Disruptors: Oscar Crushed, Meet the 300% Aussie Sleeper
Disappointing downgrades, red-hot ETFs, and a little-known Aussie that clocks double digits annual gains like it’s nothing
💥 Today’s Radar: Drones, rare earths, and health tech — everything you need to know about next-gen stocks before the bell.
🚁 UAVS and LUNR surge after U.S. Defense Secretary unveils 'drone dominance' doctrine
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced sweeping reforms to accelerate U.S. dominance in the uncrewed air systems (UAS) sector by 2027. In a dramatic unveiling on the Pentagon lawn—set to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”—a drone delivered a signed policy memo outlining a new doctrine to:
Rapidly scale domestic drone manufacturing
Deliver thousands of low-cost systems to combat units
Integrate drone ops into all major training programs by next year
Shares of AgEagle Aerial Systems (UAVS) and Intuitive Machines (LUNR) jumped after the news, as retail traders and defense watchers positioned for a wave of government contracts.
AgEagle (UAVS), in particular, is known for its compact reconnaissance drones and recent pivot into AI-integrated flight systems. The company has long sought traction in military markets, and this doctrine shift may finally unlock volume sales.
📉 AgEagle’s (UAVS) market cap sits at just $17M, down from a peak share price of $29 to $1.38 today—making it a high-risk, high-reward play if contracts materialize.
🔍 Why it matters: With the Pentagon shifting its procurement model to favor smaller, swarming drone fleets, early-stage U.S. drone manufacturers could finally see real revenue flow. This is not a budget line—it’s a doctrine shift. The next big defense rally may be built in the skies.
🏥 Oscar Health (OSCR) downgraded by Wells Fargo, but community remains bullish
Wells Fargo recently adjusted its rating for Oscar Health (OSCR) from Equal Weight to Underweight, slashing the price target from $16 to $10. This marks the second Wells Fargo downgrade in just four months, reflecting a more cautious view on Oscar’s near-term fundamentals and market execution.
However, OSCR continues to enjoy strong support from a large online investor community that sees the company as a game-changing player in healthcare technology. The platform's AI-driven insurance offerings and digital-first model have made it a favorite among retail disruptor-watchers.
📉 The stock also saw sharp losses following the passage of the 'Big Beautiful Bill,' which cut Medicaid funding and negatively impacted several health insurance providers, including Oscar.
🔍 Why it matters: Even as institutional sentiment cools, Oscar’s loyal base sees potential for a rebound—especially if it delivers on growth targets and leverages its tech advantage in a sector ripe for innovation.
👁️ RealSense completes spinout from Intel with $50M funding to fuel robotics push
Computer vision firm RealSense announced its official separation from Intel (INTC) and the close of a $50 million early-stage round to accelerate growth in the robotics sector.
RealSense develops 3D depth-sensing cameras used in over 60% of the world’s autonomous mobile robots and humanoids, with key clients including Unitree Robotics and ANYbotics. The company’s newest product, the D555 camera, integrates power, data, and AI into a single compact module—making it ideal for robotics, industrial, and security applications.
RealSense is also expanding into AI-driven security systems and facial recognition, supported by its in-house software tools. Though its manufacturing remains centered in Asia, the company’s headquarters and operations stay in the U.S. Management remains open to future IPO or acquisition scenarios.
🔍 Why it matters: The spinout signals renewed strategic focus as RealSense doubles down on real-world AI and robotics applications. With major global penetration and momentum in autonomous systems, this may be one of the few early-stage computer vision plays with both market adoption and future runway.
📈 Tradr ETFs unleash five new 2X-leveraged plays for AI and energy bulls
Tradr ETFs announced the launch of five new single-stock 2X leveraged ETFs—offering double exposure to:
CoreWeave (CRWV)
AST SpaceMobile (ASTS)
Constellation Energy (CEG)
GE Vernova (GEV)
NuScale Power (SMR)
These ETFs aim to capture explosive moves in trending sectors like AI infrastructure and nuclear energy. Tradr’s head of product Matt Markiewicz highlighted pent-up demand, especially for CoreWeave—calling it the 21st most actively traded U.S. stock since IPO—and ASTS, citing its “global moat” in low Earth orbit satellite communications.
🔍 Why it matters: For short-term traders, these new ETFs offer leveraged upside in some of the market’s hottest growth stories—without needing options or margin accounts. The ETF race is now matching the speed of AI.
🌍 Lynas Rare Earths: Investors hunt the next Meta-sized breakout in rare earths
Investors are looking for the next big thing in rare earth materials—and Lynas Rare Earths (LYC) is emerging as a serious contender. The stock has already gained 48% YTD, and 385% over the past 5 years, putting it in the same conversation as some of the market’s biggest tech movers.
The Australian rare-earths mining company just posted a $5.9M net profit for the first half of FY25—down sharply from $39.5M a year earlier—even as revenue grew to $254.3M. Cost of sales surged, squeezing margins despite a 22% production increase.
📉 The low profit figure stems from slumping rare earth prices in China, yet demand remains high in the West amid geopolitical friction.
With major operations in Western Australia and Malaysia, Lynas is strategically positioned to become the next big rare earths supplier outside China. Some investors believe it could follow the trajectory of MP Materials, which recently soared on Pentagon contract news.
🔍 Why it matters: As the U.S.-China decoupling accelerates, non-Chinese suppliers of critical minerals like Lynas are increasingly vital to defense, EVs, and high-tech manufacturing. $5M may be a weak profit, but the strategic value is immense.
₿ Bitcoin crosses $118K, lifting crypto platforms and miners
Bitcoin (BTC) hit a new milestone overnight, breaching the $118,000 mark—a psychological level that is now powering gains across the crypto ecosystem.
Crypto trading platforms and miners were among the first to move. Iris Energy (IREN) jumped +1.8% premarket, with other miners and Web3 infrastructure stocks showing signs of strength.
🔍 Why it matters: Crypto is back in breakout mode. Higher BTC levels not only boost sentiment but also improve margins across mining operations. As trading volumes rise, so too do platform revenues. This rally could reignite the Web3 bull thesis for the second half of 2025.
This publication is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Readers are solely responsible for their own investment decisions. The author may hold positions in the securities mentioned.