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January 8, 2025

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Which Top AI Semiconductor Stocks are Positioned for Growth?

On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2025 opens its doors in Las Vegas for a four-day event. As the world’s largest technology expo, CES is the hub for global tech innovation,  spotlighting the cutting-edge advancements that will define tech trends in the year ahead.

Two key drivers are at the heart of today’s tech focus: semiconductor chips and AI technology. Both present a strong case for investment, and investing in semiconductor companies that enable growth in AI ecosystems is among your strongest bets for profiting from future trends.

That said, you should look at the semiconductor industry to see which companies offer the strongest opportunities. Let’s begin with VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH) as our industry proxy. Below is a weekly chart.

FIGURE 1. WEEKLY CHART OF SMH. Notice how the Accumulation/Distribution Line (ADL) sits above the current price action. Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

Following a two-year uptrend, SMH appears to be caught within a narrow trading range (see magenta box). The two blue dotted lines mark SMH’s highest high ($281.82) and its corresponding swing low ($199.61). The current price gap indicates a bullish attempt to break out of the current range.

The Accumulation/Distribution Line (ADL), a volume-based indicator that tracks the cumulative flow of money into and out of a security, shows a noticeable rise despite the price remaining stuck in this range. This creates a slight bullish divergence, suggesting that SMH is experiencing capital inflows that could eventually push the ETF above its current trading range.

Now that you have a broader perspective on what semiconductor stocks are doing, let’s zoom in on three that are highly involved in AI tech production:

  • NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA): The leader in AI chips.
  • Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD): A secondary competitor in AI-focused GPUs and CPUs.
  • Taiwan Semiconductor, Mfg. (TSM): A major foundry for AI semiconductors.

NVDA Testing All-Time Highs

NVDA’s daily chart shows that the stock is experiencing a volatile uptrend and is now experiencing a strong bout of selling after approaching its all-time high of $152.88. The question is whether NVDA is topping out or has enough technical momentum to eventually break through this level and continue setting new record highs.

FIGURE 2. DAILY CHART OF NVDA. Is it toppy or might it have enough momentum to break above its all-time high?Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

NVDA’s StockChartsTechnicalRank (SCTR) score, despite occupying the ultra-bullish 90 range for some time, now stands at around 71. Momentum-wise, the MACD (Moving Average Convergence/Divergence) has begun showing green shoots of bullishness, with the MACD line crossing over the signal line and both appearing to ascend above the center line. This indicates that the stock’s short-term momentum is increasing, which suggests the possibility of continued upward movement.

Add NVDA to your ChartList and look to the trendline as a potential support level should the stock dip. It may present a strong buying opportunity.

AMD: Second Runner Up and Far Behind

Take a look at AMD’s weekly chart.

FIGURE 3. WEEKLY CHART OF AMD. As NVDA’s major competitor, AMD’s performance has been frighteningly poor.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

AMD is supposed to be NVDA’s most direct competitor in AI chip production. If this is the case, can you expect a dramatic turnaround and substantial growth from where AMD is now?

AMD is far underperforming NVDA, down almost -79%. Watch the most recent bounce (see blue arrow) off the support range marked by the blue rectangle. The chart includes an overlay of a ZigZag line. This outlines the trend movement, showing the critical swing points defining an uptrend and downtrend.

Does the current bounce indicate a refusal to break below the most recent swing low? If so, will AMD have enough momentum to break above the last swing high? This is what’s key to monitor: specifically, whether AMD breaks below the swing low or above the swing high. As for now, the trend is still downward.

Add AMD to your ChartLists and, if you’re bullish, wait for a clear sign of reversal using volume-based and momentum indicators, keeping a tight stop on the most recent swing low. Also, you may want to check the SCTR score to see if it is moving dramatically upward.

TSM: The AI Chip Foundry

Last but not least, there’s TSM, the foundry. Take a look at its weekly chart and compare it to that of AMD.

FIGURE 4. WEEKLY CHART OF TSM. There’s a strong uptrend and the stock has reached a record high.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

This week, TSM is exhibiting an almost ideal uptrend and gapping upwards to “all-time high” territory. But is it bound for another cyclical pullback or does it have enough momentum to drive higher?

Shift over to a daily chart and you might see something problematic.

FIGURE 5. DAILY CHART OF TSM. There’s a clean uptrend, but money flow is lagging.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

TSM’s uptrend looks pristine (see blue dotted line). But if you look at the ADL, you’ll notice how the cumulative money flows peaked in early 2024. Now it’s showing a bearish divergence, in which TSM has broken into record highs amid a backdrop of dwindling money inflows.

There’s a strong chance of a pullback, and the current bout of selling may be tipping the market’s hand toward this bias. If TSM finds support at the trendline, look for other signs that momentum may be picking up. If it breaks below the trendline, then look for more downside. Hint: There are rumors that NVDA is evaluating Samsung foundry due to TSM’s high costs and limited production capacity. If that transition goes through, it may impact TSM’s bottom line.

Actions to Take Now

So what can you do from here on?

  • Add SMH, NVDA, AMD, and TSM to your ChartLists.
  • Watch SMH to see if it successfully challenges resistance at $281.82.
  • See if NVDA bounces off the trendline and eventually breaks above $152.88, either of which can serve as a buying opportunity.
  • Monitor AMD for signs of a reversal on strong momentum before considering a long position.
  • Keep an eye on TSM’s trendline for signs of support or further downside in light of weakening money inflows.

And if you’re interested in all the new tech products, follow CES 2025 reports for insights into new tech trends that could impact the semiconductor sector.

At the Close

Semiconductors and AI remain at the forefront of innovation. CES 2025 is likely to reflect this trend among several of its showcased products. As companies race to meet rising demand in this competitive field, staying alert to rapid developments could offer early insights into future-defining investment opportunities.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

BEST Options Trading IDEAS This Week!

In this video, after a general market and sectors review, Tony shares the latest OptionsPlay trade ideas, including bullish and bearish ideas for GOOGL, NVDA, DIS, SHOP, and many more. He analyzes sector rotation with RRGs, and takes a look at key earnings.

This video premiered on January 7, 2025.

Nickel Price 2024 Year-End Review

Nickel markets have been underwhelming the past couple of years as an oversupply of the base metal exceeded demand. It was a trend that continued through the last quarter of 2024.

Indonesian supply was the primary force preventing a breakout in the nickel markets. The country continued to be the largest global source, with much of its nickel destined for Chinese-owned refineries in the country.

However, oversupply was also met with weak demand, as China’s economy continued to sputter after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chinese housing and manufacturing markets are important demand drivers for nickel, which is used in stainless steel products.

Nickel price in Q4

Nickel reached its 2024 peak of US$21,615 per metric ton on May 20, but was back below the US$16,000 mark by the end of July. Following some volatility in August and September, the price of nickel gained momentum at the end of Q3, reaching US$18,221 on October 2.

However, the increased prices were not to last, and nickel spent much of the final quarter in a downward trend.

By the end of October, the price had fallen to US$15,732 before climbing back to US$16,607 on November 7.

Since then, the nickel market has seen some volatility but has continued its downward trend. On December 19, it slumped to its 2024 low of US$15,090. However, it saw some small gains, ending the year at US$15,300 on December 31.

Nickel price, Q4 2024.

Chart via Trading Economics.

Nickel’s weak prices are largely due to high output from Indonesia and low demand, particularly from Asian markets, as China’s recovery has failed to gain traction.

As a result, on December 19, it was reported that Indonesia is considering implementing cuts to mining quotas to boost prices. The move would see the country cut output by nearly half, from 272 million metric tons of ore produced in 2024 to 150 million metric tons in 2025.

Additionally, Indonesia is looking to tighten environmental regulation compliance for miners in the new year and could introduce increased volatility into metals markets, including nickel. The move comes not long after it signed several new agreements in November with Chinese companies that would see billions invested in nickel operations in Indonesia.

Indonesia had previously worked to distance itself from China’s partnerships as it sought to improve relations with the United States and be included under the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

The new agreements emerged shortly after Donald Trump won the US presidential election on November 7. Trump’s return to the Oval Office is unlikely to bode well for Indonesian officials seeking to secure a trade deal with the United States. However, a loosening of rules in the IRA might create new inroads for Indonesian nickel producers.

How did nickel perform for the rest of the year?

Nickel price in Q1

The story since the start of the year has been high output from Indonesian operations.

Low prices saw some nickel producers, including First Quantum Minerals (TSX:FM,OTC Pink:FQVLF) and Australia’s Wyloo Metals, cut production. However, New Caledonia was most affected. The country is more dependent on the nickel sector, with industry giants like Glencore (LSE:GLEN,OTC Pink:GLCNF), Eramet (EPA:ERA) and raw materials trader Trafigura owning significant stakes in nickel producers in the country.

Ultimately, cuts there led to a 200 million euro bailout package from the French government, which exacerbated tensions over New Caledonia’s independence from France. Opponents of the agreement argued it risks the territory’s sovereignty and that the mining companies aren’t contributing enough to bail out the mines, which employ thousands.

Nickel price in Q2

The second quarter was defined by a surge in nickel prices.

Positive momentum began to work its way into the market at the end of Q1, as Indonesia experienced delays in approving mining output quotas and speculation grew that Russian nickel could be sanctioned by the US and UK.

On April 12, news broke that Washington and London had banned US and UK metal exchanges from admitting new aluminum, copper and nickel from Russia. Taking immediate effect, the prohibitions also halted the import of those metals causing the price to soar to a year-to-date high of US$21,615 on May 20.

At the time Joe Mazumdar, editor of Exploration Insights, suggested this move would have little impact on the sector.

Ultimately, by the end of the quarter, the price was trending toward US$17,000.

Nickel price in Q3

Nickel saw a strong end to the third quarter with the price rising above the US$18,000 mark.

Nickel found pricing support in September as the Chinese government introduced a raft of stimulus measures intended to boost economic growth in the country. Among the measures were a 0.5 percent interest rate cut on existing mortgages and a reduction in the downpayment required to purchase a home to 15 percent from 25 percent.

The announcement came alongside cuts at Chinese smelters as they were forced to deal with a shortage in feeder supply due to more delays to Indonesia’s permitting and quota system.

Investor takeaway

The nickel market is expected to remain oversupplied for some time.

With China’s economy on a slow path to recovery, demand will remain weak. Meanwhile, supply will likely hinge on if Indonesia chooses to make significant cuts to supply output.

While demand for nickel in electric vehicle batteries is expected to be up 27 percent year-on-year in 2024, producers have also been looking to alternatives that don’t require as much nickel. Additionally, more consumers are looking to plug-in hybrid vehicles with smaller batteries that require less nickel.

Even with the increased demand from the battery sector, nickel is primarily used in stainless steel products, which are still dominated by the Chinese manufacturing and real estate sectors.

Perhaps the most significant factors to consider are political. A new administration in the United States and a shift in the IRA’s approach to sourcing critical metals like nickel could alter the landscape for nickel producers in 2025.

Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Lithium Market Forecast: Top Trends for Lithium in 2025

Lithium carbonate values saw further declines in the third quarter, starting the 90 day session at US$12,999 per metric ton and shedding 22 percent by September 10, hitting a three year low of US$10,019.

Despite the contraction, market watchers and analysts are viewing Q3 as a price stabilization period for lithium, noting that the battery metal, which was previously in free fall, likely bottomed out in September.

This theory has been reinforced by an upward trend in prices during the first weeks of the fourth quarter.

Some of Q3’s price stability came as lithium producers scaled back output and expenditures to counter slower demand growth, particularly from the electric vehicle (EV) sector, which is the primary driver of lithium demand.

Their response also benefited other segments of the lithium market.

“Prices for lithium carbonate in China remained at a premium to hydroxide in a reflection of the growing regional preference for LFP cathode chemistries over high-nickel NCM. However, this gap remained narrow.”

While chemical prices remained close to equal, spodumene prices fell. Jang said this was a delayed response to the decline in chemical prices, as most spodumene pricing contracts reference the chemical spot market.

The decrease in spodumene prices was also mentioned in a July price assessment from S&P Global Commodity Insights. It notes that spodumene has registered a steep price decline since peaking during Q4 2022.

According to Platts data, spodumene with 6 percent lithium oxide content was assessed at US$950 per metric ton on July 15, FOB Australia basis. That’s down US$7,250, or 88 percent, from its peak on November 18, 2022.

Lithium supply and demand trends in Q3

Market oversupply, subdued spot market activity and a shift in preferred battery chemistries emerged as the most prevalent trends impacting the lithium market between July and the end of September.

“Q3 has been a quiet quarter on the spot market. The majority of demand from midstream consumers of lithium chemicals was satisfied by volumes delivered under contract,” Jang commented. “Cathode producers secured limited extra material on the spot market, adjusting this according to their demand.”

Prices also faced headwinds from a supply imbalance. “Inventories of chemicals in China remained high, which did not support prices. Several lithium producers, especially those higher up the cost curve that were producing from hard rock, reduced or stopped production due to the deteriorating price environment,” she added.

On the battery side, the once-dominant NCM chemistry lost some of its market share to the lithium-rich LFP design.

“LFP demand growth proved stronger than NCM, resulting in increased LFP production, with some cathode producers undertaking the approximately nine month process of switching a portion of their capacity from NCM to LFP,” said Jang.

EV sales climb as market recovers

Although US EV sales figures for 2024 have come in below projections, the broader EV sector made large gains in September when global sales tallies topped 1.7 million units, setting a new monthly record.

According to data from Rho Motion, the banner month for EV sales represents a 22 percent year-to-date increase. Regionally, the Chinese market saw the most significant increase, with 1.1 million new EVs sold.

“This record-breaking month of EV sales brings new hope to the industry,” said Charles Lester, data manager at Rho Motion, in a mid-October article. He went on to note, “While the electrification of transport seems inevitable, the recent slowdown of sales in many parts of the world has sewn seeds of doubt which can now start to be swept aside. However, the regional disparities are astonishing, with China alone accounting for well over half the global total, meanwhile Europe’s numbers are shrinking, and the US and Canada are steadily growing.”

Another end-use segment that saw demand growth in Q3 was the energy storage system (ESS) sector. Jang noted that it grew steadily even as downstream EV sales growth continued to vary widely between different regions.

‘We saw this particularly in North America, where it triggered ESS market participants to secure carbonate ahead of the presidential election in November, fearing tariff increases following either election result,” she said.

Tariffs incentivizing North American EV production

As the third largest producer of lithium and the leader in battery and EV manufacturing, China’s dominance in these markets has led the US, EU and Canada to implement steep tariffs on Chinese EVs.

Most recently, Canada levied a 100 percent tariff on EV imports from the country, citing “unfair” trade policies. China responded quickly by filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization over the 100 percent EV tariffs, as well as Canada’s 25 percent tariffs on aluminum and steel products from the Asian nation.

Although the EV tariffs are meant to protect Canadian automakers and the sector, they do little to address the nation’s supremacy in battery manufacturing, nor do they incentivize regional lithium production.

“Tariffs on raw material imports are likely to be more impactful in spurring regional lithium production than tariffs on EV imports. But domestic automakers tend not to be too fond of this as it raises their cost of production. Domestic automakers are more interested in EV import tariffs of course, but the impact of this on regional lithium production is less direct,’ noted Adam Megginson, an analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

In the US, tariffs on Chinese lithium-ion batteries for EVs are set to jump from 7.5 percent to 25 percent in 2025, while tariffs on EV imports will climb to 100 percent. However, even as the Biden administration hikes taxes on Chinese EVs, it is offering help to the domestic auto sector.

“We have seen strong funding support at the federal level, with a second round of grants from the US Department of Energy unveiled targeted at battery raw materials projects,” said Megginson.

The analyst went on to note that SWA Lithium, a joint venture company owned by Canada’s Standard Lithium (TSXV:SLI,NYSEAMERICAN:SLI) and Norwegian energy company Equinor (NYSE:EQNR), received a US$225 million grant from the US for the construction of Phase 1 of the South West Arkansas project.

The Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, which oversees the funding, also awarded a grant to another US-based company. “American lithium project developer TerraVolta was selected by the (Department of Energy) to receive a US$225 million grant for its Liberty Owl project, located in Texarkana, Texas. TerraVolta plans to commence construction in 2028, with production the following year,” said Megginson.

Lithium projects in the pipeline

Although the lithium market remained depressed and well supplied during the third quarter, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence is forecasting a supply shortage starting as early as 2025.

While there are currently 101 lithium mines globally, future supply may struggle to meet growing demand, particularly with China expected to drive a 20 percent annual increase over the next decade.

Low lithium prices have already led to reduced project investments and capital expenditures. However, as Jang pointed out, several significant investments in future supply were made during the third quarter.

“In July 2024, European Lithium (ASX:EUR,OTCQB:EUEMF) and Obeikan Group signed a 50/50 joint venture agreement to jointly develop the construction and operation of a lithium hydroxide facility in Saudi Arabia,” she said.

The Benchmark Mineral Intelligence analyst also noted that the EU signed a framework agreement on critical raw materials supply with the Republic of Serbia in July.

Of course, there were also challenges in the quarter. July saw Rio Tinto’s(ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) plans to advance the Jadar lithium project in Serbia met with opposition. Protestors were demanding that the country’s government revoke permission for the proposed mine and implement a lithium-mining ban.

An October 7 parliamentary vote in Serbia failed to enact such a ban.

Jang also outlined other notable development news from the quarter, including Ganfeng Lithium’s (OTC Pink:GENF,SZSE:002460,HKEX:1772) August investment in Lithium Argentina’s (TSXV:LIT,OTCQX:LILIF,FSE:OAY3) Pastos Grandes lithium brine project in Salta, Argentina, marking a significant expansion in its South American operations.

Also in August, E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL,OTCQX:EEMMF) entered a joint development agreement with Pure Lithium to explore the design of a lithium metal anode and battery pilot plant in Alberta, Canada.

“In September 2024, Ganfeng Lithium announced a RMB 500 million (US$70.5 million) investment to boost cathode production at its mica mine and processing project in Inner Mongolia,” she said.

“Additionally, SQM Australia (NYSE:SQM) partnered with Andrada Mining (LSE:ATM,OTCQB:ATMTF) in September to jointly develop the Lithium Ridge asset in Namibia.”

Continuing this trend, Rio Tinto announced plans to spend US$6.7 billion to acquire US-based Arcadium Lithium (NYSE:ALTM,ASX:LTM) in early October.

Lithium trends to watch as 2024 continues

If the lithium market has indeed bottomed, there may be opportunities for those with the right risk appetite.

According to a late July report from Sprott, while the long-term outlook for lithium miners remains positive due to rising demand, many producers have experienced significant share price drops throughout 2024.

The firm believes that given lithium’s demand outlook, these stocks could be well positioned for future growth. For investors, this could mean a chance to invest in lithium miners at lower prices compared to 2023.

On a different note, Megginson encouraged investors to watch the US election moving forward.

‘All eyes will be on the US election to see whether a Trump presidency brings about significant structural changes to the (Inflation Reduction Act), or a Harris presidency strengthens this policy support picture,’ he said.

‘We typically expect demand for lithium chemicals to be highest heading into Q4, as it tends to be the strongest quarter for EV sales. Given that feedstock supply upstream remains fairly strong, and chemicals supply in the midstream remains robust, we may not see much movement in prices to the end of the year,’ added Megginson.

Looking ahead to 2025, the analyst said he expects to see more market consolidation if prices remain rangebound. This could also lead to companies looking for merger and acquisition opportunities.

“In 2025, it will be interesting to see which projects are forced to pause or halt production due to the price level challenging their economics,” he said. “Lastly, we will be watching lithium project developments in Africa closely, as several companies are actively developing capacity in the continent, particularly in Zimbabwe and Namibia.’

Megginson added, “Should this new hard-rock supply come online, and at a sufficient grade quality and consistency, it could pose a challenge to incumbent producers who sit higher up on the cost curve.”

Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Stock Futures Lower after S&P 500 futures ticked down 0.18%

Stock futures are trading slightly lower Monday morning as investors gear up for the final month of 2024. S&P 500 futures slipped 0.18%, alongside declines in Dow Jones Industrial Average futures and Nasdaq 100 futures, which dropped 0.13% and 0.17%, respectively. The market’s focus is shifting to upcoming economic data, particularly reports on manufacturing and construction spending, ahead of this week’s key labor data releases.

November was a standout month for equities, with the S&P 500 futures rallying to reflect the index’s best monthly performance of the year. Both the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average achieved all-time highs during Friday’s shortened trading session, with the Dow briefly surpassing 45,000. Small-cap stocks also saw robust gains, with the Russell 2000 index surging over 10% in November, buoyed by optimism around potential tax cuts.

As trading kicks off in December, investors are keeping a close eye on geopolitical developments in Europe, where France’s CAC 40 index dropped 0.77% amid political concerns, while Germany’s DAX and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 showed smaller declines.

S&P 500 futures will likely continue to act as a key barometer for market sentiment, particularly as traders assess the impact of upcoming economic data and global market developments.

S&P 500 Index Chart Analysis

This 15-minute chart of the S&P 500 Index shows a recent trend where the index attempted to break above the resistance level near 6,044.17 but retraced slightly to close at 6,032.39, reflecting a minor decline of 0.03% in the session. The candlestick pattern indicates some indecisiveness after a steady upward momentum seen earlier in the day.

On the RSI (Relative Strength Index) indicator, the value sits at 62.07, having declined from the overbought zone above 70 earlier. This suggests that the bullish momentum might be cooling off, and traders could anticipate a short-term consolidation or slight pullback. However, with RSI above 50, the overall trend remains positive, favoring buyers.

The index’s recent low of 5,944.36 marks a key support level, while the high at 6,044.17 could act as resistance. If the price sustains above the 6,020 level and RSI stabilizes without breaking below 50, the index could attempt another rally. Conversely, a drop below 6,020 could indicate a bearish shift.

In conclusion, the index displays potential for continued gains, but traders should watch RSI levels and price action near the support and resistance zones for confirmation.

The post Stock Futures Lower after S&P 500 futures ticked down 0.18% appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

S&P 500 climbed 0.3%, and Nasdaq-100 futures jumped 0.7%

Stock futures climbed on Wednesday, driven by strong performances from Salesforce and Marvell Technology, following upbeat quarterly earnings. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 215 points (0.5%), while S&P 500 futures gained 0.3%, and Nasdaq-100 futures advanced by 0.7%.

Salesforce surged 12% after reporting fiscal third-quarter revenue that exceeded expectations, showcasing robust demand in the enterprise software sector. Meanwhile, chipmaker Marvell jumped 14% after surpassing earnings estimates and providing optimistic fourth-quarter guidance, indicating resilience in the semiconductor industry.

This movement follows a mixed session on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed with small gains, while the Dow dipped slightly. The broader market has experienced a modest start to December, contrasting with November’s robust rally, but analysts anticipate a resurgence in momentum. LPL Financial’s George Smith pointed out that December historically sees strong market performance, particularly in the latter half of the month.

However, economic data introduced some caution. ADP’s report revealed that private payrolls grew by just 146,000 in November, missing estimates of 163,000. This signals potential softness in the labor market, with investors now awaiting Friday’s November jobs report for further clarity.

S&P 500 Index Chart Analysis

Based on the provided stock chart, which appears to be a 15-minute candlestick chart for the S&P 500 Index, here’s a brief analysis:

The chart shows a clear upward trend, with higher highs and higher lows indicating bullish momentum over the analyzed period. The index has steadily climbed from a low of approximately 5,855 to a recent high of 6,053.58, suggesting strong buying interest.

Key resistance is observed near 6,050-6,053 levels, as the price has struggled to break above this zone in the most recent sessions. If the index breaches this level with strong volume, it could lead to further upward movement. Conversely, failure to break out may lead to a pullback, with potential support around the 6,000 psychological level and 5,980, where consolidation occurred previously.

The candlestick patterns show relatively small wicks, indicating limited volatility, which could imply steady market confidence. However, the bullish rally could be overextended, warranting caution for traders, especially if any negative catalysts emerge.

In summary, the short-term trend is bullish, but traders should monitor resistance levels and volume for signs of a breakout or reversal. It’s also essential to watch broader market factors, as indices are often influenced by macroeconomic data and sentiment.

The post S&P 500 climbed 0.3%, and Nasdaq-100 futures jumped 0.7% appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

Sierra Space CEO leaves as $5 billion company pushes to launch space plane

Sierra Space CEO Tom Vice has left the company, CNBC confirmed Monday.

In a statement, Sierra Space said Vice retired Dec. 31. Chairman Fatih Ozmen will serve as interim CEO, with Eren Ozmen as president.

“After three and half years in the role, Tom Vice has retired as Sierra Space CEO as of the end of 2024 — we thank him for his leadership and wish him well in his retirement,” a Sierra Space spokesperson said in a statement.

Spun out of aerospace contractor Sierra Nevada Corporation, or SNC, in 2021, Sierra is one of the most valuable private U.S. companies in the burgeoning space sector, most recently valued at more than $5 billion. But Sierra Space has struggled to launch the first mission of its reusable cargo space plane called Dream Chaser, which is key to the company establishing itself as a major player in the industry.

Vice was named CEO of Sierra Space in 2021, a few months after SNC owners Fatih and Eren Ozmen spun out the company — with investors including General Atlantic, Coatue, BlackRock and AE Industrial Partners. Vice was previously the CEO of Aerion Supersonic, a startup that planned to build high-speed business jets and that shut down in April 2021.

The first Dream Chaser vehicle was supposed to debut by 2021. But even in 2024, the space plane, named Tenacity, was not ready when United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, its ride to space, needed to launch.

Dream Chaser has won NASA contracts to fly seven cargo missions to and from the International Space Station. Sierra Space said Tenacity is targeting a launch no earlier than May.

The company has continued to develop its inflatable space station technology, as well as expand into a product line of satellite buses after winning a high-profile $740 million Pentagon contract last year.

Sierra Space saw layoffs during Vice’s tenure, as well as turnover in a number of senior executive roles. But in 2024, Vice spoke repeatedly of Sierra Space’s plan to go public, outlining a tentative path to IPO as soon as late 2025.

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Eli Manning says ‘only one team’ he’d take an ownership stake in: The New York Giants

Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning would consider becoming a minority owner of his old team if the Mara family is willing to sell him a stake.

“It’s definitely something of interest,” said Manning, who spoke in a CNBC Sport interview. “There’s probably only one team I’d be interested in pursuing, and it’s the one I played for for 16 years, and it’s local, and makes the most sense, but we just got to figure out if they would ever sell a little bit.”

The Mara family has owned the Giants since the team’s founding in 1925. The Giants declined to comment on Manning’s interest.

Many NFL teams have begun considering the sale of small, minority stakes after the league voted to allow private equity investment for up to 10% of each franchise in August. The process has led to several transactions thus far, both to individuals and to investment firms.

Former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and his business partner Tom Wagner acquired a 10% stake in the Las Vegas Raiders in October. The Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles have also sold minority stakes to wealthy individuals in recent months.

Manning is already a minority owner of the National Women’s Soccer League’s NJ/NY Gotham FC. He’s also a partner at the private equity firm Brand Velocity Group.

The NFL has so far only approved select private equity firms to buy a minority stake. Brand Velocity isn’t one of them.

Manning also told CNBC Sport he agreed with the Giants’ decision to keep head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen for another season, announced Monday by the team.

The Giants ended the year 3-14 and will have the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The team released its starting quarterback Daniel Jones earlier this season.

“You’ve got to create some sort of continuity and keep things the same, build that culture, and that just takes time. You can’t necessarily do it in two years or three years,” Manning said. “They have some playmakers, they have some superstars on the team, and it’s just about getting everybody to buy in and to work together, and finding ways to win some of these tight games. And I think it’s the right move by keeping these guys there. Let them bring in their guys, let them create their style and create their culture.”

Manning is juggling multiple business ventures as he tries to find a new path after playing football, he said. He will serve as a Verizon FanFest ambassador next month when the telecommunications company transforms stadiums across NFL markets into a one-day party featuring live music, food and celebrity meet-and-greets with former NFL players including Jason Witten, Tiki Barber and Patrick Willis.

“I think my quest post-football is trying to find that passion and find something similar that I can work towards or am truly committed to,” said Manning. “I kind of feel like I get to start over a little bit, and I’m enjoying that learning process of figuring out what else I’m passionate about.”

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