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MarketPulse

Alpha Intelligence
Thursday, January 01, 2026
06:33 EST
Regime 🔴

Risk Off

2-3 weeks through January OpEx, seasonal weakness pattern

All major indices down -0.6% to -0.76% with broad-based selling; VIX spiked +4.3% to 14.95, breaking above 14.33 resistance; Every sector in the red - no rotation, pure risk-off

75%
Confidence
^GSPC 6,845.50 -0.74%
^DJI 48,063.29 -0.63%
^IXIC 23,241.99 -0.76%
^RUT 2,481.91 -0.75%
^VIX 14.95 +4.33%
^FTSE 9,931.38 -0.09%
^N225 50,339.48 -0.37%
XLK 143.97 -0.99%
XLF 54.77 -0.74%
XLV 154.80 -0.57%
XLE 44.71 -0.56%
XLI 155.12 -0.83%

Alpha Ideas

Short QQQ Jan $450 puts
high conviction weeks
NASDAQ showing relative weakness, tech breaking down, more downside likely
Entry
On any bounce above 23,200
Target
Target 22,800, stop above 23,600
Sizing
2-3% of portfolio
Long VIX calls Feb expiration
medium conviction weeks
Complacency ending, VIX breaking higher, seasonal volatility ahead
Entry
VIX 15.00 strikes on weakness
Target
Target VIX 18-20, stop below 14.00
Sizing
1-2% allocation
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Index Analysis

SP500 bearish

Failed at 52-week highs (6945), now breaking below 6850 support. Next stop 6800.

Support 6800, 6750
Resistance 6900, 6945.77
NASDAQ bearish

Weakest performer at -0.76%, tech leadership cracking. 23000 critical support zone.

Support 23000, 22800
Resistance 23400, 24019.99
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Sector Rotation

Leadership: None - broad-based selling across all sectors

Laggards: Technology (-0.99%), Real Estate (-0.91%), Materials (-0.83%)

Signal: Flight to cash, no sector leadership - classic risk-off environment

Short XLK (Tech) / Long XLU (Utilities)

Rationale: Tech showing relative weakness, utilities most defensive in risk-off

Risk: Year-end rebalancing could temporarily reverse this

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Stock Signals

NVDA bearish

Failed at $212 highs, now at $186.50 showing relative weakness to market

Catalyst: Q4 earnings expectations reset, AI spending questions

Risk/Reward: More downside to $175 support than upside to $200

TSLA bearish

Worst mega-cap performer at -0.99%, failed at $498 resistance

Catalyst: Delivery numbers disappointment, Musk distraction overhang

Risk/Reward: High beta name in risk-off environment, avoid

ORCL bearish

Massive decline from $345 highs to $195, momentum broken

Catalyst: Cloud growth deceleration concerns, expensive valuation

Risk/Reward: Dead money until $175 support test

Crypto Alpha

Bitcoin

BTC at $87,500 failed at $126K highs, trending lower. Key support $85K, break targets $80K

Ethereum

ETH at $2,974 relatively stronger than BTC, holding above $2,900 support

Alt Rotation

Most alts showing weakness except TON (+3.15%) and some gaming tokens

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Contrarian Corner

The Consensus vs. The Counter

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

Risk Probability Impact Hedge
January Effect reversal - traditional strength may not materialize MEDIUM Continued selling pressure through January OpEx VIX calls, defensive sectors, cash allocation
Tech earnings expectations too high for Q4 HIGH Further tech sector weakness, NASDAQ underperformance Short QQQ, long utilities, avoid growth names
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Weekly Watchlist

SPY
Watch for: Break below 684 support level
Action: Short on break, target 678-680 range
QQQ
Watch for: Failure to reclaim 234.00
Action: Short position, target 230.00
XLU
Watch for: Relative strength vs SPY continuing
Action: Long on relative strength, defensive play
BTC
Watch for: Break below $85,000 support
Action: Short crypto exposure, target $80,000