JULY 2, 2025
Lessons From the Past
For a long time, I avoided moonshot stocks. My early investing years included some painful lessons—like buying Boston Chicken and chasing Dell after its big run, only to watch it fall (and, in classic fashion, selling before it rose again). The dot-com bubble taught me the dangers of hype and the importance of discipline. Since then, I’ve focused on diversified, fundamentals-based investing.
Why I’m Dipping My Toe Back In
This year, I decided to cautiously revisit the “moonshot” approach—not to get rich quick, but as a learning experiment and a way to stay engaged with innovation. My goal: take small, controlled risks, document the process, and share what I learn along the way.
How It Started: My CRNX Position
My renewed interest in speculative stocks began with Crinetics Pharmaceuticals (CRNX). A friend was hired by the company, which piqued my curiosity. After digging into CRNX’s pipeline and financials, I saw real potential—though it remains a high-risk play. I bought 100 shares of CRNX as my first step back into this world.
My Process: Combining Human and AI Insights
- Personal connections spark ideas: CRNX was my first pick, chosen through my own research plus a real-world connection.
- Seeking an edge with AI: I then asked ChatGPT to recommend five speculative biotech and tech names—my “moonshots.”
- Cross-checking with Perplexity: I took those five and asked Perplexity (another AI) to narrow them down. Both AIs ended up picking the same three stocks. It wasn’t random luck—when analysis is driven by fundamentals and catalysts, overlap makes sense. It actually increased my confidence that these picks stood out for solid reasons.
- Disciplined entry points: Perplexity helped map out ideal buy ranges, so I set limits and refused to chase.
What I Did Today
- Trimmed 5 shares of VTI in my Solo 401k Roth to free up cash.
- Bought 45 shares of VKTX at $27.73—waited for my price, didn’t chase.
- Held off on RNA and SLDP: both were above my targets. Patience is key.
- Documented everything here to stay transparent and accountable.
My Plan Going Forward
- Scale in, don’t chase: I’ll buy half-positions in RNA and SLDP if they hit my targets, and only add more if they drop further.
- No FOMO: If a stock runs without me, that’s okay. I won’t chase.
- Revisit on catalysts: For CRNX, I might add if it dips below $28 ahead of the FDA decision in September. After major news, I’ll reassess.
- Risk first: Each “moonshot” is tiny. If they all go to zero, it’s a lesson, not a disaster.
Why Share This?
This experiment is about more than returns—it’s about learning, discipline, and sharing the process. If you’ve ever been burned by hype or regretted selling too soon, you’re not alone. My hope is that by showing both the wins and the losses, I can help others (and myself) become more thoughtful investors.
Have you tried using AI for stock picks? What lessons have you learned from speculative investing? I’d love to hear your stories—let’s learn together.
Current Lottery Ticket Portfolio
For full transparency, here’s my current “lottery ticket” portfolio. I’ll update this table as I make new buys or as prices move, so you can follow along with my real results—gains and losses included.
| Ticker | Company Name | Shares | Avg. Buy Price | Current Price | Unrealized P/L | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRNX | Crinetics Pharmaceuticals | 100 | $31.78 | ~$29 | -$278 | First pick, speculative; bought after friend joined |
| VKTX | Viking Therapeutics | 45 | $27.73 | ~$27.70 | -$1.35 | Bought on limit order, patient entry |
| RNA | Avidity Biosciences | 0 | — | — | — | Waiting for price target |
| SLDP | Solid Power | 0 | — | — | — | Waiting for price target |
*Unrealized P/L = (Current Price – Avg. Buy Price) × Shares*
WealthPilot
AI stock picking, biotech stocks, CRNX, lottery ticket stocks, personal finance, RNA, SLDP, speculative investing, transparent portfolio, VKTX, moonshot