The list of top gainers in the US stock market today is a wild mix: penny‑stock rockets, digital‑asset experiments, takeover targets, cruise giants and gold miners all surged as traders digested a fresh Federal Reserve rate cut and a brutal sell‑off in mega‑cap tech.
Below is a same‑day wrap of the biggest movers, their catalysts, and how analysts are framing the next phase of this rally. All figures refer to trading on Thursday, December 11, 2025, based on intraday and late‑session data; final closing prices may differ slightly.
US stock market today: Dow at record high as AI darlings stumble
Wall Street split sharply today:
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped about 1.3–1.4% (roughly 650 points) to a new all‑time high, driven by non‑tech blue chips such as Visa, Home Depot and UnitedHealth. [1]
- The S&P 500 edged up around 0.2%, on track for a record close. [2]
- The Nasdaq slipped roughly 0.3%, pressured by an 11–15% plunge in Oracle after the company’s latest earnings report raised fresh worries that AI infrastructure spending has run ahead of revenues. [3]
This comes a day after the Federal Reserve cut its policy rate by 25 basis points to 3.5–3.75%, its third straight reduction, helping fuel a rotation out of crowded AI names and into financials, travel, materials, small caps and other rate‑sensitive sectors. [4]
Meanwhile, gold futures jumped nearly 2% to fresh records, turbo‑charging gold miners, while jobless claims came in higher than expected, reinforcing the case for easier policy and adding to the “late‑cycle” feel of today’s tape. [5]
Against that backdrop, here are the stocks that surged to the top of the gainers list.
Top 10 US stock gainers today (intraday, December 11, 2025)
A widely followed screen of US‑listed stocks and ETFs ranked by percentage gain in today’s regular session shows the following top 10 movers, based on StockAnalysis data aggregated around midday to late afternoon. TechStock²
1. Agape ATP Corporation (ATPC): “lottery ticket” rebound after 95% crash
- Move: Roughly +100% intraday, with the stock trading around $0.12–$0.16 after collapsing more than 90%yesterday. TechStock²+2Investing.com+2
- Market cap: ~$7 million – ultra‑illiquid micro‑cap. TechStock²
What happened today
Agape ATP, a tiny wellness‑and‑supplements‑focused holding company, rebounded violently after announcing details of its virtual annual shareholder meeting scheduled for January 12, 2026. The agenda includes: [6]
- A proposal to authorize up to $300 million in new share offerings
- Approval for a potential reverse stock split of up to 1‑for‑5,000
- Increasing authorized shares to 30 billion from 500 million
The company also confirmed a November 4, 2025 record date for voting eligibility. [7]
Traders appear to be treating ATPC as a pure volatility vehicle: yesterday’s catastrophic collapse on dilution fears, followed by today’s near‑doubling, underscores how quickly sentiment can swing in sub‑$10M micro‑caps.
Forward‑looking commentary
Coverage from both after‑hours and pre‑market recap sites stresses that fundamentals remain extremely fragile: revenues are modest, governance has been in flux, and the giant authorizations on the table could still result in heavy future dilution. [8]
2. Black Titan Corporation (BTTC): digital‑asset framework ignites crypto‑style surge
- Move: Around +85% in the StockAnalysis ranking, with other intraday reports citing swings of 110–150%. TechStock²+2Investing.com+2
- Market cap: Roughly $40–50 million. TechStock²
Catalyst: DAT+ framework for digital assets
Black Titan exploded higher after rolling out DAT+ (Digital Asset Treasury Plus), a multi‑pillar framework describing how the company intends to evaluate and hold digital assets. Across a flurry of press releases today, management outlined pillars covering: [9]
- Utility & cash‑flow potential (Pillar 1)
- Risk management & diversification
- Earnings alignment – linking token activity to corporate results
- Strategic collaboration with high‑value ecosystems
- Liquidity & operational readiness
News services from TipRanks, Investing.com and StockTwits all flagged BTTC as one of the morning’s most extreme movers as traders piled into a “tokenization” narrative. [10]
Analyst and model takeaways
So far, this is almost entirely story‑driven: there are no fresh financials today to justify the repricing, and even bullish write‑ups describe BTTC as a high‑beta proxy for the digital‑asset theme rather than a proven cash‑flow generator. TechStock²+1
3. PetMed Express (PETS): takeover bid sends the pet pharmacy vertical
- Move: About +85% intraday to roughly $3.20–$3.30. TechStock²
- Market cap: Around $70 million. TechStock²
Catalyst: unsolicited $4‑per‑share cash offer
PetMed Express, an online pet‑pharmacy pioneer that’s struggled with competition and margin pressure, soared after SilverCape Partners submitted an unsolicited, non‑binding proposal to acquire the company for $4.00 per share in cash, a hefty premium to Wednesday’s close. TechStock²+2Quiver Quantitative+2
The stock traded below the proposed takeout price for most of the day, a classic sign that investors assign less than 100% probability to the deal closing on current terms. Legal‑rights firms have already announced “fair value” investigations, which could add noise around the process. TechStock²+1
Forward‑looking commentary
Analyst notes emphasize that PetMed’s core business faces structural challenges, so deal certainty—not standalone turnaround prospects—is now the main driver of value. A higher bid or rival offer could push PETS closer to or above $4; a rejected or withdrawn proposal could see the stock retrace sharply. TechStock²+2Seeking Alpha+2
4. AXIL Brands (AXIL): Walmart deal turns a niche product into a national play
- Move: Roughly +68% to around $8.40. TechStock²
- Market cap: ~$57 million. TechStock²
Catalyst: national rollout at Walmart
AXIL rocketed higher after announcing a nationwide retail distribution agreement with Walmart for its X30 LT hearing‑protection and audio product. The deal is set to place AXIL’s flagship device in about 3,700 US Walmart stores, dramatically expanding its physical footprint. Investing.com UK+4TechStock²+4Yahoo Finance+4
The company is pitching this as a major growth inflection point, citing potential benefits from:
- Higher brand awareness
- Larger volumes leading into 2026
- Improved margins from scale
For now, AXIL is trading like a classic small‑cap retail winner: one big‑box partnership can transform expectations, but investors will want to see sell‑through data before treating today’s move as anything more than a re‑rating on promise.
5. HeartBeam (BEAT): FDA win powers a med‑tech short squeeze
- Move: About +50% to ~$2.30. TechStock²+1
- Market cap: Roughly $80 million. TechStock²
Catalyst: first‑of‑its‑kind home ECG device
HeartBeam extended yesterday’s rally after the company announced FDA 510(k) clearance for what it calls the first cable‑free, credit‑card‑sized device capable of synthesizing a full 12‑lead ECG at home. [11]
Analyst coverage today highlights that: TechStock²+1
- The approval came after a successful appeal of an earlier rejection, boosting confidence in the tech.
- Management plans a limited US launch in early 2026, focusing on concierge and preventive cardiology practices before scaling up.
Despite the big move, research shops still classify BEAT as early‑stage with substantial execution risk: revenue remains minimal, and commercial adoption will take time.
6. SMX (Security Matters) (SMX): turning cotton into a “digital asset”
- Move: Roughly +47% intraday. TechStock²+1
Catalyst: recycled cotton gets a verifiable molecular ID
SMX surged after unveiling results from a multi‑day industrial pilot showing that recycled cotton can be molecularly tagged and tracked, preserving a verifiable “digital identity” through shredding, spinning and weaving. [12]
Press releases today frame this as a breakthrough for the global textile and fashion supply chain, where regulators and brands increasingly demand proof of origin and circularity. By turning cotton into a traceable, token‑like asset on its platform, SMX is pitching itself as a Web3‑style infrastructure layer for materials.
Commentary across financial portals stresses that SMX’s share price is now trading more on narrative and optionalitythan on current profitability, meaning any cooling in enthusiasm for “tokenized commodities” could reverse the rally quickly. TechStock²+1
7. Diamond Hill Investment Group (DHIL): classic M&A pop
- Move: About +45% to roughly $170. TechStock²
Catalyst: all‑cash sale to First Eagle Investments
Boutique asset manager Diamond Hill jumped after First Eagle Investments agreed to acquire the company for $175 per share in cash, valuing the deal at around $473–$520 million depending on the source. The purchase price represents roughly a 49% premium to yesterday’s close. Benzinga+5TechStock²+5Seeking Alpha+5
The transaction is expected to close in Q3 2026, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals. Shareholder‑rights law firms have already announced investigations into whether shareholders are getting a fair price, a common occurrence in US takeovers that rarely derails deals but can shape sentiment. TechStock²
8. Mawson Infrastructure Group (MIGI): Bitcoin miner leans hard into AI
- Move: Ranked at +40% in the midday gainer list, with other trackers citing intraday spikes above 100% at times before some profit‑taking. TechStock²+2ChartMill+2
Catalysts: growth conference + AI/HPC narrative
Mawson, a nano‑cap Bitcoin miner and digital‑infrastructure operator, rallied after management presented at the Emerging Growth Conference, emphasizing a strategy that blends AI, high‑performance computing and digital assets. [13]
Recent news and analysis point to: [14]
- Stronger Q3 2025 revenue and margin trends, even as net margins remain negative
- An extension of its Bellefonte lease and GPU pilot program as it pivots toward AI/HPC workloads
- An SEC filing for up to $40 million in new share sales, highlighting both growth ambitions and dilution risk
AI‑driven models and some forecast sites cited in today’s coverage actually project downside from current levels, underscoring how momentum‑driven this move is. TechStock²
9. Planet Labs PBC (PL): space‑data star rockets on earnings beat
- Move: Around +33% to roughly $17, putting the stock at or near all‑time highs. TechStock²+2ChartMill+2
- Market cap: About $5–6 billion. TechStock²+1
Catalyst: strong Q3 and raised guidance
Planet Labs, which operates a large fleet of earth‑imaging satellites, surged after delivering Q3 revenue growth of about 33% and beating Wall Street estimates, while also raising guidance for the current quarter and full year. [15]
Analyst and editorial coverage today highlight:
- New contracts with government and commercial customers
- Growing demand for its data in defense, climate and agriculture use cases
- Early benefits from AI‑enabled satellites and newer “Pelican” platforms expanding the company’s data advantage [16]
Valuation debate
After a roughly 500% run‑up this year, several pieces warn that Planet now trades at a price‑to‑sales multiple far above peers, with at least one DCF‑style model suggesting substantial overvaluation despite the growth story. [17]
10. Velo3D (VELO): aerospace 3D‑printing name rides SpaceX and defense buzz
- Move: Around +32% to roughly $11–12. TechStock²
Catalyst: CEO commentary on SpaceX and Anduril demand
Velo3D, which provides metal 3D‑printing technology to aerospace and defense customers, climbed after CEO commentary at a virtual investor conference highlighted: YouTube+3TechStock²+3Benzinga+3
- The company’s growing role in SpaceX’s Raptor engines, including work on next‑generation “Raptor 4” components
- Increasing demand tied to drone and defense applications, including programs with Anduril
Recent articles note that VELO has already rallied sharply over the past two weeks and now screens as technically overbought, even as management still targets EBITDA breakeven around mid‑2026. TechStock²+1
Large‑cap leaders: cruise lines, Visa, Newmont and dollar stores
While the top‑10 percentage list was dominated by micro‑caps, several household‑name stocks were among the biggest gainers in the S&P 500 and Dow.
A late‑afternoon S&P 500 mover screen showed: [18]
- Royal Caribbean (RCL): +7.2% to about $279
- Carnival (CCL): +6.1%
- Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH): +6.2%
- Visa (V): +~6% to around $345
- Newmont (NEM): +5.5–6% to just under $100
- Dollar General (DG): +4.9%
- Dollar Tree (DLTR): +4.3%
Cruise stocks: buybacks, dividends and resilient demand
Royal Caribbean extended yesterday’s rally and finished among the day’s top large‑cap gainers after the company: [19]
- Authorized a new $2 billion share repurchase program, following completion of a prior $1 billion buyback
- Declared a $1.00 per‑share quarterly dividend
- Announced a $1 million hurricane‑relief pledge for Jamaica and the Bahamas following Hurricane Melissa
Bank of America credit‑card data also showed double‑digit growth in cruise spending year on year, while the Fed’s rate cut helps lower borrowing costs and supports discretionary travel demand. [20]
Carnival and Norwegian moved higher in sympathy as investors rotated into the sector. [21]
On the forecast side, MarketBeat data show Royal Caribbean’s consensus 12‑month price target around $327, implying mid‑teens upside from today’s price, though some valuation models warn that the stock has already priced in much of its post‑pandemic recovery. [22]
Visa and financials: rate cut + upgrade lift the Dow
Visa (V) was one of the top gainers in the Dow, rising roughly 5–6% after Bank of America upgraded the stock to “Buy” and investors bet that lower rates and solid consumer balance sheets will keep card spending resilient. [23]
A MarketWatch note today also framed the move as Visa’s best single‑day performance in months, driven by optimism that the Fed’s rate cut extends the cycle for payment networks and banks. [24]
Goldman Sachs (GS) and other financials posted solid gains as well, with one report noting GS hit an all‑time high above $900 on the back of strong year‑to‑date performance and expectations for continued M&A activity into 2026. [25]
Gold miners: Newmont rides record bullion prices
Gold miners were another standout group. An IBD live market update flagged Newmont (NEM) as a leading large‑cap gainer, up more than 6% intraday, while ChartMill’s S&P 500 screen showed NEM up about 5.5–5.7% to just under $100. [26]
The move reflects:
- Gold futures near all‑time closing highs after yesterday’s surprise rate cut [27]
- A wave of positive analyst commentary in recent weeks, citing strong free cash flow, ramp‑up at the Ahafo North mine in Ghana, and improved capital discipline [28]
Recent valuation work from Simply Wall St still sees Newmont trading below its estimated fair value despite its 2025 rally, though models differ on how much upside remains after the run. [29]
Dollar stores and other defensives climb
Dollar General (DG) and Dollar Tree (DLTR) also landed near the top of S&P 500 gainers, rising around 5% and 4%, respectively. [30]
These stocks have quietly become some of the best performers of 2025, benefitting from: [31]
- Strong same‑store sales growth and raised profit guidance
- “Trade‑down” behavior as consumers across income levels seek value
- A perception that dollar stores are defensive winners if growth slows
Retail analysts note that both chains now sport substantial year‑to‑date gains (around 60–75%), and valuation is no longer cheap—so future upside may hinge on whether traffic remains this strong into 2026. [32]
Themes behind today’s top gainers
Putting it all together, a few clear narratives are driving the day’s biggest winners.
1. Speculation in micro‑caps and tokenization plays
Names like Agape ATP (ATPC), Black Titan (BTTC), SMX, Mawson (MIGI), Velo3D (VELO) and Nextdoor, NEXGEL and Ascent Solar further down the top‑20 list all show how much risk appetite remains in the micro‑cap and thematic corners of the market. Benzinga+5TechStock²+5Benzinga+5
Common traits:
- Highly volatile trading with huge volume spikes versus normal averages
- Business models tied to crypto, Web3, AI, space or bleeding‑edge tech
- Heavy reliance on future execution rather than current earnings
Several forecast tools and AI‑driven rating systems actually flag these names as high‑risk or overextended, but one‑day price action is being dominated by momentum traders rather than long‑term investors. [33]
2. M&A and “event‑driven” spikes
PetMed Express (PETS) and Diamond Hill (DHIL) illustrate the classic M&A trade: when a credible buyer appears, thinly traded small and mid‑caps can jump 40–80% in a single session. RTTNews+3TechStock²+3Investing.com+3
For PETS, the key question is deal certainty and whether other bidders emerge. For DHIL, the focus shifts to regulatory approval and closing risk, though the all‑cash nature of the offer provides a clear reference point for value.
3. Rate‑cut rotation into travel, financials and gold
The Fed’s latest cut appears to be accelerating a rotation that was already underway:
- Cruise lines and travel names (RCL, CCL, NCLH, Expedia) are benefitting from lower financing costs and surprisingly resilient consumer spending. [34]
- Card networks and banks (Visa, Goldman Sachs) gain from higher nominal activity and a steeper curve, with today’s Visa upgrade reinforcing that narrative. [35]
- Gold miners like Newmont and Kinross rally as lower real yields and a softer dollar push gold prices to records. [36]
If the macro data continue to weaken (today’s jobless‑claims surprise hints in that direction), this defensive‑cyclical mix—travel, value financials, materials and staples—could remain in favor, at least relative to AI‑heavy mega‑caps.
4. AI trade: from pure narratives to “show me”
Oracle’s post‑earnings collapse and broader weakness in Nvidia, Palantir, Broadcom and other AI‑heavy names today are being framed as a “show me” moment: investors increasingly want proof that AI spending is translating into profitable, sustainable growth, not just capex booms. [37]
Interestingly, some of today’s winners—Planet Labs, Velo3D, HeartBeam, SMX—are pitching AI‑adjacent products (AI‑enabled satellites, advanced manufacturing for drones, AI‑assisted diagnostics, tokenized supply chains), but in contexts where today’s news is about concrete contracts, approvals or pilots, not just long‑dated promises.
How analysts are framing the outlook
Across today’s research notes and AI‑driven models, a few broad messages keep repeating:
- Big, liquid winners (RCL, V, NEM, dollar stores, PL)
- Generally carry Buy or Moderate Buy consensus ratings and, in many cases, mid‑teens upside in 12‑month price targets—but often from already elevated levels after 2025’s rallies. [38]
- Analysts emphasize execution risks (travel capacity additions, credit trends, commodity cycles, contract renewals) and warn that investors should not extrapolate one strong quarter indefinitely.
- Explosive micro‑caps (ATPC, BTTC, MIGI, SMX, VELO, NXGL and others)
- Are repeatedly flagged as high‑volatility, high‑risk names where position sizing and risk controls matter more than any single news item. Several AI‑rating systems and quant tools explicitly rate them “Neutral” or “Sell” despite today’s gains. [39]
- Gold and defensives
- Gold‑sector reports argue that if the Fed continues cutting and inflation expectations stay anchored, real yields could fall further, supporting both bullion and miners—but valuation discipline is key after the latest surge. [40]
As always, one day’s winners can become tomorrow’s laggards, especially in the micro‑cap universe.
Final thoughts (and a quick disclaimer)
Today’s top gainers list tells a very 2025 story:
- AI mega‑caps are under pressure after Oracle’s miss and rising concerns about over‑investment.
- Travel, financials and gold miners are enjoying a rotation fueled by rate cuts and changing macro expectations.
- Micro‑cap traders are still hunting for “lottery ticket” moves in digital assets, Web3 supply chains, speculative med‑tech and high‑beta infrastructure stories.
If you’re tracking or trading any of these names, it’s worth separating durable, fundamentals‑driven shifts (like Planet Labs’ stronger earnings or Royal Caribbean’s capital‑return plan) from pure momentum spikes where today’s news may not justify the scale of the move.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Markets can move quickly, and high‑volatility stocks in particular can give back gains just as fast as they appear. Always do your own research and consider your risk tolerance before making investment decisions.
References
1. www.investopedia.com, 2. www.investopedia.com, 3. www.investopedia.com, 4. www.investopedia.com, 5. www.investopedia.com, 6. www.tipranks.com, 7. www.tipranks.com, 8. site.financialmodelingprep.com, 9. www.stocktitan.net, 10. www.tipranks.com, 11. finance.yahoo.com, 12. www.stocktitan.net, 13. www.tipranks.com, 14. stockstotrade.com, 15. www.investing.com, 16. simplywall.st, 17. www.ainvest.com, 18. www.chartmill.com, 19. markets.financialcontent.com, 20. markets.financialcontent.com, 21. www.chartmill.com, 22. www.marketbeat.com, 23. www.tipranks.com, 24. www.marketwatch.com, 25. markets.financialcontent.com, 26. www.investors.com, 27. www.investopedia.com, 28. www.benzinga.com, 29. simplywall.st, 30. www.chartmill.com, 31. www.reuters.com, 32. m.economictimes.com, 33. www.tipranks.com, 34. markets.financialcontent.com, 35. www.tipranks.com, 36. www.investors.com, 37. www.investopedia.com, 38. www.marketbeat.com, 39. www.tipranks.com, 40. www.investors.com
