Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
The Surprising Reason Beyond Meat’s Stock Is Exploding
Ruby Layram
22nd Oct 2025
If you’ve glanced at the markets this week, you may have noticed something rather unusual- Beyond Meat’s stock has suddenly gone from “burnt out” to “on fire.”
The once-struggling plant-based food company saw its share price soar more than 140% in a single day, leaving many investors scratching their heads. What’s behind this unexpected surge? And what can we learn from it as investors in today’s unpredictable market?
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What Actually Happened to Beyond Meat?
It’s not every day that a stock gains 140%! So, what exactly caused the price jump?
Two big things happened almost at once:
-
Beyond Meat was added to the Roundhill “Meme Stock” ETF (MEME). This is a fund that tracks stocks popular with retail traders- the same crowd that turned GameStop and AMC into overnight sensations.
-
The company announced a new deal with Walmart, expanding its plant-based products into more stores across the U.S.
Put those two headlines together, and the result was a ‘short squeeze‘- when investors who bet against a stock (by “shorting” it) are forced to buy shares to cover their positions, pushing prices even higher.
This meant that Beyond Meat’s share price rocketed from around 65 cents to over $3, marking its best day ever on the stock market.
Why the Rally Doesn’t Mean What You Think
At first glance, this might look like a comeback story – the market rediscovering its taste for meat-free burgers.
But in reality, this surge had little to do with Beyond Meat’s actual business performance.
The company still faces challenges: slowing sales, high costs, and mounting debt. Its fundamentals haven’t changed overnight. Instead, the rally was powered by market psychology- the same “fear of missing out” that drove previous meme stock frenzies.
When traders pile into a name simply because it’s moving, prices can skyrocket. But they can just as easily crash back down.
Also read: Everyone is selling! But why?
What This Tells Us About the Market Right Now
Beyond Meat’s sudden rise is part of a bigger story playing out in 2025:
- Investors are taking more risks again. After a long stretch of cautious trading, money is flowing back into speculative names.
- Retail investors (everyday traders) still have serious influence. The return of meme ETFs shows that social sentiment still moves markets.
- The market’s mood is shifting. Big rallies like this can signal renewed optimism, but also frothiness that often comes before a pullback.
In short, this isn’t just about burgers. It’s about investor behaviour.
What You Can Learn as an Investor
If you’re watching Beyond Meat and wondering what to do, here are a few takeaways:
- Separate hype from fundamentals. A stock can soar on buzz alone, but sustainable gains come from strong business results.
- Volatility creates opportunity and danger. Big swings can mean quick profits, but also sharp losses.
- Diversify and think long-term. Instead of chasing the latest hot stock, focus on building a balanced portfolio that can grow steadily over time.
The Bottom Line
Beyond Meat’s stock explosion isn’t really about veggie burgers or sustainability.
It’s a reminder of how quickly markets can move, and how emotion, not just earnings, drives price action in the short term.
So before you bite into the next market trend, remember: investing isn’t about timing the hype, it’s about understanding what’s cooking underneath.
Are you keen to learn more about investing? Sign up for our free fortnightly MoneyMagpie Investing Newsletter.
*This is not financial or investment advice. Remember to do your own research and speak to a professional advisor before parting with any money.
Disclaimer: Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.
Leave a Reply