Peraso (PRSO) Surges 19.57% on Bullish Pipeline News and Strategic Leadership Shift – What’s Fueling the Momentum?

Summary
• Peraso (PRSO) rockets 19.57% intraday, trading at $1.19 amid a record 12 pre-production products and a $3 price target from Benchmark.
• Short interest drops 18.6% in December, signaling reduced bearish bets as the stock surges above its 52-week low of $0.52.
• Cees Links, a wireless tech veteran, joins Peraso’s board, adding credibility to its 60 GHz and 5G mmWave innovation roadmap.

Peraso’s explosive 19.57% rally on January 16, 2026, has thrust the semiconductor penny stock into the spotlight. Trading at $1.19—well above its 52-week low of $0.52—the stock’s surge is driven by Benchmark’s reiterated Speculative Buy rating, a record 12 pre-production products, and strategic leadership additions. With a 10.6M turnover and 11.8% turnover rate, the move reflects a mix of retail and institutional optimism.

Benchmark’s Speculative Buy Rating and Strategic Leadership Bolster Peraso’s Bullish Outlook
Peraso’s 19.57% intraday surge is anchored by Benchmark’s December 5 report, which highlighted a record 12 pre-production products (up from 7 in Q3 2025) and a $3 price target. The firm emphasized growing adoption in Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), defense, and Edge AI markets, alongside a major FWA order from a global provider. Additionally, the appointment of Cees Links—a veteran wireless executive—to the board has reinforced investor confidence in Peraso’s 60 GHz and 5G mmWave technology roadmap. These catalysts, combined with reduced short interest (down 18.6% in December), have created a short-term bullish momentum.

Technical Setup and ETF Correlation: A Short-Term Bullish Play
• 200-day MA: $1.03 (bullish crossover with current price of $1.19)
• RSI: 52.48 (neutral, suggesting potential for further upside)
• MACD: -0.0035 (positive histogram, indicating bullish momentum)
• Bollinger Bands: Price at $1.19 (above upper band of $1.04, signaling overbought conditions)

Peraso’s technicals align with a short-term bullish setup. The stock has pierced above its 200-day moving average ($1.03) and is trading near the upper Bollinger Band ($1.04), suggesting strong near-term momentum. With RSI at 52.48 and a positive MACD histogram, the stock appears poised to test its 52-week high of $2.37. However, the -2.37 PE ratio and lack of options liquidity mean investors should focus on tight stop-loss levels (e.g., $1.01 intraday low). While no leveraged ETFs are directly tied to PRSO, the broader semiconductor sector’s mixed performance (e.g., Qualcomm’s -0.59% intraday decline) underscores the need for selective positioning.

Backtest Peraso Stock Performance
The backtest of PRSO's performance after a 20% intraday surge from 2022 to the present shows mixed results. The 3-Day win rate is 39.10%, the 10-Day win rate is 41.00%, and the 30-Day win rate is 38.15%. However, the strategy underperformed with a maximum return of -0.19% over 30 days, indicating that while there were winning streaks, the overall performance was negative.

Peraso’s Momentum Faces Crucial Test: Hold Above $1.01 to Sustain Rally
Peraso’s 19.57% surge is a short-term catalyst-driven move, fueled by Benchmark’s bullish thesis and strategic leadership additions. However, sustainability hinges on the stock holding above its intraday low of $1.01 and maintaining volume above 1.06M. Investors should monitor the 52-week high of $2.37 as a key resistance level and watch for follow-through buying in the semiconductor sector, where Qualcomm’s -0.59% decline highlights mixed sentiment. For now, Peraso’s technicals and news flow justify a cautious bullish stance, but volatility remains high. Watch for a breakdown below $1.01 or a surge above $1.20 to confirm the next directional move.