10 Hot Stocks to Watch — Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Rocket Lab rallied sharply today after announcing $50M–$55M pricing for its Neutron rocket with confidence in further upside as launch demand outpaces supply. The stock, trading near $83, has drawn heavy call buying across the 2026 expiries—particularly the $85 and $100 strikes with combined volume exceeding 23,000 contracts—signaling conviction for sustained momentum into year-end. Neutron's timeline remains a shadow: while record Q2 revenue impressed, the debut has slipped to late 2024 or early 2025, making Q4 2026 call holders bet on sustained commercial traction and margin expansion.

SoundHound AI tumbled 8.65% to $5.70 despite a recent 26% earnings-driven rally on strong Q2 results and raised FY26 guidance. However, options traders are aggressively loading call positions—a 5.15 call-to-put ratio signals conviction, with heavy concentration in $7.50–$8.50 strikes expiring mid-August. Analysts remain mixed: DA Davidson maintains Buy at $10 while Piper Sandler sits Neutral at $7, creating a near-term flashpoint around the $7 support level.

Datadog shares fell 5.37% today, extending losses after a 19% post-earnings plunge on July 22 despite strong quarterly results—a classic case of growth deceleration punishment. Options markets show mixed conviction: while call volume concentrates at $260–$270 strikes through mid-August, elevated out-of-the-money positioning suggests traders hedging downside rather than betting recovery. Watch $240 support; a break below could trigger further capitulation ahead of next earnings cycle.

MARA Holdings tumbled 4.23% today, extending losses as the market digests Q2 results showing a $1.6 billion bitcoin liquidation to fund debt reduction and AI infrastructure. The strategic pivot—anchored by a promised 4.8-gigawatt power portfolio—spooked investors despite board overhauls favoring hyperscale expertise. Yet options markets are flashing contrarian conviction: heavy call buying has pushed the C/P ratio to 3.69, with 8,355 contracts piling into $10 calls expiring mid-August, signaling traders see near-term support at that level even as the stock trades $11.32.

Alphabet shares fell sharply today as Google faces White House scrutiny over AI safety testing alongside Meta, OpenAI, and Anthropic. The selloff contrasts with bullish positioning in the options market, where call volume is elevated across $355–$357.50 strikes expiring mid-August, suggesting traders see a floor near $347.50. The call-to-put ratio of 1.44 signals modest conviction, with August expiries offering a near-term catalyst window before the regulatory meeting unfolds.

ASML climbed to fresh 52-week highs today, extending gains on accelerating signals that $1.3 trillion in committed cloud capex through 2027 will sustain lithography demand despite near-term chip sector fatigue. Options markets show elevated put volume across the $1.3K–$1.64K band—likely hedges against geopolitical risk from Chinese DUV competition—while bullish $2.03K calls expiring mid-August signal conviction above current levels. Watch the $1,800 technical ceiling; a sustained break opens $1,900–$2K territory.

GameStop shares climbed 2.93% to $22.15 as CEO Ryan Cohen reportedly shelves the retailer's ambitious $56 billion eBay acquisition bid in favor of a joint venture leveraging its 1,600-store footprint. The shift signals strategic pragmatism—a full takeover faced financing headwinds, but a partnership could unlock synergies without the balance-sheet strain. Options traders are betting on upside momentum, with a bullish 8.78 call-to-put ratio and heavy positioning in $19–$20 calls expiring August 2026, suggesting conviction for a sustained move above current levels.

Nike climbed 2.59% to $43.23 on renewed optimism around its Victor Wembanyama signature shoe line, a strategic pivot to capture NBA's next generation. Options traders are flooding calls—a 2.20 call-to-put ratio signals conviction, with heavy volume concentrated in $41.50 and $42.00 strikes expiring mid-August. Headwinds remain: back-to-school consumers are pinching pennies amid inflation fatigue, and a CFO transition effective September 4 adds execution risk. Watch the $45 level by August 21 expiry; a break above unlocks 4% upside.

General Electric climbed 2.37% to $377.69 as record 38-GW gas turbine orders underscore strength in its core aerospace business amid data-center-driven power demand. The options market is pricing aggression, with call-to-put ratio of 3.05 and heavy volume in $395 calls expiring August 14, suggesting conviction above current resistance. Yet analysts warn the stock sits 21% above fair value after recent pullback, raising the disciplined question of whether tailwinds are already baked in at near-52-week highs. Watch the $395 level through mid-August.

McDonald's climbed 2.34% to $277 as heavy call-buying pushed the C/P ratio to 2.86, signaling bullish conviction among derivatives traders. The $275 and $280 strike calls expiring August 14–21 saw outsized volume, with nearly 1,400 contracts crossing on the $275 Aug-21 call alone. While sector peer Wendy's struggles with restaurant closures and activist pressure, MCD's defensive beta of 0.42 may be attracting risk-off positioning. Watch the $280 technical level and early-August expiries for momentum confirmation.