparity in AI Market Value

Speaking at the prestigious Yahoo Finance's Invest event on November 13, 2025, Palantir CEO Alex Karp articulated a critical distinction within the burgeoning artificial intelligence landscape. Karp emphasized that the AI market essentially comprises two primary segments. One segment involves the strategic deployment of AI to achieve tangible, quantifiable improvements in areas such as revenue generation, profit margins, or even in critical applications like battlefield effectiveness. These are the instances where AI demonstrates a clear, measurable impact and provides significant value. In contrast, Karp pointed out a second, larger segment of the AI market focused on less sophisticated applications. He suggested that while these applications may utilize AI, they often fail to deliver substantial enough value to warrant the immense costs associated with developing and implementing large language models and other advanced AI technologies. This critical evaluation from the leader of Palantir, a company deeply involved in AI solutions for both commercial enterprises and governmental bodies, underscores a growing debate about the sustainability and genuine economic returns of current AI investment trends.

Karp's candid remarks arrive amidst a period of heightened investor scrutiny and unease regarding a potential 'AI bubble.' Despite the tech sector witnessing unprecedented growth and soaring stock valuations, particularly for companies heavily invested in AI, there is a palpable sense of apprehension. Influential figures in the financial world, including renowned short sellers Jim Chanos and Michael Burry, alongside prominent CEOs such as Jamie Dimon and Jeff Bezos, have openly cautioned that the market might be entering a bubble territory, implying that asset prices are inflated and a market correction could be imminent. Palantir itself, represented by the ticker PLTR, has experienced a remarkable surge in its stock value, climbing 141% in 2025. However, this impressive performance was recently tempered by investor concerns about the company's valuation following its latest earnings report. Karp further elaborated that while Palantir aims to lead the charge in delivering substantial AI value to both private and public sectors, he perceives the consumer-facing AI market as inherently 'weak and dissipating,' suggesting that its foundational value proposition is less robust.

The insights shared by Alex Karp serve as a potent reminder that innovation, however transformative, must ultimately align with economic realities. His differentiation between impactful AI applications and those that may be overvalued underscores the need for discerning investment and strategic development in the rapidly evolving AI sector. This perspective encourages stakeholders to critically assess the genuine utility and return on investment of AI technologies, rather than being swept away by the prevailing market enthusiasm. For investors, this message highlights the importance of rigorous due diligence and a focus on companies that can demonstrate concrete, measurable benefits from their AI endeavors. For developers and businesses, it's a call to concentrate on building AI solutions that solve real-world problems and drive significant value, moving beyond speculative ventures. Ultimately, Karp's warning is a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about the future trajectory of AI, urging a balanced approach that champions both innovation and sustainable economic impact.

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Bitcoin's Future: Outpacing Gold within a Decade, Says MicroStrategy's Michael Saylor

Michael Saylor, the visionary leader behind MicroStrategy, a firm renowned for its significant Bitcoin reserves, firmly asserts that Bitcoin is poised to eclipse gold in market value within the next decade.

Saylor's optimistic forecast comes despite Bitcoin's recent market performance, where it has lagged behind both gold and major stock indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite. He highlights Bitcoin's predetermined scarcity, with 99% of its total supply expected to be mined by 2035, as a key factor underpinning its long-term growth. MicroStrategy, under Saylor's guidance, has strategically transitioned into a unique investment vehicle, continuously expanding its Bitcoin holdings through various financial maneuvers, including debt and equity offerings, and now possesses approximately 3% of the total Bitcoin supply.

Saylor remains undeterred by short-term market corrections, viewing current negative sentiment as an opportune moment for discerning investors. His unwavering confidence is rooted in the belief that the intrinsic value and fundamental strength of the cryptocurrency sector have significantly improved, positioning Bitcoin for substantial future appreciation and ultimately surpassing gold as a store of value.

In a rapidly evolving financial landscape, embracing innovation and challenging conventional wisdom often paves the way for groundbreaking achievements. Saylor's bold prediction serves as a testament to the power of conviction and the pursuit of new frontiers in investment, encouraging a forward-thinking perspective on emerging asset classes.

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