After four straight months of gains, investors are starting to wonder: Has the rally built enough momentum to continue, or is it losing steam? S&P 500 (.SPX) Historically, August has been a tricky month. It’s not typically the scene of dramatic crashes, but it tends to be more volatile and often ends higher. Last year, the market dipped sharply in August, only to rally back and close with a 2% gain. That’s August in a nutshell: volatile, unpredictable, and often overlooked. But let’s zoom out further. Over the past 20 years, August has delivered mixed results. However, some of the market’s most unnerving selloffs like the drop in August 2011 during the debt ceiling crisis, or the sharp correction in 2015 following China’s surprise yuan devaluation serve as reminders that August isn't a

Yesterday, I had my eyes glued to SoFi Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: SOFI), which sat right at the top of my watchlist for the day’s biggest percentage gainers. Midday, the stock was riding high, and honestly, the rally felt... excessive. SoFi Technologies Inc. (SOFI) To give you a sense of the volatility, SoFi shares closed Tuesday at $22.40, having traded in a wide daily range between $22.26 and $25.11. Just the day before, it had closed at $21.02 so we’re talking about a fast, aggressive move. I didn’t buy in for a few good reasons. First, it looked overvalued. Second, SoFi doesn’t pay a dividend, which is something I prioritize. And third, I didn’t want to get swept up in FOMO (fear of missing out), a trap I’ve fallen into before. Still, I was watching closely, mostly out of curiosity. So

Circle Internet Financial Corp. (CRCL) slipped after investment firm Compass Point Research downgraded its rating from Neutral to Sell. Analysts noted that if the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, Circle’s earnings are expected to decline, which could impact its future profitability. Circle Internet Corp. (CRCL) That was enough to spook some investors. The party might be cooling down—again. But here’s the thing: Wall Street downgrades don’t drive my decisions. Why I Don’t Chase Analyst Ratings Let me be clear—I’m not claiming I know more than the analysts. They have research tools and financial models. But personally, I find many analyst upgrades and downgrades are reactive rather than predictive. They often follow the trend instead of getting ahead of it. A downgrade after a run-up or

The Hang Seng Index (HSI) recently surged past the 25,000 mark, reigniting investor interest and bringing China assets back into the spotlight. HSI (HSI) Yes, China Assets Are Rising… But I’m Still Watching from the Sidelines Let me start by saying: I don’t currently own any China-related assets, and at this point, I don’t plan to buy any either. This isn’t because I doubt the long-term potential of Chinese companies—many of them are highly innovative, resilient, and offer real growth stories. The hesitation comes from a few very practical, personal reasons. 1. I Struggle to Buy When Prices Have Already Jumped Like many investors, I try to follow the classic wisdom of “buy low, sell high.” With the HSI rallying sharply and many individual China stocks surging off their lows, I find myself

Despite persistent risks hanging over the global economy — inflation, geopolitical tensions, U.S. stocks continue to defy gravity. Major indices have recently hit record highs. S&P 500 (.SPX) But should investors start getting cautious? Historically, the late summer months tend to be weaker for the market. And when the market has already enjoyed strong gains from May through July (as it has this year), it’s not unusual to see a pullback. Call it a seasonal correction or just a breather, but history suggests the party doesn’t always last uninterrupted. A Market That's Been Running Hot Personally, I’ve been watching the market rally with a healthy mix of admiration and caution. There’s no denying the strength behind the recent surge, but markets move in cycles and after extended bullish

I was casually scrolling through my watchlist today when something jumped out at me—Kohl's (KSS) is up more than 9%. Kohl's (KSS) What’s going on here? Now, to most people, Kohl’s is just a department store, one of those mid-tier retail chains you walk into when you’re looking for socks, or maybe some kitchenware that’s on sale. But for traders who track meme stocks, a sudden spike like this isn’t just background noise. It’s often interpreted as a spark, a potential signal that a new meme rally could be forming. Wait... Is Kohl’s a Meme Stock Now? Technically, yes or at least it’s meme-stock adjacent. Over the past few years, a rotating cast of companies has been thrown into the meme-stock blender. Think AMC, GameStop, Bed Bath & Beyond and so on. These are companies that, despite shak

I’ve never bought anything from Pop Mart before not because I dislike their toys, but because I usually prioritize spending on things I actually need. That said, curiosity recently got the better of me, and I found myself scrolling through Pop Mart’s official website. I have to admit: their toys are oddly delightful. I wasn’t planning to buy anything, but just browsing their collections brought an unexpected smile to my face. One that stood out was Labubu — there's something oddly charming about its little set of sharp, mischievous-looking teeth. It’s easy to see why Pop Mart has built such a dedicated fanbase. Their lineup is a visual treat, bursting with cuteness, creativity, and a very Instagram-friendly aesthetic. From a business perspective, Pop Mart seems to be firing on all cylinder