In partnership with

📝 Editor’s Note

This week’s issue is grounded in real, current market signals. U.S. equities are rallying into year-end on rebounding tech and semiconductor strength, dovish sentiment on interest rates, and geopolitical export news that’s moving AI chip stocks. I’ll break down the latest data, highlight actionable ideas, and give you the exact AI prompts you can use to verify everything yourself.

Attention is scarce. Learn how to earn it.

Every leader faces the same challenge: getting people to actually absorb what you're saying - in a world of overflowing inboxes, half-read Slacks, and meetings about meetings.

Smart Brevity is the methodology Axios HQ built to solve this. It's a system for communicating with clarity, respect, and precision — whether you're writing to your board, your team, or your entire organization.

Join our free 60-minute Open House to learn how it works and see it in action.

Runs monthly - grab a spot that works for you.

Save your seat

📈 MARKET OUTLOOK - What the Data Says Now

✅ 1. Stocks Are Climbing Into Year-End

U.S. equity markets are edging back toward record highs as the “Santa Claus Rally” takes hold, with major indexes like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq advancing. Optimism centers around easing inflation, hopes for future rate cuts, and strong breadth beyond traditional mega-caps.

✅ 2. Tech and Semiconductors Lead Again

Technology stocks and semiconductors have snapped back after earlier rotation out of growth names, signaling renewed investor appetite for AI and high-growth sectors. This includes strength in companies like Nvidia and AMD — supported by news of expanded AI hardware exports.

⚠ Macro Crosswinds Still Present

Despite the rally, economists and strategists remain cautious about structural risks — including stress in private credit markets and potential slowing in AI growth momentum.

Neutral to Slightly Bullish Near Term

Combined breadth and rotation patterns support a bullish bias into early 2026, but expect periods of volatility when sentiment shifts rapidly in AI and tech sectors.

🚀 AI-AND-TECH OPPORTUNITY LIST

These tickers are moving with volume and narrative flow as of Dec 23, 2025:

📌 Momentum Leaders

• NVDA (Nvidia) - rising on AI export news and chip demand.

• AMD - also up with AI chip rollout catalysts.

• SMH (Semiconductor ETF) - leading sector strength.

📌 Broader Tech & Growth

• QQQ (Nasdaq ETF) - up with tech momentum.

• XLK (Tech Sector ETF) - reflecting renewed growth rotation.

📌 Defensive or Diversifiers

• Health Care & Industrials - analysts recently upgraded views on these sectors for broader resilience.

🤖 AI PROMPTS YOU CAN USE TODAY

Copy/paste exactly into ChatGPT or Claude to replicate and verify insights:

Prompt #1: Market Trend Outlook

“Generate a probability forecast for the S&P 500, Nasdaq (QQQ), and SMH over the next 30 days based on price action, volume trends, and recent sector rotation.”

Prompt #2: Stock Strength Scanner

“Rank NVDA, AMD, QQQ, XLK, and SMH by short-term momentum and accumulation signals using recent 10-day and 30-day data.”

Prompt #3: Risk / Volatility Forecast

“Compare recent VIX and implied volatility measures and explain what they imply about expected price swings in tech and semiconductor sectors.”

🔍 How to Verify These AI Results

To check AI-generated signals:

1. Chart Confirmation

Use TradingView or Thinkorswim to review:

• Breakouts above recent highs

• Volume strength or divergence

• Support/resistance zones

2. Multiple Timeframes

Check 1-day, 1-week, and 1-month trends to ensure signal agreement.

3. Sector Rotation Metrics

Look at relative strength index (RSI) for tech vs defensive sectors, and check ETF flows for confirmation.

4. Volatility Indicators

Confirm VIX and implied volatility trends — rising VIX suggests higher risk, even in rallies.

🛠 Tools Worth Using

• FinBrain AI Signals - Short-term probability forecasts

• TrendSpider - Multi-timeframe and volume compression scans

• AlphaQuery - Backtesting and momentum filters

📚 Quick Insight - Seasonality + Macro

Seasonal patterns like the Santa Claus Rally historically favor equities this week and can boost tech leadership if risk sentiment stays positive. At the same time, long-term fundamentals call for balanced risk assessments given volatility potential in AI valuations over the next year.

🔥 Closing Thought - Watch the Rotation

The key theme as we close out 2025 is rotation back into tech and AI names, but with macro vigilance. Keep an eye on:

• Rate cut signals

• VIX trend changes

• Breadth outside mega-caps

• Sector ETF flows

Next week we’ll monitor how AI signals align with economic data and rate expectations into January.

Vaulting Your Wealth Forward,
– T. D. Thompson

AI Investing Vault

The content above is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any financial instruments. Trading and investing involve significant risk of loss, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor or conduct your own research before making any investment decisions. Use of AI tools and strategies mentioned above is at your own discretion and risk. AI Investing Vault may receive compensation if you purchase tools or services mentioned in this email, at no additional cost to you.