
The TML Talk | July 25th, 2025
Ross
Ross is a co-founder of TraderLion and Deepvue. He was mentored by William O’Neil, and co-authored The Model Book of Greatest Stock Market Winners at WON + Co.
July 26, 2025
[kt_reading_time]
Market Overview
- This week, markets pressed onward with striking tenacity, shrugging off the volatility churned by earnings season and a steady drumbeat of geopolitical, Fed-related, and tariff noise. Major tech and AI heavyweights paused selectively to regroup at natural support zones, while vibrant capital flows energized sectors like semiconductors, crypto/DeFi platforms, quantum tech, space ventures, unmanned aerial systems, and nuclear energy. The Nasdaq carved out fresh record highs with measured gains, absorbing earnings-driven tremors with disciplined calm, while the S&P held its ground with steady conviction on moderate trading activity, signaling a market buoyed by rotational strength and broad participation.
- Small caps and the Dow charged forward, flipping earlier sluggishness into robust upward traction, now comfortably above critical technical levels, though still chasing their all-time peaks. Pockets of turbulence surfaced in high-growth areas, where some prominent leaders took breather ahead of reports, challenging overly focused portfolios; yet, strategic leans into thriving themes—nuclear’s surge being a prime example—delivered relative gains in uneven markets. As long as heavy selling pressure stays at bay and sentiment indicators like volatility gauges continue cooling from recent highs, any near-term softening could unfold as a constructive 5-10% recalibration, setting the stage for a seasonally favorable fall.
- Leading names showcased crisp setups, with tight price action near short-term supports giving way to dynamic shifts in behavior post-breakout, enhancing their appeal for precise entries. The market’s breadth expanded, propelled by diverse semiconductor plays, crypto ecosystem builders, quantum pioneers, drone and space innovators, and steadying biotech and nuclear outfits, all underpinned by lively new issuances and stalwart large-cap foundations.
Actionable Takeaways
- Navigate Earnings Volatility: Gauge implied moves via options flow or earnings whispers before reports, ensuring existing profits surpass anticipated swings to hold through; trim selectively based on position confidence and historical patterns, avoiding blind gambles days prior unless swing trading for quick cushions.
- Prioritize Pattern Integrity: Hone in on stocks exhibiting tight, liquid behaviors with predictable supports, like respecting near-term averages or prior highs during shakeouts, to minimize emotional strain—cycle through a core handful repeatedly for familiarity over chasing breadth.
- Leverage Relative Strength Turns: Watch for RS lines edging above shorter exponentials ahead of price action, signaling potential outperformance; favor setups where this leads, especially in post-breakout evolutions, to refine entry timing without rigid base nomenclature.
- Incorporate Fundamental Catalysts: For specialized arenas like healthcare, cross-verify catalysts such as trials or conferences via expert insights to sidestep unseen pitfalls, blending technical poise with revenue/earnings trajectories for conviction in volatile plays.
- Embrace Sector Rotations: Monitor thematic baskets like crypto proxies or infrastructure for cohesive advances, using highest-ever volume spikes as power indicators; deploy as enhancers when in sync with the market, scaling via constructive weakness at confluence points for managed upside
Stock Mentions and Commentary
Communication Services – Interactive Media & Services:
- $META: Coiling after a swift advance, now consolidating with disciplined volume fades; high-handle vibe post-failed push, RS line lagging but poised for lead—AI investment narrative fuels conviction, hold for breakout clarity.
- $RBLX: Paused near peak after relentless climb, still early in cycle despite optics; tight closes signal strength, core position for liquid leadership—manage earnings risk, watch for volume surge to resume.
- $RDDT: Shaping cup-like base in lower range, not textbook but tightening with promise; volume drying up, RS line steadying—early entry risky but post-earnings pop potential mirrors recent biotech moves.
Consumer Discretionary – Restaurants & Retail:
- $AMZN: Steady benchmark grinding upward, not flashy but confirms Nasdaq’s health; broad tech anchor, rotational lynchpin—track for market context, not actionable yet.
- $DASH: Post-IPO resilience with controlled pullbacks, tightening as base matures; volume aligns for breakout watch, personality shift possible—earnings loom, favor post-report clarity.
- $ZK: Chinese EV outlier tightening despite group weakness, technical intrigue high; performance enhancer only, tariff risks loom—trade cautiously when market hums.
Consumer Staples- Personal Care Products:
- $ELF: Powerhouse potential coiling after surge, volume fade constructive; not actionable yet but watch for breakout in specialty retail—earnings could spark or stall.
Financials – Capital Markets, FinTech, & Crypto Infrastructure:
- $BULL: Fresh IPO with early base formation, volume spikes signal interest; high-risk enhancer in crypto-adjacent space—wait for tighter ranges to engage.
- $CHYM: Post-IPO shakeout with volume pickup, base forming rapidly; hot group adds appeal, but whippy—enhancer for quick swings, monitor support near prior lows.
- $CIFR: Low-priced crypto miner with explosive upside if group ignites; wide ranges deter positions, enhancer for tuned traders—pair with liquid leaders for context.
- $COIN: Prime crypto exchange near breakout zone, healthy pause respects supports; liquid leader with fundamental heft, earnings hurdle near—core hold with swing adds post-report.
- $DFDV: Post-IPO undercut now tightening, wild but promising in hot sector; enhancer for aggressive plays, needs time—watch volume for breakout cues.
- $ETOR: Crypto-adjacent with smoother action than peers, liquid enough for swings; enhancer in DeFi basket, fundamentals thin—trade on technicals, avoid earnings blind spots.
- $GS: Financial benchmark advancing steadily, confirms sector health; not a trade but a market pulse—watch for rotation cues.
- $HOOD: Top-tier leader with tight post-breakout action, respects key levels; earnings risk looms, core position with swing trades viable—liquid, predictable, high conviction.
- $IBKR: Brokerage complement to crypto leaders, breakout moderating; slower but reliable, track for sector confirmation—lesser exposure than direct plays.
- $IREN: Crypto miner with breakout flair, post-churn pause needs time; whippy enhancer, high-risk/reward—monitor for group rally to re-engage.
- $SEZL: FinTech star with rapid climb, now digesting gains at supports; performance enhancer with breakout potential, revenue-driven—add on strength post-breather.
- $SOFI: DeFi standout with polished patterns, tightening after triple-off-bottom; earnings/sales anchor conviction, institutional appeal—core for growth setups.
Health Care – Biotechnology:
- $EXEL: Biotech with revenue stream, poised for breakout at highs; liquid and technical, needs event clearance—enhance on strength, position potential if catalysts align.
- $HIMS: Volatile but resilient, absorbs news with quick recoveries; revenue growth supports technicals, enhancer for swings—watch FDA risks, trade post-breakout.
- $HNGE: Likely a typo in transcript; no clear match, possibly intended for HNGE. IPO with loose base, tightening slowly; low-revenue enhancer, needs volume to revive—conditional hold.
- $NKTR: Early biotech mover with small revenue, high volatility; technical play, no earnings—enhancer for risk-tolerant, verify catalysts to avoid traps.
- $RYTM: Biotech with stronger revenue, shaping for breakout; event risks linger, enhancer with position potential—fundamentals tilt favorability.
- $SMMT: Biotech speculative, mentioned briefly for potential; thin setup, no clear breakout—enhancer watchlist, group context needed.
Industrials – Aerospace, Infrastructure, & Mobility:
- $AVAV: Drone leader with highest-ever volume pullback, now actionable; tight flag post-advance, RS strong—core position, breakout imminent if holds.
- $SMR: Nuclear flag tightening post-run, execution outpaces peers; consumer strength supports, add on pullbacks—preferred over laggards.
Information Technology – Semiconductors, Cybersecurity, Software, Quantum, & AI:
- $ALAB: Biotech-like pattern post-earnings, tightening for next leg; high-potential enhancer, watch post-report—mirrors Reddit’s setup.
- $APLD: Software leader shaping post-IPO, volume confirms strength; second-stage base, enhancer with position upside—track for breakout.
- $APP: Earnings/sales-driven base building, weekly strength; needs volume push, position trade if resolves—avoid chasing.
- $ARM: Semiconductor ADR coiling post-shakeout, stage one reset; tricky but high-potential, position early—monitor SOX context.
- $ARQQ: Lower-grade quantum, lags group leaders; confirmation only, no buy—watch for group health.
- $CRCL: IPO name tightening at or just below support, volume fades bullish; performance enhancer for swings, make-or-break zone—watch for floor drop.
- $IONQ: Quantum leader with liquid action, post-run pause; tightening for re-entry, position trade—fundamentals support theme.
- $MSTR: Bitcoin proxy with crypto software veneer, phenomenal when group works; enhancer for swings, dilution risk—track Bitcoin pulse.
- $NET: Prior leader recovering, base forming at supports; high RS potential, position trade if tightens—earnings critical.
- $NVDA: Semiconductor titan, extended but shaping; position hold with tight stops, breakout attempts persist—leader conviction.
- $NVTS: Low-priced semi with Nvidia tie, highest-ever volume spark; whippy enhancer, trade tight areas—high risk/reward.
- $ORCL: AI software benchmark at all-time highs, liquid leader; position trade, no chase—track for market health.
- $QBTS: Quantum frontrunner tightening post-push, high conviction; position trade, basket hedge—group leader with RGTI.
- $SMCI: Semiconductor enhancer, volatile but powerful in SOX rallies; trade on strength, manage stops—addictive when right.
- $SNOW: Software consolidator at supports, RS line firming; position trade potential, Weinstein-style breakout—earnings watch.
- $TSSI: IPO wild child, volume-driven post-breakout; enhancer for day trades, too loose for positions—catch strength early.
- $UI: High-priced software recovering post-undercut, stage one base; position trade if volume rises, thin but promising—watch group.
- $ZS: Software security leader consolidating, base forming; position trade if resolves, high RS—track for breakout.
Materials – Industrial Metals & Mining:
- $MP: Performance enhancer with flag setup, liquid for swings; hot group adds appeal, trade on strength—earnings risk.
Thematic ETFs, IPOs, & Bitcoin Proxies:
- $ETHU: Ethereum 2x ETF proxy, tracks crypto pulse; enhancer for thematic swings, pullback watch—group context critical.
- $GLXY: IPO breakout with 1999-esque power, pullback logical; enhancer for hot group, trade supports—high risk/reward.
- $IBIT: Bitcoin ETF proxy, steady despite pullbacks; enhancer for crypto exposure, track for market tone—no complaints.
- $TRON: Crypto-related enhancer, liquid but thin fundamentals; technical play in DeFi basket, avoid earnings—group watch.
Utilities – Alternative & Nuclear Energy:
- $OKLO: Nuclear laggard with volatile swings, extended but viable; add on pullbacks with stops, risk-managed—lesser vs SMR.




