SailPoint logo set in a data center with digital streams highlights identity security growth and cybersecurity demand. Key Points SailPoint was one of the worst-performing large caps last week, after a sharp slide that appears more market-driven than company-specific. Fundamentals remain strong, with consistent earnings beats, accelerating growth, and guidance that continues to outpace expectations. Heavy analyst support suggests the recent drop may be a buy-the-dip opportunity rather than the start of ...

Tesla logo towers over vehicles charging at a Supercharger station, highlighting EV demand. Key Points Tesla has entered the new year on the back foot, dropping more than 12% from its pre-Christmas all-time high.  Weakening momentum indicators are starting to clash with a still intact uptrend, leaving the stock at a critical decision point ahead of earnings later this month.  Investors face a clear choice between buying into a pre-earnings dip or waiting for the volatility to play out first. Intereste ...

Core Viewpoint - Retail investors have demonstrated significant growth and sophistication in their trading strategies, achieving strong returns in 2025 by effectively buying the dip during market downturns, challenging previous perceptions of their investing capabilities [2][3][12]. Retail Investor Performance - Retail investors capitalized on market dips, with 2025 being the second-best year for dip-buying since the early 1990s, according to Bespoke Investment Group [3]. - Individual traders purchased over $3 billion in equities on April 3, 2025, during a market decline, showcasing their willingness to invest amid volatility [7]. - Retail investors' portfolios outperformed institutional baskets tied to artificial intelligence and software, indicating a higher profit-to-loss ratio [5]. Shift in Investment Focus - From May 2025 onward, retail investors shifted their focus from single stocks to exchange-traded funds (ETFs), particularly the SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), which saw inflows surpassing the last five years combined [4]. - The gold-focused ETF experienced a record surge of over 65% in 2025, reflecting the growing interest in commodities amid market fluctuations [4]. Market Sentiment and Strategy - Retail investors have been more accurate in their market reactions compared to institutional investors, particularly during emotionally driven trades [9]. - The "TACO trade" strategy, which encourages buying stocks during market downturns caused by policy decisions, has gained traction among retail investors [10]. Evolution of Retail Investors - The participation of retail investors surged in 2025, with flows increasing over 50% from the previous year, reaching levels not seen since the meme stock craze of early 2021 [13]. - More than one-third of 25-year-olds moved significant sums to investment accounts since turning 22, indicating a growing trend of younger investors entering the market [12]. Changing Perceptions - The narrative surrounding retail investors has shifted from being viewed as "dumb money" to being recognized for their increasing sophistication and ability to make informed investment decisions [14][15]. - Retail investors are now seen as central to market dynamics, with their strategies aligning more closely with those of institutional investors [18].

Core Viewpoint - UPS has seen a significant decline in its stock price, down over 50% from its peak, leading to a high dividend yield of 6.5%. The company faces challenges such as high labor costs, tariffs, and a strategic shift away from reliance on Amazon [1][2]. Group 1: Strategic Decisions - UPS has decided to cut the volumes it ships for Amazon by over 50% by the end of next year, despite Amazon contributing 20% to 25% of its volume, as these shipments have low profit margins [4]. - The company is undergoing a major restructuring to cut $3.5 billion in costs by the end of this year, which includes reducing headcount and closing locations. Additionally, UPS is investing in more profitable business lines, such as healthcare logistics, highlighted by its $1.6 billion acquisition of Andlauer Healthcare Group [5]. Group 2: Financial Performance - In the third quarter, UPS experienced a revenue decline of 3.7% and a 1.1% drop in adjusted earnings per share. However, there are signs of improvement, with U.S. revenue per piece growing by 9.8% and a slight increase in domestic operating margin [6]. - UPS has provided a better-than-expected outlook for the fourth quarter, indicating potential recovery as some headwinds begin to fade [7].

Core Viewpoint - Costco has experienced a disappointing year in 2025, with its stock price down 6% despite strong operational performance [1] Group 1: Same-Store Sales Performance - Costco's same-store sales (SSS) have shown impressive growth, indicating strong productivity at existing locations [4] - In fiscal 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Costco reported positive SSS of 7.7%, followed by 16% in fiscal 2021 and 14.4% in fiscal 2022, with the positive trend continuing [5] - The company is expected to maintain its SSS growth in 2026, driven by increased foot traffic and higher average ticket sizes [6] Group 2: Growth Strategy - Costco currently operates 921 warehouses, with approximately two-thirds located in the U.S., and plans to open 28 net new warehouses in fiscal 2026 [6] - There are significant opportunities for expansion in the U.S. and international markets, particularly in China, which is promising for revenue growth in 2026 and beyond [7] Group 3: Valuation Considerations - Despite a strong operational performance in 2025, with net sales and net income increasing by 8% and 10% year over year, the stock has faced valuation concerns [8] - The current price-to-earnings ratio stands at 46, down from 63 earlier in 2025, indicating a potentially better valuation setup for investors [9]

Group 1 - The BT share price has experienced a pullback in recent months, reversing some of the earlier gains made this year [1] - The current trading price of BT shares is 182.40p, which represents a 16% decline from the highest point reached in August this year [1]

Many bucket lists of top stocks to consider for the new year may include Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) , which has once again been one of the market's top performers with gains of nearly +1000% in the last three years.As we get closer to rounding out 2025, the year-to-date gains of STRL are at +90% and oftentimes, Sterling Infrastructure stock has been a primary example of the buy high and sell higher theory. This makes it very intriguing that STRL is trading 25% beneath its 52-week and all-time high of $4 ...

Investment Opportunity - Buying the dip can potentially earn up to 4% back in Bitcoin [1]

Cathie Wood’s investment firm, ARK Invest, ramped up its exposure to crypto-related stocks on Dec. 15, purchasing around $59 million worth of shares as the digital asset sector extended a multi-day decline. According to the firm’s daily trading disclosure, the latest buying spree included about $16.3 million in Coinbase (Nasdaq: COIN), $10.8 million in Circle Internet Group (Nasdaq: CRCL), and roughly $5.2 million in Bullish (Nasdaq: BLSH). ARK also snapped up around $17 million in Tom Lee's Bitmine Imm ...

Market Sentiment - HTX's new intern is considering market strategies: "buy the dip" or "sell the bounce" [1] Social Media Engagement - The intern's first action was to take a selfie, indicating a focus on social media presence [1]