The turn of the year is a good time to reflect on your methodology, so we reviewed what worked best for us in this forum in 2025. Market timing added value in another year characterized by positive momentum and narrow leadership. A major correction early in the year emphasized the benefits of using technical analysis to manage risk and discover opportunities. Overall, it was a bullish year that saw both actionable breakouts and compelling turnarounds. Between February and April, the S & P 500 Index (SPX) saw a peak-to-trough intraday decline of 21.4%, with downside leadership coming from stocks that previously had the strongest momentum. In February, we showcased a downturn behind two names exemplary of the momentum factor: Goldman Sachs (GS) and Palantir Technologies (PLTR) . Their subsequent underperformance was damaging to the market but ultimately led to a great buying opportunity. Note: Just last week we became vocal on the potential for another correction in PLTR (access here ), and GS is on the verge of a new short-term counter-trend signal from the DeMARK Indicators. Fortunately, the harrowing downdraft created compelling counter-trend buying opportunities. In April, we featured bitcoin as a risk asset poised to benefit from oversold conditions and overly bearish sentiment. The cryptocurrency had seen a disproportionate peak-to-trough decline of 31.9%, making it difficult for new buyers to confidently add exposure, but the subsequent breakout above the 50-day moving average was a positive catalyst. Interestingly, we have a similar setup in bitcoin currently that we will be featuring in our next Cryptocurrency Compass report (inquire here ). The market trended strongly higher off the April low, allowing us to produce mostly bullish articles in the months that ensued, including a feature on the breakout in the technology sector and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) in early July. But our post featuring a turnaround in Estee Lauder (EL) was even more opportunistic and memorable in that that stock staged a lasting bullish reversal following a strong counter-trend setup in an environment characterized by persistent weakness in the broader consumer staples sector. Another standout call highlighted a catch-up trade in platinum prices, which broke out from a long-term triangle pattern in early June. Gold and silver stole the headlines, while the lagging precious metal established a strong uptrend and began to outperform gold. Copper saw upside too after we featured it alongside platinum and later reiterated it ahead of a strong Q4. Interestingly, palladium also emerged from a major basing phase last year, and it looks like it is in the early innings of a bull market. Lastly, we are glad to revisit our contrarian bullish idea in Tesla (TSLA) from early August . The stock had been out of favor and was wound up in a consolidation phase ahead of an actionable breakout that was supported by our technical indicators. Volatility can produce opportunity, and TSLA is a good example of a stock with big intermediate-term swings that traders welcome. We believe 2026 will see even more volatility than 2025 while keeping a bullish bias, an environment that should continue to reward risk management and market timing. —Katie Stockton with Will Tamplin Access research from Fairlead Strategies for free here . DISCLOSURES: (None) All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium. THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL’S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Click here for the full disclaimer. Fairlead Strategies Disclaimer: This communication has been prepared by Fairlead Strategies LLC (“Fairlead Strategies”) for informational purposes only. This material is for illustration and discussion purposes and not intended to be, nor construed as, financial, legal, tax or investment advice. You should consult appropriate advisors concerning such matters. This material presents information through the date indicated, reflecting the author’s current expectations, and is subject to revision by the author, though the author is under no obligation to do so. This material may contain commentary on broad-based indices, market conditions, different types of securities, and cryptocurrencies, using the discipline of technical analysis, which evaluates the demand and supply based on market pricing. The views expressed herein are solely those of the author. This material should not be construed as a recommendation, or advice or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any investment. The information is not intended to provide a basis on which you could make an investment decision on any particular security or its issuer. This document is intended for CNBC Pro subscribers only and is not for distribution to the general public. Certain information has been provided by and/or is based on third party sources and, although such information is believed to be reliable, no representation is made with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of such information. This information may be subject to change without notice. Fairlead Strategies undertakes no obligation to maintain or update this material based on subsequent information and events or to provide you with any additional or supplemental information or any update to or correction of the information contained herein. Fairlead Strategies, its officers, employees, affiliates and partners shall not be liable to any person in any way whatsoever for any losses, costs, or claims for your reliance on this material. Nothing herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to future performance. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. Opinions expressed in this material may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed, or actions taken, by Fairlead Strategies or its affiliates, or their respective officers, directors, or employees. In addition, any opinions and assumptions expressed herein are made as of the date of this communication and are subject to change and/or withdrawal without notice. Fairlead Strategies or its affiliates may have positions in financial instruments mentioned, may have acquired such positions at prices no longer available, and may have interests different from or adverse to your interests or inconsistent with the advice herein. Any investments made are made under the same terms as nonaffiliated investors and do not constitute a controlling interest. No liability is accepted by Fairlead Strategies, its officers, employees, affiliates, or partners for any losses that may arise from any use of the information contained herein. Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest. Any prices or levels shown are either historical or purely indicative. This material does not take into account the particular investment objectives or financial circumstances, objectives or needs of any specific investor, and are not intended as recommendations of particular securities, investment products, or other financial products or strategies to particular clients. Securities, investment products, other financial products or strategies discussed herein may not be suitable for all investors. The recipient of this information must make its own independent decisions regarding any securities, investment products or other financial products mentioned herein. The material should not be provided to any person in a jurisdiction where its provision or use would be contrary to local laws, rules, or regulations. This material is not to be reproduced or redistributed absent the written consent of Fairlead Strategies.
