If you’ve felt confused by the market lately… you’re not alone.
One day we’re ripping higher.
The next day we’re selling off hard.
It’s been a kangaroo market all year—jumping up and down with no clear direction.
And this is exactly the type of environment where most investors make their biggest mistakes.
They overtrade.
They panic.
They abandon their plan.
So instead of reacting, I’ve been focusing on one thing:
Sticking to my process.
What’s Actually Happening Right Now
The market isn’t broken—it’s just uncertain.
We’re seeing:
Mixed economic data
Changing rate expectations
Volatility in growth stocks
Constant narrative shifts
That creates a market where:
Nothing feels “safe”
Every move feels temporary
Confidence is low
And when confidence is low, volatility rises.
That’s where the $VIX comes in.
Why I’m Watching the $VIX Closely
The $VIX is one of the most important indicators I follow.
It measures fear.
And historically, when fear spikes… opportunity follows.
My framework is simple:
$VIX ~30 → Start buying more aggressively
$VIX ~40 → Lean in even more
$VIX ~50 → Deploy heavy cash
Not because I can predict the bottom…
But because I know how markets behave over time.
When fear is high, expectations are low.
And that’s when great businesses tend to get mispriced.
Right now, we’re not at extreme fear—but we’re also not in a calm environment.
Which is why I’m not going all-in…
But I’m also not sitting still.
What I’m Doing Right Now
Right now, my strategy is pretty simple:
1. Building cash
I’ve been intentionally stacking cash over the past couple weeks.
Not because I’m bearish…
But because I want flexibility.
If the market dips further, I want to be in a position to take advantage of it.
2. Staying patient
This is the hardest part.
When the market is moving quickly, it feels like you need to do something.
But most of the time, the best move is to wait for your spots.
3. Dollar-cost averaging (DCA)
Even in this environment, I’m still adding.
This past week, I added a little more to $SOFI.
Nothing aggressive—just staying consistent.
Next week, I’ll likely continue with a couple of DCA buys depending on how the market looks.
Stocks I’m Watching Closely
There are a few names I’m paying very close attention to right now:
$SOFI
This continues to be my highest conviction position.
Strong growth, improving profitability, and a long runway ahead.
I’ve been consistently adding here and will continue to do so over time.
$AMZN
Amazon is one of the most interesting setups in the market right now.
The business has evolved:
AWS
Advertising
Expanding margins
But the market is still valuing it like it’s primarily retail.
That disconnect is where opportunity comes from.
$AMD
AI continues to be one of the biggest long-term themes.
AMD has real potential to capture meaningful share in this space.
Volatility will come with it—but so will opportunity.
$ZETA
One of the more under-the-radar names I’m watching.
AI-driven marketing, strong growth, and a massive TAM.
Still early—but that’s part of the appeal.
$UNH
On the opposite end of the spectrum—stability.
Consistent growth, strong fundamentals, and a proven track record.
Not flashy, but a long-term compounder.
The Bigger Picture
The market is always going to feel uncertain in the short term.
There will always be:
Headlines
Fear
Volatility
But long-term wealth isn’t built by reacting to every move.
It’s built by:
Staying consistent
Having a plan
Taking advantage of opportunities when they appear
Right now, I don’t need to predict what happens next week.
I just need to be ready.
Final Thoughts
This type of market is where discipline matters most.
Anyone can invest in a bull market.
But environments like this separate:
Reactive investors
fromConsistent ones
My focus isn’t on timing the perfect entry.
It’s on being prepared when opportunities show up.
Surmount
If you enjoy research like this, you should also check out Surmount.
It’s a platform where investors can build, test, and follow investment strategies powered by data and AI.
A really interesting tool for people who want to take their investing to the next level.
Disclaimer
This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. I am not a financial advisor. All opinions expressed are my own and based on my personal research and experience. Always do your own due diligence before making any investment decisions. Investing involves risk, including the loss of principal.

