EverHint Signal — Momentum Swing: Breakout Standard — December 10, 2025
What This Signal Is (Quick)
This scanner identifies breakout momentum plays—stocks trading within 3% of their 52-week highs with volume confirmation of at least 1.5x average. These are not reversals or dips. These are stocks at or near all-time highs showing institutional buying pressure.
The Setup: A stock pushes to new highs or consolidates just below resistance with increased volume. This signals that institutions are accumulating, momentum is accelerating, and the path of least resistance is higher. These setups work best in trending markets when buyers overwhelm sellers at new price levels.
Key Criteria:
- Within 3% of 52-week high - Near or at resistance
- Volume thrust 1.5x+ - Institutional confirmation
- Composite quality score - Combines momentum, relative strength, and trend alignment
- Holding period: 1-4 weeks (swing trading timeframe)
This is not for the faint of heart. Buying at highs feels uncomfortable, but momentum tends to persist. The risk: if the breakout fails, stops get hit fast. The reward: catching the early stages of a new leg higher. This is experimental and best suited for traders who can handle volatility.
How We Ranked Today (Reader Version)
Signals are ranked by composite quality score (0-100 scale), which weighs:
- Rate of change over multiple timeframes (10, 21, 63 days)
- Relative strength vs S&P 500
- Volume thrust magnitude
- Trend alignment with moving averages
Higher scores indicate cleaner, higher-quality breakouts with multiple confirmations. We've overlaid:
- Insider Net (USD): Net insider buying/selling over 90 days. Positive = insiders buying their own breakout (bullish). Negative = insiders selling into strength (bearish divergence).
- Days → Earnings: Proximity to next earnings report. < 7 days = high volatility risk but catalyst potential.
- Volume Thrust: How much above average volume (e.g., 2.0x = 100% above normal). Higher thrust = stronger institutional interest.
Important: These signals are for educational use and back-testing. This is an experimental scanner, not financial advice. Always conduct your own research.
🚀 Breakout Signals (25 Signals)
All stocks within 3% of 52-week high with volume confirmation.
| Rank | Ticker | Company | Sector | Last ($) | Vol Thrust | % of 52W High | Score | Market Cap | Insider Net (USD) | Days → Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LUV | Southwest Airlines | Industrials | 39.82 | 2.03x | 100.0% | 100 | $20.6B | $0 | 50 |
| 2 | TRVI | Trevi Therapeutics | Healthcare | 14.17 | 1.96x | 100.0% | 94 | $1.8B | $0 | N/A |
| 3 | BFH | Bread Financial Holdings | Financial Services | 73.83 | 1.65x | 100.0% | 91 | $3.4B | $0 | 50 |
| 4 | CFG | Citizens Financial Group | Financial Services | 58.46 | 1.89x | 100.0% | 83 | $25.1B | $0 | 37 |
| 5 | CFLT | Confluent, Inc. | Technology | 30.00 | 1.88x | 100.0% | 79 | $10.5B | -$1.62M | 62 |
| 6 | WBS | Webster Financial | Financial Services | 64.04 | 1.88x | 100.0% | 78 | $10.7B | $0 | 37 |
| 7 | ALLY | Ally Financial | Financial Services | 44.50 | 2.56x | 99.8% | 70 | $13.7B | -$1.18M | 49 |
| 8 | TARS | Tarsus Pharmaceuticals | Healthcare | 81.34 | 1.62x | 98.9% | 67 | $3.5B | $0 | 76 |
| 9 | WBD | Warner Bros. Discovery | Communication Services | 29.53 | 1.81x | 100.0% | 66 | $73.2B | -$119K | 78 |
| 10 | EGO | Eldorado Gold | Basic Materials | 33.61 | 1.75x | 100.0% | 62 | $6.9B | $0 | 71 |
| 11 | NVST | Envista Holdings | Healthcare | 22.10 | 2.29x | 100.0% | 57 | $3.6B | $0 | 56 |
| 12 | STT | State Street Corporation | Financial Services | 128.93 | 1.74x | 100.0% | 56 | $36.0B | $0 | 37 |
| 13 | VIAV | Viavi Solutions | Technology | 19.20 | 1.69x | 100.0% | 41 | $4.3B | -$1.78M | 50 |
| 14 | ATI | ATI Inc. | Industrials | 104.64 | 1.94x | 100.0% | 38 | $14.2B | -$5.51M | 55 |
| 15 | ABVX | Abivax S.A. | Healthcare | 127.12 | 2.42x | 99.1% | 38 | $9.6B | $0 | 48 |
| 16 | LNC | Lincoln National | Financial Services | 44.95 | 1.71x | 100.0% | 35 | $8.5B | -$84K | 57 |
| 17 | SXI | Standex International | Industrials | 245.42 | 1.73x | 100.0% | 31 | $3.0B | $0 | 50 |
| 18 | JBTM | JBT Marel Corporation | Industrials | 153.79 | 2.76x | 100.0% | 27 | $8.0B | -$19K | 75 |
| 19 | AMG | Affiliated Managers Group | Financial Services | 279.59 | 1.91x | 100.0% | 20 | $7.9B | $0 | 57 |
| 20 | HSII | Heidrick & Struggles | Industrials | 59.01 | 2.67x | 100.0% | 18 | $1.2B | $0 | 82 |
| 21 | AKRO | Akero Therapeutics | Healthcare | 54.65 | 3.58x | 98.3% | 16 | $4.5B | -$1.62M | 79 |
| 22 | COLB | Columbia Banking System | Financial Services | 29.04 | 1.51x | 100.0% | 13 | $6.3B | $0 | 43 |
| 23 | PRO | PROS Holdings | Technology | 23.25 | 3.23x | 100.0% | 9 | $1.1B | $0 | 57 |
| 24 | MRUS | Merus N.V. | Healthcare | 96.78 | 2.11x | 100.0% | 4 | $7.3B | -$796K | 78 |
| 25 | TRVI | Trevi Therapeutics | Healthcare | 14.17 | 1.96x | 100.0% | 0 | $1.8B | $0 | N/A |
Field Notes:
- Score: Composite quality ranking (0-100). LUV scores perfect 100, indicating best overall setup. Lower scores don't mean bad—just less confirmation.
- Vol Thrust: AKRO leads at 3.58x (258% above average volume). PRO at 3.23x, JBTM at 2.76x. High thrust = strong institutional interest.
- % of 52W High: 21 of 25 stocks are at exactly 100% of 52-week high—fresh all-time highs being printed. Only 4 are 98-99.9%.
- Insider Net: Warning signs: CFLT -$1.62M, AKRO -$1.62M, VIAV -$1.78M, ATI -$5.51M. Insiders selling into strength.
- Days to Earnings: COLB reports in 43 days (clean runway). AKRO in 79 days. STT, WBS, CFG all report in 37 days.
Recent Headlines (Last 3 Days)
WBD (Warner Bros. Discovery) — THE STORY:
- Bidding War: Paramount Skydance launched hostile $108B all-cash takeover bid at $30/share on Dec 9, competing with Netflix's $82.7B offer announced Dec 5.
- Trump weighed in Dec 10, saying CNN should be sold as part of any deal. Democratic lawmakers raised national security concerns over Saudi investors in Paramount bid.
- Wall Street betting on extended bidding war. Options volume exploded. Shareholders deciding between Netflix (cash + stock) vs Paramount (all cash).
- Consumer lawsuit filed to block Netflix deal. Tencent dropped out of Paramount backing amid scrutiny.
- Ross Gerber calls WBD a "dog asset" worth no more than $15, says both bidders "vastly overpaying."
AKRO (Akero Therapeutics):
- Novo Nordisk completed $4.7B acquisition at $54/share on Dec 9. Shareholders received cash + CVR (contingent value right).
- All insiders returned shares Dec 9 in connection with acquisition closing. CEO Cheng, directors, officers all filed D-Return transactions.
ABVX (Abivax):
- Eli Lilly takeover speculation: Reuters reported rumors Dec 10. Stock jumped 20% in France, 11% in US. Neither company confirmed.
- Named "under-the-radar stock that soared this year" by Motley Fool. Growth story "might just be getting started."
ALLY (Ally Financial):
- Announced $2B share buyback authorization Dec 10. Multi-year program with no expiration. May begin repurchases this quarter.
- Presented at Goldman Sachs Financial Services Conference Dec 10.
LUV (Southwest Airlines):
- CEO Bob Jordan said airline "actively pursuing" network of airport lounges. Won approval for Honolulu lounge in October.
- 2026 outlook discussed Dec 10: "evolving and changing business model around product."
CFLT (Confluent):
- Halper Sadeh law firm encouraged shareholders to contact them Dec 10 (standard shareholder rights notice for M&A).
- CEO Jay Kreps sold 232,500 shares at $23.53 on Nov 13 (-$5.47M).
VIAV (Viavi Solutions):
- "Building a more durable business" per Seeking Alpha. Q1 FY26: 26% YoY revenue growth, 60% gross margin, 15.7% operating margin.
- Spirent acquisition adds $200M annual run-rate. Director sold 40,000 shares for $684K.
- Hit 52-week high Dec 9.
ATI (ATI Inc.):
- Named "strong momentum stock" by Zacks Dec 9.
- Heavy insider selling: CEO Fields sold $1.82M, $1.63M, $2.67M in shares Oct-Nov. SVP Harris sold $1.03M, $1.03M, $1.03M.
Vlad's Take (EverHint)
Today's breakout signals capture a market in full risk-on mode. With 21 of 25 stocks printing fresh 52-week highs, we're seeing broad-based momentum across sectors—not just isolated pockets. Financial Services dominates with 9 signals, followed by Healthcare (6) and Industrials (5).
Market Backdrop: S&P 500 +0.78%, Nasdaq +0.50%, Dow +1.02%—green across the board. VIX dropped 6.9% to 15.77 (calm waters for swing trading). Russell 2000 surged +1.39%, showing small-cap strength and broad participation. Treasury yields mixed, Bitcoin $92.6K, gold +0.44%. This is textbook risk-on: low volatility, broad breadth, higher prices.
The Breakout Thesis:
Buying at 52-week highs feels wrong psychologically. Every instinct says "wait for a pullback." But momentum research shows that stocks at highs tend to go higher. Why? Because:
- Supply is exhausted - All sellers who wanted out below these levels are already gone.
- Institutions are accumulating - Volume thrust confirms this isn't retail FOMO.
- Momentum persists - Trends continue longer than most expect.
Standout Setups:
- LUV (Southwest): Perfect 100 score. 2.03x volume. CEO talking airport lounges and business model evolution. Financial Services rotation benefiting airlines.
- WBD (Warner Bros.): The drama is real. $108B hostile bid from Paramount vs $82.7B Netflix offer. Stock at $29.53 (100% of 52W high). If bidding war escalates, $35+ is in play. High risk, high reward.
- ALLY (Ally Financial): $2B buyback just announced. Score 70. Near-perfect breakout at $44.50. Management putting money to work.
- ABVX (Abivax): Eli Lilly rumor mill churning. $127, score 38, 2.42x volume. If LLY confirms interest, gap to $150+ likely. Pure speculation play.
Warning Signs:
- Insider selling dominates: ATI (-$5.51M), VIAV (-$1.78M), AKRO (-$1.62M), CFLT (-$1.62M). Insiders selling into breakouts is bearish divergence.
- Extended valuations: Many of these stocks have already run 20-40% in 2-3 months. Mean reversion risk is real.
- Low VIX complacency: VIX at 15.77 suggests market isn't pricing much risk. When VIX is this low, sudden spikes can trigger sharp pullbacks.
Trading Rules for Breakouts:
- Wait for confirmation: Don't chase on the first push. Let the stock close above resistance, then buy the next day if it holds.
- Tight stops: Set stops 2-3% below entry. Breakouts either work or they don't—no middle ground.
- Partial profits: Take 50% off at 5-8% gains. Let the rest ride with trailing stops.
- Volume is king: If volume dries up after the breakout, exit. No volume = no follow-through.
- Avoid earnings: COLB (43 days out), CFG/WBS/STT (37 days) have clean runways. Avoid AKRO/WBD near their dates.
Sector Rotation Play:
The 9 Financial Services signals (LUV excluded from financials, it's Industrials) suggest rotation into banks and financials. With 10-year yields stable at 4.19% and Fed rate cuts done, net interest margins stabilize. This could be the start of a multi-month financials run.
📊 Help the channel grow: like, share, or subscribe if you find value in what EverHint publishes.
Independent, data-driven signals.
No hype. No promotions. Zero bias. Just experimental market research from EverHint.
This is not financial advice. Do your own due diligence.
See https://www.everhint.com/disclaimer/ and https://www.everhint.com/faqs/