Hello again everyone! Well we’re a few weeks into 2025 and already life is getting crazy. I’m not sure what was in the air this week but the students (and me) were just on another level. Maybe it’s the colder weather or maybe it’s the confusion, guilt, suffering, and hatred that seems to be consuming our planet.

I just can’t put into words how I felt this week watching this kid go another way. As a 6th grader it was apparent his upbringing was anything but pleasant. He would share stories about his difficulties and like most kids he kind of just smiled right through. Now, 7th grade has come and in what seems like an instant he’s not a kid anymore. Life is bearing down on him faster than ever before.

Try as I might, he wasn’t going to listen. He had chosen to go his own way. I think it hurt so bad because I’ve also fallen into the trap of having it all figured out. I can assure you, I’ve never been more wrong. Still, I hope he has someone to trust and someone to help him when life gets tough.

As I think about that student today, I’m realizing that’s probably how God feels about us at some point. He’s there trying to show us a better way but we just aren’t having it. We have it all figured out right up until the moment we don’t. My prayer for us all today is that we’ll seek God’s wisdom over our own. Knowing that every time we had anything figured out was almost certainly the beginning of a painful experience.

So to the 7th grader I won’t quit trying to reach or anyone reading this now, God is the answer!

Now, I apologize for the lengthy introduction, I know that’s not why you’re here. A few weeks ago I wrote a post titled, “Hot Stock Alert: Top 20 Most Searched Stocks”. In it, I discussed my concern over many of the stocks from that list. Well, here we are about 2 weeks later and much of what concerned me is happening. So, in today’s post I want to revisit each of them briefly to review how they’ve performed since that post and what might be appropriate going forward.

Remember though, I’m not a financial advisor and these same stocks are just as likely to make you a millionaire for all I know.

Post Agenda

Top 20 Most Searched Stocks List

Top 20 Most Searched Stocks Review

top 20 most searched stocks

Most Searched Stocks List

  1. TSLA – Tesla Inc.
  2. SMCI – Super Micro Computer
  3. NVDA – Nvidia Corporation
  4. SPY – S&P 500 ETF
  5. SOUN – Sound Hound AI
  6. PLTR – Palantir Technologies
  7. QUBT – Quantum Computing
  8. RGTI – Rigetti Computing
  9. MSTR – Microstrategy Inc.
  10. NUKK – Nukkleus Inc.
  11. AVGO – Broadcom Inc.
  12. CLSK – CleanSpark Inc.
  13. AMD – Advanced Micro Devices
  14. LLY – Eli Lilly and Company
  15. LAES – SEALSQ Corp
  16. MU – Micron Technology
  17. QBTS – D-Wave Technologies
  18. DELL – Dell Technologies
  19. WMT – Walmart Inc.
  20. QQQ – Invesco QQQ Trust

Here is the list of the top 20 most searched stocks for 2024 again in case you may want to review them. As mentioned in my previous post several of them are of good quality, in my opinion. However, many are not but that’s also my opinion. In the 2 weeks since I initially posted this list many of the questionable names have experienced a nearly 50% decline and I’m not sure they’re done quite yet.

Thus, in the next section I think it would be prudent to take a look at each of those names and attempt to understand what may lie ahead.

Top 20 Most Searched Stocks Review

1. TSLA

Since I posted my initial review, Tesla has performed quite well increasing in price by over 12%. As such, I don’t think there is much to be concerned over. I personally don’t prefer Tesla as an individual holding but the stock has weathered a few storms before. Should price ultimately retrace there would be at least some conviction in their ability to rebound.

2. SMCI

Again, not a stock I prefer but they’ve managed to squeak out a small 3% gain since the original post. Analysts have a strong “hold” opinion of the stock but only time will tell if this one can ever regain the momentum it had earlier in 2024. Super Micro Computer gained over 300% at one point in 2024 before crashing back down to finish the year up about 10%. If you were lucky enough to exit before the fall this was a terrific experience but probably not much fun for those that didn’t.

3. NVDA

I’m beginning to wonder if anything can deter Nvidia from just flying. I’ve honestly never seen a stock quite like it and in the last 2 years NVDA’s share price is up a staggering 800%! NVDA is a meme stock backed by a successful business tucked perfectly into the right time in history. Anyone investing in them in the past 2 years is more than happy. Still 2 stock splits and a meteoric rise can’t go on forever, can it?

4. SPY

Nothing to say here. It’s the overall market and bear markets are a thing of the past, I guess.

5. SOUN

Ok, the first of the questionable names has arrived. They haven’t quite declined to the 50% mark but at 32% I not asking if it will happen but when. There was no shortage of hype around the stock as the share price rose over 300% but it seems the story here is changing. From this Reddit post, it seems most traders in this market are prepared for the inevitable.

6. PLTR

If you took a look at that included Reddit post above you’ll know PLTR is now similar in market cap to Lockheed Martin. Just crazy for a company that traded under $10 about a year and a half ago. Since that low of 2023 PLTR has roared to over 1000% higher. Moreover, in the two weeks since first mentioning them, they’re only down about 4%. This tells me, the players in this market are somewhat entrenched, at least for now.

The question I’m asking is will the stock continue to drum up fresh new players to keep the train rolling down the tracks. I honestly feel very uncomfortable with this stock given it’s had some staying power. Unsuspecting traders or investors may be walking right into a buzz saw when those “entrenched” participants begin to collect their outsized gains. Who knows, here is the r/PLTR reddit thread if you want to dig in further.

7. QUBT

Now, QUBT, in my opinion is a dumpster on fire being transported by a river of sewage. I just don’t know why anyone would participate here. They seem to me more like an alt coin cryptocurrency with their “whitepaper” road map than anything else. For those that remember the earlier crypto days you’ll understand the ridiculousness.

Still, the stock rose over 1800% in 2024 alone. Another pump of even half that magnitude would put QUBT near $70 per share. To say I wouldn’t trade here wouldn’t quite quantify how I feel about this stock. I think the company and this stock are a con. Further, in the two weeks since mentioning them they’re down nearly 50% and I’m concerned about anyone still on the bus. For more, here’s a Reddit thread that echo’s my sentiment toward the stock.

8. RGTI

Let’s skip this one, I feel the same way about it as I do QUBT. I personally wouldn’t be trading “spaghetti” stock.

9. MSTR

Well, MSTR appears to be every bitcoin holders dream stock. Full disclosure, I do hold some bitcoin but I’m not actively buying because long term I’m just not a believer. However, for those who are then Microstrategy has pivoted into the perfect play for you. A company that makes analytics software has become the proxy for leveraged bitcoins. I guess in this brave new world anything is possible.

In the two weeks since mentioning the top 20 most searched stocks MSTR has gained about 32% and people seem interested to keep it going. Here is more on the Microstrategy discussion from Reddit.

10. NUKK

Admittedly, I know very little about NUKK or Nukkleus Inc. I haven’t taken time to research the company even a little because it seems like a penny stock pump and dump type. Still, they’re essentially flat today from my first mention after trading down about 45%. Only time will tell what to make of this one and until the path is a little clearer I would prefer to avoid the whip. Follow the r/smallstreetbets reddit to stay up to date with what players are saying about NUKK in the days ahead.

11. AVGO

In my opinion a quality stock from this list. However, getting in on the AVGO action won’t exactly come cheap at $237 per share. AVGO is up just slightly at 2% since my original post but even if a bear market arrives I expect this one is able to weather the storm.

12. CLSK

CLSK has been a stellar performer to start 2025 up about 25% since my original post. By comparison the S&P 500 is up just about 2% so Clean Spark is definitely holding water. Their financials are concerning but appear to be doing less and less bad, if that makes sense. Who knows, if bitcoin does truly take over the world then CLSK may be in the future what banks are today.

13. AMD

Advanced Micro Devices has come a long way in a relatively short period of time. I remember owning them for an average price of about $17 dollars per share and when I sold them above $40 I thought that might be nearing the top. Boy, was I wrong. AMD topped out to start 2024 at $227 per share and have largely destroyed their former rival, Intel. That said, 2025 is of too a bumpy start, initially trading up 8% then down 5% and now they’re about flat on the year. It’s not a stock I want to hold outright but am fine having them in and ETF I’ll hold.

14. LLY

Another high priced stock that seems entrenched in today’s stock market. I don’t know what the future holds but if you have the capital I think you’ll be ok. I honestly don’t know much about them and haven’t ever had enough capital to trade options on Eli Lilly so my study of them has been cursory at best.

15. LAES

I would think no but to each their own. Seems like another penny stock to me and LAES is down over 50% from mentioning them in the original post.

16. MU

Micron has performed well to start 2025 up about 25% compared to the S&P’s 2%. I’ve traded this stock off and on for many years. Likely, if you were interested in trading a stock with some volatility then MU would fit the bill. I’ve held shares, traded naked options, and various options strategies with confidence MU isn’t nearing a 50% down day. That said, I haven’t researched them in some time now so do consider them fully before jumping in.

17. QBTS

Please see QUBT for more on this one.

18. DELL

Nothing much to say here as well. I think everyone is familiar with DELL and if their management team is at least subpar they’ll be relevant for the future as well.

19. WMT

Same as with DELL, I cannot see a day when Walmart doesn’t exist in some form. They have more than enough money and weight to buy up or add to their offering if other players start to compete.

20. QQQ

Last but not least is QQQ. A very popular ETF.

Final Thoughts

It isn’t often I find myself being correct. I’ve missed more stock run ups over the years than most, I’ve traded risky names similar to those on this top 20 most searched stocks list, and I’ve invested right at the top. I think that’s why I’m fascinated by this list. Still, in only 2 weeks the companies on this list that I was most worried about have done exactly what I expected them to do. Fall.

I don’t know how I feel about any investment that can be altered so dramatically with just a few words from a CEO. NVDA’s CEO came out to say quantum computing isn’t quite as close as we think and these companies, or more specifically, their investors, went the other way.

If my history of accurately predicting stocks is any indication, then now is precisely the time to buy but do be careful and don’t invest money you intended to keep.

Until the next post.

God bless,

Jeff