Underdogs Unleashed: XPON, VENU, LIXT Power Through Resistance with Real Results
DENVER, Colo., Aug 14, 2025 (247marketnews.com)- Markets are waking up to a flurry of action in the small and mid-cap space as Thursday morning kicks off with pre-market surges, biotech momentum, and institutional tailwinds in entertainment infrastructure.
Expion360 (NASDAQ:XPON) shares surged premarket after the lithium battery specialist reported Q2 2025 net sales of $3 million, representing 134% year-over-year growth. The quarter marked the sixth consecutive period of sequential growth and included two of the strongest sales months in company history.
CEO Brian Schaffner attributed the surge to demand from “dealers, distributors, OEMs and private label clients.” Gross margins came in at 21%, down from 24% in Q1, due to tariff headwinds and pass-through sales, but Schaffner noted that cost mitigation via inventory planning and U.S.-based sourcing is already bearing fruit.
Importantly, XPON regained compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid rule this week, reinforcing its return to growth-mode. With its UL9540-certified Home Energy Storage Solutions (HESS) now gaining traction and $1.4 million in liquidity, XPON is positioning itself as a key player in distributed energy storage for residential and small business markets.
LIXTE Biotechnology (NASDAQ:LIXT) is emerging as a stealth biotech breakout, riding institutional interest and a packed second-half catalyst calendar. The clinical-stage cancer innovator is advancing LB-100, a first-in-class small molecule PP2A inhibitor, through multiple Phase 1B/2 trials expected to read out in H2 2025.
LIXTE is targeting resistant cancers, ovarian clear cell carcinoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and MSS metastatic colon cancer, by sensitizing tumors to DNA-damaging agents such as radiation and chemotherapy. With a foothold in the projected $200 billion global oncology market (Grand View Research, 2025), upcoming clinical data could elevate LIXTE into the spotlight as a disruptor in oncology.
Venu (NYSE:VENU) continues to grind to fresh 52-week highs, with strong tailwinds heading into its Q2 2025 earnings report after today’s close. Recent 13F filings reveal Vanguard Group has initiated a position, holding 861,911 shares (~2.3% of outstanding stock), with a current value of approximately $13 million.
Backing from Aramark adds strategic muscle: the food services giant invested $10.125 million in equity and secured exclusive rights for operations at VENU’s flagship Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs, plus upcoming venues in Texas and Oklahoma.
The earnings call is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. EDT today. Investors and analysts can dial in via:
📞 (800) 715-9871 | Conference ID: 9521412 Replay available here
Xos (NASDAQ:XOS) continued its quiet execution streak, delivering 135 electric trucks in Q2, generating $18.4 million in revenue (up 19% YoY) and logging its lowest operating loss ($7.1 million) since going public. Most notably, the company turned positive free cash flow ($4.6 million), a rare milestone in the EV sector.
CEO Dakota Semler stated, “We delivered more vehicles, more revenue, and more free cash flow than ever before,” highlighting growing partnerships with UPS and FedEx ISPs. While gross margins fell to 8.8% from 20.6%, management is optimistic about offsetting cost pressures through global supplier diversification and scaling mobile charging and powertrain solutions.
Xos reaffirmed 2025 revenue and delivery guidance, though it adjusted non-GAAP operating loss expectations based on evolving product mix and tariff exposures.
DLocal (NASDAQ:DLO) posted Q2 EPS of $0.14, a cent shy of last year’s figure. While the fintech giant didn’t release full financials, the consistency suggests resilience despite FX volatility and LATAM headwinds. Analysts are awaiting further commentary in upcoming filings to assess regional growth dynamics and currency exposures.
Other Notable 52-Week Highs:
- Sonoma Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:SNOA)
- Equinox Gold (NYSE:EQX)
- Solid Power (NASDAQ:SLDP)
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ:KTOS)
- Gildan Activewear (NYSE:GIL)
- Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA)
Other Movers to Watch:
- Terawulf (NASDAQ:WULF) – watching closely for crypto-related volatility.
- Solid Power (NASDAQ:SLDP) – extending its rally as battery tech gains institutional attention.
Market Outlook
Today’s action reinforces a broader narrative: investors are selectively rewarding execution, catalysts, and strategic alignment over pure hype. Whether it’s XPON’s six-quarter growth streak, LIXT’s oncology pipeline, or VENU’s institutional validation, capital is flowing toward companies showing momentum, vision, and discipline.
Stay tuned this afternoon for VENU’s earnings call, and tomorrow’s open could bring further follow-through fireworks.
Please click here to read Cenorium’s full Venu analyst report on 247marketnews.com.
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