Trade Alert: 144.82% versus 10.5%.
The first numbers is the 6-month return of our Top Ten names from December 18th; the second number is the return of the leading S&P 500 ETF over the same period.
A Fresh Example Of Top Names Alpha
The most recent Portfolio Armor Top Names cohort to complete its six-month run was the December 18th, 2025 cohort.
It returned 144.82% over those six months, versus 10.50% for SPY.
That’s an unusually strong cohort, but it’s also a reminder of why we keep drawing from our Top Names as a source of alpha. Since we started posting weekly Top Names cohorts on Substack, the average six-month return has been 18.08%, versus 9.71% for SPY.
Adding To A Familiar Name
Today’s Top Names trade adds to a stock we first entered last month when it showed up through our Market Watchers process.
Now it’s also showing up as a Portfolio Armor Top Name, so we’re adding more bullish exposure with a different structure.
The theme is still AI optics and data-center interconnect—one of the places where AI infrastructure spending shows up most directly in revenue.
Two More AI Infrastructure Angles
Our two Market Watchers trades come from different parts of the AI infrastructure stack.
One is tied to semiconductor inspection and advanced packaging—the equipment layer that helps make high-performance AI chips possible.
The other is tied to AI data-center infrastructure and powered land. That name first came on our radar last month, then finally passed our technical screens on Thursday, which is why we’re striking now.
It also has more than 20% short interest, even as large potential customers are lining up for its new facility. That combination can add torque if the company executes.
Entering Below Fair Value
As usual, we’ve priced these trades so we can aim to enter below fair value.
For each structure, we compared the quoted market against our options-pricing models, then set our entry prices where the trade still looks attractive.
That doesn’t guarantee a fill, especially in wider option markets, but it keeps the discipline where it belongs: levered bullish exposure, strictly limited downside, and no need to chase.
Let’s make some money.
Today’s Top Names Trade
AI optics / data-center interconnect theme
