Weekly Wrap-Up: Sunday, 9/21/25
Activ8 Weekly: Hunterbrook's Dexcom Safety Report Drives Biggest Weekly Decline
With four major firms publishing reports targeting companies across diverse sectors from uranium mining to medical devices. The reports delivered mixed immediate market impact, with DexCom suffering the most severe damage as Hunterbrook Media's safety allegations drove shares down over 11% by week's end. Meanwhile, Trustpilot showed resilience despite HitHawk Research's scathing business model critique, while DraftKings and Uranium Energy Corp demonstrated relative stability in the face of competitive and governance concerns respectively.
HitHawk Research Short Report on Trustpilot Group PLC (LSE: TRST.L)
Report Impact on Stock Price
HitHawk Research's business model critique published September 17th initially pushed Trustpilot shares higher from £230.60 to close at £237.20, defying typical post-report selling patterns. However, the stock gave back gains through the week to finish at £229.00, representing a modest 0.7% decline from the pre-report baseline and indicating the market may be weighing the report's allegations against the company's current momentum.
Who is Trustpilot Group PLC?
Trustpilot Group PLC is a UK-based online review platform that aggregates company and service reviews, operating with approximately $210 million in annual revenue and 975 employees. The company is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange with a market cap of around $1 billion, led by CEO Adrian Blair and controversial Chair Zillah Byng-Thorne. Trustpilot's business model centers on charging businesses premium fees (often $200+ monthly) for enhanced features and review management services.
Key Points from the Report
Fraudulent Business Model: Trustpilot operates through a systematic process of forcing business registration, manipulating reviews, and then extorting companies into paying for premium services to manage their reputation
Fake Review Manipulation: The platform artificially inflates ratings for paying customers while allowing negative reviews of dubious origin to remain for non-paying businesses, with AI analysis revealing clear patterns of inauthentic positive reviews
Google's Existential Threat: Google Reviews offers free business dashboards, deep search integration, and AI-powered summaries, directly competing with Trustpilot's paid model while cross-subsidized by Google's massive ad revenue
Concerning Financial Metrics: The company spends 45% of revenue on marketing and sales (versus 12% industry average), maintains a debt-to-equity ratio of 39.3% (far above 2% industry benchmark), and has only 15% free float with heavy private equity control
Declining Market Position: Trustpilot has experienced declining traffic since November 2023 and faces mounting legal challenges while struggling to compete against Google's free alternative that's integrated directly into search results
Read our full summary here
The Bear Cave Research Report on DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ: DKNG)
Report Impact on Stock Price
The Bear Cave's competitive threat analysis published September 18th produced limited market reaction, with DraftKings shares dipping modestly from $42.64 to close at $43.30 on publication day. The stock maintained stability through the week, finishing Friday at $43.45 for a slight 1.9% gain over the pre-report baseline, suggesting investors remain confident in the company's duopoly position despite emerging prediction market competition.
Who is DraftKings Inc.?
DraftKings Inc. is a Boston-based American gambling company founded in 2012 that has evolved from a daily fantasy sports provider into a comprehensive digital sports entertainment platform offering sportsbook services, iGaming, and online casino games. The company reported $1.39 billion in Q4 2024 revenue and raised its 2025 guidance to $6.3-6.6 billion, representing 31% year-over-year growth, while serving approximately 4.8 million active users across 28 states for sports betting and five states for iGaming. DraftKings operates as the second-largest player in the U.S. sportsbook market behind FanDuel, with sports revenue comprising 61% of total sales, iGaming 32%, and fantasy/lottery 7%.
Key Points from the Report
Emerging Competitive Threat: Prediction markets like Kalshi are disrupting DraftKings' effective duopoly with FanDuel by offering customers better odds and deeper liquidity on various outcomes
Market Structure Shift: The competitive landscape is transforming from a comfortable two-player market dominated by DraftKings and FanDuel into a more challenging multi-competitor environment
Defensive Position: DraftKings may find itself playing defense as new entrants provide alternative betting products that could attract its customer base
Duopoly Under Pressure: The established market dynamics that have benefited DraftKings through limited competition are being challenged by innovative platforms offering superior value propositions
Liquidity and Odds Disadvantage: Traditional sportsbooks like DraftKings face potential disadvantages in odds competitiveness and market depth compared to prediction market platforms designed for higher liquidity
Read our full summary here
Huterbrook Media Short Report on DexCom Inc.(NASDAQ:DXCM)
Report Impact on Stock Price
Hunterbrook Media's damning safety report published September 18th triggered immediate selling pressure, with Dexcom shares plunging from a $76.44 pre-report close to an intraday low of $71.80 before recovering slightly to close at $75.78. The selling accelerated through the week as the safety allegations gained traction, with shares ending Friday at $67.45 - an 11.8% decline from the pre-report baseline, making it the week's worst performer among targeted companies.
Who is DexCom Inc.?
Dexcom Inc. is a U.S.-based medical device company founded in 1999 that specializes in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems for diabetes management, with its flagship G7 device being a key product in the diabetes care market. The company is publicly traded on NASDAQ and has grown to become a multi-billion dollar enterprise with nearly 1,000 employees, serving diabetic patients who rely on accurate glucose readings for life-critical insulin dosing decisions. Dexcom has been a pioneer in the CGM space but recently faced significant leadership upheaval, with CEO Kevin Sayer departing on "medical leave" in September 2025 and being replaced by Jake Leach, who is notably the son-in-law of a former Dexcom CEO.
Key Points from the Report
Fatal Product Safety Crisis: The G7 continuous glucose monitor has been linked to hospitalizations and deaths, with the FDA citing Dexcom for using "adulterated" devices containing unauthorized materials that performed worse by "every accuracy metric"
Regulatory Violations and Recalls: Dexcom received an FDA warning letter in March 2025 and issued a Class 1 recall in May 2025, with complaint rates running 22% above expected levels based on market share while competitor Abbott logs 68% fewer complaints
Executive Exodus and Leadership Crisis: Mass departure of senior leadership including the CEO, CCO, VP of Global Operations, and Head of Engineering within a year, with no insider stock purchases since 2020 indicating lack of confidence from management
Aggressive Accounting Practices: Days Sales Outstanding hit a record 106 days, suggesting channel stuffing and aggressive revenue recognition to mask deteriorating business fundamentals
Competitive Threats: Abbott's Freestyle Libre 3 offers better accuracy (7.9% MARD vs G7's 8.2%), with Abbott claiming it will "100%" take market share from Dexcom, while next-generation dual glucose/ketone sensors threaten to make current technology obsolete
Read our full summary here
Spruce Point Management Short Report on Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE:UEC)
Report Impact on Stock Price
Spruce Point Capital's report on September 18th had minimal immediate impact on UEC's stock price, with shares declining just 8 cents from $12.24 to close at $12.26 on the day of publication. The stock actually recovered through the week to close Friday at $12.45, representing a modest 1.7% gain from the pre-report baseline and suggesting investors may be discounting Spruce Point's governance concerns amid the broader uranium bull market.
Who is Uranium Energy Corp?
Uranium Energy Corp is a uranium speculation company originally founded as a Vancouver penny stock that has transformed into a $5 billion market cap entity despite having no proven reserves and minimal production history over its 20+ year existence. The company operates primarily as a uranium concentrate buyer and seller rather than a traditional mining operation, with CEO Amir Adnani leading what Spruce Point characterizes as a promotional enterprise. UEC trades on the NYSE American Exchange and has spent only $12.1 million in cumulative capital expenditures over two decades while diluting shareholders at approximately 15% annually, expanding from 26 million to 450 million shares outstanding.
Key Points from the Report
CEO's Problematic Connections: Amir Adnani has documented ties to multiple SEC, BCSC, and DOJ charged individuals, including being son-in-law to former Chairman Alan Lindsay whose son Oliver Lindsay served prison time for securities fraud
Zero Proven Reserves Despite $5B Valuation: After 20+ years of operation, UEC has completed no bankable feasibility studies and maintains no proven uranium reserves while trading at extreme valuation multiples compared to established producers
Massive Shareholder Dilution: The company has diluted shareholders at 15% annually over two decades, expanding share count from 26 million to 450 million shares while spending minimal amounts on actual capital expenditures ($12.1M total)
Environmental Violations and Rising Liabilities: UEC's Hobson facility in Texas has been cited for mechanical integrity failures, inadequate record keeping, and monitoring violations, while asset retirement obligations tripled from $29M to $89M in just seven months
Extreme Overvaluation vs Peers: Trading at 41.7x projected 2026 revenue compared to established uranium producers Cameco (13.6x) and Energy Fuels (17.1x), leading Spruce Point to target 65%-86% downside to $1.76-$4.33 per share
Read our full summary here
Wolfpack Research Report on Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. (NASDAQ:FFAI)
Report Impact on Stock Price
FFAI shares posted a modest 3.0% gain to $1.72 from the $1.67 baseline, shrugging off Wolfpack Research's explosive allegations about founder Jia Yueting's fraudulent operations. Despite Wolfpack's detailed exposure of fake preorders and rebranded Chinese vehicles, the stock's brief 2.4% decline to $1.63 on publication day was quickly reversed, possibly reflecting the market's view that negative sentiment was already well-reflected in the sub-$2 share price.
Who is Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc.?
Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. is a NASDAQ-listed electric vehicle company founded and controlled by Jia Yueting (YT), who fled China in 2017 to escape creditors and regulators. Despite burning through $4.4 billion in funding over nearly a decade, the company has delivered only 17 vehicles total. FFAI operates primarily by rebranding Chinese vehicles (specifically Wey Gaoshan vehicles with FFAI logos) rather than manufacturing original products. The company is controlled through what Wolfpack Research describes as YT's "mafia" of trusted associates and has a current market cap of $245.2 million.
Key Points from the Report
Fraudulent Vehicle Claims - The company's "new" EV minivan announced in 2025 is actually a rebranded Chinese Wey Gaoshan vehicle with FFAI logos swapped in, not an original design or manufacturing achievement
Fake Preorder Scheme - All 10,000+ claimed preorders are non-binding with no financial commitment, and 1,000 of them came from Nature's Miracle, a penny stock company with less than $10,000 in cash owned by YT's business school classmate
SEC Enforcement Action - The company received a Wells Notice from the SEC indicating likely enforcement action, while YT allegedly committed bankruptcy fraud by hiding $1.2 billion in Lucid stock from creditors
Dismal Operating Performance - After burning $4.4 billion in investor funding, FFAI has delivered only 17 total vehicles, demonstrating complete failure to execute on manufacturing and business operations
Criminal Leadership Background - Founder Jia Yueting is banned for life from Chinese securities markets, was fined $37 million for fraud, and fled China in 2017 to escape legal consequences while owing creditors billions of dollars
Read our full summary here
Robinhood announces short selling capabilities: The retail trading platform will introduce short selling features in coming months, potentially democratizing activist short strategies previously exclusive to hedge funds and enabling millions of retail investors to profit from declining stock prices through coordinated research-based campaigns.
Read the Article HereSEC reconsiders short sale disclosure rules: Chairman Paul Atkins directs staff to evaluate Biden-era short selling disclosure requirements after the Fifth Circuit Court ordered the agency to reassess their economic impact, following successful challenges by hedge fund trade groups who argued the rules were overbroad and beyond the SEC's authority.
Robinhood launches private market fund: The retail trading platform filed with the SEC to register Robinhood Ventures Fund I (RVI), a closed-end fund designed to give everyday investors access to private companies before they go public, aiming to democratize an estimated $10 trillion private market previously limited to wealthy individuals and institutions.
India's SEBI dismisses Hindenburg allegations against Adani Group: India's securities regulator concluded that transactions between Adani companies and entities flagged by Hindenburg Research did not constitute undisclosed related-party transactions or market manipulation, clearing the conglomerate of accusations that triggered a $150 billion stock sell-off in 2023.
Activ8Insights.com is your go-to source for everything in the world of activist short selling. We track every activist short report as it drops, publish in-depth analysis on targeted companies, and scour the web for related news and filings, so you don’t have to. Whether you're an investor, analyst, or just short-curious, we bring the red flags to your inbox in real time.
Visit our Website
Disclaimer
The information provided on Activ8Insights.com—including all articles, reports, commentary, and associated content—is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. It does not constitute investment advice, an offer, or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Activ8Insights does not express any opinion on the valuation or future performance of any security mentioned. All views and opinions presented aim to promote transparency and critical dialogue around activist investing—particularly short activism—but should not be interpreted as personalized financial advice. Investors are solely responsible for their own due diligence and investment decisions, based on publicly available information and their individual financial circumstances. We strongly encourage consulting a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. No content published by Activ8Insights constitutes a solicitation or offer to buy or sell securities or financial instruments. Authors, contributors, or affiliates of Activ8Insights may hold long or short positions in the securities mentioned. These positions may change at any time without notice, and there is no obligation to disclose such changes after publication. Any forecasts, estimates, or forward-looking statements are speculative by nature and based on assumptions that may prove inaccurate. They are subject to risks, uncertainties, and change without notice. Activ8Insights makes no commitment to update forward-looking content. Activ8Insights disclaims all liability for any direct or consequential loss arising from the use of content on this site or associated platforms. By accessing this website or our affiliated media, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer and our terms of use. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.