📊

MarketPulse

Alpha Intelligence
Thursday, December 18, 2025
09:34 EST
Regime 🔴

Risk Off

2-4 weeks through year-end, watching for January reversal

NASDAQ down -1.81% with tech leading decline; VIX spiking +6.74% to 17.59; NVDA -3.81%, TSLA -4.62%, Oracle -5.40%

85%
Confidence
^GSPC 6,721.43 -1.16%
^DJI 47,885.97 -0.47%
^IXIC 22,693.32 -1.81%
^RUT 2,492.29 -1.07%
^VIX 17.59 +6.74%
^FTSE 9,780.58 +0.06%
^N225 49,001.50 -1.03%
XLK 139.39 -2.22%
XLF 54.63 -0.02%
XLV 153.79 -0.18%
XLE 44.78 +2.21%
XLI 153.53 -1.62%

Alpha Ideas

Long Energy (XLE) vs Short Tech (XLK) pairs trade
high conviction weeks
Momentum divergence accelerating. Energy breaking out while tech breaks down. Classic sector rotation
Entry
XLE above 44.80, XLK below 139
Target
Target XLE 47+, XLK 135. Stop if ratio reverses 5%
Sizing
3-5% portfolio allocation
Short NVDA on any bounce to 175-180
high conviction weeks
Momentum broken on massive volume. 52-week high at 212 now distant memory. Dead cat bounces to fade
Entry
Short 175-180 resistance
Target
Target 160, stop 185
Sizing
2-3% position
Long Crude Oil (CL) breakout above 56.50
medium conviction weeks
Only commodity showing real strength. Geopolitical premium building, dollar headwinds fading
Entry
Above 56.50 on volume
Target
Target 62-65, stop 54.50
Sizing
2% allocation
📈

Index Analysis

SP500 bearish

Trading 2.9% below 52-week highs with heavy tech drag. Break of 6650 targets 6550.

Support 6650, 6550
Resistance 6800, 6850
NASDAQ bearish

Worst performer down -1.81%. Failed at 24k resistance, now testing critical 22k support.

Support 22200, 21800
Resistance 23200, 23600
🔄

Sector Rotation

Leadership: Energy (+2.21%), Consumer Staples (+0.47%), Materials (+0.42%)

Laggards: Technology (-2.22%), Industrials (-1.62%), Consumer Discretionary (-1.16%)

Signal: Classic risk-off rotation into defensives and commodities, out of growth/tech

Long XLE / Short XLK

Rationale: Energy strongest +2.21% vs Tech weakest -2.22%. Momentum divergence accelerating

Risk: Energy rally could stall if crude oil peaks near resistance

Long XLP (Staples)

Rationale: Defensive rotation in full swing, staples showing relative strength

Risk: Rate cuts could reverse defensive trade quickly

🎯

Stock Signals

CRM bullish

Only major tech stock green +1.27% while sector implodes. Relative strength screams leadership

Catalyst: AI momentum story intact, potential earnings beat

Risk/Reward: High reward if tech bounces, limited downside vs peers

NVDA bearish

Massive volume spike (221M) on -3.81% decline. Momentum broken below 175

Catalyst: China AI restrictions, profit taking into year-end

Risk/Reward: More downside to 160 support, dead cat bounces to fade

TSLA bearish

Down -4.62% on huge volume. Broken below 480 support decisively

Catalyst: Delivery concerns, competition in China/Europe intensifying

Risk/Reward: Target 420-440 range, any rallies to 480 are shorts

ORCL bearish

Catastrophic -5.40% drop from 345 highs. Cloud story questioned

Catalyst: Guidance disappointment, AI spending slowdown fears

Risk/Reward: Support at 160-170, avoid until technical damage repaired

Crypto Alpha

Bitcoin

BTC holding 87k but under pressure from strong dollar. Watch 85k support critically

Ethereum

ETH weaker at 2845, down -2.60%. Underperforming BTC suggests alt weakness

Alt Rotation

Major alts bleeding - HYPE -10.7%, ADA -3.96%. Risk-off hitting crypto hard

🔮

Contrarian Corner

The Consensus vs. The Counter

Consensus View
Analyzing market consensus...
Contrarian Case
Building contrarian thesis...
Trigger to Watch
Identifying confirmation signals...
⚠️

Risk Radar

Risk Probability Impact Hedge
Tech earnings disappointments in Q4 MEDIUM Could trigger deeper correction below 6500 on S&P Long VIX calls, short QQQ, overweight XLP/XLU
Year-end tax loss selling accelerates HIGH Could pressure growth stocks further through December Avoid catching falling knives, wait for January turnaround
Fed pivot expectations disappointed MEDIUM Could crush rate-sensitive sectors and extend correction Avoid utilities and REITs, favor energy and materials
👁️

Weekly Watchlist

XLE
Watch for: Break above 47 on heavy volume
Action: Add to long position targeting 48-50
QQQ
Watch for: Breakdown below 493 (22000 NASDAQ equivalent)
Action: Short for move to 470-480 range
VIX
Watch for: Spike above 20 indicating capitulation
Action: Look for reversal long setups in beaten down growth
BTC
Watch for: Break below 85000 support
Action: Target 78000-80000 range for potential reversal
TSLA
Watch for: Any rally back to 480-490 resistance
Action: Fade the bounce targeting 420-440