The investor behind Opendoor's 190% run nearly shut down his fund

Core Viewpoint - Opendoor's stock has experienced significant volatility, with a recent surge attributed to hedge fund manager Eric Jackson's renewed interest and social media influence, despite the company's ongoing financial struggles and lack of fundamental improvements [2][3][4][13]. Company Overview - Opendoor proposed a reverse stock split to boost its share price, which had fallen below $1, potentially increasing the price by up to 50 times [1][13]. - The company has seen its stock price rise 189% in a week, closing at $2.25, marking its best weekly performance since going public [3]. - Opendoor's business model involves using technology to buy and sell homes, but it has faced challenges, including a significant drop in stock value from a peak of over $39 in February 2021 to $1.16 by the end of 2022 [6][7]. Financial Performance - Opendoor reported almost $370 million in losses over the past four quarters, with revenue and the number of homes sold declining in the first quarter compared to the previous year [13]. - Analysts project a more than 5% drop in revenue for the current year, followed by growth of 20% in 2026 and 12% in 2027 [15]. - Jackson's analysis anticipates $11.5 billion in revenue for 2029, significantly higher than current projections, with a forward price-to-sales ratio below 1 [16][18]. Market Position - With competitors like Zillow and Redfin exiting the instant-buying market, Opendoor faces reduced competition, allowing it to capitalize on homeowners looking to sell quickly for cash [17]. - Jackson believes that if Opendoor can achieve sustained profitability, its market valuation could increase significantly, potentially reaching $60 billion at a stock price of $82 [18]. Investor Sentiment - Jackson's influence on social media has been a key driver of Opendoor's recent stock performance, as he promotes the stock to his growing follower base [4][12]. - Despite the stock's recent rise, Jackson acknowledges the risks involved and the potential for further losses, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a good reputation in stock picking [19][20].