Sep 29 – Oct 3, 2025
Nick SchmidtOctober 4, 2025
Insane strength in HOOD. This is what I believe other April leaders like PLTR will do. HOOD became the first April leader to break out of its base and follow through, and that bodes well for the rest of the list.
This week was about adding to winners and managing margin. Sized up PLTR on Monday because of the tight action and low relative volume, using LIFO stops to allow bigger size while managing risk on each tranche separately. The higher lows in names like SPOT and DAVE make them more actionable because it's easier to buy on weakness and manage risk, and the higher lows act as a signal that there's underlying strength despite the choppiness.
Friday was rough with TSLA and PLTR both down hard. Exited SPOT entirely to lighten margin exposure, not because the trade was invalidated, it was still showing higher low at the rising 30-week support. Just a personal decision related to having 3 heavy positions down the same day on margin. 95% of the time being stopped out doesn't mean the stock is broken it just means your initial entry didn't work. Being wrong on timing doesn't mean being wrong on direction.
150% exposure. Sized up PLTR, exited SPOT to manage margin after rough Friday. RKLB at highest weekly close ever.
HOOD showing insane strength, first April leader to break out and follow through. PLTR sitting extremely tight with no volume forming a handle. MSTR potential higher low with crypto breaking out. Strong combo for risk-on and growth to return. Added to PLTR on tight action with low relative volume using LIFO stops.
Mixed open with momentum in gold/silver and healthcare while growth lagged. SPOT weakness from Goldman Sachs downgrade but acting fine, sometimes downgrades act as shakeouts. Despite slight pressure, NVDA and HOOD showing strength while PLTR and TSLA holding well. Hard to be too pessimistic with these acting so well. Looking for higher lows in base names like SPOT and DAVE.
First day of Q4. RKLB showing early strength inside last week's wick. PLTR volume picking up but below average, for it to really stick I'd want to see big volume through highs. SPOT and DAVE both showing higher lows. MSTR higher low looking good. Re-entered RKLB using low of week to manage risk.
Typical gap up reaction with most names moving lower first 10 minutes, want to see lows put in early. Early strength in small caps. RKLB pushing on volume but still expecting potential flop until it closes above prior highs. Trimmed a tiny 1/8 of RKLB up 6% for a small win because I hate this stock and I'm heavy on margin. 95% of the time being stopped out doesn't mean the stock is broken, it just means your initial entry didn't work.
TSLA gapping up slightly, it never loves gaps up. Key level is 4-week MA for TSLA, will be fine if it can defend that level. RKLB headed for highest weekly close ever. DAVE looking A+ with lower wick and higher low. Most weakness continues to respect structure. Beautiful day except for TSLA and PLTR, both rough but fine. Exited SPOT to lighten margin exposure, not invalidated, personal decision due to heavy margin.
Insane strength in HOOD. This is what I believe other April leaders like PLTR will do. HOOD became the first April leader to break out of its base and follow through. This bodes well for other April leaders to break out of their bases and follow through as well.
I really like the tightness and quiet action in PLTR. I'm adding here because of low relative volume and tight action. Using LIFO stops allows sizing up while managing risk with separate tight stops on each tranche.
The higher lows make it more actionable because it's easier to buy on weakness and manage risk, and the higher lows act as a signal that there is underlying strength despite the choppiness. Looking for this in names like SPOT and DAVE.
95% of the time being stopped out doesn't mean the stock is broken it just means your initial entry didn't work. Being wrong on timing doesn't mean being wrong on direction. Most stops don't invalidate the thesis, just the entry point.