January 12, 2026

Three Thoughts:

• Criminally charging someone for construction cost overruns is quite funny, given the nature of construction. Nevertheless, the Fed situation will be a noisy distraction, but it is only the latest attempt to force rates down and heat up the economy. Inflationary pressures/market bets will continue.

• Walmart is officially a tech company, set to join the Nasdaq 100 on January 20, replacing Astrazeneca. Even when it’s not about tech, it’s about tech.

• Plenty of fresh breakouts across equities to get involved in. Tech sector ($XLK), Solar Energy ($TAN) — other clean/renewable energy ETFs too, etc.

Two Charts:

#1 Chinese stock rally finally gets started, with Baba breaking out. Emerging market stocks look poised to continue outperforming U.S. stocks in 2026, and Chinese stocks will need to play a big role in that. 🔥 

#2 the latest “meme stock” is Wheels Up Experience Inc. ($UP): It’s a leading private aviation company offering on-demand flights, memberships, aircraft management, and charter services. Founded in 2013 and went public via SPAC in ‘21 at a $2.1billion+ valuation, raising $790m. It’s down 99% from all-time highs, but back on retail’s radar after a Fintwit user @StckStratgy said he’s long 1 million shares and has a $20 price target by the end of the year.

I don’t know if the business will turn around, but this failed breakdown on the weekly chart and sharp social buzz was enough for me to put on a YOLO position that’s ~0.5% of my total portfolio. I got long three $UP May $1 calls for an avg cost of $0.31. It’s a set-and-forget position that will either hit big or go to zero. 🤷 

#3 two different stocks, same weak pattern: Here’s a third chart because I can’t stick to my own format: Volatility in Microsoft and Super Micro continues to compress. They’re stuck below support, and the 50-day moving average is approaching from overhead. Could be more downside ahead. 🧐 

One Trade Idea:

Buying this breakout retest in Nintendo and the structural breakout in Steris PLC both look like great setups, but they don’t have liquid options chains. And since I only trade options in my account, I’m gonna keep looking. 🕵️ 

The largest component of the Solar ETF ($TAN), Nextpower Inc. ($NXT), is breaking out after two months of consolidating. Today’s strong close above $95 and RSI holding above 50 give me confidence that this is the real deal. This could be a long-term hold, but given the cost of the premiums and that implied vol is elevated right now, I’ll play this for a short-term momentum move and see how it develops. 🌞 

As for the execution, I’m looking to buy one $NXT May 135 call for no more than $6.00 and will add to if/when prices pull back toward 90. If I cannot add on weakness, I will allow prices to move toward their former highs and sell an upside call to lock in some profits and let the trade ride from there. The max size of this position will be ~5% of my portfolio or roughly $1,000.

With this structural breakout in Solar as a tailwind, I think this theme will remain intact regardless of any short-term market noise. So don’t forget your shades! 😎 

End: That’s all for today. Let me know if you have any feedback on the format. BTW, finding an actual trade idea amid the many “good-looking” charts was as difficult as I imagined. Hopefully I’m right and will get faster at this over time… for both our sakes.