Lee: This latest spike in volatility is an opportunity for investors to buy the dip

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  January 20, 2026 at 12:40  |  4:11  |  CNBC
Speakers
Jimmy Lee — CEO, Wealth Consulting Group
Sarah Kunst — Cleo Capital Founder

Summary

Jimmy Lee of the Wealth Consulting Group and Sarah Kunst of Cleo Capital joined CNBC to discuss market volatility, geopolitical risk, and investment positioning. Lee viewed the volatility spike as a buying opportunity, favoring cyclicals, small caps, international markets, consumer discretionary, and a potential housing unlock. Kunst remained bullish on Alphabet and Nvidia as AI leaders. The segment ended with a host question about Netflix earnings but no guest response.

  • Jimmy Lee views the volatility spike as a broad equity buying opportunity.
  • Lee cites record cash on consumer and corporate balance sheets and double-digit earnings growth.
  • Lee favors cyclical sectors, small caps, international markets, and consumer discretionary.
  • Lee sees a possible 2026 residential housing unlock if rates fall.
  • Sarah Kunst calls Alphabet the obvious long-term AI winner.
  • Kunst remains positive on Nvidia despite valuation, citing resilient chip demand.
  • The segment ends with a host question about Netflix earnings.
Ideas
Jimmy Lee CEO, Wealth Consulting Group 0:35
Volatility creates broad equity buying opportunity.
The spike in volatility and VIX around 20 is a buying opportunity for investors who missed the bull market. Record cash on consumer and corporate balance sheets can be put back into long-term portfolios, and double-digit earnings growth should support higher equity prices; he expects the market can go much higher than people think, with broadening beyond the Magnificent Seven.
SPY HIGH
Jimmy Lee CEO, Wealth Consulting Group 0:47
Favor cyclical sectors as market broadens.
Consumer discretionary has not participated in the rally and should do very well if the residential housing market unlocks and rates come down. Housing unlocking would reignite animal spirits and lift many areas of the economy.
XLY HIGH
Jimmy Lee CEO, Wealth Consulting Group 1:00
Residential housing unlocks if rates fall.
A residential housing market unlock in 2026, if rates come down, could ignite animal spirits and drive a lot of areas of the economy and markets higher. It is a conditional but important setup he is watching.
XHB MED
Sarah Kunst Cleo Capital Founder 1:35
Alphabet is obvious long-term AI winner.
Alphabet is the obvious long-term winner in AI, and the Apple Intelligence partnership—Apple Intelligence brought by Google/Alphabet—demonstrates its position. She remains bullish on Alphabet.
GOOG HIGH
Sarah Kunst Cleo Capital Founder 1:51
Nvidia remains key AI chip winner.
She would not give up on Nvidia. It may not be the best-priced name, but it is the best at what it does, remains far from out of the AI game, and even if AI cools, people still need chips. She sees it as having safe-haven vibes in the current market.
NVDA HIGH
Jimmy Lee CEO, Wealth Consulting Group 3:04
Small caps continue rallying on sideline cash.
With cash on the sidelines returning to the market and market broadening beyond the Magnificent Seven, small-cap stocks should continue to rally as they have so far in January.
IWM MED
Jimmy Lee CEO, Wealth Consulting Group 3:08
International markets follow broadening beyond Mag Seven.
He expects follow-through in international markets as the market broadens beyond the Magnificent Seven and sidelined cash moves back into equities.
International markets LOW
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This CNBC video, published January 20, 2026, features Jimmy Lee, Sarah Kunst discussing SPY, XLY, XHB, GOOG, NVDA, IWM, International markets. 7 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Jimmy Lee, Sarah Kunst  · Tickers: SPY, XLY, XHB, GOOG, NVDA, IWM, International markets