iRobot Stuns Wall Street as Stock Jumps Nearly 50% in Hours

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

iRobot (NASDAQ:IRBT) climbed more than 48% on Wednesday as investors returned to the heavily shorted robotics maker.

Trading volume moved well above typical levels. More than 80 million shares changed hands with hours left in the session, compared with an average of about 11 million. The stock touched an intraday high near $5.11.

Market data shows short interest remains high at roughly 39% of the float, placing the company among the most shorted names in the consumer technology segment. The elevated position has contributed to sharp price swings in recent weeks.

The company has not issued a press release or regulatory filing in recent weeks that may explain the rise. Some analysts say renewed interest in companies tied to robotics and automation may be supporting the move as policy discussions in Washington continue to highlight domestic technology investment.

iRobot has been focusing on AI-driven features, deeper smart-home connectivity, and refreshed mid-range models as part of its product strategy. Investors are watching for updates on demand trends and cost controls as the company works to stabilize growth in a competitive market.