Amer's 98.68% Volume Surge Ranks 354th as Ukraine Tensions and Trump-Zelenskyy Talks Drive Market Volatility

On August 18, 2025, Amer (AS) closed with a 3.13% decline, marking its third consecutive day of losses. Trading volume surged to $270 million, a 98.68% increase from the prior session, ranking the stock 354th in volume among listed companies. The move followed heightened geopolitical tensions in Ukraine, where Russian airstrikes killed 10 civilians in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia as Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. Zelenskyy framed the attacks as evidence of Putin’s unwillingness to cease hostilities, while Trump highlighted progress in peace negotiations, including potential trilateral talks with Putin. The meeting, however, did not produce immediate ceasefire agreements, leaving investors to weigh the impact of prolonged conflict on global markets.

The Zelenskyy-Trump discussions focused on security guarantees and a potential NATO-style defense pact for Ukraine, a proposal that could influence regional stability but remains unconfirmed. European leaders, including French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz, joined the talks, emphasizing the need to counter Russian aggression. Analysts noted that while Trump’s outreach to Putin signaled a shift toward diplomacy, the absence of concrete terms for a peace deal or ceasefire left uncertainty. For Amer, a brand with significant exposure to global markets, the geopolitical instability may amplify volatility, particularly if supply chains or consumer demand in Europe face disruptions. The stock’s sharp volume spike suggests traders are hedging against near-term risks, though broader market sentiment remains cautious.

The strategy of buying the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding them for one day from 2022 to 2025 yielded a 1-day return of 0.98%, with a total return of 31.52% over 365 days. This reflects modest performance amid market volatility and highlights the challenges of timing short-term momentum in a high-turnover environment.