The Daily Aus The vegan burger Wall St didn't see coming
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Oct 23, 2025 Beyond Meat has seen a staggering stock surge, jumping over 1000% in just days. The hosts dive into the reasons behind this dramatic rise, including meme stock hype and viral retail trading. They explore the company's rocky past, marked by declining consumer interest and financial struggles. Comparisons to GameStop illustrate the power of social media on stock prices. Ultimately, though, the hosts caution that this rally doesn't change Beyond Meat's underlying weaknesses.
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Rapid Rise From Novel Positioning
- Beyond Meat pioneered plant-based products that mimic real meat and placed them in the meat aisle to market differently.
- Their 2019 IPO surged despite low revenue and no profits, peaking at a US$14 billion valuation.
Price Killed Consumer Momentum
- Demand for plant-based meat collapsed after 2021 as households cut purchases and sales fell.
- High price (about 80% more per kilo than meat) and post-pandemic cost pressures drove the decline.
Volume, Not Fundamentals, Drove The Spike
- The stock jumped 1,400% in four days driven by extreme trading volume and news, not fundamentals.
- Inclusion in a meme-stock ETF and a Walmart expansion announcement amplified massive, volatile trading.