Beyond Meat Inc., the pioneer of plant-based burgers, has experienced an extraordinary surge in its stock price, rising approximately 1,000% over just four days. This remarkable rally comes despite the company’s ongoing struggles with sluggish sales and a lack of quarterly profits for over five years. The sudden spike has reignited debates about the frothiness of the stock market, particularly fueled by online enthusiasm among retail investors. The momentum began last week when a Reddit user sparked a wave of purchases, reminiscent of the meme stock rallies seen with GameStop and AMC. The surge was further amplified when Roundhill Investments added Beyond Meat to its meme stock ETF, triggering a short squeeze as investors betting against the company scrambled to cover their losses. Additionally, a newly announced distribution deal with Walmart provided another boost to the stock. However, market strategists caution that the company’s fundamentals remain weak. Mark Hackett of Nationwide noted that while the Walmart deal is a positive catalyst, it doesn’t address all underlying issues. Beyond Meat’s stock, trading at just over $4, is still far below its 2019 peak of $230. This meme stock frenzy occurs against a backdrop of broader market concerns, including fears of an overvalued AI industry and potential market corrections. The Securities and Exchange Commission has also flagged risks tied to meme stock manipulation, though calls for stricter regulations have yet to gain significant traction.