Foot Locker, DigitalBridge, and Regencell lead top gainers as US markets rally

The U.S. stock markets saw a significant rebound on May 15, 2025, driven by retail, technology, and biotech sectors, as investor sentiment turned positive amid mixed economic signals and softer-than-expected macro data. Among the standout gainers, Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE: FL) surged 85.7% after a blockbuster quarterly report, while DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (NYSE: DBRG), and Regencell Bioscience Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: RGC) also recorded strong double-digit gains. A broad-based rally supported the major indices, even as market watchers weighed persistent inflation against the prospects of a rate cut later in the year.

Why Did Foot Locker’s Stock Soar Nearly 86%?

Foot Locker’s meteoric 85.7% jump to $23.90 came after the footwear retailer delivered an earnings surprise, reporting better-than-expected Q1 results and raising its full-year guidance. Management cited robust demand in women’s and kids’ athletic wear, strong digital channel growth, and improved inventory efficiency. With over 81 million shares traded—more than 13 times its average volume—the stock drew heavy interest from both institutional and retail investors.

Analysts attributed the dramatic spike to short covering and a re-rating of the company’s profitability outlook, particularly as Foot Locker’s net margins showed signs of recovery. The performance helped the company erase its year-to-date losses and pushed its 52-week return into positive territory at +9.08%.

What Drove the DigitalBridge Rally?

DigitalBridge Group also surged 24.4% to $11.83, continuing a multi-week rebound driven by optimism over its infrastructure investment platform. The digital asset manager has recently closed strategic deals to expand its presence in data centers and wireless tower infrastructure across North America and Europe.

Investors appear to be responding favorably to the company’s strong positioning in the digital transformation theme. DigitalBridge’s forward P/E of 30.33 reflects renewed confidence in earnings momentum as its funds deploy capital into AI-enabling infrastructure.

Regencell Bioscience Hits $402: Is This Justified?

Regencell Bioscience shares jumped 17.2% to $402.00 in thin volume, despite no new public disclosures. The stock has been highly volatile, already up more than 7,600% over the past year. Market observers suggest that low float, speculative biotech enthusiasm, and expectations for its treatment pipeline have created a feedback loop of aggressive momentum trading.

However, institutional sentiment around Regencell remains cautious given its minimal revenue and unproven therapies, with many analysts warning of downside risk once speculative fervor subsides.

What Boosted Retail and Apparel Stocks Like Boot Barn and Dillard’s?

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BOOT) gained 16.66% to close at $154.97, as the Western apparel and workwear brand benefitted from strong earnings and upward revisions to full-year forecasts. The retailer’s strong margins and loyal rural consumer base insulated it from broader retail headwinds.

Department store operator Dillard’s, Inc. (NYSE: DDS) also posted a solid 6.06% rise, aided by resilient discretionary spending and improving store-level profitability. While overall consumer sentiment has been pressured by inflation, niche retailers are outperforming larger generalist chains.

How Did NetEase and VEON Perform Amid Global Tech Recovery?

Chinese internet and gaming firm NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES) added 14.61% to reach $122.76. The move was fuelled by optimism around mobile game launches and easing regulatory scrutiny on Chinese tech firms. The stock has rebounded 16.95% over the past year, reflecting growing confidence in overseas monetization strategies.

Telecom and digital operator VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON) rallied 12.2% to $54.92, extending a recent uptrend as investors speculated on M&A possibilities and improving operational efficiency in its emerging markets portfolio. The company’s 112.54% 52-week gain underscores a successful strategic turnaround, especially in post-conflict regions where mobile penetration is accelerating.

Why Is Nextracker Gaining Traction in Renewable Energy?

Solar tracker manufacturer Nextracker Inc. (NASDAQ: NXT) rose 11.9% to $61.59 as investors rotated back into green energy stocks. The sector has rebounded amid expectations of renewed policy incentives after recent U.S. Department of Energy announcements on solar supply chain resilience.

Nextracker’s cost-effective tracking systems for utility-scale solar projects have positioned it as a key beneficiary of both domestic and global decarbonization trends. Its 15.21x P/E ratio indicates a balance between growth and valuation discipline, contributing to its 39.34% 12-month stock surge.

How Did Healthcare Stocks Like Organon, Alnylam, and Argenx Perform?

Organon & Co. (NYSE: OGN) rose 9.08% despite being down nearly 60% year-on-year. Investors viewed its depressed valuation—currently trading at 2.79x trailing earnings—as overdone, particularly as management accelerates cost-cutting and pipeline asset monetization efforts.

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALNY) climbed 5.92% to $283.40 after positive updates around its RNAi therapy pipeline. The company’s long-term growth thesis in rare diseases remains intact, and sentiment has improved following analyst upgrades and peer acquisition activity in the biotech space.

Argenx SE (NASDAQ: ARGX) jumped 5.54% to $561.75, benefiting from momentum in the immunology segment and increased interest in autoimmune disorder therapies. The company’s 53.56% year-to-date gain reflects investor optimism around its chronic treatment franchises.

Dollar General and Freshpet Rally: Are Staples in a Comeback?

Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) rose 6.03% after new leadership reaffirmed its turnaround strategy and pledged renewed focus on rural market penetration. Despite a 34.57% year-over-year decline, recent cost discipline and productivity initiatives have drawn renewed investor attention.

Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRPT) added 5.71% as consumer interest in premium pet food remains robust. While the stock is still down 34.24% over 12 months, investors are hopeful that margin improvement and capacity expansion plans will support a second-half recovery.

Broader Market Sentiment: Have Recession Fears Eased?

May 16’s rally was underscored by easing concerns over the Federal Reserve’s rate trajectory. A weaker-than-expected April industrial production report and soft housing starts data gave rise to hopes that the Fed may pause rate hikes sooner than anticipated. Treasury yields declined, supporting risk assets across sectors.

However, underlying macro uncertainties persist. Sticky core inflation, a sluggish manufacturing outlook, and heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to temper bullish sentiment. Analysts warn that while equity momentum remains strong in select names, breadth still lags historical averages.

Institutional and Retail Participation: Who’s Buying?

Institutional buying was apparent in high-volume trades across Foot Locker, DigitalBridge, and Nextracker. Meanwhile, biotech names such as Alnylam and Regencell attracted retail-driven surges, often amplified by social media chatter and algorithmic momentum. Options activity also spiked in several of the top movers, suggesting hedging and speculative flows are playing a major role.

What’s the Outlook for Top Gainers Post-May 16?

Market strategists are closely watching whether today’s sharp rallies in select consumer discretionary and tech names signal the start of a broader rotation. With earnings season winding down and macro data mixed, follow-through will depend on how markets interpret the Fed’s June policy stance and global supply chain normalization trends.

Some of the biggest gainers—such as Regencell and Foot Locker—face the risk of retracement if profit-taking accelerates. Others, like Nextracker and Alnylam, are seen as longer-term secular plays with more sustainable tailwinds.