Top gainers on Wall Street: What drove U.S. stocks higher on May 22, 2025?

On May 22, 2025, U.S. stock markets surged, fueled by a confluence of better-than-expected earnings, renewed investor confidence in quantum and AI-related equities, and upbeat sentiment surrounding consumer and travel recovery plays. As the Federal Reserve maintained its policy stance amid cooling inflation, traders rotated aggressively into high-beta and oversold names, igniting sharp rallies across the Nasdaq and Russell 2000 indices. The tech-led upswing was further bolstered by institutional buying in speculative AI and quantum computing stocks, even as broader macroeconomic signals remained cautiously optimistic.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.8%, while the S&P 500 gained 1.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite outperformed with a 1.9% rise. Treasury yields moderated after soft PMI readings, allowing growth sectors to reclaim momentum. Meanwhile, short-covering and increased retail participation added fuel to individual stock rallies, especially in previously distressed sectors like automotive services and consumer discretionary.

Why Did Advance Auto Parts Stock Rise Over 57% on May 22, 2025?

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP) surged by a staggering 57.04% to close at $49.17 as investors responded to a sharp turnaround in management strategy and reports of private equity interest. With volume spiking to 26.7 million—ten times its 3-month average—speculation around a potential asset divestiture or acquisition sent the deeply oversold stock soaring. AAP had lost over half its market cap in the past year, making Thursday’s rebound a dramatic shift in sentiment. With no trailing P/E due to past losses, the stock’s valuation reset may draw value-oriented buyers if fundamentals stabilize.

Why Did IonQ Stock Surge 36%?

IonQ, Inc. (NYSE: IONQ) jumped 36.52% to $45.79 on exceptional volume of over 104 million shares, as quantum computing once again found favour with speculative investors. The rally coincided with analyst chatter suggesting a possible strategic alliance with a major cloud provider. With a $11.3 billion market cap and triple-digit year-over-year gains, IonQ’s meteoric ascent reflects optimism about quantum’s real-world applications. The absence of earnings remains a key concern, but momentum players dominated the trade.

What Drove Rigetti Computing Stock Up 26%?

Rigetti Computing, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGTI) surged 26.46% to $13.86, continuing its speculative climb in tandem with peer quantum stocks. Volume exceeded 163 million shares—triple its norm—amid a broader rotation into emerging tech. While fundamentals remain weak, the company’s recent advancements in qubit fidelity have revived interest. Still unprofitable, Rigetti’s $4 billion market cap suggests froth, but institutions may be dipping in following hedge fund disclosures last week.

Why Did D-Wave Quantum Rise Nearly 24%?

D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) advanced 23.96% to $19.04, with volume surging to 235 million shares. The company’s recent pilot results with logistics and energy clients validated investor expectations about its commercial viability. Having rallied over 1,200% in the past year, D-Wave remains a retail favourite. Analysts remain divided—some citing structural tech edge, others warning of unsustainable valuation.

Why Did Urban Outfitters Rally 23%?

Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ: URBN) soared 22.84% to $73.21 after crushing earnings expectations. The retailer beat on both top and bottom lines, with strong comps at Free People and Anthropologie. Despite broader retail sector challenges, Urban’s agile inventory model impressed analysts. Its P/E ratio of 17.19 appears attractive given the 47.82% YTD gain. Institutional flows indicated robust buying, with hedge funds likely re-initiating long positions.

What Boosted LiveRamp Holdings?

LiveRamp Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: RAMP) gained 19.34% to $33.50, driven by optimism around its identity resolution platform amid growing demand for privacy-safe ad targeting. Volume quintupled from normal levels. With ad-tech stocks in rebound mode, LiveRamp’s positioning in the data infrastructure layer makes it a unique play. The company remains unprofitable, but revenue growth and operating leverage are turning institutional heads.

Why Did Pony AI Stock Rise 19%?

Pony AI Inc. (NASDAQ: PONY) rose 19.09% to $20.59, driven by a surge in electric vehicle and autonomous driving stocks. Reports of Pony securing regulatory approval for Level 4 testing in key U.S. markets likely catalyzed the move. The AI-powered mobility player has now gained over 44% YTD, attracting both strategic investors and speculative traders.

What Drove Hertz Global Higher?

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTZ) rallied 16.16% to $7.26, reversing recent losses. The bounce was likely aided by short-covering and reports of increased EV fleet utilisation. While car rental demand remains patchy, Hertz’s forward partnerships with EV manufacturers are beginning to gain credibility. Still, analysts caution on thin margins and intense competition.

Why Did Snowflake Jump 13%?

Snowflake Inc. (NYSE: SNOW) advanced 13.43% to $203.18 following positive analyst commentary and insider purchases. Cloud data platform stocks gained broadly after reports suggested U.S. federal agencies are adopting AI-linked warehousing tools. With a $67.8 billion market cap and no earnings, valuation remains steep, but investor faith in Snowflake’s long-term moat continues to drive demand.

What Sparked Peloton’s 12% Rally?

Peloton Interactive, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTON) climbed 11.61% to $7.21 amid signs of stabilising subscriber trends and a potential strategic review. Volume jumped to over 21 million shares. The stock has doubled YTD, with traders speculating on a turnaround or acquisition. While revenue erosion persists, sentiment is shifting from despair to cautious optimism.

Why Did Symbotic Stock Rise?

Symbotic Inc. (NASDAQ: SYM) gained 10.06% to $29.43, riding momentum in AI-powered logistics automation. With strong demand from retailers seeking supply chain resilience, Symbotic’s SaaS+hardware combo is finding new buyers. The $17.3 billion market cap may appear rich given recent losses, but AI tailwinds continue to justify premium multiples in this space.

What’s Behind GameStop’s 10% Gain?

GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) rose 10.02% to $30.86, reviving memories of its meme stock heyday. No major news drove the move, but a combination of Reddit-based trading chatter and option volume spikes suggest speculative re-entry. With a P/E of 93.52, the stock remains heavily sentiment-driven.

What Lifted Atour Lifestyle?

Atour Lifestyle Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: ATAT) gained 8.88% to $32.86 after strong travel and hotel recovery data from China. The company continues to benefit from high-margin expansion in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. Trading volumes tripled, as institutional funds priced in further upside amid tourism recovery.

Why Did Avis Budget Group Rise?

Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR) rallied 8.06% to $117.75, supported by travel demand and fleet optimization commentary. A modest uptick in price-per-day metrics has improved forward projections. Despite industry headwinds, Avis’s focus on cost rationalisation and EV partnerships provides a bullish thesis.

What Fueled the Rise in Garrett Motion?

Garrett Motion Inc. (NASDAQ: GTX) added 8.02% to close at $11.18. The turbocharger manufacturer gained on signs of rising OEM orders and stronger European recovery data. With a P/E of 8.73 and 16.55% YTD gain, the stock is seen as an undervalued industrial play.

Why Did Oklo Inc. Surge?

Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) rose 7.91% to $39.72, driven by momentum in small modular reactor (SMR) equities. As energy security concerns grow, Oklo’s nuclear solutions are garnering bipartisan support. Trading volumes jumped, possibly on institutional block purchases.

What Helped CVR Energy?

CVR Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CVI) rose 7.32% to $23.89 despite weak oil prices. A bullish analyst note and insider buying supported sentiment. With energy stocks underperforming, selective mid-cap refiners are drawing interest for turnaround potential.

Why Did Weibo Stock Gain?

Weibo Corporation (NASDAQ: WB) climbed 7.18% to $9.41. Improved ad monetisation metrics and content policy reforms helped the battered Chinese social media stock rebound. At a P/E of 6.82, the stock trades at a deep discount relative to peers.

What Lifted MINISO Group?

MINISO Group Holding Limited (NYSE: MNSO) rose 6.84% to $22.19, supported by better-than-expected China foot traffic and new store launches in Southeast Asia. With a P/E of 18.97 and growing international brand appeal, institutional accumulation appears underway.

Why Did Lemonade Gain?

Lemonade, Inc. (NYSE: LMND) advanced 6.26% to $30.91, extending its recent rally. The AI-powered insurance disruptor has seen improving loss ratios, and chatter about M&A possibilities is growing louder. Retail enthusiasm remains high.

What Moved NuScale Power?

NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) rose 6.07% to $25.32. As SMR licensing accelerates, and energy diversification gains political momentum, NuScale remains a key speculative bet. Trading volume of over 10 million confirms rising institutional attention.

What’s Driving Goodyear?

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) rose 6.00% to $11.13 amid news of restructuring and plant efficiency improvements. A P/E of 13.25 with manageable debt levels positions Goodyear as a cyclical rebound play.

Why Did Oddity Tech Rise?

Oddity Tech Ltd. (NASDAQ: ODD) gained 5.83% to $68.59 after bullish beauty sector commentary. The AI-native cosmetics company is outpacing legacy peers with digital-native product launches. A P/E of 39.42 reflects high-growth expectations.

What Boosted Red Rock Resorts?

Red Rock Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRR) rose 5.78% to $47.19. Improving Las Vegas visitation trends and margin expansion in regional gaming are helping sentiment. Analyst upgrades earlier in the week contributed to the rally.

Why Did Abercrombie & Fitch Stock Gain?

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) gained 5.72% to $76.76. Despite past volatility, Q1 sales momentum and gross margin improvement hint at an effective turnaround. At a low P/E of 7.18, the stock looks undervalued by retail standards.

What’s Next for U.S. Markets?

With the Federal Reserve in a data-dependent stance, investor focus now shifts to next week’s PCE inflation report, a batch of retail earnings, and ongoing AI conference commentary. Traders should also monitor energy price volatility, geopolitical risk in the Middle East, and any unexpected guidance cuts in Q2 outlooks. Sector rotation is intensifying—suggesting volatility may continue even as the broader market trends upward.