Markets on Edge: Why This Week Could Make or Break the 2025 Rally!

U.S. stocks were mostly flat early Monday, with the market hovering just below record highs as investors brace for a pivotal week of economic data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 147 points, or 0.3%, while the S&P 500 remained unchanged. The Nasdaq Composite edged up slightly, gaining 0.1%.

All eyes are on this week’s inflation data, which could influence the Federal Reserve's next moves on interest rates. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is due Tuesday, followed by the Producer Price Index (PPI) on Thursday. Stronger-than-expected inflation numbers could challenge the market's momentum and shape expectations for the Fed’s September meeting.

Despite recent gains, some investors are questioning the rally’s durability. With stock valuations stretched, concerns about the broader economic outlook, ongoing tariff tensions, and the typical seasonal slowdown, the market faces several headwinds that could test its resilience in the coming weeks.

Top Movers: Under $10 

Equillium Inc (EQ) is up 103.96% today to trade at the current level of $1.01. This comes after the company announced that it has entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement with leading healthcare investors that will provide up to $50 million in gross proceeds to Equillium.

Entero Therapeutics Inc (ENTO) zoomed 83.86% in today’s trade to $0.67 after announcing that it has entered into definitive agreements with institutional investors for the purchase and sale of approximately $3 million of pre-funded and common warrants.

In current trading, Telos Corp (TLS) stock is at $3.49 following the release of second quarter 2025 earnings.

Lithium Argentina AG (LAR) rose 24.53% in the early hours of today's trading to move at $3.50 after reporting second quarter 2025 results.

In the current trading session, Village Farms International Inc (VFF) jumped 24.12% to $2.13 over a previous close of $1.72 after reporting Q2 2025 earnings of $9.9 million, or $0.09 per share..

Ex-Dividend Stocks

Cheesecake Factory Inc (CAKE) is about to trade ex-dividend tomorrow, meaning that investors who buy the stock after tomorrow will not be eligible for the next dividend payment. The company's next dividend payment will be $0.27 per share. It has fixed August 12 as the record date for the same and will pay the actual dividend on August 26. Last year, the company distributed a total of $1.08 to its shareholders. Based on last year's worth of payments, CAKE has a trailing yield of 1.76% on the current stock price of $61.32.

Another stock that is shelling out dividends tomorrow is FTAI Aviation Ltd (FTAI), having a market capitalization of $14.30B. It will pay a dividend of $0.3 per share, the payment date of which is August 19. Currently, the stock is trading at a trailing dividend yield of 0.86%.

Shares of Grifols SA ADR (GRFS) will be the talk of the stock market on Tuesday as the stock will turn ex-dividend. The company's next dividend payment will be $0.14 per share, and in the last 12 months, it paid a total of $0.173385 per share.

Kearny Financial Corp (KRNY) is also set to go ex-dividend tomorrow. The next dividend payment from KRNY will amount to $0.11 per share. August 12 has been designated as the record date for this dividend, with the actual payout scheduled for August 26. In the previous year, KRNY distributed a total of $0.44 to its valued shareholders. Considering the cumulative dividend payments from last year, the trailing yield for KRNY stands at 7.46% based on the current stock price of $5.89.

Natural Health Trends Corp (NHTC) will be paying out a dividend of $0.2 per share to shareholders holding their shares as of the close of the business hours on the record date of August 12. Over the past 12 months, NHTC has paid out a total of $0.80 per share in dividends. Based on the total dividends paid out last year, NHTC boasts an impressive trailing yield of 16.46% on the current share price of $4.86.

Crypto Market Highlights

• ALT5 Sigma Corporation to sell 200 million shares for $1.5 billion to fund World Liberty Financial (WLFI) corporate treasury.

• MicroStrategy purchased 155 Bitcoin for $18 million in August, marking five years of holding BTC as a treasury asset.

• Companies with crypto treasuries now hold 3.04 million ETH (worth $13 billion) amid Ether's surge above $4,300.

• South Korean retail investors are shifting from U.S. Big Tech stocks to high-risk, crypto-linked equities.

• Chainlink partners with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to bring FX and precious metals data onchain.

Most Shorted Stocks

Enovix Corporation (ENVX) was one of the most shorted stocks as of latest short interest figures, with 26.69% short interest. The days to cover ratio, a measure of how long it would take for all the short positions to be covered based on average trading volume, is 6.9. This represents a change of -450000 shares, which corresponds to a -1.01% decrease in short interest. The total value of the shares held short is estimated to be around $488.41 million. The average daily volume stands at 7.06M shares, and the market capitalization of the company is $2.17B.

For the stock AVITA Medical Inc (RCEL), the current short interest is at 23.26%. This represents a significant short interest change of 230000 shares, corresponding to a short interest percentage increase of +4.20%. The days needed to cover the short positions amount to 19.3. The approximate worth of the shares held short is $27.01 million.

With the symbol ENPH, the stock currently has a short interest of 21.60%. The short interest change is 710000 shares, compared with a short interest percentage change of +2.68%. It would take approximately 3.0 days to cover all the short positions. The shares' short value is estimated to be around $187.57 million. The company boasts an average daily volume of 9.25M shares, contributing to a market capitalization of $4.30B.

The stock MED has a current short interest of 21.30%. The short interest percentage has experienced an increase of 18.62% while there was a change of 350000 shares in short interest. The ratio indicating the time required to cover short positions is 9.5. The calculated worth of the shorted shares amounts to around $350.35 million. Trading activity averages at 235.52K shares per day, while the company's market capitalization stands at $141.68M.

Upcoming IPOs

rYojbaba Co., Ltd. (RYOJ) is all set for its debut on the NYSEAMERICAN exchange on August 12. They are offering shares in the price range of $4.00 to $5.00. With a total of 1,250,000 shares available, the company aims to raise approximately $5.63M through this IPO.

Bullish (BLSH) will be entering the market with its IPO on August 13, on the NYSE exchange. They are offering shares in the price range of $28.00 to $31.00. They plan to offer 20,300,000 shares, targeting a deal size of $598.85M.

Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIAX) is also scheduled to make its debut on the NYSE exchange on August 14. They are offering shares in the price range of $19.00 to $21.00. The IPO includes 15,000,000 shares, aiming for a deal size of $300.00M.

Elite Express Holding Inc. (ETS) is set to join the NASDAQ on August 21. The shares will be offered at a fixed price of $4.00 per share. They are offering 4,000,000 shares, with an estimated deal size of $16.00M.

That's it for today. Thanks for reading. Good luck out there!

Best Regards,

Stocks Telegraph Team

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