Why Beyond Meat shares have surged 1,000% in four days

Core Insights - Beyond Meat's shares have surged approximately 1,000% over four days, marking a significant rally for a company that has struggled since its stock market debut six years ago [3][4]. Company Performance - Beyond Meat has faced sluggish sales and has not posted a quarterly profit in over five years, as consumer interest in its meat alternatives has waned [4]. - The company's stock price remains significantly below its all-time high of over $230 in 2019, trading just above $4 recently [7]. Market Dynamics - The recent surge in Beyond Meat's stock has been fueled by online enthusiasm among retail investors, drawing comparisons to other meme stocks like GameStop and AMC [4]. - The addition of Beyond Meat to Roundhill Investments' meme stock ETF has contributed to a short squeeze, forcing investors who bet against the company to buy shares to cover their losses [5]. Strategic Developments - A distribution deal with Walmart has been announced, which is seen as a potential catalyst for improving demand and increasing product availability [5][6]. - Despite the positive impact of the Walmart deal, there are concerns that it does not resolve all of the company's underlying issues [6]. Market Sentiment - The surge in Beyond Meat's stock occurs amid broader concerns about an overvalued stock market and potential bubbles in sectors like artificial intelligence [8]. - The Securities and Exchange Commission has raised alarms about possible market manipulation related to meme stocks, highlighting risks for everyday investors [9].