Unexpected Stock Market Movers and Today Breakout Winners

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Find out what happening right now and get all the pieces of the puzzle on important data activity before the major news sources break the story and see what are the trends
 

•  16 Apr 2025
 

In today's volatile market, several stocks made remarkable moves upward, capturing the attention of traders and investors alike. The most impressive performer was Treasure Global ($TGL), which surged an astonishing 83.17% to $3.81 per share on massive volume—over 98 million shares traded compared to its average volume of just 437,000. This explosive movement came after the company announced securing exclusive rights to launch Mezzofy's digital coupon platform in Malaysia. The platform has reportedly facilitated over $40 billion in digital coupon transactions since inception, and Treasure Global anticipates generating between $2-4 million in recurring annual revenue within the first year of rollout.

Meanwhile, Hertz Global ($HTZ) shares soared 56.44% to $5.71 on volume exceeding 56 million shares. This dramatic rise followed news that Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management had acquired a significant position in the rental car company. According to an amended 13F filing with the SEC, Pershing Square purchased 12.71 million shares valued at approximately $46.5 million. This vote of confidence from a major activist investor comes at a crucial time for Hertz, which has struggled recently—the stock remains down about 43% over the past year despite today's gains. In February, the company reported disappointing fourth-quarter results and stated it was focused on "stabilizing the business" and implementing transformative changes.

The pharmaceutical sector also saw notable activity with MIRA Pharmaceuticals ($MIRA) climbing 19.26% to $1.07 after releasing promising data for its oral ketamine analog, Ketamir-2. In preclinical studies, the drug demonstrated significant efficacy in treating diabetic neuropathy, with some animals returning completely to pre-diabetic baseline sensitivity. The company noted that Ketamir-2 outperformed FDA-approved neuropathic pain medications such as pregabalin and gabapentin in previous studies while showing a favorable safety profile. MIRA's management indicated that Phase I trials are advancing, with plans to initiate a Phase IIa trial in diabetic neuropathy by year-end.

BriaCell ($BCTX) gained 19.47% to $4.48 after reporting positive Phase 2 survival data that reportedly surpassed leading standards in HR breast cancer. Another pharmaceutical company, Vivakor ($VIVK), saw its shares increase by 29.09% to $0.97 following the release of its fourth-quarter results.

In the energy sector, Vista Energy ($VIST) shares climbed 10.77% to $44.73 after announcing that its subsidiary, Vista Energy Argentina, has acquired Petronas E&P Argentina in a significant cash and stock deal valued at approximately $1.5 billion. The acquisition gives Vista a 50% working interest in the La Amarga Chica unconventional concession located in Argentina's Vaca Muerta formation, a premier oil-producing region. Vista's Chairman and CEO Miguel Galuccio described the acquisition as "highly accretive," noting it would enhance the company's portfolio with an estimated 200 ready-to-drill wells and create synergies with Vista's existing operations.

Applied Digital ($APLD) shares jumped 18.6% to $4.08 following analyst commentary suggesting that the company's REIT focus represents a strategic pivot for growth. Urban-Gro ($UGRO) gained 14.05% to $0.65 after winning three new contracts for Fogo de Chao restaurants.

Bottom line - among these top gainers, Vista Energy ($VIST) appears to offer the most attractive near-term opportunity. Unlike some of the other stocks with more speculative catalysts, Vista's acquisition directly enhances its production capacity and reserves in a premium oil-producing region with clear synergies to existing operations. The deal increases Vista's scale by approximately 47% of its Q4 production and comes with significant midstream capacity. With oil prices remaining strong and the company's focus on high-margin, low-breakeven assets, Vista presents a compelling combination of immediate growth, tangible assets, and improved free cash flow prospects that should appeal to value-oriented investors seeking exposure to the energy sector.