Seeing the S&P 500 $S&P 500(.SPX)$ $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ notch its 39th record high around 6,927 reinforces how powerful year-end seasonality can be, especially when liquidity improves and positioning turns more supportive. Historically, the Santa rally isn't just a festive myth — it reflects tax-loss selling ending, performance chasing by funds, and generally lighter risk aversion into year-end. That backdrop helps explain why markets can keep grinding higher even when valuations already look stretched. Whether the Santa rally extends into January, in my view, depends less on sentiment and more on posi
When I look at Rocket Lab, I do see a credible and increasingly important player in the space launch ecosystem, especially as global demand for launch capacity continues to grow. The company has executed well in smallsat launches with Electron and has built a meaningful space systems business, which gives it more diversified revenue than many pure-launch startups. The Neutron rocket, if delivered on time and within budget, could materially expand Rocket Lab's addressable market and justify some of the recent bullish analyst targets. That said, I'm more cautious about the $90 price target in the near term. Neutron remains the key swing factor, and until we see clear technical milestones and commercial contracts translating into recurring cash flow, expectations may be running ahead of funda
For me, 2025 is best defined by the AI-driven shift in capital allocation, highlighted by Nvidia surpassing $5 trillion. It wasn’t just about one stock, but about markets recognizing compute power as core infrastructure. Even with tariffs, geopolitics, and policy noise, money consistently flowed toward AI enablers. The most valuable lesson came from managing volatility rather than chasing returns. With constant headline shocks — from Trump tariffs to China’s AI breakthroughs and crypto swings — reacting emotionally often hurt performance. Focusing on market structure, liquidity, and defined risk mattered far more than predicting news. Ultimately, 2025 showed that markets now price narratives as much as fundamentals. AI, geopolitics, and digital assets blended into a powerful expectation e
If I have to choose the most likely 2026 outcome, I lean toward “nothing dramatic happens.” Markets have adapted to repeated shocks, and while AI should lift productivity, it’s unlikely to trigger either a 1999-style boom or a sudden collapse. Growth is more likely to stay decent but uneven, leading to gradual expectation resets. For equities, I expect modest new highs rather than a melt-up or crash. Valuations are high, but earnings, liquidity, and buybacks still provide support. A 50% drop in Nvidia $NVIDIA(NVDA)$ seems unlikely without a clear earnings shock; volatility and rotation feel like the more realistic path. On policy, the main risk is Fed hesitation, not extreme easing or hikes. Inflation may cool but remain sticky enough to cause
The gift I’m giving this Christmas is $Palantir Technologies Inc.(PLTR)$ . I bought it about four years ago, when market sentiment was mixed and many still saw it as just a government-focused data company. What convinced me was its strong moat in data analytics, long-term contracts, and the critical role its software plays for clients. I held through volatility as Palantir improved profitability, expanded commercial clients, and benefited from the AI adoption trend. As fundamentals strengthened, market recognition followed, and the position is now up roughly 300% over four years, making it one of my best long-term investments. I’m sharing PLTR as a gift because it reinforced the importance of patience and conviction. Understanding the business a
From my perspective, the approval of oral Wegovy is the most important positive catalyst Novo Nordisk has seen this year. A pill form fundamentally lowers the barrier to adoption versus injections, especially for primary care patients and long-term weight management. The market's 7% reaction makes sense to me, because this isn't just a line extension—it meaningfully expands the addressable market and strengthens Novo's positioning in the obesity franchise. That said, I also understand why NVO is still down 38% year to date while Eli Lilly keeps making new highs. Lilly has clearly won the narrative this year, with faster innovation cycles, stronger momentum in data readouts, and more consistent execution. Novo's drawdown reflects disappointment rather than collapse—its core GLP-1 economics
From my perspective, confirmation that NVIDIA plans to resume H200 deliveries to China around mid-February 2026 is a meaningful near-term catalyst. The expected 5,000–10,000 module sets—equivalent to roughly 40,000–80,000 H200 chips—won't redefine NVIDIA's global revenue base on their own, but they clearly help stabilize expectations around China exposure. After months of uncertainty driven by export controls, even partial normalization reduces downside risk and improves visibility, which explains why the stock reacted positively with a 3% gain. That said, I see the China H200 story more as a confidence booster than a structural growth re-acceleration. The volume involved is material, but not transformative compared with hyperscaler demand in the US, Middle East, and Europe. What matters m
$Ramaco Resources Inc.(METC)$ is in my focus today after announcing a $100 million share repurchase program to be carried out over the next 24 months. The company may buy back its Class A common shares through open-market transactions, block trades, or private deals, supported by a formal trading plan under U.S. securities rules. Chairman and CEO Randall Atkins said the buyback underscores Ramaco’s commitment to shareholder returns and reflects confidence in the company’s operating performance and financial position. He highlighted the previously announced $600 million financ
From my perspective, gold $XAU/USD(XAUUSD.FOREX)$ near $4,500 reflects a structural shift rather than short-term speculation. Nearly 50 record highs this year, alongside silver breaking above $70, point to rising concern over monetary credibility, expanding U.S. debt, and geopolitical risk. The broad rally across gold, silver, platinum, and palladium reinforces my view that this is a systemic hard-asset trade. I see gold reaching $5,000 in 2026 as realistic if rate cuts materialize and real yields stay pressured. Gold has lagged silver and other precious metals since Jackson Hole, suggesting it may still have room to catch up as the macr
From my perspective, Tesla's return to the top seven U.S. stocks by market capitalization is not just a ranking change—it reflects a renewed market willingness to price in Tesla's long-term optionality, rather than valuing it purely as an auto manufacturer. The legal reinstatement of Elon Musk's 2018 compensation package matters because it removes a major overhang and reaffirms alignment between execution, incentives, and Tesla's most ambitious roadmap. I remain very bullish on Tesla $Tesla Motors(TSLA)$ $Direxion Daily TSLA Bull 1.5X Shares(TSLL)$ $GraniteShares 2x Long TSLA Daily ETF(TSLR)$ <
I treat these MA–candlestick patterns as context signals, not standalone trades. “Dragon Rising from the Sea” and “Guillotine Blade” matter because one candle cutting through multiple MAs reflects a sharp multi-timeframe shift in market consensus, often tied to major catalysts rather than pure technicals. Currently, $NVIDIA(NVDA)$ and $Broadcom(AVGO)$ fit the “Golden Phoenix Returns to Nest” idea, with orderly pullbacks into rising MAs on lighter volume, signaling healthy trend continuation. $Palantir Technologies Inc.(PLTR)$ has shown “Dragonfly Skimming Water” behavior, where shallow dips are quickly bought, highlighting strong momentum. For breakout set
Reading the latest remarks from the Bank of America $Bank of America(BAC)$ CEO reinforces my belief that AI is shifting from hype to real economic impact. When corporate leaders start to point out that AI investment is not only persistent but also increasingly influential on economic growth, it signals that we may be entering a new phase where AI becomes a core driver of productivity and investment returns, not just a narrative. Coupled with JPMorgan's $JPMorgan Chase(JPM)$ view that the market is still pricing AI stocks conservatively, I see this as a reason to remain bullish on leading AI names. If the market hasn't fully priced in the long-term earnings power of AI leaders, th
Gold's latest surge feels different this time. Spot prices pushing toward $4,500 and chalking up nearly the 50th record high of the year highlights just how powerful the underlying trend has become. With gold and silver on track for their strongest annual performance in over 40 years, this rally is no longer just about short-term fear—it reflects a broader shift in how markets are pricing monetary policy, geopolitical risk, and long-term currency debasement. From my perspective, the renewed expectation of two Fed rate cuts in 2026 is a key driver. Lower real rates have historically been the most reliable fuel for sustained gold bull markets, and this time it's reinforced by persistent geopolitical tensions and central-bank buying. When major institutions like Goldman Sachs argue that struc
My top stock in focus today is $Novo-Nordisk A/S(NVO)$ after U.S. regulators approved the first GLP-1 weight-loss pill, an oral version of Ozempic and Wegovy. The pill is set to launch in the U.S. in early January at $149 per month, potentially expanding access beyond injection-based treatments. Oral GLP-1 drugs are expected to capture about 25% of the projected $150 billion obesity market, appealing to patients who prefer pills over injections. Novo Nordisk’s tablet showed strong efficacy, with patients losing an average of 16.6% of body weight in trials, supporting semaglutide’s clinical strength. For Novo Nordisk, the Wegovy pill offers a critical first-mover
I'm leaning cautiously bullish as the Santa Rally window begins. Historically, the last five trading days of the year and the first two of the new year tend to favor the upside, and Friday's rebound felt like an early confirmation of that seasonal tailwind. With liquidity thinning and positioning lighter, even modestly positive sentiment can move prices faster than usual. That said, I'm not treating this as a "buy and forget" period. Year-end markets can be deceptive—moves can be sharp, but reversals can be just as quick. I'm staying disciplined, focusing on price action and momentum rather than big macro predictions. If the tape confirms strength, I'm happy to ride it; if not, I'll step aside quickly. Given the holiday mood and improving sentiment, my plan is to lean more into short-term,
My stock to watch today is $SoFi Technologies Inc.(SOFI)$ , as markets remain steady and attention shifts to company-specific catalysts. SoFi stands out following its announcement of a U.S. dollar stablecoin issued by a federally chartered bank. The launch of SoFiUSD goes beyond a typical crypto headline. Fully backed by cash held at the Federal Reserve, it positions SoFi as a bridge between traditional banking and blockchain infrastructure, with potential use across payments, remittances, and its Galileo platform. From an investment perspective, this adds strategic optionality. As stablecoins move closer to mainstream adoption, SoFi’s early, regulated entry could become a competitive edge. While execution remains key, the move underscores SoFi’
My 2025 Market Journey: Gains Earned, Lessons Learned
Looking back, I would describe 2025 as a very fruitful year for me as an investor. Despite the sharp sell-off in April, U.S. equities rebounded strongly and went on to set new record highs. Volatility was high, but overall I am satisfied with my investment returns, especially considering how quickly market narratives shifted throughout the year. A large part of my performance came from AI-related names. Stocks like Palantir $Palantir Technologies Inc.(PLTR)$ , Nebius, and CoreWeave were major contributors, and they reinforced my belief that being positioned early in structural themes still matters. Even though sentiment toward AI cooled toward year-end, the gains achieved earlier in the cycle made a meaningful difference to my overall p
From my perspective, Nvidia's recent rebound alongside Micron's $Micron Technology(MU)$ strong earnings is a reminder that the market is still highly sensitive to real demand signals in the semiconductor space. When memory players start delivering upside, it usually confirms that the AI supply chain is not slowing, but rather broadening. That gives me more confidence that Nvidia's recent pullback was more about positioning and sentiment than any fundamental break. I also pay close attention to Morgan Stanley's stance, and their continued conviction matters. Naming Nvidia, Broadcom $Broadcom(AVGO)$ , and Astera Labs as top semico
$Direxion Daily Semiconductors Bull 3x Shares(SOXL)$ I continue to dollar-cost average into SOXL because it aligns with how I view the long-term trajectory of the semiconductor industry. Chips are no longer just a cyclical tech component—they sit at the core of AI, data centers, cloud computing, autonomous driving, and edge computing. While the semiconductor sector is volatile by nature, the structural demand behind it keeps expanding. By DCA-ing, I'm not trying to time short-term cycles; I'm positioning myself for multi-year growth driven by real technological adoption. At the same time, SOXL's leverage is exactly why discipline matters. A 3x leveraged ETF magnifies both upside and drawdowns, which makes lump-sum timing extremely unforgiving
This Christmas, I’ll be staying in Singapore and keeping things relatively low-key. With the festive atmosphere already in full swing—from Orchard’s light displays to Marina Bay’s skyline views—it feels like a good time to slow down, enjoy the city, and take a short mental break. From a markets perspective, I usually scale back my trading activity around Christmas. Liquidity tends to thin out, price action can be noisy & I find it more productive to use this period for portfolio review and reflection rather than active positioning. I still keep an eye on the market, but it’s more about monitoring risk than chasing opportunities. For me, the year-end period is about resetting—reviewing what worked, what didn’t & setting a clearer framework for the new year. A calm Christmas in Sing