Dec 18 2025

Concise Market & Stock Highlights Summary

• Stocks in Focus (IBD/Leaders):

  • Broadcom (AVGO): Mentioned as a stock considered for shorting but proved resilient.

  • Rhythm Pharmaceuticals (RYTM): Strong small-cap biotech, ranked #12 in the IBD50.

• Market Overview:

  • Futures higher after softer-than-expected inflation data and strong Micron earnings.

  • Nasdaq (QQQ): Up ~1.5–1.7% pre/open, but still below the 50-day moving average after a harsh distribution day. Distribution day count on Nasdaq now ~7.

  • S&P 500: Up ~0.9–1%.

  • Russell 2000 (IWM): Up ~1.2–1.6%, small caps outperforming.

  • Dow: Lagging but up ~0.5–0.8%.

  • 10Y Treasury: ~4.13%, slightly lower.

  • Oil: ~$56.25/bbl.

  • Bitcoin: Up ~2%.

• Economic Data:

  • CPI (YoY): 2.7% vs 3.1% expected (cooler inflation).

  • Core CPI: 2.6% vs 3.0% expected.

  • Jobless Claims: 224k, roughly in line.

• Earnings & Stock Movers:

  • Micron (MU): +15% pre-market on blockbuster earnings and huge upside guidance (EPS ~$8.42 vs $4.78 est; revenue ~$18.7B vs $14.2B est). Lifted peers WDC, Seagate, SanDisk.

  • Darden Restaurants (DRI): Better revenue and same-store sales; raised FY26 sales outlook. Restaurant stocks may catch a bid.

  • Accenture (ACN): Down ~3% despite beats; facing resistance at 200-day MA.

  • Birkenstock (BIRK): Down ~10% on weak earnings/guidance; tariff pressure.

  • CarMax (KMX): Down ~11% on soft demand; revenue -7%, earnings -47% YoY.

  • Instacart (CART): Down on FTC probe into AI pricing practices.

  • Lululemon (LULU): Up pre-market after reports Elliott Management took a >$1B stake; CEO stepping down in January.

  • Trump Media (DJT): +25% on merger news with fusion-energy firm TAE Technologies (~$6B deal).

• Upcoming Earnings (After Close):

  • FedEx (FDX), KB Home (KBH), Nike (NKE).

• Strategy Note:

  • Given recent distribution days and Nasdaq weakness, portfolio risk was reduced; leaders list now ~50% invested, reflecting a more cautious stance despite the strong open.