10 Hot Stocks to Watch — Thursday, September 3, 2026

Marathon Holdings tumbled 9.35% to $10.76 Friday, extending losses as Bitcoin weakness exposed persistent miner-to-crypto price decoupling. The stock's 57% decline from 52-week highs underscores investor skepticism around the company's AI data center diversification narrative, despite holding 50,000+ BTC and expanding capacity. Options markets are flashing conviction—heavy call buying with 5.25 call-to-put ratio and 22,835 contracts at $11 strike (Sept 2026)—suggesting smart money sees capitulation. Watch $10.50 support and Bitcoin's hold above $79,500 as immediate bellwethers.

Palo Alto Networks tumbled after Q2 results failed to meet investor expectations, extending a brutal correction from its $398 peak. The selloff suggests the market is repricing the cybersecurity leader's growth narrative as smaller competitors like Netskope capture AI-driven demand. Options traders are hedging aggressively, with put volume surging across the $300–$330 band ahead of the Sept. 4 expiry, signaling conviction that downside pressure persists. Watch the $320 support level closely.

Riot Platforms tumbled 8.81% to $19.04 today, extending pressure on the high-beta crypto miner as the sector navigates a structural shift toward AI data centers. Yet options traders are betting otherwise: call volume surged to a 6:1 call-to-put ratio, with heavy positioning in $19–$20 strikes across September 2026 expirations. Billionaire Dan Loeb's Third Point recently built a four-stock bitcoin-miner basket focused on AI infrastructure upside, signaling institutional conviction that the pivot could unlock valuation re-rating. Watch the $20 level as near-term resistance.

Rivian shares dropped 6.25% today, extending losses following CFO Claire McDonough's departure announced Friday—a leadership vacuum that compounds investor anxiety over production targets and fourth-quarter margins. Yet options markets flash a contrarian signal: bullish call-to-put ratio of 5.38 with heavy clustering around the $16 strike expiring September 4th and 18th, suggesting institutional buyers are accumulating leverage near current levels. Watch the $15.50–$16.00 band as near-term support and resistance; a close above $16 would align with the call positioning.

AST SpaceMobile shares fell sharply today, reversing earlier momentum as manufacturing delays and SpaceX partnership uncertainties weigh on investor sentiment. Yet the options market tells a different story: call volume is surging with an 8.78 call-to-put ratio, and heavy positioning in $65–$70 calls expiring September 2026 signals conviction among derivatives traders betting on a recovery. Watch the $60 support level; a break below could trigger fresh selling, while a hold sets up the $65 call ladder as a key resistance zone.

Rocket Lab shares tumbled 4.65% today, extending a 57% retreat from 52-week highs despite notching its 94th flawless Electron mission and fresh Buy ratings from Berenberg. The options market is painting a different picture: call volume exploded to 3.44x put ratio, with 4,178 contracts stacked at the $65 strike (Sept 2026 expiry), signaling institutional conviction in a near-term bounce. Momentum remains fragile—stock sits $86 below its peak—but heavy call buying ahead of the $65 level suggests traders are positioning for reversal.

PayPal rebounded 4.33% Wednesday, shaking off the failed Stripe acquisition attempt that torpedoed shares in recent sessions. The options market is flashing green: a 6.12 call-to-put ratio and heavy positioning in $55 calls expiring September 2026 suggest institutional accumulation above current levels. Watch the $55 strike as resistance; a sustained break above it could attract fresh momentum in a sector benefiting from easing yields and BNPL tailwinds.

Robinhood surged 3.36% to $106.99 after Scotiabank initiated coverage with an 'Outperform' rating and $136 price target, implying 27% upside. Options traders are piling into near-term calls, with a 3.99 call-to-put ratio and heavy September 4th positioning at $107–$110 strikes signaling conviction above current levels. Watch $110 as the key resistance; a break triggers the next leg higher toward Scotiabank's target.

Nvidia climbed $7.16 to $224.41 today, extending gains as semiconductor strength persists despite billionaire Dan Loeb's recent exit from both Nvdia and Broadcom positions. Options flow reveals aggressive bullish positioning: call volume has swamped puts with a 2.41 call-to-put ratio, with heaviest concentration in $225–$230 September 2026 calls totaling 305,000 contracts. Watch $230 as the near-term resistance level; a break above would suggest conviction that AI capex tailwinds justify valuations near the 52-week high of $236.54.

VXX tumbled 2.86% to $18.02 as equity volatility compressed to near one-year lows following Chair Warski's Jackson Hole remarks and strong tech earnings. Options traders are positioning aggressively for upside, with call-to-put ratio of 6.56 and heavy concentration in $20–$22 strikes expiring early September, signaling conviction in a rebound. Watch the $20 level as key resistance; sustained breaks above could activate the $22 and $40 call chains over the next six weeks.