A $4 IPO. An 83% moonshot. And a real estate AI play that just blindsided the market. Here’s where traders are looking.

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Markets

Wall Street rose today as strong earnings and renewed optimism over additional trade deals lifted investor sentiment and pushed the S&P 500 to fresh record highs.

  • DJIA [+0.47%]

  • S&P 500 [+0.40%]

  • Nasdaq [+0.24%]

  • Russell 2k [+0.43%]

Market-Moving News

Restaurants

McDonald’s Tests CosMc’s Drink Line at 500 Stores in Beverage Strategy Pivot

McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) is moving forward with its plan to bring former CosMc’s drinks into 500 of its U.S. restaurants, integrating iced coffees, refreshers, energy drinks, and flavored sodas into its core menu.

This rollout marks the next phase in McDonald’s shift toward owning a larger share of the cold beverage daypart, a move designed to improve ticket size and diversify beyond traditional fountain drinks.

CosMc’s was initially launched as a standalone pilot, but instead of expanding the concept, McDonald’s is now channeling its best-performing products into its central system.

The decision reflects a broader internal strategy to build proprietary beverage IP, reduce risk, and leverage existing store infrastructure.

With a dedicated beverage team in place and cold drink demand growing, especially among Gen Z, the company appears well-positioned to scale this category quickly if results validate early momentum.

Investors currently holding McDonald’s can view this as a calculated refresh of the brand’s mid-day strategy, backed by consumer data and cross-channel reach.

For those looking to initiate a position, this test period serves as a window into how McDonald’s is balancing innovation with operational efficiency.

If the pilot succeeds, McDonald’s has the platform, staffing, and digital infrastructure to expand nationally. Execution remains key, but the foundation is solid.

This rollout is not solely focused on beverages; rather, it represents a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing brand relevance and increasing market share in a competitive environment.

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Industrials

Caterpillar Targets Mid-Fleet Refresh With Launch of Fuel-Saving 980 GC Loader

Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) is expanding its mid-tier equipment portfolio with the launch of the Cat 980 GC Wheel Loader, designed to deliver fuel efficiency, simplified operation, and lower lifecycle costs.

The GC Loader is positioned for high-volume applications in construction, aggregates, and bulk material handling.

It has a capacity range of 5.75 to 7.5 cubic yards and features integrated systems, including auto idle shutdown, on-board diagnostics, and real-time payload monitoring.

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While high-spec models still anchor premium markets, the GC line targets price-sensitive fleets, extending Caterpillar's reach in regions where cost control rather than tech upgrades drive equipment turnover.

Investors considering a position in Caterpillar should view this launch as a strategic defense of its middle-market turf, where competitors like Komatsu and Volvo are also active.

The 980 GC isn't just about specs; it's about unit volume, fleet penetration, and maintaining brand loyalty across rental and contractor channels.

With infrastructure spending still flowing and fleet upgrades ongoing, Caterpillar is delivering a practical solution that supports both margin resilience and customer adoption.

The GC tier helps secure the middle of the portfolio while reinforcing Caterpillar's dominance across price points.

Execution now depends on how quickly the 980 GC is adopted across dealer networks and job sites.

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Small Caps

Three High-Short Stocks With Real Catalysts, Not Just Hype

Short squeezes are back on the radar. While 2025 hasn’t brought the kind of retail-driven chaos we saw in 2021, a wave of small caps with high short interest is quietly flashing similar setups.

This time around, the names are different, and the catalysts are more grounded in reality. But the potential for sharp moves remains.

Three stocks in particular, Navitas Semiconductor, Red Cat Holdings, and QuantumScape, are attracting significant short interest as key events unfold.

Each one carries elevated risk, but also a clear catalyst that could pressure bears into covering. For traders who know what they’re looking for, the ingredients are already in place.

Navitas Semiconductor (NASDAQ: NVTS)

Navitas is a power chipmaker sitting in one of the most volatile corners of the market.

Despite being in the semiconductor space during an AI-fueled tech boom, the company has posted sharp year-over-year revenue declines and continues to report losses.

That leaves it with 32 percent short interest and a valuation that skeptics argue has outpaced fundamentals.

But with earnings due August 4, expectations are low.

Revenue has already cratered nearly 40 percent year over year, so any sign of stabilization or a better-than-feared print could be enough to spark a move. 

Navitas trades with a $1.7 billion market cap and a relatively small float, giving it the kind of mechanical setup that can move quickly if sentiment turns.

Short sellers are in control for now, but one upside surprise could shift momentum fast.

Red Cat Holdings (NASDAQ: RCAT)

Red Cat is a drone-tech company that got hit hard last quarter after missing earnings expectations by a wide margin.

The stock dropped, short interest jumped, and now roughly 20 percent of the float is sold short. That number rose nearly 40 percent in a single month.

But Red Cat’s outlook isn’t dead. The company has stated it expects profitability by year-end, and its technology has already caught the attention of U.S. defense agencies.

With regulatory support for domestic drone capabilities growing, the company may be positioned to benefit.

Red Cat’s earnings report is scheduled for August 14. If guidance tightens and margins improve, a low-float rally could follow quickly.

QuantumScape (NYSE: QS)

QuantumScape is already mid-squeeze.

The EV battery maker surged over 120 percent in July, sparked by news of its new Cobra Separator Process and bolstered by a sharp upgrade from Robert Baird.

That move took the stock from under $6 to above $11 in less than a month.

Short interest remains elevated at 14 percent, but the float is relatively tight, and retail traders have re-engaged.

Despite the recent pullback, analysts are starting to take the story more seriously.

Baird’s new target of $11 matches current pricing, but if momentum continues, upgrades could follow.

The next catalyst might not be earnings, but rather any confirmation that the Cobra tech is gaining traction commercially.

Sharp Moves Require Real Triggers

Short squeezes are speculative by nature, but they’re not random. The best setups pair high short interest with a clear trigger, which forces a rethink of the short thesis.

Navitas, Red Cat, and QuantumScape each have that setup. What happens next will depend on delivery. However, for now, the market is watching all three.

Want to make sure you never miss our post-market roundup?

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Top Winners and Losers

Linkhome Holdings Inc [LHAI] $10.31 (+83.13%)

Linkhome soared after its IPO, priced at $4 per share, opened well above expectations, signaling strong investor demand for the AI-powered real estate platform.

Fusion Fuel Green Plc [HTOO] $6.99 (+47.78%)

Fusion Fuel climbed after announcing new large-scale LPG contracts in Dubai through its Al Shola Gas unit, boosting revenue potential.

Coursera Inc [COUR] $12.37 (+36.23%)

Coursera rallied after posting better-than-expected earnings and revenue, driven by accelerating growth in both consumer and enterprise segments.

Carter's Inc [CRI] $26.31 (-19.66%)

Carter’s plunged after posting weak Q2 earnings, missing profit estimates and suspending its full-year outlook due to margin pressure and rising costs.

Charter Communications Inc [CHTR] $309.75 (-18.49%)

Charter Communications dropped after reporting a surprise loss of 111,000 residential internet subscribers and weaker-than-expected EPS for Q2.

Five Point Holdings Llc [FPH] $5.48 (-14.85%)

Five Point slid as investors reacted to weak residential market conditions, delayed land sales, and concerns over valuation below book value.

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Everything Else

That's it for today! Please, write us back, and let us know what you think of the Closing Bell Roundup. We're always eager to hear feedback!

Thanks for reading. I'll see you at the next open! 

Best Regards,
Adam G.
Elite Trade Club

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