Avis Budget Group's stock fell more than 57% over two trading days after a dramatic short squeeze-driven rally that had sent shares up roughly 600% since late March came to a sudden halt. The reversal coincided with intensified short-selling activity in the sector. The two-day crash erased a massive portion of gains for anyone who bought in during the run-up.
Investors who chased the Avis rally late are sitting on severe losses — this is the classic danger of entering a momentum trade after most of the move has already happened. The collapse also signals that short sellers reasserted control, meaning institutional pressure is now working against the stock. Broader car rental and travel-adjacent stocks may feel sentiment spillover.
Watch Avis (CAR) earnings reports and any debt refinancing announcements for signs of fundamental stabilization. Also monitor short interest data releases (typically bi-monthly via FINRA) and any broader meme-stock momentum shifts tied to retail trading platforms.
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