Trump Media (DJT) Stock Faces Sharp Decline as Lock-Up Date Looms
In addition to lock-up-related volatility, the price of DJT stock also appears to be correlated with the Republican nominee’s political fortunes, rising or falling depending on the news cycle.
Trump Media & Technology Group (NASDAQ: DJT), the parent company of Truth Social, is grappling with significant stock market volatility as the expiration of a crucial DJT lock-up agreement approaches. The stock has seen a sharp decline throughout 2024, and uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump’s potential sale of his shares has fueled speculation and driven prices down further.
Shares of Trump Media, trading under the symbol DJT, have plummeted more than 75% from their peak of $79.38 in March 2024, now trading below $17. This dramatic fall comes as the company’s market capitalization shrinks to approximately $3.5 billion, a stark contrast to its near $10 billion valuation in mid-May.
Looming DJT Lock-up Expiration Sparks Investor Concerns
One major factor contributing to the stock’s decline is the expiration of a lock-up agreement that prevents Trump and other insiders from selling their shares until September 19. Trump, who owns nearly 59% of the company’s shares, could potentially flood the market if he chooses to sell, triggering even greater losses for investors. Despite the looming deadline, Trump has not signaled his intentions.
The stock’s volatility has been exacerbated by Trump’s return to other social media platforms, such as Elon Musk’s X and TikTok, which some analysts view as a sign that he may be moving away from Truth Social.
However, the company continues to expand, according to a Trump Media spokesperson, who stated:
“We achieved a key milestone with the launch of our in-app streaming platform… while maintaining a strong Q2 financial position with $344 million in cash and zero debt.”
Financial Challenges Raise Doubts About Company’s Future
Despite this optimism, the company faces significant financial hurdles. Truth Social, the company’s flagship platform, has struggled to build a large user base and generate advertising revenue, delivering less than $1 million in Q2 revenue while reporting a $16 million net loss. Analysts have described Trump Media as a “meme stock,” driven by political sentiment rather than strong financial fundamentals.
Brian Quinn, a law professor at Boston College, commented:
“Anybody who looks at this knows that the current price of the stock has no relationship to the underlying value of the company.”
Political Fortunes Impact Stock Performance
The stock’s decline mirrors Trump’s fluctuating political fortunes. Initially bolstered by his frontrunner status in the Republican primary and a brief surge following his survival of an assassination attempt in July, the stock has since slumped as his polling numbers dipped slightly and uncertainty over his financial moves increased.
As September approaches, the question of whether Trump will sell his stake looms large. While Trump has remained bullish on Truth Social, claiming it’s “very, very powerful,” any movement to cash out could send shockwaves through the market, further destabilizing the already volatile stock. Investors will closely watch to see whether Trump holds on or offloads his shares.
Trump Media (DJT) Stock Price Action
Shares of Trump Media stock closed today’s trading session at $17.40, up 2.47% on the day. YTD, DJT stock is down 0.29%. All time, DJT stock is up 75.05%.
View Trump Media Interactive Stock Chart on Barchart
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Disclaimer: Wealthy VC does not hold a position in any of the stocks, ETFs or cryptocurrencies mentioned in this article.