The Future of Tech: Why UBER is a Top AI Pick

A Surprise Visit to Remember: Celebrating Maya's Birthday at the University of Illinois

Last weekend, we decided to surprise our daughter Maya on her birthday at the University of Illinois. We recently purchased a brand-new Model 3, and this was the perfect opportunity to take it for a spin.

As we settled into our seats, we couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. With the Model 3's fully autonomous driving capabilities, we were able to relax and enjoy the ride, taking in the scenic views along the way. It was surreal to think that just a few years ago, this level of autonomy was still in the realm of science fiction.

We simply entered the university's address, pressed a button, and let the Model 3 do the rest. The two-hour journey flew by as we chatted, listened to music, and even caught up on some work. Before we knew it, we arrived at the university, eager to celebrate Maya's special day.

The look on Maya's face when she saw us was priceless. She was beaming with joy, and it was clear that our surprise visit made her birthday even more unforgettable.

One of the best things about having kids in college nearby is the ability to drop by unexpectedly. It's moments like these that remind us of the importance of spending quality time with our loved ones, even as they spread their wings and explore the world.

Trusting the Process – in Markets and in Life

This trip also got me thinking about how much trust we put into well-designed systems. Just like the Model 3 handled the journey with precision, investors need a steady, disciplined approach to navigate the markets. We remain in a market-neutral camp, with inflation coming in as expected and earnings season holding up well. Yet risks persist—interest rates remain elevated, and unemployment is ticking higher.

In times like these, risk management isn’t just a strategy; it’s a mindset. The most successful investors understand that markets don’t always move in straight lines. Much like trusting an autonomous vehicle to handle unpredictable road conditions, traders must develop the mental discipline to stick to a well-defined plan rather than react emotionally to every market fluctuation.

This is a stock picker’s market, where confidence comes from preparation, not guesswork. At YellowTunnel, we provide the expert tools needed to validate trade ideas, manage risk effectively, and reinforce the discipline required for long-term success. The key is to stay engaged, trust proven strategies, and let the right systems work for you—because the real power in trading, just like in life, comes from having a plan and sticking with it.

Recent Trade Review: $CSCO Long Opportunity

Last week, our Dynamic Profit Target (DPT) model identified Cisco Systems, Inc. ($CSCO) as a strong long opportunity, leading to a successful trade. Those in our Live Trading Room saw the setup unfold in real-time. Missed it? Watch the recording here:
📺 Live Trading Room Recording

Unlike free resources, paid members receive real-time SMS alerts for precise entry and exit points—eliminating guesswork and improving execution. Join us in the next session and see how our AI-driven models help traders stay ahead!

CURRENT TRADING LANDSCAPE

The U.S. stock market ended the week on a positive note, with the S&P 500 climbing 1.6%, rebounding sharply from last week's close of 6,025.99. The Nasdaq Composite led the advance with a 2.5% weekly gain, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.8%. This rally broke a two-week losing streak, driven by investor reactions to inflation data, corporate earnings, and ongoing speculation about the Federal Reserve’s next move. Despite these gains, I remain market neutral, as the broader market continues to trade within a sideways range. Inflation remains persistent, earnings have been generally strong, and while economic growth is slowing, labor market data has shown resilience. The risk of prolonged higher interest rates, however, remains a major concern.

In the short term, the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is expected to trade within a range of 560–580 on the downside and 620–640 on the upside. The overall long-term trend remains intact, but volatility is likely to persist as investors assess inflation risks and potential shifts in Fed policy. For reference, the SPY Seasonal Chart is shown below:

Inflation & Economic Data: CPI and PPI Reinforce Rate Concerns

Inflation reports took center stage this week, with both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) coming in hotter than expected. These reports indicate that inflationary pressures remain persistent, complicating the Federal Reserve’s path forward.

The January CPI rose 0.5% month-over-month, exceeding expectations of a 0.3% increase. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, climbed by 0.4%, which is also above estimates. On a year-over-year basis, headline CPI increased 3.0%, while core CPI reached 3.3%, remaining well above the Fed’s 2% target. The biggest contributors to the CPI surge were rising food costs, with grocery prices increasing 0.5% and meat, poultry, fish, and eggs collectively climbing 1.9%. Egg prices saw an especially sharp increase of 15.2% due to supply disruptions from avian influenza. Airline fares saw a slight decline of 0.3%, reversing some of December’s 5% spike, while portfolio management fees rose 0.4%.

The January PPI increased 0.4% month-over-month, double the expected 0.2% gain. This follows an upwardly revised 0.5% increase in December, reinforcing concerns about inflation at the wholesale level. On a year-over-year basis, PPI climbed 3.4%, only slightly below December’s 3.5% reading. Core PPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.3% on a monthly basis and 3.6% annually, highlighting the persistence of price pressures beyond volatile components.

These hotter-than-expected inflation reports have prompted renewed speculation that the Federal Reserve will maintain higher-for-longer interest rates. Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that rate cuts are unlikely in the near term, emphasizing the need for further evidence of disinflation before any policy adjustments. The upcoming Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index report, set for release on February 28, will be a key factor in shaping expectations for the next FOMC meeting on March 18–19.

The bond market responded to the inflation data with heightened volatility. The 10-year Treasury yield fluctuated between 3.6% and 4.8%, pulling back slightly after the reports, reflecting investor uncertainty over the Fed’s next steps.

Market Developments: Trade Policy, Earnings, and Economic Trends

Trade policy concerns resurfaced after Donald Trump proposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, sending domestic steel stocks higher. U.S. Steel (X) gained 5.2%, Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) surged 7.9%, and Nucor (NUE) jumped 9%, while European steelmakers suffered losses. The uncertainty around potential trade restrictions also pushed safe-haven assets higher, with gold reaching new highs and oil prices rising on speculation about trade-related disruptions.

Earnings season remained a major focus, particularly in the technology and AI sectors. Reports from major companies including Apple, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Tesla influenced market sentiment. Nvidia (NVDA) experienced a steep 17% decline after China introduced DeepSeek, a new low-cost AI competitor, raising concerns about competition in the semiconductor industry.

Meanwhile, the labor market continued to show strength, though consumer spending data was weaker than expected. Unemployment claims fell to 213,000, down from 220,000 the previous week, reinforcing resilience in hiring trends. However, retail sales for January declined 0.9%, a much larger drop than the expected 0.1% decline. Excluding autos and gas, sales fell 0.5%, missing estimates of a 0.3% gain. Despite these weaker consumer numbers, White House officials reassured investors that any potential tariffs would not take effect before April, which helped support stock prices.

Market Outlook: Sideways Trading to Continue

Despite hitting fresh highs, the market remains in a consolidation phase, with SPY likely to trade between 560 and 640 in the near term. The VIX remains low at 15, signaling a lack of extreme fear or euphoria, but with major inflation and Fed-related catalysts on the horizon, volatility is expected to pick up.

The 10-year Treasury yield remains a critical indicator, with a trading range of 3.6%–4.8% being closely monitored. As investors await more clarity on inflation trends and monetary policy, the broader market is likely to remain range-bound with short-term rallies and pullbacks.

For now, the market is in wait-and-see mode, balancing strong earnings against inflation concerns and policy uncertainty. With the PCE report approaching and the March FOMC meeting looming, traders should be prepared for potential swings in sentiment and price action in the coming weeks.

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SECTOR SPOTLIGHT

As we navigate the current market environment, certain sectors are showing intriguing potential for growth, even as broader market trends suggest cautious optimism. While inflationary pressures and Fed uncertainty weigh heavily on investors' minds, some areas of the economy are bucking the trend and presenting compelling opportunities. One sector, in particular, stands out due to its resilience in the face of economic headwinds—offering growth potential as consumer behaviors evolve.

Let’s focus on the Consumer Discretionary sector, which includes companies that rely on consumer spending for growth. This sector can be highly sensitive to economic cycles, but it often presents an attractive buying opportunity during periods of market consolidation. As inflationary pressures persist, discretionary spending could face headwinds. However, when economic growth slows, consumers may shift towards value-driven brands and e-commerce platforms, creating opportunities for savvy investors.

One of the prominent Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) in this space is XLY, which tracks the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector Index. XLY is a diversified fund that includes top-tier companies in industries ranging from automotive to retail to entertainment. The ETF has a robust exposure to companies like Amazon (AMZN), Home Depot (HD), and Tesla (TSLA), all of which are key drivers of consumer discretionary spending.

Given the current trading landscape described above, XLY is a compelling sector ETF to consider. Despite the ongoing inflationary pressures, the Consumer Discretionary sector remains relatively resilient due to strong corporate earnings in key names, such as those in e-commerce and retail. Additionally, the labor market’s strength (with unemployment claims falling) supports consumer spending, albeit with caution in certain areas. This dynamic presents a buying opportunity in the Consumer Discretionary sector, particularly in XLY, which provides broad exposure to top-performing companies.

With the ongoing market volatility, XLY’s diversified holdings offer a balance between exposure to growth potential and mitigating risks associated with a potential slowdown in consumer spending. The sector’s overall strength, combined with AI-backed support for key names within XLY, suggests that this ETF could continue to outperform in the coming weeks.

TRADE OF THE WEEK: $UBER

This week’s Trade of the Week focuses on Uber Technologies Inc. (UBER), which presents a strong buying opportunity amid current market conditions. Uber’s business model, which spans ride-sharing, delivery services, and freight logistics, positions it well to benefit from several tailwinds in the market, including a resilient labor market and consumer demand for flexible services.

As discussed in the Current Trading Landscape, inflation remains a concern, but consumer resilience, particularly in the labor market, continues to support discretionary spending. Uber stands to benefit from these dynamics as people continue to rely on gig economy services, whether for transportation or food delivery. Despite inflationary pressures, consumers are adapting their behaviors, and Uber’s flexible business model allows it to capture a broad range of customer needs—whether they are booking rides or ordering food.

Furthermore, as inflation data points to persistent price pressures, Uber’s diversified revenue streams from both ridesharing and Uber Eats provide a hedge against slowing demand in any single area. Uber’s pricing power in both segments helps it manage rising costs while maintaining profitability, which is key in an environment of higher inflation.

From a technical perspective, Uber has been consolidating within a range, and current market conditions suggest the stock is poised for a breakout. The stock has shown resilience, with earnings and consumer trends backing its strength. Additionally, my AI models have flagged $UBER as a solid buy, aligning with current market dynamics and indicating potential upward momentum as the stock breaks past recent resistance levels.

Given these factors, $UBER is a strong buy for the upcoming week. With support from my AI and favorable conditions in the broader market, Uber is positioned to outperform and potentially capitalize on the evolving consumer landscape. Traders should consider entering $UBER as part of a diversified portfolio to take advantage of its growth potential while mitigating risk in these uncertain times.

This week, I’ll be adding Uber Technologies Inc. (UBER) to my portfolio!

And one more thing! Our track record speaks for itself from the standpoint of a Winning Trades Percentage, Average Return Per Trade, and Net Gain. Just take a look:

The consistent performance of our services is just incredible. My historical stellar performance is made possible by being right on 83.39% of all trades that I made, with an average profit of 37.58% per trade on our collective trade recommendations. To my knowledge, this trading performance is one-of-a-kind and stands alone in the marketplace for superior trading advice where our numbers and results speak for themselves.

As we move into the heart of Q1, now is the perfect time to reassess your trading strategy and take your portfolio to the next level. Visit our website at www.yellowtunnel.com to explore our range of services and select one as your default trading system. With the power of our AI-driven platform, YellowTunnel is designed to help you navigate the complexities of the market, refine your strategy, and drive profitability in 2025.

Whether you’re focused on real-time trade opportunities, advanced analysis, or developing a disciplined trading mindset, we’ve got the tools and insights to guide you. As the year unfolds, let's work together to make 2025 the most profitable year for your portfolio. But remember—successful investing starts with informed decisions. Always conduct thorough research and assess your risk tolerance before executing any trades.

Let’s make this year a transformative one for your financial growth!

One more thing, I've had the opportunity to take additional action with a great organization supporting families in Ukraine directly. Gate.org is a foundation where fundraising is held for specific families, allocating funds to multiple families currently living in Ukraine. I am on the board of directors for this great initiative and encourage everyone to check it out and donate if possible. The war in Ukraine is escalating and families are being negatively impacted and displaced daily. To learn more about this initiative to help families, please see the link below:

 www.gate.org

Wishing you a week filled with resilience, growth, and prosperous opportunities!