Palantir Technologies (which owns the Mango Growth ETF (GARY)) has been trading in the $130 to $160 range for the past few months. While the broader software landscape is still recovering from the “software apocalypse” as high-beta investor “love” displaces other names ( DELL , SNOW , MU , INTC ), Palantir is quietly consolidating. I want to own a PLTR because I believe that consolidation within this range is not a sign of exhaustion, but rather a sign of classic technical coil springs. This morning, as the S&P 500 hits its 21st all-time high in 2026, risk appetite is shifting back toward structurally free cash flow positive corporate platforms. Palantir is building a stronghold in institutional AI adoption, and I like to use options to capture the impending bull market. There are various fundamental and structural catalysts behind why Palantir is poised to break above $160 and retest its all-time high of $207.52. Commercial Flywheel: Palantir’s Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) is running a masterclass in enterprise monetization. The company’s “bootcamp” go-to-market strategy to shorten the typical enterprise software sales cycle from nine months to less than five days is accelerating. Profit Growth: Unlike the growth-at-all-costs software names that sold off indiscriminately earlier this year, Palantir is an absolute free cash flow machine. The business operates with gross margins hovering close to 80% and operates with a highly disciplined and efficient expense structure. Defense Spending: Recent federal intervention under the CHIPS Act, which allocated more than $2 billion to the domestic deep tech supply chain, sent a clear signal to the market that sovereign computing infrastructure is a national security priority. This is the catalyst for the breakthrough of companies like $IBM and $Intel (both Essential 40 ETF $ESN companies), and Palantir is uniquely positioned to potentially capture the next phase of this wave of defensive capital. Technical Settings Looking at the chart, the $130-$160 range presents a great opportunity to digest the stock’s past surge and notable performance in 2024 and 2025 (+340% and +145%, respectively). There appears to be active accumulation by institutional investors each time the tape tests the $130 floor. Conversely, the $160 ceiling was favorable for the bears. The trade is where I simply want to use my money to buy a call option at the $160 breakout strike level. This defines the risk if PLTR drops to $130. I bought a $160 call option on PLTR (expiring 6/18/26) for $5. When this was done after the opening bell, PLTR was trading near $152.50. Disclosure: Kilberg is long PLTR calls, long PLTR individuals, and long PLTR in the Mango Growth ETF (GARY). All opinions expressed by CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, its parent or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated on television, radio, the Internet, or another medium. The above is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice or a recommendation to purchase any securities or other financial assets. The Content is general in nature and does not reflect any individual’s unique personal circumstances. The above may not be appropriate for your particular situation. Before making any financial decisions, you should strongly consider seeking the advice of your own financial or investment advisor. Click here for full disclaimer.
