GameStop One of the original meme stocks, GameStop (NYSE: GME) shares soared in early 2021 in what looked like a combination of a short squeeze and speculation on that short squeeze. In pre-COVID 2019, this segment of the retail market only generated $135 billion worth of business. Impending interest rate hikes meant to curb rampant inflation obviously don't help the bull case, but it's difficult to deny earnings are bouncing back from their pandemic lull.