Tendencias de búsqueda de Benzinga para el año 2025: Un mapa de catalizadores para el año 2026

The most-searched tickers on Benzinga Pro in 2025 aren't just a popularity contest. They are a direct readout of where retail capital flowed and what themes captured attention, serving as a leading indicator for potential 2026 catalysts. The data reveals a clear, tactical rotation into mega-cap tech and AI, driven by performance and persistent engagement.

The setup begins with the broad market. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) topped the list, a shift from its third-place ranking in 2024. This ascent to #1 signals a surge in interest in the overall market, with its +16.6% return providing a solid, low-maintenance anchor for retail sentiment. It's the foundational play, showing where the crowd is looking to deploy capital.

That capital is then being directed with increasing specificity. Tesla (TSLA) and NVIDIA (NVDA) maintained their top-three status, a testament to the sustained retail focus on tech and electric vehicle themes. Their continued high search volumes, even after strong rallies, indicate these are not fading fads but core holdings where traders are monitoring for the next leg up. The real story, however, is the explosive engagement with pure-play AI. Palantir Technologies (PLTR) surged to #4, a massive jump from outside the top 20 in 2024. Its +136.4% return was the top percentage gain among the 12 most-searched tickers, creating a powerful feedback loop: stellar performance drives more searches, and more searches can fuel further momentum.

The bottom line is a tactical map. The retail-driven rotation into mega-cap tech and AI is now the dominant narrative, as evidenced by the search rankings. For event-driven strategies, this means the catalysts to watch in 2026 are likely to be tied to these same themes-earnings beats, product launches, or regulatory shifts for the top names. The high search volumes for PLTR, TSLA, and NVDA suggest these stocks remain in the spotlight, where any positive news could trigger a sharp, retail-fueled move.

The 2026 Catalyst Watchlist: From Trends to Earnings

The search data points to where the retail crowd is looking for the next move. Now, the immediate catalyst is here: Citigroup's fourth-quarter earnings report, scheduled for before the opening bell on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. This is a classic event-driven setup. Analysts expect the bank to report earnings of $1.62 per share, up from $1.35 a year ago, on revenue of $20.45 billion. The market will be watching for any deviation from these expectations, as well as commentary on the recent decision to exit its remaining operations in Russia. With multiple analysts having recently raised price targets, the stock is already in a positive sentiment zone. A beat could fuel a pop, while a miss would likely trigger a swift reset.

This earnings event highlights a broader pattern in the search data. While mega-cap tech and AI names are the darlings, the data also shows a rotation away from underperforming names. Tapestry (TPR) and Spotify (SPOT) were among the most-searched tickers in 2025 but finished the year in the "down" category according to Benzinga chat participants. Their high search volumes despite poor performance suggest a retail crowd that is still watching, but the trend is clear: capital is flowing out of these names. The 2026 catalyst for them may be a sustained break below key technical levels, confirming the retail exodus.

The key takeaway is that the platform's real-time news feed is the primary tool for tracking these evolving catalysts. The Benzinga Pro Lounge, where traders share information, is a live pulse check on sentiment. For instance, chatter about $RACE (Ferrari) and $AOS (AO Smith) as potential 2026 winners shows how search trends can quickly shift into specific stock picks. In a tactical, event-driven strategy, the goal is to identify the next catalyst-whether it's an earnings report like Citigroup's or a shift in retail sentiment signaled by search volume changes-and position for the immediate move.

The Setup: Aligning Retail Sentiment with Market Moves

The retail-driven rally into mega-cap tech and AI is a powerful trend, but it sets up a classic event-driven risk. The primary danger is a "sell the news" event. When search volume and anticipation peak, as they have for names like Palantir and Tesla, the stock can hit a price peak just before or after a major catalyst. Any disappointment, even a slight miss on expectations, can trigger a swift pullback as traders take profits. The high search volumes themselves can be a contrarian signal, indicating the crowd is fully positioned.

The immediate test is the earnings calendar. For the top-searched names, the next reports are the key watchpoint. A beat on Citigroup's earnings would validate the positive sentiment and analyst upgrades seen recently, potentially fueling a pop. Conversely, a miss would confirm the risk of a post-catalyst drop. This pattern holds for other high-search names: their next earnings must meet or exceed expectations to justify the retail hype and support the rally.

Beyond individual stocks, monitor the broader market context. The recent strength was driven by the consumer discretionary sector, which led the Dow and S&P 500 to new highs. If this sector continues to lead, it provides a supportive backdrop for the retail-favored tech names. A broad market rally can absorb some of the volatility from a single earnings miss. However, if the discretionary sector stalls, it could drag down the entire rally, making the search-driven tech names more vulnerable to a sharp reversal.

The bottom line is a tactical setup. The trend is clear, but the risk is high. The path of least resistance is up, but only if the next earnings reports confirm the story. Watch Citigroup's report for a signal, and keep an eye on the discretionary sector's momentum. If both align, the rally could extend. If either falters, the retail-fueled momentum may quickly cool.