Retailers on the Attack: The “Buy the Dip” Phenomenon on NasdaqBy Ion Jauregui - ActivTrades Analyst
In a surprising turn of events for the stock market, so far in 2025 we see how retail investors have taken center stage, betting heavily on “ buy the dip” as large investors reduce their positions. According to data from VandaTrack, these small investors have injected nearly $70 billion into U.S. stocks and ETFs. This phenomenon, which seems to be straight out of a Reddit forum, has sparked conversation on digital platforms and has captured the attention of analysts and specialized media.
The “buy the dip” phenomenon is based on the idea of buying stocks during their declines, with the expectation that the price will recover and a profit will be made. Despite the volatility generated by the current environment - marked by geopolitical tensions, regulatory changes and the impact of technological innovations such as China's DeepSeek artificial intelligence - retailers have shown unusual resilience. Phrases such as “be the dip” have become popular in forums and social networks, driving a wave of optimism that contrasts with the cautious approach of large investors, who are withdrawing their liquidity or diversifying into less volatile assets.
The notable betting by retail investors is reflected in large-scale deals. For example, last week alone saw investments of $3.2 billion in Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) and $1.9 billion in Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), according to figures released by JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM). These moves not only evidence confidence in the recovery potential of these companies, but also the ability of small investors to influence liquidity and market direction.
In addition, the trend extends to leveraged ETFs, whose trading volume has increased considerably. The “buy the dip” behavior has been internalized to the point of becoming an automatic reflection of today's retail mentality. This phenomenon has also been observed in other international markets, where online investment platforms and mobile applications have facilitated access to the stock markets, allowing a greater number of investors to participate actively and, in many cases, on a massive scale. This dynamic can have both short- and long-term effects. On the one hand, the massive inflow of capital by retailers can generate a “rebound effect” in certain sectors, especially those perceived as innovative and disruptive. On the other hand, the high concentration of investments in a few assets and sectors - such as technology - could increase volatility and systemic risk in the market. While the “buy the dip” strategy has worked in previous periods, relying solely on this tactic in such a changing environment could lead to significant imbalances if there is a sharp turn in the market.
The implications of this trend also extend to the regulatory arena. Financial authorities are closely observing how the massification of “buy the dip ” is impacting market stability, and some regulators have already initiated studies to evaluate possible control measures. The evolution of this phenomenon could force a rethinking of current regulations on retail investor participation in high volatility markets.
Technical Analysis Nasdaq 100(Ticker AT: USATEC)
Currently, the main support zone is around 16,986 points. The second support zone pivots around 18,400 points. The current range is between 18,737 and 20,505 points with the control point (POC) at 19,755 points. The RSI is at 53.64% since this last rebound started at 23.03% so it seems to have stabilized in a middle zone. If we look at the movement of the index, it does not seem to have finished its movement to the upper band of the range. At the moment, it is about to test its strength in the direction of the highs if the Bulls continue to drill hard. The truth is that on March 4th on the daily chart there was a bearish crossover, so it does not seem that this strength will hold and the lower part of the range will be tested again. If the index shows weakness we will see a return to the 18,400 level.
In short, while the “ sharks ” or large investors flee the water, the “ minnows ” continue to splash about happily, demonstrating a new era in which the democratization of access to the stock markets is redefining the rules of the game. The commitment to “ buy the dip ” is a clear reflection of a renewed confidence in the market's potential for recovery and growth, although not without risks and challenges that must be managed by both investors and authorities.
*******************************************************************************************
The information provided does not constitute investment research. The material has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and such should be considered a marketing communication.
All information has been prepared by ActivTrades ("AT"). The information does not contain a record of AT's prices, or an offer of or solicitation for a transaction in any financial instrument. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information.
Any material provided does not have regard to the specific investment objective and financial situation of any person who may receive it. Past performance is not reliable indicator of future performance. AT provides an execution-only service. Consequently, any person acing on the information provided does so at their own risk.
