Online real estate company Opendoor Technologies (NASDAQ: OPEN) has stunned Wall Street in recent weeks with a blistering rally, drawing attention to the momentum’s sustainability.
Notably, at the close of the last trading session, OPEN stock was valued at $9.07, down nearly 14% on the day. However, on the monthly chart, the stock has surged 274%.
Despite the sudden rally, CNBC’s Jim Cramer is urging caution for investors eyeing Opendoor stock.
On his Mad Money program on September 13, Cramer dismissed Opendoor as a speculative play to avoid, saying, “You’re going to ring the register,” while warning he does not want to see it turn into a “meme stock.”
Cramer’s warning is particularly interesting given the rise of the so-called “inverse Cramer trade,” a strategy some retail investors follow based on the idea that stocks he advises against often keep climbing in defiance of his calls.
This dynamic puts attention on OPEN and whether its rally could extend further, fueled by traders betting against Cramer’s view.
OPEN stock’s momentum sustainability
Notably, amid his warning, it’s worth highlighting that retail enthusiasm has played a major role in the stock’s surge, drawing comparisons to past meme stock frenzies.
For Opendoor, while retail input has provided momentum, it has also raised concerns about valuation, with some analysts warning the stock is trading far above its estimated fair value.
At the same time, the company is attempting to reset its strategy under newly appointed CEO Kaz Nejatian, alongside the return of co-founders Keith Rabois and Eric Wu to the board. Rabois, now serving as chairman, has already signaled aggressive cost-cutting measures, arguing that the company’s headcount is bloated and should be significantly reduced.
Ultimately, the bullish case for Opendoor rests on its ability to streamline operations and eventually achieve profitability.
In its most recent quarter, the company reported revenue of $1.57 billion, narrowly beating expectations, though guidance for the next quarter fell short. Despite narrowing losses, the path to consistent profits remains uncertain.
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