Palantir Stock Falls 25% as CEO Alex Karp Blames "Market Manipulation." Is It Time to Buy?

Core Viewpoint - Palantir Technologies has seen its stock price drop 25% from its record high, but the valuation remains excessively high despite strong financial performance and market presence [1][8] Company Overview - Palantir has established itself as a significant player in the artificial intelligence sector, particularly appealing to retail investors, with shares increasing 1,800% since the launch of its AI platform in April 2023 [1][5] - The company initially developed analytics tools for the U.S. intelligence community and has since expanded its software applications to various industries, including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail [4] Financial Performance - Palantir has reported impressive financial results, with sales growth accelerating for nine consecutive quarters, attributed to investments in unique software architecture and infrastructure [6] - The company currently has a market capitalization of $369 billion, with a gross margin of 80.81% [4] Valuation Concerns - Despite a 25% decline, Palantir shares are trading at 102 times sales, making it the most expensive stock in the S&P 500, significantly higher than the next closest company, AppLovin, which trades at 32 times sales [7] - The valuation metrics suggest that Palantir shares could decline another 66% and still remain the most expensive stock in the index [7] Market Sentiment - Hedge fund manager Michael Burry has taken a substantial short position against Palantir, holding 66% of his $1.4 billion portfolio in put options against the company, which has raised concerns about market manipulation according to Palantir's CEO Alex Karp [2][6] - Karp's comments on short sellers indicate a belief that there is a disconnect between the quality of Palantir's software and its stock valuation [2]