In a stunning display of market engagement, retail investors traded a staggering $6.6 trillion worth of stocks in the first half of 2025, shattering previous records. This unprecedented activity reveals a market driven by a dramatic pendulum swing from deep uncertainty to bold optimism.
According to data from Nasdaq (NDAQ), a potent cocktail of tariff threats, geopolitical turmoil, and domestic political tension fueled a frenzied trading environment. Individual investors bought a cumulative 3.2 trillion, culminating in a total traded volume never seen before.
At the heart of this storm were some of Wall Street’s most talked-about names, including chipmaker Nvidia (NVDA), electric vehicle leader Tesla (TSLA), and data analytics firm Palantir (PLTR), which were among the most actively traded stocks.
The Great Swing: From Bearish Panic to Bullish Relief
The most dramatic period of this trading frenzy occurred in April and May. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff announcements sent shockwaves through global markets, igniting fears of a full-blown trade war and a potential recession. Nasdaq noted that many retail investors found this period to be “the toughest investment climate” they had ever experienced.
But fear quickly gave way to opportunity.
As the Trump administration began striking trade deals with key partners like the United Kingdom and China, and backed down from some of its more severe tariff threats, the panic subsided. The initial bearish sentiment transformed into a wave of bullish relief, and investors who had sold into the fear piled back into the market, driving the record-breaking volumes.
Wall Street’s Verdict: Is Nvidia Stock a Buy?
With retail investors so heavily involved in Nvidia, where do the professionals stand?
According to Wall Street analysts, the outlook for the chip-making giant remains overwhelmingly positive. The stock holds a consensus “Strong Buy” rating based on the opinions of 40 analysts.
Here’s the breakdown:
-
Buy Ratings: 35
-
Hold Ratings: 4
-
Sell Ratings: 1
The average analyst price target for NVDA is $175.69, which implies a potential 10.26% upside from its current levels. Despite the market’s wild ride, Wall Street’s conviction in Nvidia’s future remains firm.
