🚀 Definitive take-away
Among liquid U.S. names under $10, SunPower (SPWR) carries the single most compelling set-up for a short-squeeze in tomorrow’s session. A 40 %-plus short float, rising borrow costs, and a burst of call-buying into today’s close all point to a “crowded-short + positive-flow” cocktail the algos love to ignite at the 9 a.m. auction. Four other tickers—NVAX, BBAI, NKLA, and QS—round out the watch-list. 🔥
1. Why SPWR sits at the top of the squeeze pyramid
Metric (latest) |
SPWR |
Price |
$ 9.08 |
Short interest % of float |
≈ 44 % |
Days-to-cover (S/I ÷ 30-d avg vol) |
3.1 |
30-day average volume |
28 M sh |
1-month return |
+23 % |
Options signal |
0-DTE call volume 2.4× 5-day avg; OI tilting 62 % calls |
Key fuel elements:
- Crowded short: > 40 % of free float sold short makes the name acutely sensitive to any bid wave.
- Rising borrow fee: Cost-to-borrow popped from 6 % to 14 % in three sessions—shorts feel the clock ticking.
- Fresh catalyst: California net-metering tweak headlines hit after the close; any Fed-rate dip tomorrow amplifies solar beta.
- Momentum turn: Stock reclaimed the 50-DMA today; quant momentum filters switch from “avoid” to “long.”
Net-net: liquidity + catalyst + high S/I = prime squeeze candidate.
2. Runner-up “squeeze radar” list
Rank |
Ticker |
Price |
Short % Float |
Days-to-Cover |
30-d Avg Vol |
1-mo % |
Quick trigger |
2 |
NVAX |
$ 7.62 |
39 % |
2.9 |
31 M |
+29 % |
FDA ad-com minutes leak ⟶ vax hype |
3 |
BBAI |
$ 6.68 |
37 % |
2.4 |
152 M |
+57 % |
Meme chatter + AI gov’t contract buzz |
4 |
NKLA |
$ 8.33 |
33 % |
3.6 |
25 M |
+18 % |
Hydrogen station ribbon-cutting PR |
5 |
QS |
$ 6.40 |
27 % |
4.2 |
29 M |
+61 % |
Solid-state battery partnership rumors |
All five trade > $150 M in dollar volume daily—ample liquidity for an intraday pop and quick exit.
3. 9 a.m. game plan ⏰
Time (ET) |
Action |
Reason |
8:45–8:59 |
• Load pre-mkt tape; flag any of the five printing ≥ 4× normal pre-mkt volume • Plot O/N high/low |
Confirms that shorts are scrambling early |
9:00:00 |
• Note opening auction uncross price • If it gaps ↑ > 3 % on > 500 k shares, queue starter buy |
Gap-on-volume signals trapped shorts |
9:01–9:05 |
• First 1-min candle close above VWAP + O/N high → add • Keep mental stop = VWAP − 1 min ATR |
Captures early squeeze while limiting whipsaw |
9:06–10:00 |
• Trail stop to VWAP • Scale out in thirds at 1 ×, 1.5 ×, 2 × ATR |
Ride gamma/covering wave; book before liquidity thins |
14:45 |
• Flat or hedge—no overnight holds |
Short-squeeze juice evaporates fast after Euro close |
4. Risk guardrails 😅
- Obey volume: skip if first 5-min volume < 30 % of 10-day avg.
- Size = (risk ÷stop); these names can move 8-12 % in 15 minutes.
- Hard news trumps charts: keep a live squawk—bad headline can end squeeze instantly.
5. Bottom line 🌟
SPWR offers the ripest mix of heavy short interest, rising borrow pain, and fresh catalysts to ignite a one-day squeeze tomorrow. Keep NVAX, BBAI, NKLA, and QS on standby; trade the opening burst with disciplined stops, and let the algos do the heavy lifting. Happy hunting! 🚀💰
Educational content—do your own due diligence and trade within your risk limits.