NEW YORK — GameStop Corp. shares rose 1.64% to $25.36 in morning trading Monday, extending a streak of modest gains as retail investors returned to the embattled video game retailer, once again demonstrating the unpredictable power of meme-stock momentum in 2026.
The modest advance came on above-average volume, with more than 18 million shares changing hands by mid-morning — well above the stock’s 90-day average. While the move pales in comparison to the massive surges seen during the 2021 short squeeze era, it reflects renewed enthusiasm from individual investors who continue to view GameStop as a cultural symbol of retail defiance against Wall Street.
GameStop has been trading in a relatively tight range this year after a period of stabilization following several years of extreme volatility. The company has worked to transform its business from a traditional brick-and-mortar retailer into a more diversified technology and entertainment company, but progress has been slow and profits remain elusive.
Retail Investors Drive the Action
Much of Monday’s buying appeared to originate from retail traders on platforms such as Reddit’s WallStreetBets, Stocktwits and X. Social media chatter around the ticker $GME picked up noticeably over the weekend, with users citing technical patterns and calling for a new short squeeze. While no major catalyst was announced, the collective retail interest was enough to push the stock higher in early trading.
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Short interest in GameStop remains elevated compared to most stocks, though it has declined significantly from its 2021 peaks. Data from Ortex showed short interest hovering around 18-20% of the float, still enough to create potential for volatility if buying pressure intensifies.
Company Fundamentals and Strategy
GameStop continues its multi-year transformation under CEO Ryan Cohen. The company has reduced its physical footprint, expanded its e-commerce presence and explored new revenue streams including collectibles, gaming hardware and potential blockchain or NFT initiatives. However, the core retail business remains challenged by the ongoing shift to digital game downloads and intense competition from Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart.
The company’s most recent quarterly results showed narrowing losses but continued revenue pressure. Cash reserves remain strong, giving management flexibility to pursue strategic initiatives, but Wall Street analysts remain largely skeptical about long-term growth prospects. The consensus price target sits well below current levels, with most firms maintaining Hold or Sell ratings.
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Meme Stock Legacy Lives On
GameStop’s place in market lore was cemented during the 2021 short squeeze, when coordinated retail buying drove the stock from under $20 to nearly $483 in a matter of weeks. That episode sparked regulatory scrutiny, congressional hearings and widespread debate about market structure and retail investor power. While such extreme moves have not repeated, the stock continues to experience periodic spikes driven by social media sentiment rather than traditional fundamentals.
Monday’s movement fits a familiar pattern: modest gains on elevated volume with heavy retail participation. Some market watchers view these episodes as harmless entertainment for individual investors, while others warn they can create misleading signals and potential losses for those chasing momentum.
Broader Market Context
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GameStop’s performance comes as the wider market trades cautiously. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was little changed early Monday, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq showed mixed results. Technology stocks provided some support, but concerns over interest rates, inflation data later this week and geopolitical tensions kept many institutional investors on the sidelines.
For meme stocks specifically, 2026 has been relatively quiet compared to previous years. While occasional spikes still occur, the phenomenon appears less intense as retail traders have diversified into other high-risk assets including cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence-related names.
What’s Next for GameStop
The company is expected to report fiscal first-quarter results in early June. Investors will be watching closely for updates on cost-cutting measures, e-commerce growth and any strategic announcements from Chairman Ryan Cohen, who has been relatively quiet in recent months.
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Analysts say near-term catalysts are limited, meaning continued price action will likely be driven more by social media sentiment than company-specific news. Technical traders are watching the $26-$28 resistance zone, with a break above that level potentially opening the door to further upside. Support sits near $22.
Investor Caution Advised
Financial advisers continue to urge caution with highly volatile names like GameStop. While the stock can deliver rapid gains on strong retail interest, it can also drop just as quickly. Long-term investors are encouraged to focus on fundamentals rather than short-term price swings.
As of Monday morning, GameStop’s market capitalization stood at roughly $8.1 billion. The company maintains a significant cash position, which provides a financial cushion but also raises questions about capital allocation and shareholder returns.
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GameStop remains one of the most watched and discussed stocks on retail trading platforms. Whether Monday’s modest gain signals the start of a new leg higher or simply another short-term ripple in its volatile history remains to be seen. For now, retail traders appear once again engaged, keeping the meme stock legend alive in 2026.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis on Tuesday reiterated that he opposes Kevin Warsh’s nomination over President Donald Trump’s Federal Reserve investigation.
Now that the Justice Department has dropped its Federal Reserve probe, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said he is willing to vote to confirm Kevin Warsh to serve as the next chair of the Federal Reserve System board of governors.
“I have been clear from the start: the U.S. Attorney’s Office criminal investigation into Chair Powell was a serious threat to the Fed’s independence, and it needed to end before I could support Kevin Warsh’s confirmation. I welcome the Inspector General’s investigation. This is a necessary and appropriate measure, and I have confidence it will be conducted thoroughly and professionally,” Tillis stated in a post on X.
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The senator noted that he is looking “forward to supporting Kevin Warsh’s confirmation,” describing Warsh as “an outstanding nominee.”
Sen. Thom Tillis listens as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testifies during a Senate hearing in Washington, D.C., on March 3, 2026. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced last week that she had directed her office to close the probe.
“This morning the Inspector General for the Federal Reserve has been asked to scrutinize the building costs overruns – in the billions of dollars – that have been borne by taxpayers,” she wrote in a Friday post on X.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 6, 2026. (Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“I have directed my office to close our investigation as the IG undertakes this inquiry,” Pirro noted, while warning that she “will not hesitate to restart a criminal investigation should the facts warrant doing so.”
A spokesperson with the Fed’s Office of Inspector General said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital, “In July of last year, the OIG announced that it was conducting an evaluation of the Board’s building renovation project.
Kevin Warsh, nominee for chairman of the Federal Reserve, is sworn in to his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“This assessment includes our independent analysis of the project’s substantial cost increases and overruns. We are actively working to complete our review, and look forward to making the results available to the public and Congress upon completion. We decline further comment,” the spokesperson noted in the statement.
Valmont Industries, Inc. (VMI) Shareholder/Analyst Call April 27, 2026 11:00 AM EDT
Company Participants
Mogens Bay John Schwietz – Executive VP, CFO & Corporate Secretary
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Presentation
Operator
Greetings, and welcome to Valmont Industries 2026 Annual Shareholders Meeting. [Operator Instructions]
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As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. I would now like to turn the call over to Valmont’s Chairman of the Board, Mogens Bay. Thank you. You may begin.
Mogens Bay
Good morning. My name is Mogens Bay, and as Chairman of Valmont, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to our Annual Meeting. Today’s meeting is being audio webcast to our shareholders and will be made available for replay at our website, valmont.com.
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We have four proposals that are outlined in Valmont’s proxy statement to be voted upon at this meeting. We will then announce the results. All Valmont directors are present at today’s meeting.
Greg Geyer of KPMG is participating in today’s meeting, and KPMG is available to respond to any questions you may have about our financials. At this point, I call upon John Schwietz, CFO and Corporate Secretary, to read the required legal notice.
John Schwietz Executive VP, CFO & Corporate Secretary
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Mr. Chairman, this meeting is convened in accordance with the proxy mailed on March 11, 2026, to all shareholders of record as of March 2, 2026. We have received the affidavit of mailing from Broadridge stating that this mailing was complete and accurate.
Anita Gillespie has been appointed inspector of the election, and a list of all shareholders is available for review. The inspector has advised us that there were 19,547,213 shares outstanding and entitled to vote at this meeting. Of that number, more than 91% are represented by proxy at this time.
Mogens Bay
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Thank you. There are four matters for shareholders to
A pedestrian walks by a Domino’s Pizza on Dec. 9, 2025 in San Francisco, California.
Justin Sullivan | Getty Images
Domino’s Pizza stock fell 10% in morning trading on Monday after it reported weaker-than-expected U.S. same-store sales growth.
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The chain’s domestic same-store sales rose just 0.9%, lower than the 2.3% bump expected by Wall Street analysts, based on StreetAccount estimates.
“We’re not happy with it,” CEO Russell Weiner told CNBC.
The pizza chain also lowered its full-year U.S. same-store sales forecast to low-single digit growth, down from its prior projection that U.S. same-store sales will increase 3%.
Weiner said he expects more fast-food chains to report similar headwinds from winter weather and weak consumer sentiment, which took a dive in March due to spiking fuel prices caused by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
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“One of the bad things about reporting first is you don’t get to hear about anybody else,” Weiner said.
Domino’s kicked off the earnings season for restaurant chains. Starbucks is on deck after the bell on Tuesday, and Chipotle Mexican Grill and Pizza Hut owner Yum Brands are expected to share their results on Wednesday. Rival Papa John’s will report its earnings next Thursday.
During the quarter, Domino’s also faced stiffer competition from rival pizza chains. Papa John’s and Pizza Hut both matched Domino’s $9.99 “Best Deal Ever” with promotions at the same price point. And Little Caesars undercut Domino’s $6.99 Mix & Match deal with a $5.99 version.
“People are seeing what we’re doing, and they’re sick of losing share, and they’re coming at it,” Weiner said, adding that he still expects Papa John’s and Pizza Hut to report same-store sales declines for the quarter despite the new promotions.
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Looking ahead, Weiner expressed confidence that Domino’s will prove itself in the long run.
“Domino’s has got a bigger advertising budget than our second two competitors combined,” he said. “And those competitors are both going up for sale, so we know things aren’t good there right now.”
Yum announced in November that it was exploring strategic options for Pizza Hut, which could include a sale. And Papa John’s is reportedly in talks with Qatari-backed Irth Capital to go private. Both chains have also announced plans to close hundreds of restaurants this year, which could further boost Domino’s dominant position in the pizza category.
And if either Pizza Hut or Papa John’s goes private, Weiner said he expects that a new owner would shutter even more locations — a win for Domino’s.
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Shares of Domino’s have lost nearly a third of their value over the last year. The company’s market cap has fallen to roughly $11.2 billion.
NEW YORK — Veradermics Inc. shares skyrocketed more than 42% Monday, surging to $96.60 in morning trading after the dermatology-focused biopharmaceutical company announced strongly positive topline results from its Phase 2/3 clinical trial of VDPHL01, an oral treatment for male pattern hair loss that demonstrated early, consistent and robust hair growth.
Veradermics Stock Explodes 43% After Positive Phase 3 Hair Loss Drug Trial Results
The New Haven, Connecticut-based company, which went public earlier this year, saw its market capitalization jump by more than $1 billion in a single session as investors rushed to buy shares following the news. Trading volume was exceptionally heavy, with millions of shares changing hands in the first hours of the session.
Veradermics said its lead candidate VDPHL01 achieved statistically significant hair growth in the pivotal “302” study involving men with mild-to-moderate pattern hair loss. The oral, non-hormonal therapy showed rapid onset of action, with visible improvements noted as early as eight weeks and continuing through the 24-week endpoint. The results position VDPHL01 as a potential first-in-class treatment in a market long dominated by topical minoxidil and oral finasteride.
Breakthrough in Hair Loss Treatment
The company plans to hold a conference call Tuesday to discuss the detailed results. Analysts hailed the data as “transformational,” noting that VDPHL01 could capture a significant share of the multibillion-dollar global hair loss market if approved. Leerink Partners raised its price target on the stock to $90 from $75 following the announcement, maintaining an Outperform rating.
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Veradermics CEO Dr. Reid Waldman expressed excitement in a prepared statement. “These results represent a major milestone not only for Veradermics but for the millions of men seeking safe, effective and convenient solutions for hair loss,” he said. The company is also advancing studies for female pattern hair loss, marking the first Phase 3 program of its kind in the U.S.
Company Background and IPO Success
Veradermics went public in February 2026 at $17 per share and has seen extraordinary volatility since its debut. The stock has more than quadrupled in value this year, driven by investor enthusiasm for its pipeline of dermatology and aesthetics products. The company focuses on turning common skin and hair concerns into proven therapeutic solutions through rigorous clinical development.
With cash reserves strengthened by its upsized IPO, Veradermics is well-funded to complete its ongoing Phase 3 programs and prepare for potential regulatory submissions. The company ended 2025 with significant cash on hand and has been aggressively advancing its clinical timeline.
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Market Reaction and Analyst Views
Wall Street reacted enthusiastically to the news. Several firms reiterated Buy ratings, citing the strong efficacy data and large addressable market for hair loss treatments. Jim Cramer highlighted the stock on his show, calling it a “double or nothing” opportunity in the aesthetics space.
However, some analysts cautioned that the stock’s rapid run-up leaves it vulnerable to pullbacks. Valuation concerns persist, with the company still in the pre-revenue stage and facing competition from established players. Shares remain well below their recent 52-week high but have shown remarkable resilience.
Broader Industry Context
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The positive results come at a time of growing interest in non-hormonal hair loss solutions. Current treatments like finasteride carry potential side effects that deter many patients, creating an opening for new therapies. Veradermics’ approach, if successful, could disrupt the market and offer a convenient oral option for both men and women.
The dermatology and aesthetics sector has seen increased investor attention in recent years, driven by aging populations and rising demand for cosmetic and therapeutic solutions. Veradermics’ progress validates the potential for innovation in this space.
What’s Next for Veradermics
The company will now focus on completing its remaining Phase 3 trials, including studies in female patients. Topline data from additional trials is expected later this year and in 2027. If approved, VDPHL01 could reach the market as early as 2028, representing a major commercial opportunity.
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For investors, Monday’s surge underscores the high-risk, high-reward nature of clinical-stage biotech stocks. While the data appears compelling, full approval and commercial success are still years away and subject to regulatory hurdles.
As Veradermics continues its journey from clinical development to potential commercialization, the company’s progress will be closely watched by patients, physicians and investors alike. The strong Phase 2/3 results mark a pivotal moment that could transform treatment options for pattern hair loss and reward shareholders who bet on the company’s innovative approach.
Blackpool scheme will include 19 shipping containers
Richard Hunt and Local Democracy Reporter
16:00, 27 Apr 2026
How Blackpool’s Southbeach Streetfood project will look(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
New jobs are now on offer as Blackpool’s ambitious Southbeach Streetfood project moves closer.
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The new food destination is located opposite the Sandcastle Waterpark on South Shore promenade and will feature 19 converted shipping containers.
It will include food concessions ranging from Thai and Mexican to Spanish tapas and wood fired pizza.
The site will offer seating for up to 400 diners, and be designed with entertainment space so it can host events and music, with screens to show big sporting occasions.
It was hoped the attraction would be ready to open in June but the physical preparations needed for the groundwork have taken longer than anticipated and now it looks set to launch in July.
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FBS Engineering of Poulton has officially begun transforming the shipping containers that will form the backbone of the development after recently moving into a larger workshop to accommodate the scale of the project.
Jamie Willacy, Director of Southbeach Streetfood UK Limited, said a lot of work had been going on behind the scenes.
He said: “Things are moving forward again. Engineers will start work on the foundations next week, ready for the groundworks to begin, in preparation for the mezzanine floor to be put in place.
“In the background, work has already started on the first six of the 19 containers, cutting out the doors and lining the insides with insulation.
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“There has been a slight delay in the preparation to make sure everything is absolutely correct, so we’re looking at July rather than June now.
“We’ll definitely be up and running in time for the summer holidays.”
The project places a strong emphasis on sustainability and ethical trading with menus designed to reduce food waste and ingredients sourced from local suppliers wherever possible.
Alongside the food offering, visitors can expect live music from local artists, children’s activities, dance showcases, live cookery demonstrations and a curated bar featuring beers, wines and spirits.
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Jamie said: ” We’re also excited to announce new job opportunities for Southbeach Streetfood
“If anyone would love to be part of a fresh new food and hospitality destination on the Prom, now is the perfect time to take a look.
“Whether you’re experienced in customer service, hospitality or just ready for your next opportunity, this could be your chance to join something exciting from the very start.”
To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.
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