Celsius Surges 3.95% on Analyst Upgrades and Institutional Buying as $670M Volume Ranks 143rd in Liquidity

Celsius Holdings (NASDAQ:CELH) closed 3.95% higher on August 11, 2025, with a trading volume of $670 million, ranking 143rd among stocks by liquidity. The move followed a series of analyst upgrades and institutional investor activity. Roth MKM and B. Riley reiterated bullish stances, with the latter raising its price target to $230 from $197.37 earlier in August. Multiple firms, including TD Cowen and Piper Sandler, maintained or upgraded their "Buy" ratings, while institutions like Nordea Investment Management and LPL Financial increased stakes in the stock.

Recent developments highlighted growing institutional confidence, with $4.21 million in holdings reported by Nordea and 25,351 shares added by LPL Financial. ExodusPoint Capital Management also acquired 35,387 shares, signaling potential accumulation ahead of earnings reports. Analysts emphasized short-term momentum, noting Celsius remains a top 500 liquid stock despite volatility. However, mixed signals emerged as ProShare Advisors and the Bank of New York Mellon reduced holdings, while Ontario Teachers Pension Plan made a modest 630-share purchase.

Strategic backtests demonstrated the efficacy of high-volume trading strategies. A strategy buying the top 500 liquid stocks and holding for one day generated 166.71% returns since 2022, outperforming benchmarks by 137.53%. This underscores liquidity-driven momentum in volatile markets, with Celsius aligning with patterns observed in stocks like Newmont and McKesson. Despite mixed insider trading activity, the stock's liquidity profile and analyst consensus suggest continued short-term appeal for momentum-focused investors.