Lighten Up 11/28/25

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Your Money Minute
Host: Jessica Ettinger, CNBC
Episode Title: Lighten Up
Date: November 28, 2025
Theme:
In this quick 60-second episode, Jessica Ettinger delivers a timely year-end tip: investors with strong tech stock gains should consider cashing in some profits as valuations look stretched and the new tax year approaches. The episode centers on prudent profit-taking, tech sector performance, and smart year-end tax planning.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Market Update & Investor Sentiment

• The stock market is hovering near all-time highs, prompting many investors to consider taking “a little off the top,” i.e., selling some of their winners.
  • Jessica Ettinger (00:00): "Stocks have been near all-time highs and some investors are all about maybe skimming off the top a little."

2. Advice from Market Experts

• Aaron Gibbs of Slate Stone Wealth recommends re-evaluating your tech holdings, especially with large, unrealized gains, and perhaps reallocating going into 2026.
  • Aaron Gibbs (00:15): "It's especially time to evaluate if you have a lot of tech stocks that have brought you big yet unrealized gains."
  • Aaron Gibbs (00:25): "Lighten up on some of those tech names as you go into 2026 because there are real concerns out there."

3. Tech Stock Performance Recap

• Jessica provides a quick rundown of key tech stocks and their 2025 returns as of November 17th:
  • Tesla and Meta (Facebook): +3% for the year
  • Amazon: +5%
  • Apple: +7%
  • S&P 500 index: +14%
  • Standout tech winners:
    • Microsoft: +20%
    • Netflix: +24%
    • Nvidia: +39%
  • Jessica Ettinger (00:40): "Year to date tech winners include Microsoft... up 20%. Netflix 24%. Chipmaker Nvidia up 39%."

4. Year-End Tax Planning

• Jessica reminds listeners to consult with a tax advisor—selling appreciated stocks can trigger capital gains taxes, but there may be ways to offset those gains (e.g., by selling losers).
  • Jessica Ettinger (01:10): "See your tax advisor, because you can possibly offset some of your gains, which you'll likely pay some tax on if you have any."

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Memorable Quotes

• Aaron Gibbs (00:25):
  "Lighten up on some of those tech names as you go into 2026 because there are real concerns out there."

• Jessica Ettinger (00:40):
  "Year to date tech winners include Microsoft... up 20%. Netflix 24%. Chipmaker Nvidia up 39%."

• Jessica Ettinger (01:10):
  "See your tax advisor, because you can possibly offset some of your gains, which you'll likely pay some tax on if you have any."

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00 – 00:10: Market highs spur talk of profit-taking.
• 00:10 – 00:40: Expert advice on reallocating tech positions amid valuation concerns.
• 00:40 – 01:10: Recap of specific big tech returns; tax planning reminder.
• 01:10 – 01:23: Recommendation to consult tax advisors; episode wrap-up.

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Summary

In this brisk, tightly-focused minute, Jessica Ettinger and expert Aaron Gibbs urge listeners to consider trimming hefty tech gains at year’s end, especially with valuations high and some tech results lagging. As 2025 concludes, savvy portfolio reviews and proactive tax planning could help lock in wins—and potentially minimize next April's tax bill. For more guidance, listeners are pointed to CNBC.com.

Transcript

[A]

With a CNBC you Money minute, I'm Jessica Ettinger. Stocks have been near all time highs and some investors are all about maybe skimming off the top a little.

[B]

As you're coming to the year end and you're talking with your financial advisor, take some of some of those profits.

[A]

Slate Stone's Aaron Gibbs tells cnbc. It's especially time to evaluate if you have a lot of tech stocks that have brought you big yet unrealized gains.

[B]

We're definitely, I've always been very concerned about valuations, particularly some of those tech stocks, and I do think that, you know, maybe it might be time to reallocate. Lighten up on some of those tech names as you go into 2026 because there are real concerns out there.

[A]

Massive year to date gains in tech were harder to find though. By mid November On Monday the 17th, Tesla and Facebook parent Meta shares were up only 3% for the year, Amazon only 5% Apple up 7%. Investors in just the S&P 500 index on November 17th were up 14%. Year to date tech winners include Microsoft it was up 20% Netflix 24% chipmaker Nvidia up 39%. See your tax advisor because you can possibly offset some of your gains, which you'll likely pay some tax on if you have any. Lots more on [e-mail] I'm Jessica Ettinger.

[C]

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