Hot-Money Retail Traders Turn Momentum Chasers Into Bagholders

Market Dynamics - A significant rally in shares of Beyond Meat Inc. saw an increase of over 1,000%, followed by a rapid decline in gains [1] - Retail traders are becoming a dominant force in the market, often driving prices up by buying dips but also causing volatility when chasing trends [2] Retail Trading Trends - The average daily trading volume of US-listed stocks has reached nearly 12 billion shares since the introduction of free trading in 2019, which is about 75% higher than the previous six-year average [5] - In the past year, the daily trading volume has averaged approximately 16.7 billion shares, indicating increased engagement among amateur traders [5] Retail Participation Metrics - Trades executed by off-exchange venues, such as those operated by equity wholesalers like Robinhood, are expected to account for 50% of total trades this year, marking a significant milestone [6] - Retail traders have consistently favored buying call options over puts, with demand for calls exceeding puts for 24 consecutive weeks, the longest streak since tracking began in 2020 [7] Sector-Specific Observations - Quantum computing stocks have experienced extreme volatility, with some stocks rising over 1,000% in the past year but facing significant declines recently, with drops of 6% or more in a single day [3]