Pure Trade Ideas
2026-02-19 07:00
Regime
Risk-on momentum environment with sector rotation accelerating
Bias
Bullish with selectivity - tech leadership continuing, energy emerging, defensives weak
Best Setups
Breakouts in AI/tech names, energy sector rotation plays, crypto strength
Avoid
Utilities, consumer staples, and beaten down value traps without catalysts
📈

Stock Ideas

4 ideas
NVDA
LONG
high 2-4 weeks 3-4% of portfolio
Testing breakout above $185 with massive volume (159M vs avg ~40M). Relative strength vs QQQ remains strong. AI trade momentum continuing.
Catalyst: March GTC conference approaching, potential new chip announcements
Entry
$188-190 on breakout confirmation above recent highs
Target
$205-212 (prior 52-week high)
Stop
$180 - below recent consolidation
R:R
2.5:1
Invalidation: Break below $175 or AI sentiment shifts negative
AMZN
LONG
medium 3-6 weeks 2-3% of portfolio
Strong momentum with +1.8% move on heavy volume. Breaking above $200 resistance with conviction. AWS growth story intact.
Catalyst: Cloud earnings momentum, potential AI services expansion
Entry
$205-207 on pullback to breakout level
Target
$225-230
Stop
$195 - below breakout level
R:R
2.2:1
Invalidation: Failure to hold above $200 or tech sector weakness
INTC
SHORT
high 4-8 weeks 2% of portfolio
Severe relative weakness vs semiconductors. Down -1.6% while NVDA up +1.6%. Breaking critical $45 support with volume.
Catalyst: Continued market share loss to AMD/NVDA, fab struggles
Entry
$44.50-45 on any bounce to resistance
Target
$38-40
Stop
$47 - above broken support turned resistance
R:R
3:1
Invalidation: Reclaim of $47 or major foundry deal announced
XLE
LONG
medium 6-10 weeks 2-3% of portfolio
Energy sector breaking out near 52-week highs at $54.78. Oil momentum building, sector rotation into commodities.
Catalyst: Geopolitical tensions, summer driving season approaching
Entry
$55.25 on breakout above 52-week high
Target
$62-65
Stop
$52 - below recent support
R:R
2.8:1
Invalidation: Oil price collapse below $60 or recession fears spike
🛢️

Commodity Ideas

2 ideas
Gold
LONG
high GLD ETF or GC futures 2-3 months
Gold showing momentum at $5033, holding well above $5000. Fed pivot expectations building, dollar weakness emerging.
Entry
$5025-5050 on any dip
Target
$5300-5400
Stop
$4900 - below round number support
R:R
2.5:1
Key Levels: Support: $4950, $5000 | Resistance: $5200, $5400
Crude Oil
LONG
medium USO ETF or CL futures 4-8 weeks
Oil building base above $65, showing relative strength. Supply concerns growing, demand steady.
Entry
$65.50-66 on momentum continuation
Target
$72-75
Stop
$62 - below recent lows
R:R
2.3:1
Key Levels: Support: $62, $60 | Resistance: $68, $72

Crypto Ideas

2 ideas
BTC
LONG
medium 3-6 weeks 2-3% allocation
Bitcoin holding above $67K despite recent weakness. Institutional flow continues, ETF demand solid. Technical base forming.
On-Chain Signal: Exchange outflows continuing, long-term holders accumulating
Entry
$67500-68000 on strength above current level
Target
$75000-78000
Stop
$64000 - below key support
R:R
2.4:1
SOL
LONG
high 2-4 weeks 2% allocation
Solana showing strong relative strength at $82, outperforming ETH. Ecosystem growth accelerating, DeFi TVL rising.
On-Chain Signal: Network activity increasing, validator count growing
Entry
$83-85 on momentum continuation
Target
$95-100
Stop
TBD
R:R
2.1:1
📊

Options Plays

2 plays
NVDA
high
Long Call Spread | Buy $190 Call / Sell $210 Call | March monthly (4-5 weeks)
Limited risk way to play NVDA breakout with defined risk/reward
Max Risk
$8-10 per spread
Max Reward
$10-12 per spread
Breakeven
$198-200
Ideal Scenario: NVDA closes above $210 by March expiry
XLE
medium
Long Call | $56 Call | April monthly
Energy breakout play with oil momentum building, sector rotation in play
Max Risk
$2.50-3.00 per contract
Max Reward
Unlimited above breakeven
Breakeven
$58.50-59.00
Ideal Scenario: Energy continues sector rotation, oil breaks $70
⚖️

Pairs Trades

2 pairs
high 1:3 dollar weighted (account for price difference) 6-12 weeks
LONG
NVDA
vs
SHORT
INTC
Semiconductor divergence trade - AI leader vs legacy struggling. Spread should widen further.
Entry Spread
Current ~$142 difference
Target Spread
$165-170 difference
Stop Spread
$130 difference
medium 1:1 dollar weighted 8-12 weeks
LONG
XLE
vs
SHORT
XLU
Cyclical vs defensive rotation - energy breaking out while utilities breaking down
Entry Spread
Current ~$9 difference ($54.78 vs $45.61)
Target Spread
$15-17 difference
Stop Spread
$5 difference
🚫

Avoid These

🚫 AMD
Down -1.5% showing weakness relative to semis. Failed to hold $200+ level.
The Trap: Looks 'cheap' vs NVDA but momentum is clearly negative
🚫 NFLX
Near 52-week lows at $77.99, no clear catalyst for reversal. Streaming competition intense.
The Trap: Appears oversold but falling knife with no momentum edge
🚫 XLU
Utilities breaking down (-1.66%) as rates stay elevated. Sector rotation away from defensives.
The Trap: High dividend looks attractive but price action is bearish