Editor's note: We've seen plenty of volatility in the market over the past couple of months... After the incredible recovery from the April lows, the S&P 500 Index kept hitting all-time highs. Then, volatility crept back in October and November.

Editor's note: We've seen plenty of volatility in the market over the past couple of months... After the incredible recovery from the April lows, the S&P 500 Index kept hitting all-time highs. Then, volatility crept back in October and November. Of course, we can't know for sure what lurks around the corner... Next year could bring a painful era for the market. In fact, our founder Marc Chaikin has said that there's a 65% chance of a bear market happening in 2026. In uncertain environments, using the best available data for stock picking is critical. That also goes for figuring out which stocks to avoid. As Marc explains in this classic essay, his one-of-a-kind Power Gauge system shines in this area... Giving Jon Najarian a Great Call By Marc Chaikin, founder, Chaikin Analytics "Based on the bearish Power Gauge rating, I think the risk of a negative earnings surprise is too great." I said those words in 2012, as I was appearing for the first time on CNBC's Fast Money Halftime Report. On the panel next to me was Jon Najarian. I'm guessing you've heard of him... The NFL-linebacker-turned-high-profile-trader had become a household name in the financial world by then. He would go on to sell his publishing and trading platforms, optionMONSTER and tradeMONSTER, to E-Trade just a few years later for $750 million. Jon was at the peak of his financial career. And although I'd been making the rounds on CNBC, this was the first time we had crossed paths. The stock we were talking about was online travel agency Priceline, which later changed its name to Booking Holdings (BKNG). Priceline was one of Jon's bullish trades at the time. And I had just told CNBC viewers that it looked too risky. The thing is, I didn't know anything about Priceline. But I did have the Power Gauge to guide me. And that was all I needed... Recommended Links: Is It Time to Sell Everything and Run for the Hills? On December 16, legendary market veteran Marc Chaikin is officially sounding the alarm on the U.S. stock market... and will reveal the No. 1 step to take with your money BEFORE January 1 to protect yourself and prepare as hundreds of stocks could soon suffer swift, brutal sell-offs. The last time he issued a warning like this, the average investor went on to lose up to 44% of their portfolio in the months that followed. Before it's too late, learn more here. A Dangerous Signal Is Flashing for AI Stocks As one market veteran is now warning, if you want to protect yourself from the chaos surrounding the AI bubble – and potentially triple your money – you need to make this ONE move before January 1, 2026. Click here to learn more. As longtime readers know, the Power Gauge is the culmination of my life's work. It combines more than five decades' worth of data-driven market research. And it packages everything I've learned about the markets into actionable information for every stock it processes. So I didn't need to know much about Priceline. I just typed in the ticker and got my report. Immediately, I saw that Priceline was set up to release disappointing earnings. The Power Gauge made it clear. Obviously, the interface for the Power Gauge has gotten more refined over the years. Here's an example of another stock that the Power Gauge turned "very bearish" on recently... You've probably never heard of Kingsway Financial Services (KFS). But that's not important – because the Power Gauge has. Each of these sliders is backed by data that can be further explored. And the data shows us that Kingsway is in a risky spot for investors right now. That was the kind of setup I saw when I told Jon that Priceline looked like a no-go. The Power Gauge had provided me with the most important (and most relevant) information. Again, Jon was excited about the stock. But he was a professional. And he was willing to reexamine his ideas. The interview ended with Jon saying, "I'm going to take a harder look, since Marc Chaikin doesn't like it." That was Monday, August 6, 2012. On Wednesday, the day after Priceline's earnings, the Halftime Report did a highly unusual follow-up. The host started by asking Jon, "Chaikin spooked you a little bit?" "He did indeed. And I think... a lot of folks followed Mr. Chaikin. Those of us that picked up some cheap out-of-the-money puts... well, they worked out like a charm. "Those puts went from like $1.80 last night to $15, $16," Jon continued. "Again, great call by Marc Chaikin. And thanks, Marc, for helping me out." In short, the Power Gauge was right. Priceline missed earnings. And Jon listened to me, made a bet against the stock, and racked up big profits instead of taking major losses. Now, one great call is just that – a single great call. But it was only possible because I had the Power Gauge at my side. The Power Gauge uses the best data available to help individual investors make consistently great calls. And my goal is to share that power with as many investors as I can. Good investing, Marc Chaikin   Editor's note: Looking ahead to 2026, it's critical that investors have the right data and tools at their disposal... This coming Tuesday, December 16, Marc is going on camera for a big event. During it, he'll explain why we're likely to see a volatile ride ahead in 2026. To share the message, he'll also be joined by a special guest who has essentially devoted his career to accurately timing the markets. Marc and this special guest will also discuss a brand-new tool designed to safeguard your portfolio against the volatility we're likely to see in 2026. That also includes a string of devastating "flash crashes" that could be headed for hundreds of popular stocks. Don't miss out... You can register to attend this free event here.   Also note that today's edition of the Chaikin PowerFeed does not include the usual data from the Power Gauge below. Power Gauge users can still log on to the Chaikin Analytics platform to access our system's most recent data. Look forward to our usual PowerFeed format returning on Monday, December 15. You have received this e-mail as part of your subscription to PowerFeed. If you no longer want to receive e-mails from PowerFeed, click here. You're receiving this e-mail at STEVENMAGALLANES520.NIMS@BLOGGER.COM. For questions about your account or to speak with customer service, call +1 (877) 697-6783 (U.S.), 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Eastern time or e-mail info@chaikinanalytics.com. Please note: The law prohibits us from giving personalized financial advice. © 2025 Chaikin Analytics, LLC. All rights reserved. Any reproduction, copying, or redistribution, in whole or in part, is prohibited without written permission from Chaikin Analytics, LLC. 201 King Of Prussia Rd., Suite 650, Radnor, PA 19087. www.chaikinanalytics.com. Any brokers mentioned constitute a partial list of available brokers and is for your information only. Chaikin Analytics, LLC, does not recommend or endorse any brokers, dealers, or investment advisors. Chaikin Analytics forbids its writers from having a financial interest in any security they recommend to our subscribers. All employees of Chaikin Analytics, LLC (and affiliated companies) must wait 24 hours after an investment recommendation is published online – or 72 hours after a direct mail publication is sent – before acting on that recommendation. This work is based on SEC filings, current events, interviews, corporate press releases, and what we've learned as financial journalists. It may contain errors, and you shouldn't make any investment decision based solely on what you read here. It's your money and your responsibility.