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Environment over setup report

Environment > setup

Nick Schmidt

Overall Market Thoughts

Last week's report Strong but Stretched was focused on the market being strong, but very extended, and my goal was to not press the gas again until the market consolidates or pulls back.

The market was still acting well, leaders were still leading, and I was still optimistic. But semis were extended, sentiment was getting too far one sided, and I was coming off a huge April/May run that I wanted to protect.

We got a pullback this week which was to be expected but I didn't expect the magnitude of the action we saw Friday. That action reminded me of October 10th last year. We recovered shortly after but the environment became very choppy.

QQQ$705.06
MA4W·10W·30W

Last week was the first time since this entire uptrend that Nasdaq closed at dead lows and below the 4-week moving average. Regardless of which way we go from here that is a big change in character from the previous 9 weeks and warrants short-term caution.

The question this week is not "Are we going higher or lower?" Short-term I do not think we know that yet.

The better question is "Did the environment get harder?" which yes it did.

We felt it change earlier in the week. We all noticed stops being hit more frequently and it becoming a little harder to make progress. Friday solidified it and I think more observing than acting this week will be better.

If you haven't yet read my post from Saturday on X check it out below with what my overall thoughts are.

My plan this week

My job this week is not to win back Fridays losses or force action because there are still good looking charts. My job is to avoid digging a hole while the market gives us more information.

Not worried about up or down, focused on gaining some clarity first.

This report highlights where I see RS within growth groups which I will continue to track because what stays near highs when everything else sees pressure is usually what moves the most when the markets wind is at its back.

Current Holdings

45% invested|55% cash
MU20%
+108.97%
Avg $413.47Last $864.01
NBIS15%
+18.79%
Avg $191.78Last $227.81
DOCN10%
+9.11%
Avg $155.68Last $169.87

Position Notes

MU20% position
MA4W·10W·30W
This is my current early cycle winner that I wanted to protect my cost and let it tighten up and rebase if possible. The plan was to watch for either a climactic blow off top, or let it pullback and close above the 4-week. After last week we are basically at the 4-week already and reviewing last week's action this potentially could be the top since it closed weekly low on its highest dollar volume ever.

If we open tomorrow gapped higher by any chance, I will likely exit half of my remaining $MU. Then try to watch and see if the rest has a chance to end the week over the 4-week.

If we gap lower tomorrow, I will be watching for possible bounce and reclaim to make decision on remainder of my shares.
NBIS15% position
MA4W·10W·30W
Leader that looks much better than MU after last week. This is still above the 4-week which is the level I have been using on a closing basis. I'm still using that level, but depending on monday I may exit half as well since I don't have the best cost here.
DOCN10% position
MA4W·10W·30W
DOCN is one of the best examples of RS in the market right now. This is showing signs of beach ball underwater action. Only issue is I don't have much of a cushion, and the market environment is most important. If we get any relief in the general market DOCN looks ripe to have a big move.

Notable Charts

21 charts
Software
BAND$72.20
Software
MA4W·10W·30W
Buyable here? No.... but insane RS to note for when it eventually becomes buyable
BB$9.41
Software
MA4W·10W·30W
Extended but RS..... would become focus on 3 weeks tight
DDOG$234.11
Software
MA4W·10W·30W
Watch for 3 weeks tight
TWLO$225.99
Software
MA4W·10W·30W
RS
AI Networking Silicon
ALAB$317.06
AI Networking Silicon
MA4W·10W·30W
Still above 4-week. Watch for 3 weeks tight
Foundries & Semicap
ASML$1641.74
Foundries & Semicap
MA4W·10W·30W
RS in semis watch for tightening up
Power & Grid
PWR$695.11
Power & Grid
MA4W·10W·30W
Watch for tightening up and 10-week support
Materials
MP$59.18
Materials
MA4W·10W·30W
I really like this name. I'd consider an entry on confirmation of higher low respect. Just because this group could potentially get strength if tech consolidates.
Consumer
RDDT$173.45
Consumer
MA4W·10W·30W
Of all the big recent software turns, this one has held the best last week, closed almost same level as 2 weeks ago.
TPR$140.10
Consumer
MA4W·10W·30W
Potential higher low
Neoclouds
APLD$39.62
Neoclouds
MA4W·10W·30W
Another retest of its base pivot. Watching how it acts around here
CIFR$22.45
Neoclouds
MA4W·10W·30W
So far failed breakout of big base.... another week tight here could make it a focus
HUT$112.24
Neoclouds
MA4W·10W·30W
RS
NBIS$227.81
Neoclouds
MA4W·10W·30W
So far this is showing big RS still. If this trades another 2 weeks in this range here it would go on focus.
Network Infrastructure
FTNT$144.68
Network Infrastructure
MA4W·10W·30W
RS. Extended but watching for 3 weeks tight
Fintech
DAVE$258.25
Fintech
MA4W·10W·30W
Still higher low last week coming up the right side feels like breakout is soon if market cooperates
HOOD$82.47
Fintech
MA4W·10W·30W
Still just an inside week. I believe this like PLTR has bottomed and coming around.
Memory & Storage
SNDK$1559.32
Memory & Storage
MA4W·10W·30W
RS
STX$847.47
Memory & Storage
MA4W·10W·30W
RS
AI Compute
INTC$99.17
AI Compute
MA4W·10W·30W
Watch for 10 week support and base to be built
Robotics
TSLA$391.00
Robotics
MA4W·10W·30W
Stays on radar. Maybe last weeks a shakeout... no rush. Need it to tighten up and confirm another higher low.