Keith Gill, also known as “Roaring Kitty” and “DeepF—Value,” is a financial analyst turned social media influencer who gained popularity among retail investors for his posts on platforms like Reddit and YouTube. Gill recently rekindled investor interest in GameStop, a struggling video game retailer, with a cryptic post that sparked a surge in the company’s shares. His ability to influence GameStop’s stock price has become so strong that E*Trade is reportedly considering banning him from the trading platform.
Gill, born in Massachusetts in 1986, grew up in Brockton and earned a business degree from Stonehill College in 2009. He later pursued a career in financial services, becoming a chartered financial analyst and a licensed securities broker. Gill worked at MassMutual in 2019 before leaving the firm in 2021. He began growing his online influence in 2020, advocating for investments in GameStop and other undervalued stocks, attracting followers who were interested in investing.
While Gill profited from promoting the purchase of GameStop shares, he also suffered significant losses, including a $13 million loss in a single day in 2021. His involvement with GameStop became a key storyline in the 2023 film “Dumb Money,” where he is portrayed by actor Paul Dano. GameStop was part of the meme-stock craze that took off during the pandemic, with retail investors congregating on social media platforms to promote struggling companies like GameStop, AMC, and Blackberry as investments.
Despite facing declining sales and quarterly losses, GameStop managed to turn a profit in March 2023 with the help of meme-stock investors. The company reported $5.2 billion in revenue for the fiscal year, down from $5.9 billion the previous year. GameStop sold a new batch of shares to generate fresh capital, and the company appointed Chewy founder Ryan Cohen as its new CEO. GameStop still faces challenges in the gaming industry as it shifts towards digital downloads and streaming.
Gill’s influence on GameStop’s stock price highlights the power of social media influencers in the investing world. His ability to rally retail investors around companies like GameStop has reshaped the way stocks are traded and valued. While Gill’s involvement in the meme-stock craze has been controversial, his impact on the market cannot be denied. As GameStop continues to navigate the challenges of the gaming industry, the legacy of the meme-stock phenomenon and the role of influencers like Gill will remain a significant part of financial markets.
