Raspberry Pi jumps 40% after CEO stock purchase and AI buzz

• The stock had previously fallen below its 280-pence IPO price earlier in February, but the rally brought gains to the roughly $800 million company
• Social media users claimed buyers are hoarding Raspberry Pi devices as cheaper alternatives to '$500-plus Apple products' for AI projects
• In January, the company projected 2025 core earnings ahead of expectations but warned of uncertainty in 2026 due to memory supply and pricing volatility

Raspberry Pi Stock Surges 40% on CEO Purchase and AI Speculation

Key Development:

Raspberry Pi (RPI.L) shares jumped as much as 42% on Tuesday, marking a record two-day rally for the UK computer hardware company valued at approximately $800 million. The surge reversed a months-long decline that had pushed the stock below its 280-pence IPO price earlier in February.

Catalysts:

The rally followed a regulatory filing showing CEO Eben Upton purchased roughly £13,224 worth of company stock. London traders noted uncertainty around the exact driver, but the move coincided with growing social media speculation about demand for Raspberry Pi's low-cost single-board computers in AI applications.

AI Angle:

Social media buzz suggested Raspberry Pi devices could see increased demand for running AI agents like OpenClaw, offering a budget alternative to "$500-plus Apple products." X user @aleabitoreddit, with over 58,000 followers, promoted a "Long $RPI" trade idea on Monday, claiming buyers were hoarding the devices due to their cost advantage.

Recent Performance:

By 1454 GMT Tuesday, the FTSE Mid Cap index showed the gains. The stock had previously fallen below its IPO price of 280 pence earlier this month, reflecting broader weakness before the turnaround.

Company Outlook:

In January, Raspberry Pi announced that 2025 core earnings would exceed expectations but cautioned that its 2026 outlook remained uncertain due to volatility in memory supply chains and pricing.

Market Implications:

The dramatic rally highlights how CEO insider buying and AI-related speculation can rapidly shift sentiment in mid-cap technology stocks, particularly those trading below IPO levels.