MSTR and ASST Rise in After-Hours Trading – B. Riley States Bitcoin Needs to Surpass Dividend Expenses
Bitcoin Price Surge: Bitcoin's price jumped to $70,000, leading to increased stock prices for Strategy (MSTR) and Strive Asset Management (ASST), with MSTR gaining 1.55% and ASST rising 1.29% in after-hours trading.
Analyst Ratings: B. Riley initiated coverage on MSTR and ASST with a 'Buy' rating, highlighting the potential for significant returns as retail sentiment remains bullish around Bitcoin.
Dividend Yield Comparison: Analysts noted that the dividend yields offered by MSTR and ASST (8.0% - 12.5%) are superior to traditional yield-oriented alternatives, making them attractive to income-focused investors.
Future Price Targets: B. Riley set a price target of $175 for MSTR, suggesting a potential upside of nearly 26% from its recent closing price, while the average price target indicates a potential upside of 183%.
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Strategy Reinforces Commitment to Bitcoin Amid Market Volatility
Strategic Acquisition: Strategy Inc. has made a significant acquisition by purchasing nearly 18,000 bitcoins, reinforcing its position in the market and enhancing its unique identity as a purpose-built vehicle for acquiring Bitcoin.
Financial Performance: The company reported a substantial cash outlay of approximately $1.28 billion for the recent acquisition, financed through its sophisticated capital-raising programs, which included the sale of common stock and preferred stock.
Long-term Strategy: Strategy Inc. aims to consistently increase its Bitcoin holdings over time, with a focus on creating value for shareholders through a dual-pronged approach that leverages both equity and credit markets.
Market Confidence: The premium on Strategy's stock reflects investor confidence in its operational strategy and ability to generate value, distinguishing it from traditional Bitcoin holdings and indicating a strong long-term outlook for the company.
STRC Records Largest Single-Day Issuance Since Debut
- Record Issuance: STRC achieved approximately $300 million in trading volume, marking its largest single-day issuance since its July 2025 debut, significantly surpassing the 30-day average of $124 million, indicating strong market demand that could facilitate further capital operations.
- Bitcoin Acquisition Funding: The trading activity funded an estimated purchase of 1,420 BTC for Strategy's Bitcoin accumulation strategy, reflecting the company's proactive positioning in the cryptocurrency market, which may enhance the value of its asset portfolio.
- Increased Dividend Rate: Strategy raised the dividend rate on STRC to 11.5% with monthly cash distributions, aiming to keep shares trading close to their $100 par value, thereby reducing price volatility and boosting investor confidence.
- Sales Agreement Amendment: The amendment to Strategy's Omnibus Sales Agreement allows multiple agents to sell the same class of securities on a single trading day, enhancing operational flexibility that could accelerate Bitcoin purchases during optimal market conditions, thereby improving competitive positioning.
B. Riley Initiates Coverage on Digital Asset Companies
- Coverage Initiation: B. Riley Securities has initiated coverage on digital asset companies Strategy (MSTR) and Strive (ASST) with a Buy rating, indicating a positive outlook for their future performance, particularly in the current market environment.
- Market Stress Test: Analyst Fedor Shabalin noted that the DATCO model faced a stress test, with BTC peaking at $126,000 in October 2025 before falling to approximately $69,000 by March 2026, compressing mNAV premiums across the sector and impacting equity accretion for most DATCOs.
- Capital Structure Advantage: MSTR and ASST are well-positioned to navigate the current environment through their differentiated capital structures and disciplined BTC accumulation strategies, with both companies having established dedicated cash reserves to support preferred obligations, ensuring near-term dividend sustainability.
- Long-Term Appreciation Potential: Beyond attractive dividend yields, the analyst believes that investors in both common and preferred securities can benefit from the potential long-term appreciation of underlying BTC holdings, a value creation mechanism that MSTR has demonstrated over six years of BTC accumulation.
US Stocks Rise Amid Oil Price Plunge and Strong Home Sales
- Oil Price Plunge Impact: US stocks are broadly higher today, with the S&P 500 up 0.28%, the Dow Jones up 0.39%, and the Nasdaq 100 up 0.49%, driven by an 11% drop in oil prices, which positively impacts the US economy and may influence Fed policy direction.
- Strong Home Sales Data: February existing home sales in the US rose 1.7% month-over-month to 4.09 million, exceeding expectations of 3.88 million, indicating resilience in the housing market that could further support stock performance.
- Iran Situation Impact: Despite increased Iranian attacks in the Persian Gulf causing the largest refinery in the UAE to halt operations, oil prices have fallen to $84 per barrel due to President Trump's comments, reflecting market sensitivity to geopolitical risks.
- Corporate Earnings Situation: With over 95% of S&P 500 companies having reported earnings, 74% exceeded expectations, and Q4 earnings growth is projected at 8.4%, providing support for the stock market and indicating sustained corporate profitability growth potential.
US Cryptocurrency-Related Stocks Surge, CRCL Exceeds $120
US Stock Cryptocurrency Concepts: US stock cryptocurrency concepts saw an overall increase, with notable rises in several stocks.
MicroStrategy (MSTR): MicroStrategy's stock rose by 1.86%, now trading at $141.54.
Circle (CRCL): Circle's stock experienced a significant increase of 8.05%, currently trading at $120.73.
Riot Blockchain (RIOT) and Bit Digital Inc. (BTBT): Riot Blockchain's stock rose by 1.29% to $14.89, while Bit Digital Inc. increased by 2.95%, trading at $21.315.
US Stocks Volatile Amid Middle East Tensions
- Middle East Impact: The S&P 500 Index fell 0.04% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.13% as fresh disruptions in the Persian Gulf raised doubts about President Trump's comments on the Iran war ending soon, indicating market sensitivity to geopolitical tensions.
- Oil Price Fluctuations: Despite the largest refinery in the UAE halting operations due to an Iranian drone attack, April WTI crude oil futures fell 7%, erasing part of the previous 1.5-week rally, reflecting insufficient market reaction to supply disruptions.
- Strong Economic Data: US existing home sales rose 1.7% month-over-month to 4.09 million in February, exceeding expectations and indicating a robust housing market that could support stock prices amid broader market volatility.
- Corporate Earnings Resilience: With over 95% of S&P 500 companies reporting, 74% exceeded earnings expectations, and Q4 earnings growth is projected at 8.4%, showcasing corporate profitability and contributing to a positive market outlook.
Strategy Reinforces Commitment to Bitcoin Amid Market Volatility
Strategic Acquisition: Strategy Inc. has made a significant acquisition by purchasing nearly 18,000 bitcoins, reinforcing its position in the market and enhancing its unique identity as a purpose-built vehicle for acquiring Bitcoin.
Financial Performance: The company reported a substantial cash outlay of approximately $1.28 billion for the recent acquisition, financed through its sophisticated capital-raising programs, which included the sale of common stock and preferred stock.
Long-term Strategy: Strategy Inc. aims to consistently increase its Bitcoin holdings over time, with a focus on creating value for shareholders through a dual-pronged approach that leverages both equity and credit markets.
Market Confidence: The premium on Strategy's stock reflects investor confidence in its operational strategy and ability to generate value, distinguishing it from traditional Bitcoin holdings and indicating a strong long-term outlook for the company.
STRC Records Largest Single-Day Issuance Since Debut
- Record Issuance: STRC achieved approximately $300 million in trading volume, marking its largest single-day issuance since its July 2025 debut, significantly surpassing the 30-day average of $124 million, indicating strong market demand that could facilitate further capital operations.
- Bitcoin Acquisition Funding: The trading activity funded an estimated purchase of 1,420 BTC for Strategy's Bitcoin accumulation strategy, reflecting the company's proactive positioning in the cryptocurrency market, which may enhance the value of its asset portfolio.
- Increased Dividend Rate: Strategy raised the dividend rate on STRC to 11.5% with monthly cash distributions, aiming to keep shares trading close to their $100 par value, thereby reducing price volatility and boosting investor confidence.
- Sales Agreement Amendment: The amendment to Strategy's Omnibus Sales Agreement allows multiple agents to sell the same class of securities on a single trading day, enhancing operational flexibility that could accelerate Bitcoin purchases during optimal market conditions, thereby improving competitive positioning.
B. Riley Initiates Coverage on Digital Asset Companies
- Coverage Initiation: B. Riley Securities has initiated coverage on digital asset companies Strategy (MSTR) and Strive (ASST) with a Buy rating, indicating a positive outlook for their future performance, particularly in the current market environment.
- Market Stress Test: Analyst Fedor Shabalin noted that the DATCO model faced a stress test, with BTC peaking at $126,000 in October 2025 before falling to approximately $69,000 by March 2026, compressing mNAV premiums across the sector and impacting equity accretion for most DATCOs.
- Capital Structure Advantage: MSTR and ASST are well-positioned to navigate the current environment through their differentiated capital structures and disciplined BTC accumulation strategies, with both companies having established dedicated cash reserves to support preferred obligations, ensuring near-term dividend sustainability.
- Long-Term Appreciation Potential: Beyond attractive dividend yields, the analyst believes that investors in both common and preferred securities can benefit from the potential long-term appreciation of underlying BTC holdings, a value creation mechanism that MSTR has demonstrated over six years of BTC accumulation.
US Stocks Rise Amid Oil Price Plunge and Strong Home Sales
- Oil Price Plunge Impact: US stocks are broadly higher today, with the S&P 500 up 0.28%, the Dow Jones up 0.39%, and the Nasdaq 100 up 0.49%, driven by an 11% drop in oil prices, which positively impacts the US economy and may influence Fed policy direction.
- Strong Home Sales Data: February existing home sales in the US rose 1.7% month-over-month to 4.09 million, exceeding expectations of 3.88 million, indicating resilience in the housing market that could further support stock performance.
- Iran Situation Impact: Despite increased Iranian attacks in the Persian Gulf causing the largest refinery in the UAE to halt operations, oil prices have fallen to $84 per barrel due to President Trump's comments, reflecting market sensitivity to geopolitical risks.
- Corporate Earnings Situation: With over 95% of S&P 500 companies having reported earnings, 74% exceeded expectations, and Q4 earnings growth is projected at 8.4%, providing support for the stock market and indicating sustained corporate profitability growth potential.
US Cryptocurrency-Related Stocks Surge, CRCL Exceeds $120
US Stock Cryptocurrency Concepts: US stock cryptocurrency concepts saw an overall increase, with notable rises in several stocks.
MicroStrategy (MSTR): MicroStrategy's stock rose by 1.86%, now trading at $141.54.
Circle (CRCL): Circle's stock experienced a significant increase of 8.05%, currently trading at $120.73.
Riot Blockchain (RIOT) and Bit Digital Inc. (BTBT): Riot Blockchain's stock rose by 1.29% to $14.89, while Bit Digital Inc. increased by 2.95%, trading at $21.315.
US Stocks Volatile Amid Middle East Tensions
- Middle East Impact: The S&P 500 Index fell 0.04% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.13% as fresh disruptions in the Persian Gulf raised doubts about President Trump's comments on the Iran war ending soon, indicating market sensitivity to geopolitical tensions.
- Oil Price Fluctuations: Despite the largest refinery in the UAE halting operations due to an Iranian drone attack, April WTI crude oil futures fell 7%, erasing part of the previous 1.5-week rally, reflecting insufficient market reaction to supply disruptions.
- Strong Economic Data: US existing home sales rose 1.7% month-over-month to 4.09 million in February, exceeding expectations and indicating a robust housing market that could support stock prices amid broader market volatility.
- Corporate Earnings Resilience: With over 95% of S&P 500 companies reporting, 74% exceeded earnings expectations, and Q4 earnings growth is projected at 8.4%, showcasing corporate profitability and contributing to a positive market outlook.
