GameStop stock popped 9% after the Wall Street Journal reported eBay is considering a takeover bid. The move reignited the meme stock machinery on Reddit, where retail traders still hold the stock as part of the ongoing saga that started in 2021.
An eBay acquisition would be a major shift for both companies. GameStop has spent years struggling with its brick-and-mortar business model while trying to pivot into e-commerce and Web3. eBay, meanwhile, has been exploring strategic moves to boost its marketplace relevance. A merger would theoretically combine eBay's logistics infrastructure with GameStop's retail footprint and cult following.
The 9% jump shows meme stock sentiment still has gas in the tank. Reddit communities around GameStop remain active despite the stock's volatility and the fact that most of the original retail hype peaked years ago. Any headline with acquisition potential or activist involvement tends to move the needle for holders watching the ticker.
Whether eBay actually follows through remains unclear. M&A talks can collapse or never materialize. But for now, the story is alive, and retail traders are paying attention again.