NASDAQ growth leaders: AEye, IKNA, HCTI, and other companies that are making headlines
From time to time, the stock market has spikes that are impossible to ignore. July 24, 2025 was just such a day: five stocks, mostly from the small-cap segment, rose from 40% to more than 200%. Interest in them soared on Reddit, traders’ terminals overheated, and analyst headlines increasingly included the names of these companies. What’s behind this growth? Is it temporary excitement or a fundamental change? And is it worth buying the stock now to avoid missing the wave? It’s time to take a deeper look with a cooler head.
AEye Inc. (NASDAQ: LIDR) contract with NVIDIA and explosive growth of 229%
AEye, which specializes in developing LiDAR sensors for autonomous vehicles, suddenly found itself in the spotlight after it was revealed that its Apollo technology will be integrated into NVIDIA’s DRIVE AGX automotive platform. This is not just a partnership, but a recognition from the tech giant, which caused a flurry of interest from institutional and retail investors.
A fantastic 229% rise in a single trading day is a figure that raises questions. Is it a bubble or a revival? All indications are that AEye has pushed back from a multi-year bottom. The company has been in the shadows for a long time, and this news has literally brought it out into the light.
Investors should ask themselves a simple question: do I believe in the growth of the LiDAR sector and the potential for long-term integration into the auto manufacturing industry? If so, LIDR is worth a closer look, especially after a technical correction.
Ikena Oncology (NASDAQ: IKNA) rebranding and strategic reassessment +92%
Sometimes it’s not the technology, but the people that make the weather in the market. That’s exactly what happened to Ikena Oncology. The company did a reverse stock split (1:12), rebranded to ImageneBio and appointed a new CEO. This isn’t just a cosmetic change. The new course involves overhauling the development portfolio and focusing on narrower, more promising therapeutic areas.
The market reaction was wild +92% for the day. But it’s important to realize: such volatility is not from nothing. Ikena has a rich R&D base, and if the new management team is able to unlock its potential, this could be just the beginning.
What would a long-term biotech-focused investor do? Probably start tracking IKNA’s quarterly reports and assess risk/return at the first sign of clinical progress.
Additionally: if you’re interested in how one biotech success can change the capitalization of an entire company, read Abivax: How one biotech win dramatically increased the company’s capitalization.
Healthcare Triangle (NASDAQ: HCTI) digital health securities revival +87%
HCTI, a company operating at the intersection of IT and medicine, dramatically increased in value after news of its continued listing on NASDAQ. A seeming technicality? But given the volatility of the frothy sector, then it’s a signal of viability and potential regulatory confidence.
Most importantly, HCTI is developing in the digital health segment, which, amid the growth of telemedicine and AI in healthcare, is perceived as one of the future drivers of the industry. Investors looking for cheap entries into this trend could see an interesting entry point in the paper. However, it’s worth remembering: the company is still in the early stages. High yields are possible, but come with considerable risks. The strategy “buy on rumors, sell on facts” is more relevant than ever.
Garden Stage Limited (NASDAQ: GSIW) speculation excitement +60% without news
Surprisingly, it’s a fact: no releases, no reports, just a surge of interest on social media. GSIW stock rose 60% literally on traders’ emotions. The reason? Crowd psychology. The market loves “mystery” companies with low float – it’s easy to swing the price here.Garden Stage is a Hong Kong fintech with limited public information, and that’s what makes it an ideal target for speculative plays. But is it suitable for the strategic investor? Hardly.
It’s a typical “momentum play” security. Yes, you can catch a wave. But once the massive attention wanes, the stock could go back to where it came from.
reAlpha Tech Corp. (NASDAQ: AIRE) AI in real estate: an idea ahead of earnings? +44%
The integration of AI into traditional industries is gaining momentum. reAlpha is positioning itself as a pioneer at the intersection of AI and the real estate market. In July, the company raised $5 million through an equity offering and warrants, demonstrating that it has access to capital even in a challenging environment.
reAlpha’s platform solutions analyze property returns, automate investment transactions, and forecast trends. All of this sounds like the future, but it’s worth remembering: the business is still unprofitable, and technology takes time to scale.
Still, the demand for “AI investments” is not subsiding. AIRE may prove to be an interesting position early in the cycle, especially for those who are building a portfolio with a 3-5 year time horizon.
Momentum for a move or noise before the fall?
Five companies. Five very different storylines. One day – and hundreds of percent gains. Random? Not really. But does that mean a bright future awaits each of them? The market is full of surprises. Buying a stock at its peak is risky. But a smart investor analyzes not only the numbers, but also the context. Stories like AEye and IKNA show that even on speculative spikes you can build a sound strategy.
Ask yourself: are you willing to engage in volatility for the sake of potential multiple upside? Or would you prefer calmer instruments? And if you are already building a diversified portfolio, don’t overlook sectors such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence and digital health. This is where the next wave of growth could be brewing.
Also recommended: if you’re watching stocks surge, check out the article Opendoor Technologies (Open stock): Explosive growth or temporary fever? It will help you better understand how short-term trends work and how to capitalize on them without unnecessary risk.
