EverHint Signal — Momentum Swing: Breakout Standard — December 16, 2025

What This Signal Is (Quick)

The Breakout Standard strategy identifies stocks showing strong momentum near their 52-week highs with volume confirmation—classic breakout setups favored by swing traders.

Key Criteria:

• Within 3% of 52-Week High: Stocks testing or breaking resistance at multi-month peaks
• Volume Thrust 1.5x+: Trading volume at least 50% above the 20-day average, confirming institutional participation
• Momentum Confirmation: Positive rate of change across multiple timeframes (10-day, 21-day, 63-day)
• Quality Score: Composite ranking (0-100 scale) based on momentum strength, volume, and relative performance

Why This Matters:
Breakouts near 52-week highs often signal the start of new trends. When accompanied by strong volume, these setups indicate institutional accumulation and reduced overhead resistance. Stocks at new highs have no "bag holders" waiting to sell at break-even—a psychological advantage for continued upside.

Ideal For: Swing traders seeking 1-4 week momentum plays with defined risk (stop below recent consolidation) and asymmetric reward potential.

Risk Level: Medium. Breakouts can fail, especially in choppy markets or if volume doesn't follow through. This is an experimental scanner from EverHint. Signals are for educational purposes and should be combined with your own research.

How We Ranked Today (Reader Version)

Today's ranking follows a multi-factor quality score:

1. Primary Ranking: Signals are ranked by Score (0-1 scale, displayed as 0-100)—a composite metric combining:

   • Volume thrust strength (higher = more conviction)
   • Proximity to 52-week high (closer = cleaner breakout)
   • Multi-timeframe momentum (10, 21, 63-day rate of change)
   • Relative strength vs. S&P 500

2. Overlay Data: We've enriched each signal with additional context:

   • Insider Net (USD): Net insider buying or selling over the last 90 days (Purchases minus Sales only—excludes awards, exercises, and tax transactions)
   • Days → Earnings: Number of days until the next earnings report (helps assess event risk)
   • Volume Thrust: Ratio of current volume to 20-day average (e.g., 1.8x = 80% above normal)
   • % of 52W High: How close the stock is to its 52-week high (100% = at the high)

3. Quality Filters: All signals passed minimum liquidity thresholds ($20M+ average daily dollar volume) and represent stocks with confirmed breakout characteristics.

Important: These signals are generated from publicly available data and are intended for educational use and back-testing. Always do your own due diligence before making investment decisions.

🚀 Breakout Signals (25 Total)

Breakout momentum plays ranked by composite quality score (highest = strongest setup).

Field Notes:

• Vol Thrust: Volume ratio vs. 20-day average. 1.5x = 50% above normal; 2.0x+ = exceptional buying pressure.
• % of 52W High: Proximity to 52-week high. 100% = at the high; 97%+ = within 3% (breakout zone).
• Score: Composite quality metric (0-100). Higher scores indicate stronger multi-factor momentum setups.
• Insider Net: Net insider buying (positive) or selling (negative) over 90 days. Only includes open-market purchases (P) minus sales (S). Note: Large negative values may reflect scheduled selling programs or diversification, not necessarily bearish signals.
• Days → Earnings: Time until next earnings report. Less than 7 days = high volatility risk; 30+ days = lower event risk.
• Market Cap: Company size. Large caps ($50B+) tend to be more stable; mid-caps ($2-50B) offer balanced risk/reward.

Recent Headlines — Breakout Signals

AAL - American Airlines:

• American, Southwest Lead Rally Of Airline Stocks (Dec 16) — U.S. airlines rallied after several analysts offered rosy predictions for the industry in 2026
• American Airlines: A Clear Case For A Buy Led By Multiple Expansion (Dec 16, Seeking Alpha) — Rated 'Buy' due to proactive debt reduction and margin-accretive strategies; trades at ~29% discount to peers
• American Airlines' New Airbus Offers 'Metaphor For American's Plan' (Dec 12, Forbes) — Unveiled new A321XLR model heavy on premium seats for transcontinental and transatlantic routes
• American Airlines In Talks With Starlink Rival Amazon Leo To Provide Onboard WiFi (Dec 11) — Exploring satellite internet options with Amazon's Project Kuiper

AKRO - Akero Therapeutics:

• Novo Nordisk has completed its acquisition of Akero Therapeutics (Dec 9) — Novo acquired all outstanding shares for $54 per share in cash ($4.7B total) plus contingent value rights

BBVA - Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria:

• BBVA Just Went All-In on ChatGPT--And It's Not Just About Saving Time (Dec 12) — Giving more than 120,000 employees access to ChatGPT in broad AI expansion

DG - Dollar General:

• No recent news in provided data

ENVA - Enova International:

• CEO David Fisher conducted multiple stock sales in September-October (total -$3.56M) via scheduled programs

ESTA - Establishment Labs:

• JW Asset Management, LLC sold 2,500 shares at $65.09 (Nov 7) — Minor position reduction by 10% owner

EWBC - East West Bancorp:

• NG DOMINIC (CEO) sold 11,344 shares at $114.31 (Dec 12, -$1.30M) — Executive stock sale
• Molly Campbell (director) sold 1,000 shares multiple times in October-November

FOLD - Amicus Therapeutics:

• CEO Bradley Campbell and other executives conducted regular stock sales in November-December totaling -$1.76M

HCC - Warrior Met Coal:

• Brian M Chopin (Chief Accounting Officer) sold shares in November at $80-85 range (-$170K total)

HUBG - Hub Group:

• Phillip D Yeager (President, CEO & Vice Chairman) sold 32,000 shares at $43.68 (Dec 11, -$1.40M)

IMVT - Immunovant:

• Minor executive stock sales in October for tax purposes

LUV - Southwest Airlines:

• Southwest CEO expects Boeing MAX 7 to be certified in summer 2026 (Dec 11, Reuters) — CEO Bob Jordan expects certification around August 2026, with flights starting Q1 2027
• Southwest CEO: We're actively pursuing network of airport lounges (Dec 10, CNBC) — Airline expanding amenities to compete with legacy carriers
• Southwest CEO says airline 'actively pursuing' network of airport lounges (Dec 10) — Won approval for lounge at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in October

PATK - Patrick Industries:

• No recent news in provided data

PRU - Prudential Financial:

• Prudential Launches FlexGuard 2.0 (Dec 15, Business Wire) — Next evolution of flagship retail registered index-linked annuity (RILA) product lineup
• Why Prudential (PRU) is a Top Momentum Stock for the Long-Term (Dec 15, Zacks) — Highlighted for strong momentum metrics
• 3 No-Brainer Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now (Dec 13, Motley Fool) — Featured for rock-solid dividend and strong growth prospects

RBC - RBC Bearings:

• Frontier Capital Management Co. purchased 103,478 shares valued at ~$39.8M in Q2 — New institutional position
• Bamco Inc. NY lifted stake by 1.6% to 327,035 shares
• Steven H. Kaplan (director) sold 500 shares at $442.86 (Nov 12, -$221K)

RGLD - Royal Gold:

• Royal Gold Hits 52-Week High: What's Driving Its Performance? (Dec 15, Zacks) — Surged on near-record gold prices, strong Q3 results, and recent acquisitions
• 5 Gold Mining Stocks to Buy to Ride the Solid Industry Trends (Dec 9, Zacks) — Featured as top pick with rising gold prices and solid demand

RL - Ralph Lauren:

• Ralph Lauren Corporation Declares Quarterly Dividend (Dec 12, Business Wire) — Quarterly dividend announcement
• 4 Textile-Apparel Stocks in Focus as Industry Trends Strengthen (Dec 16, Zacks) — Highlighted for boosting omnichannel execution and brand investments
• Will RL's Next Great Chapter Plan & Digital Acceleration Drive Growth? (Dec 9, Zacks) — Digital upgrades and retail strength fuel growth across regions

ROIV - Roivant Sciences:

• Roivant Highlights Continued Pipeline Progress (Dec 11, GlobeNewsWire) — Hosted 2025 Investor Day highlighting accelerated timelines and expanded commercial ambitions for late-stage programs
• Roivant Signals Major Pipeline Momentum With Accelerated Timelines (Dec 11, Benzinga) — Outlined accelerated timelines for several late-stage programs
• Vivek Ramaswamy (10% owner) sold massive positions totaling -$97.7M across multiple transactions in November-December
• Eric Venker (CEO) sold multiple tranches totaling millions in stock sales

RRR - Red Rock Resorts:

• Bamco Inc. NY Has $638.36 Million Stock Position in Red Rock Resorts (Dec 13) — Major institutional holder increased stake by 5.7%

TKO - TKO Group Holdings:

• Nick Khan (director) sold shares regularly in October-December at $178-198 range (-$1.08M total)

TWLO - Twilio:

• Andrew Stafman (director) sold 1,000,000 shares at $129.00 (Dec 2, -$129M) — Massive insider sale

Field Notes — Understanding the Metrics

Breakout Standard Strategy Context:

• Near 52-Week Highs = Less Resistance: Stocks at or near 52-week highs have minimal overhead supply (no bag holders waiting to sell at break-even)
• Volume Confirmation is Critical: Breakouts on light volume often fail; 1.5x+ volume thrust indicates institutional participation
• Quality Score Matters: Higher composite scores suggest better risk/reward; lower scores may be low-quality breakouts prone to failure
• Holding Period: This is a swing trading strategy (1-4 weeks), not day trading or buy-and-hold

Sector Rotation Observations:

• Industrials Lead Count: 6 of 26 signals (AAL, LUV, HUBG, RBC, HSII, plus others)—airlines showing particular strength
• Financial Services Dominant: 6 signals (ENVA, UBS, PRU, EWBC, BBVA, WTM)—sector showing breakout momentum
• Healthcare Concentrated: 5 signals (IMVT, FOLD, ROIV, ESTA, AKRO)—biotech/pharma names hitting highs
• Consumer Cyclical & Defensive: 4 signals combined (PATK, RL, RRR, DG, LAUR)—mixed consumer strength

Volume Thrust Interpretation:

• 1.5-1.7x: Moderate volume confirmation—acceptable but monitor for follow-through
• 1.7-2.0x: Strong volume—indicates institutional accumulation
• 2.0x+: Exceptional volume—highest conviction signals (UBS 2.13x, ROIV 2.08x, BBVA 2.04x, AKRO 2.22x, ESTA 2.00x)

Insider Activity Highlights:

• ROIV (Roivant): -$97.7M net insider selling by Vivek Ramaswamy (10% owner)—massive position reduction but via structured programs
• TWLO (Twilio): -$129.9M net selling by director Andrew Stafman—largest single insider sale in dataset
• ENVA (Enova): -$3.56M net selling by CEO David Fisher—scheduled sales program
• FOLD (Amicus): -$1.76M net selling by CEO and executives—regular stock compensation liquidation
• HUBG (Hub Group): -$1.40M sale by CEO Phillip Yeager—single transaction
• EWBC (East West Bancorp): -$1.50M net selling by CEO and director

Note on Insider Selling: Many of these sales appear to be scheduled 10b5-1 programs or stock compensation liquidation, not necessarily bearish signals. The stocks are still triggering breakout signals despite insider sales.

Earnings Risk Assessment:

• Near-term Risk (< 30 days): EWBC (37 days), AAL (37 days)—earnings approaching
• Moderate Risk (30-60 days): Most signals fall in this range—standard swing trade window
• Lower Risk (60+ days): DG (86 days), HSII (76 days), AKRO (73 days), TKO (71 days), ESTA (71 days)

Vlad's Take (EverHint)

Market Backdrop:
Today's market showed tech strength amid broader choppiness. The S&P 500 closed essentially flat (+0.13 points, +0.002%), while the Nasdaq climbed 0.56% (+129.64) on tech leadership. The Dow lagged, dropping 0.55% (-265.9), and small-caps retreated with the Russell 2000 down 0.28%—suggesting defensive rotation rather than broad risk appetite.

The VIX closed at 16.45 (down 4.8%), indicating low volatility and complacent market conditions—favorable for swing trades. The 10-year Treasury yield eased to 4.153% (-0.41%), providing modest support for growth names. Crypto showed mixed action: Bitcoin rallied 1.64% to $87,831 while Ethereum slipped 0.34%.

Given this backdrop:

The Breakout Standard scanner is delivering high-quality signals in a calm volatility environment. With VIX below 17, you've got breathing room for these 1-4 week swing trades—no need to babysit positions minute-by-minute.

What Stands Out:

1. Airlines Dominating: Both AAL and LUV are at 52-week highs with volume confirmation. Analysts are bullish on 2026 fundamentals, and Southwest's CEO is talking airport lounges and premium seating—signs of margin expansion. American's new Airbus A321XLR reveals a shift toward higher-margin international routes.

2. Financial Breakouts: ENVA, UBS, PRU, EWBC, BBVA—five financials hitting highs. With the 10-year yield above 4%, these names are benefiting from net interest margin expansion. UBS with 2.13x volume thrust is particularly notable.

3. Biotech Momentum: ROIV, FOLD, IMVT, ESTA, AKRO—all at 52-week highs. AKRO just got acquired by Novo Nordisk at $54 (closed at $54.65, slight premium). ROIV's Investor Day highlighted accelerated pipeline timelines, though Ramaswamy's -$97M insider selling is worth noting (likely pre-planned diversification, not bearish signal given he's still a 10% owner).

4. Quality Score Gaps: Top 3 scores (ENVA 97.5, LUV 95.8, UBS 89.2) are head-and-shoulders above the rest. The bottom third (BBVA 15.0, RRR 14.2, WTM 10.8, HSII 4.2, AKRO 0.0) show weak composite metrics despite hitting 52-week highs—these are higher-risk plays.

Trading Tips for Breakout Standard:

• Entry Timing: Don't chase on gap-ups. Wait for a pullback to the breakout level (often the prior 52-week high becomes support) or enter on a continuation day with volume confirmation.
• Stop Placement: Set initial stops 5-8% below entry or below the most recent consolidation low. Breakouts that fail quickly are often false signals.
• Position Sizing: Allocate more capital to higher-score signals (top 10). Lower scores = smaller positions or skip entirely.
• Volume Follow-Through: Monitor day 2-3 after the breakout. If volume drops below average, consider trimming or exiting—lack of follow-through suggests weak conviction.
• Profit Targets: For swing trades, consider taking 1/3 off at 8-10% gains, 1/3 at 15-20%, and trailing stops on the final 1/3.

Red Flags to Watch:

1. Massive Insider Selling: TWLO (-$129M), ROIV (-$97M)—while these may be scheduled programs, they're worth noting. If the stock fails to hold the breakout, insiders selling into strength is a bearish confirm.
2. Low-Score Breakouts: AKRO (0.0), HSII (4.2), WTM (10.8)—these are statistically weak setups. Avoid or use very tight stops.
3. Earnings Proximity: EWBC and AAL both report in 37 days. If you're still holding by mid-January, consider trimming before earnings volatility.

Sector Rotation Play:

The dominance of Industrials (airlines, logistics) and Financials suggests a rotation into cyclical, rate-sensitive names. This makes sense given stabilizing yields and low VIX—markets are positioning for economic resilience in 2026. If you're bullish on this theme, focus on the top-score names in these sectors: ENVA (financials), LUV (airlines), UBS (financials).

Final Thought:

Breakouts are simple in concept but hard in execution. The key is volume confirmation, tight risk management, and the discipline to cut losers fast. This scanner has identified 26 stocks at 52-week highs—but not all breakouts are created equal. Stick with the high-score names, watch for volume follow-through, and don't overstay your welcome. These are swing trades, not marriages.

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