Tesla Stock Volatility Has Retail Traders Eyeing Webull And CMC Markets

High volatility around SpaceX and Tesla has pushed options pricing, insider lockups and derivatives activity into the spotlight. SpaceX has shed roughly half its value and Tesla is down 18%, with SpaceX options implying very large potential swings and a major lockup expiry on the horizon. For traders who focus on fast moving markets, and for investors who prefer to step back when volatility spikes, this sets up very different approaches. This article looks at how three stocks from our High Volatility Trading and Derivatives Sector screener are exposed to these headlines and why that could matter for your portfolio.

NZX (NZSE:NZX)

Overview: NZX operates New Zealand’s main stock and derivatives exchange, earning fees from listing companies, trading and post trade services, market data, funds management and technology for wealth managers. Alongside its core equity and derivatives markets, NZX also runs fund platforms like KiwiSaver and Smartshares and provides dairy sector analytics and administration and custody services for investment providers.

Operations: NZX generates most of its NZ$129m revenue from Funds Services (NZ$51.8m), Secondary Markets trading and post trade (NZ$23.9m), Capital Markets Origination (NZ$16.7m) and Information Services (NZ$20.2m), with New Zealand contributing NZ$106.1m of revenue and smaller contributions from the United States, Australia, Singapore and other regions.

Market Cap: NZ$497.2m

SpaceX and Tesla volatility puts exchanges like NZX in focus because higher trading and derivatives activity can support revenue across its core Secondary Markets and Information Services segments. At the same time, growth in Smartshares and Wealth Technologies points to more recurring fee income. Analysts expect earnings and revenue growth over the next few years. However, the forecast P/E sits above local capital markets peers and recent profit margins have softened, so expectations are already built into the price. The dividend yield above 4% is another feature, but payout pressure and a funding mix that leans on external borrowings add risk. With NZX set to report first half 2026 results on 20 August, you are only seeing the surface story here.

Accelerating fee income from Smartshares and Wealth Technologies could be masking what really matters for NZX. Before the next results, review the 1 key reward and 1 important warning sign

Webull (BULL)

Overview: Webull is a digital investment platform that lets retail investors trade stocks, options, futures, crypto and other products through a mobile first app, while also offering market data, education tools and a social community across multiple countries.

Operations: Webull currently generates about US$606.9m in revenue almost entirely from its Brokerage segment.

Market Cap: US$3.9b

Webull is closely linked to the volatility around SpaceX and Tesla because its business is focused on active traders who seek out sharp moves, including options and other leveraged products. The company is pushing into AI driven tools like the Vega Portfolio, 24/5 trading access and a growing institutional platform. These initiatives may deepen user engagement and broaden revenue sources beyond simple transaction fees. At the same time, Webull is still unprofitable, uses higher risk funding structures and has seen meaningful insider selling. Investors are therefore exposed not only to trading volumes but also to execution risk if retail behavior or regulation changes. The overall trade off for long term investors is more complex than suggested by recent headlines.

Accelerating retail options interest around Webull may be obscuring the underlying story. Before trading the next volatility spike, review the 3 key rewards and 1 important warning sign

CMC Markets (LSE:CMCX)

Overview: CMC Markets is a London headquartered online platform that lets clients trade and invest across markets, offering contracts for difference, financial spread betting, and traditional share dealing for retail, professional, stockbroking, and institutional clients in the UK, Australia and other countries.

Operations: CMC Markets generates most of its £389.8m revenue from Trading at £319.6m, with Investing contributing £70.1m and income fairly balanced across the UK at £133.4m, Australia at £115.2m and other countries at £144.0m.

Market Cap: £1.9b

CMC Markets sits closely aligned with the Tesla and SpaceX volatility story, with its spread betting, CFD and stockbroking platform typically seeing more interest when traders hunt for sharp moves across indices, FX, crypto and single stocks. Earnings are currently described as high quality, management has raised guidance for FY2027 net operating income to at least £550m, and the board has affirmed an 8.3 pence final dividend for FY2026. At the same time, the stock carries a relatively rich P/E multiple versus UK capital markets peers, relies on higher risk external borrowing rather than customer deposits, and remains sensitive to trading activity and future regulation. The key consideration is how that trade off looks once you examine the full risk and reward profile and CMC’s push into digital assets and Web 3.0.

CMC Markets’ expansion into Web 3.0 and digital assets could be the real story that current trading headlines are masking. Get the full context on how that risk and opportunity balance looks in the 2 key rewards and 1 important major warning sign

The three stocks in this article are only a starting point, and the full High-Volatility Trading and Derivatives Sector screener surfaces 24 more companies with equally compelling narratives through the High-Volatility Trading and Derivatives Sector screener. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the exact catalysts and storylines that matter to you, so you can focus on the opportunities you find most compelling in this corner of the market.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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