Core Scientific Surges 2.83 as Trading Volume Plummets 69.14 Amid CoreWeave Takeover Disputes and Top 500 Ranking Volatility

On August 18, 2025, Core Scientific (CORZ) closed up 2.83% at $14.13, with a trading volume of $0.19 billion, a 69.14% decline from the prior day. The stock, which has surged 40% over the past year, remains under scrutiny ahead of its pending acquisition by CoreWeave, set to be voted on in Q4 2025.

Jefferies raised its price target for CORZ to $22 from $16, maintaining a Buy rating. The firm highlighted that the proposed $20.40-per-share all-stock deal—valuing Core Scientific at $12.35 per share based on CoreWeave’s current price—falls below its estimated fair takeout range of $16–$23. Analysts warned that if CoreWeave’s stock stagnates near $100, the acquisition may face rejection due to undervaluation concerns.

Despite the price target upgrade, shareholder sentiment remains divided. Two Seas Capital, Core Scientific’s largest active investor, opposes the deal, citing undervaluation and economic risks. Meanwhile, Bernstein maintains an Outperform rating with a $17 target, while JMP Securities downgraded the stock to Market Perform, reflecting mixed strategic assessments. The company’s financials also show mixed signals: a strong current ratio of 1.79 but a negative EBITDA of $54.59 million over the last twelve months.

The strategy of buying the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding them for one day from 2022 to now delivered moderate returns, with a total profit of $10,720 as of the latest data.