This past week, the attention of retail investors was sharply focused on five distinct stocks, spanning a variety of sectors including retail, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cryptocurrencies. These discussions, predominantly taking place on social media platforms such as X and Reddit's r/WallStreetBets, were fueled by a mix of market speculation, significant developments in AI technology, and a steady stream of corporate announcements.
Among the highlighted companies, Target Corporation (TGT) drew considerable interest. This was largely a result of an activist investor acquiring a substantial share in the retail giant, sparking hopes among investors for strategic changes that could unlock greater long-term value. While some retail investors expressed concerns about the company's need for a turnaround, Target reiterated its dedication to fostering growth and enhancing its product offerings and customer experience. The stock experienced a 28.75% decline in 2025 and a 7.30% decrease over the last six months, trading within a 52-week range of $83.44 to $145.08.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSM) also saw a surge in investor engagement. The company secured an annual US export license for chipmaking equipment for its Nanjing facility. Additionally, Nvidia Corporation (NVDA) reportedly engaged TSM to boost the production of its H200 AI chips to meet the escalating demand in China by 2026. Many retail investors held a positive outlook on TSM in anticipation of its upcoming earnings report later in the month. The stock showed robust performance, with a 50.75% return in 2025 and a 30.09% increase over the past six months, operating within a 52-week range of $134.25 to $313.98.
Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) continued its impressive trajectory, outpacing many of its megacap and 'Magnificent 7' peers since 2025. This performance was attributed to breakthroughs in its Gemini AI, strong growth in its cloud services, and advancements in its autonomous driving division, Waymo. Retail investors expressed strong confidence in GOOG after its exceptional performance throughout the previous year. The stock recorded a 64.61% increase in 2025 and a 74.57% rise over the last six months, with its 52-week trading range between $142.66 and $328.67.
IREN Ltd. (IREN) also became a focal point of discussion due to the US government's suggestion of utilizing Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant for cryptocurrency mining as part of broader negotiations with Russia. This proposal raised concerns that a potential shift in mining operations overseas could diminish US Bitcoin production. Despite a significant rally of over 200% in 2025, some retail investors who had invested in IREN at higher price points were reevaluating their positions. The stock's 52-week range was $5.12 to $76.87, and it showed a 261.09% gain in both 2025 and the last six months.
Finally, Strategy Inc. (MSTR) attracted attention with its announcement of purchasing 1,229 Bitcoin for approximately $108.8 million, funded through stock sales, bringing its total holdings to 672,497 BTC. Despite this, the company's New Year's message for 2026 emphasized its focus on AI and data analytics rather than Bitcoin. Retail investors approached MSTR with caution, especially after its performance in 2025. The stock saw a 49.35% decline in 2025 and a 62.23% drop over the last six months, with a 52-week range of $151.42 to $457.22.
During a week where major market indices such as the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq generally experienced negative movements and missed the anticipated Santa Claus rally, the blend of retail enthusiasm, meme-driven narratives, earnings expectations, and corporate announcements played a crucial role in shaping investor discussions.