To The Moon

I was casually scrolling through my watchlist today when something jumped out at me—Kohl's (KSS) is up more than 9%.

Kohl's (KSS)

What’s going on here?

Now, to most people, Kohl’s is just a department store, one of those mid-tier retail chains you walk into when you’re looking for socks, or maybe some kitchenware that’s on sale. But for traders who track meme stocks, a sudden spike like this isn’t just background noise. It’s often interpreted as a spark, a potential signal that a new meme rally could be forming.

Wait... Is Kohl’s a Meme Stock Now?

Technically, yes or at least it’s meme-stock adjacent. Over the past few years, a rotating cast of companies has been thrown into the meme-stock blender. Think AMC, GameStop, Bed Bath & Beyond and so on. These are companies that, despite shaky fundamentals, captured the internet’s imagination and were catapulted into the stratosphere by retail traders banding together.

Kohl’s might not have the same cult status, but it ticks a few important boxes: a recognizable brand, a struggling business model ripe for a "turnaround story". Add boom, the stock jumps today.

Tempting? Sure. Am I Buying? Nope.

As much as I love watching this drama unfold, I have no intention of buying in. Why? Because I know myself. I’m risk-averse by nature, and I’m not about to throw my money into a stock just because it’s trending.

To me, chasing a stock after it’s already spiked feels like trying to jump on a rollercoaster that's halfway through a loop. You might make it, but you also might get flung off. And with Kohl’s, I don’t see a strong enough foundation to justify the price pop. Their last earnings weren’t exactly inspiring.

The truth is, meme stocks tend to disconnect from their fundamentals and while that can be fun to watch, it’s terrifying to trade. It’s like musical chairs, but with your money on the line. Once the music stops, once the hype fades, the downside comes fast and hard.

OPEN Surges, Who's Next?

Just when it seemed like Opendoor Technologies (OPEN) was fading into the background, it surprised everyone, currently up over 16% today. It’s one of those names that quietly slips off the radar and then suddenly comes roaring back to life, catching both retail traders and skeptics off guard.

So naturally, I’m asking: if OPEN is waking up, who’s next? What other forgotten or under-the-radar names are quietly stacking the ingredients for a meme-fueled breakout?

Opendoor Technologies Inc (OPEN)

Watching from the Sidelines — and That’s Okay

It’s easy to feel FOMO (fear of missing out) when we see these sudden 10%, 20%, or even 100% moves. Social media doesn’t help. We’ll see screenshots of “legendary” gains and bold predictions that sound like guaranteed wins. But what we don’t see are the countless traders who got in too late and held on too long.

Personally, I’m content watching from the sidelines. I’ve learned that being a successful investor isn’t about catching every wave, it’s about knowing which ones to ride, and which ones to let pass by. And right now, meme stocks feel like waves that crash hard if I’m not careful.

Could KSS go higher? Maybe. But I’m not making any bets on hype alone.