Overall Sector and Industry Analysis (EST window analyzed: 2025-12-24 10:00–15:30; low-liquidity, pre-holiday session)
- Precious metals/miners led: gold complex showed steady bid with higher prints into mid-day and closes near highs in leaders AEM (~182), RGLD (~233), alongside levered miner ETFs GDXU and NUGT lifting intraday; GLD held firm. Tickers: AEM, RGLD, GLD, GDXU, NUGT.
- Industrial metals firmed: AA (Alcoa) pushed toward session highs (~53.7) and held gains; CENX (Century Aluminum) stair-stepped to new session highs (~39.77) on expanding 30-min volume. Tickers: AA, CENX.
- Defense/aerospace mixed after prior strength: LMT, NOC, LHX, HII mostly faded from mid-day toward close; DFEN choppy. Tickers: LMT, NOC, LHX, HII, DFEN.
- Software/data, rating agencies mostly pinned to VWAP and range-bound: INTU, SPGI, MCO, MSCI, MDB, HUBS traded tight ranges. Tickers: INTU, SPGI, MCO, MSCI, MDB, HUBS.
- Biotech/life sciences mixed to soft: REGN, IRTC, MDGL, KRYS eased; BMRN steady. Tickers: REGN, IRTC, MDGL, KRYS, BMRN.
- Consumer/discretionary resilient: BURL and WING advanced with closes near highs; AZO flat, MA soft. Tickers: BURL, WING, AZO, MA.
- Semis/optics mixed: LITE bid into close; FN choppy; AAOI faded. Tickers: LITE, FN, AAOI.
- Megacap/indices quiet: SPY, GOOG, GOOGL flat into the close.
Note: Only the 12/24 intraday window was provided; daily context suggests gold/industrial metals momentum outperforming recently, while defense and software consolidate.
Ticker Performance Prediction (next 2–3 sessions)
- Likely upside continuation candidates (bullish signals):
- AEM: closed near HOD; miners bid into mid-day; relative strength vs. GLD.
- RGLD: higher-low structure and close near upper range; volume build on 12:30 bar.
- CENX: clean push to HOD on expanding 30-min volume; industrial metals strength.
- AA: held breakout area; constructive close above mid-range.
- BURL: steady push with higher highs; closes near highs.
- WING: flag breakout and close near HOD; momentum setup.
Individual Stock Analysis (1–3 day swing plans; levels anchored to today’s 30-min structure and obvious recent supply/demand on the daily—verify on your daily chart before trading)
AEM (Agnico Eagle Mines)
– Key support: 181.0–181.3 (breakout retest), 180.3 (session low zone), 178.8–179.2 (daily demand area).
– Key resistance: 182.5 (round/HOD+), 184.0 (supply shelf), 186.0 (next daily pivot).
– 30-min outlook: Prefer buy-the-dip. Expect first pullback to hold 181–181.3; a reclaim over 182.0–182.2 can push a HOD break.
– 1–3 day targets: PT1 183.5, PT2 185.5, PT3 187.5 (approx 0.8–1.5x recent daily range).
– Entry ideas:
– Pullback buy 181.1–181.4.
– Breakout buy 182.2–182.6 on sustained tape/volume.
– Stop: 179.9 (below breakout retest); conservative swing stop 178.7.
RGLD (Royal Gold)
– Key support: 232.2–232.6 (mid-day demand), 231.5 (VWAP area proxy), 230.0–230.5 (daily shelf).
– Key resistance: 233.3 (HOD), 235.0 (round/overhead), 237.5 (prior daily supply).
– 30-min outlook: Bull flag behavior; watching 232.2–232.6 hold, then press through 233.3.
– 1–3 day targets: PT1 234.5, PT2 236.5, PT3 238.5.
– Entry ideas:
– Pullback buy 232.3–232.7.
– Momentum through 233.4 with volume.
– Stop: 231.2; swing stop 229.8.
CENX (Century Aluminum)
– Key support: 39.15–39.30 (last base), 38.95 (mid-day pivot), 38.50 (daily demand).
– Key resistance: 40.00, 40.50, 41.50 (daily supply window).
– 30-min outlook: Expansion bar into close suggests continuation on modest dip. Watch first 30–60 min for higher-low above 39.15.
– 1–3 day targets: PT1 40.20, PT2 41.00, PT3 41.80.
– Entry ideas:
– Pullback buy 39.20–39.35.
– Breakout add through 40.05–40.10.
– Stop: 38.85; swing stop 38.35.
AA (Alcoa)
– Key support: 53.10–53.30 (mid-day shelf), 52.70, 52.20 (daily demand).
– Key resistance: 53.75 (session high), 54.20, 55.00.
– 30-min outlook: Constructive consolidation under HOD; look for quick push through 53.75 if metals stay bid.
– 1–3 day targets: PT1 54.20, PT2 54.80, PT3 55.50.
– Entry ideas:
– Pullback buy 53.15–53.30.
– Breakout buy 53.80–53.90 with confirm.
– Stop: 52.85; swing stop 52.35.
BURL (Burlington Stores)
– Key support: 287.2–287.6 (recent breakout zone), 285.2 (session base), 283.5 (daily demand).
– Key resistance: 289.0, 291.0, 294.0 (daily supply window).
– 30-min outlook: Higher highs/higher lows with close near highs; looking for brief dip buy then continuation.
– 1–3 day targets: PT1 289.8, PT2 292.5, PT3 295.0.
– Entry ideas:
– Pullback buy 287.3–287.8.
– Breakout add above 289.1–289.3 with volume.
– Stop: 286.2; swing stop 284.7.
WING (Wingstop)
– Key support: 253.6–253.9 (flag breakout retest), 252.0, 250.5 (daily demand).
– Key resistance: 255.0 (round/HOD zone), 257.0, 260.0.
– 30-min outlook: Bull flag breakout into close; expect early push through 255 if market is firm.
– 1–3 day targets: PT1 255.5, PT2 257.5, PT3 259.5.
– Entry ideas:
– Pullback buy 253.7–254.0.
– Momentum add above 255.1.
– Stop: 252.4; swing stop 250.9.
Notes and risk management
– Today’s session was thin; slippage is likely on smaller/mid caps. Use stop discipline and scale entries.
– Targets reflect logical supply zones and typical recent ranges; adjust to your observed daily ATRs.
– If gold/macro risk fades, tighten stops on AEM/RGLD; if base metals pull back, be quicker to reduce AA/CENX.
– For momentum entries, require confirmation: strong 30-min candle close above levels with rising volume; otherwise favor pullback entries at support.