Opendoor Technologies (NASDAQ: OPEN) saw its shares jump about 27% in afternoon trading on Friday, building on a strong rally that’s been turning heads this month.

The digital real estate platform has been in the spotlight thanks to its rapid price gains, giving both the company and its shareholders a boost of optimism.

The latest surge follows an 11.8% gain from the previous day, driven by upbeat housing market data and some smart strategic moves by the company.

What drove Opendoor stock?

A few things have fueled Opendoor’s big run in the stock market. One of the main drivers is the company’s push into artificial intelligence to make buying and selling homes smoother and faster.

Investors seem excited about this tech-focused approach, seeing it as a sign that Opendoor could shake up the real estate game.

On top of that, Opendoor’s recent earnings pleasantly surprised the market. Second-quarter revenue came in at $1.6 billion, beating analyst expectations even with the housing market still facing some headwinds.

It was also the company’s first quarter of adjusted EBITDA profitability since 2022, thanks in part to a wider agent-led distribution network, a clear signal that the business is improving operationally.

The housing market has also played a big part in Opendoor’s recent surge. Existing home sales jumped 2% month-over-month in July, and median closing prices rose to $422,000, giving investors a more positive backdrop for housing-related stocks like Opendoor.

That broader optimism helped push the stock higher leading up to and on Friday.

Social media buzz has added to the momentum, too. Communities on platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) have been rallying around Opendoor, targeting heavily shorted positions and creating extra buying pressure.

That wave of retail investor enthusiasm has been a major factor behind the stock’s gains earlier in August.

What analysts say?

Market watchers are feeling a mix of cautious optimism and respect for what’s driving Opendoor’s rebound.

Many point to the company’s push into AI as a real differentiator in the usually slow-moving real estate brokerage world.

Combine that with Opendoor’s scale as it is handling thousands of transactions and nearly $2.4 billion in inventory on its platform and it’s clear why the company is drawing attention and looks positioned for growth.

At the same time, analysts aren’t ignoring the risks. Opendoor’s stock has had wild swings in the past, from the collapse after its early 2021 highs to the meme-stock-driven rally more recently.

The housing market’s ups and downs, along with broader economic uncertainties, mean investors still need to be careful.

Even so, the company’s ability to post profitable quarters and stay in line with Nasdaq listing requirements has given some reassurance.

A few hedge funds and institutional investors have been adding to their positions this year, hinting at renewed professional interest that could help support the stock going forward.

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