Tonix, NuScale, and Pony AI lead U.S. gainers on May 27: AI, biotech, and energy stocks drive speculative rally

The U.S. equity market staged a broad-based risk-on rally on May 27, 2025, with small- and mid-cap names across artificial intelligence, biotechnology, nuclear energy, and industrial automation delivering double-digit gains. Leading the surge were Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp., NuScale Power Corporation, and Pony AI Inc., each emblematic of investor enthusiasm for disruptive technologies and policy-aligned innovation.

With broader indices trading flat in anticipation of this week’s PCE inflation data, the standout gainers signaled renewed appetite for high-growth plays—particularly those exposed to secular tailwinds like AI deployment, biotech rebound, and nuclear grid modernization. Volume surges across several of these names point to a combination of retail-driven speculation and institutional repositioning.

What Drove Tonix Pharmaceuticals Stock Up Nearly 28% on May 27?

Tonix Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: TNXP) closed 27.86% higher at $36.99, posting the sharpest gain of the day. The biotech firm, focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders, has endured a brutal 94% drop over the past year. But on May 27, sentiment reversed sharply, triggered by speculative buying and short-covering.

Although no formal announcement was made, traders pointed to recent insider transactions and renewed social media chatter about its fibromyalgia drug candidate. The company’s micro-cap profile, with a market cap of just $270.9 million and a P/E of 0.10, makes it prone to sudden technical breakouts. Analysts flagged the move as momentum-driven rather than fundamental, but noted that upcoming Phase 2 trial updates could sustain retail interest.

How Pony AI’s Dubai Robotaxi Deal Sent the Stock Soaring Over 22%

Pony AI Inc. (NASDAQ: PONY) gained 22.63% to settle at $21.35 following the announcement of a landmark partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The agreement will see the autonomous driving firm deploy its seventh-generation robotaxi fleet in the Emirate, aligning with Dubai’s 2030 Smart City Vision, which targets 25% autonomous transport integration by the end of the decade.

The partnership outlines a phased rollout starting with supervised trials in 2025, progressing to fully driverless operations by 2026. Investors responded positively to the announcement, viewing it as a strong signal of Pony AI’s commercial viability and international expansion potential.

The company’s newest robotaxi model—unveiled earlier this year at Auto Shanghai 2025—features a 70% reduction in bill of materials (BOM), a 360-degree blind-spot-free perception system, and a proprietary sensor-cleaning module designed for all-weather, high-density urban performance. Pony AI aims to begin mass production and deploy thousands of these vehicles globally by 2026.

Trading volume spiked to over 17 million shares—almost double the three-month average—underscoring institutional interest in the company’s growing international footprint. Analysts believe that beyond China and the U.S., Pony AI’s move into the Middle East enhances its position as a rare cross-border autonomous driving firm capable of navigating both regulatory and infrastructure landscapes across regions.

Is ATS Corporation Gaining from the Industrial AI Boom?

ATS Corporation (NYSE: ATS) rose 19.84% to $30.62, propelled by bullish analyst commentary on its exposure to industrial AI and factory automation. The Canadian engineering firm has expanded its footprint across life sciences, food tech, and electric vehicle assembly solutions—areas now benefiting from North American reshoring trends.

With a market cap of $3.6 billion and a 47.11 P/E ratio, ATS is not cheap. But the company’s strong order backlog and upcoming earnings call are drawing institutional accumulation. The stock has become a quiet beneficiary of Washington’s renewed industrial policy, with the Trump administration advocating for domestic manufacturing upgrades through deregulation and supply chain independence.

Why Are Investors Betting on WeRide in the Autonomous Vehicle Race?

WeRide Inc. (NASDAQ: WRD) climbed 18.22% to $10.77, building on growing investor confidence in China’s autonomous mobility sector. Although formal updates are expected next month, speculation around a fresh funding round and expansion into new cities sparked trading interest.

WeRide’s average volume ballooned to over 41 million—more than 4x its daily norm—pointing to high-beta speculative interest. The company, which operates robotaxis in partnership with Chinese OEMs, is seen as part of a second wave of AV players that could benefit from geopolitical detente and easing regulatory bottlenecks.

What’s Behind the 17% Surge in NuScale Power Stock?

NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) surged 17.46% to $35.52, capping a 12-month rally that now stands at 219%. The jump followed signals that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is preparing to expand funding programs for advanced nuclear technologies—including small modular reactors (SMRs).

NuScale, with a market cap of $4.74 billion, is one of the few U.S.-based SMR developers with NRC design approval. Analysts noted that NuScale’s carbon-free modular design is gaining favor not just in the U.S., but also in regions aligned with U.S. energy export ambitions, such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East—key focuses under the Trump administration’s pro-nuclear export strategy.

How SoundHound AI Rode the Voice Tech Momentum Again

SoundHound AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOUN) rose 16.08% to $11.12, extending its 12-month gains to 95.11%. The voice tech company, which enables real-time conversational AI applications, has recently expanded enterprise partnerships across automotive and telecom verticals.

May 27’s rally was amplified by retail enthusiasm on social platforms and algorithmic models adding SOUN to AI exposure baskets. Trading volume exceeded 78 million shares—nearly triple its recent average. Analysts believe SoundHound’s focus on embedded voice AI offers a unique angle within the broader generative AI boom.

What’s Driving Renewed Interest in Hologic’s Diagnostics Business?

Hologic, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOLX) gained 14.54% to close at $62.17, buoyed by rising demand for women’s health diagnostics and imaging systems. Analysts highlighted a recovery in core diagnostics revenue and strong margins as key factors behind renewed institutional interest.

With a P/E ratio of 22.86 and a market cap of $13.85 billion, Hologic offers a rare combination of stability and moderate growth. It is increasingly viewed as a healthcare counterweight in tech-heavy portfolios, especially ahead of its upcoming Q3 earnings call.

Why Wayfair Stock Is Rebounding Despite Retail Sector Headwinds

Wayfair Inc. (NYSE: W) jumped 13.37% to $41.04, reversing prior week losses. The e-commerce furniture platform appears to be regaining investor confidence as cost controls and logistics automation improve its bottom line.

Volume of 6.3 million shares closely tracked its average, indicating steady institutional interest. Analysts from Jefferies noted that Wayfair may be nearing a margin inflection point, making it a candidate for discretionary sector re-rating if consumer spending stabilizes in H2 2025.

Is Rocket Lab USA Gearing Up for a Breakout Year in Aerospace?

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: RKLB) added 13.14% to $28.76. The aerospace firm, which launched multiple successful satellite payloads in Q1, is gaining investor favor ahead of its Neutron rocket rollout.

With a market cap of $13.27 billion, Rocket Lab is considered a mid-cap moonshot play on the commercialization of low-earth orbit infrastructure. Rumors of pending Department of Defense payload announcements drove much of the May 27 action, supported by a volume surge to 20.3 million shares.

What Sparked the 13% Rally in V.F. Corporation Shares?

V.F. Corporation (NYSE: VFC) rose 12.92% to $13.55 as value investors returned to battered consumer names. With a forward P/E of 67.75 and a $5.28 billion market cap, the stock remains far below pre-2022 levels. But signs of brand-level cost rationalization and digital sales traction are beginning to shift sentiment.

Institutional flows on May 27 pointed to rebalancing strategies focused on deep-value retail stocks with turnaround potential. Analysts remain cautious but acknowledged that VFC could see further upside if macro trends improve.

Institutional Sentiment and Sector Takeaways

Across all 10 gainers, sentiment was driven by a mix of thematic exposure (AI, biotech, nuclear), volume-driven technical setups, and policy alignment. Retail-led rallies in stocks like Tonix and SoundHound contrasted with institutional positioning in NuScale and ATS.

Options flow analysis indicated heavy call activity in SMR, SOUN, and TNXP, while block trades in ATS and HOLX signaled quiet accumulation by long-horizon funds. Analysts expect continued volatility, with macro data and policy cues likely to determine the sustainability of this speculative momentum.