Top 25 Most Traded Stocks & ETFs by Investors at Firstrade in January

Here’s the full list of top favored stocks and ETFs among Firstrade investors in the last month:

1. Tesla, Inc. (TSLA)

2. Ondas Holdings Inc. (ONDS)

3. NVIDIA Corp (NVDA)

4. Micron Technology Inc (MU)

5. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSM)

6. Sandisk Corporation (SNDK)

7. Intel Corporation (INTC)

8. Microsoft Corp (MSFT)

9. Direxion Daily TSLA Bull 2X Shares (TSLL)

10. Broadcom Inc. (AVGO)

11. Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X Shares (SOXL)

12. ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ)

13. Palantir Technologies Inc.  (PLTR)

14. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)

15. Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ)

16. iShares Silver Trust (SLV) 

17. Vanguard 500 Index Fund ETF (VOO)

18. Netflix, Inc. (NFLX)

19. Alphabet Inc Class C (GOOG)

20. Apple Inc (AAPL)

21. Alphabet Inc Class A (GOOGL)

22. Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB)

23. Meta Platforms Inc (META)

24. Oracle Corporation (ORCL)

25. Oklo Inc. Class A (OKLO)

Backdoor Roth IRA for Small Business Owners: A Smart Strategy (and How to Do It at Firstrade)

As a small business owner, your income can be “lumpy”—some years are good, some are great. A strong year can limit your ability to contribute directly to a Roth IRA, which can feel frustrating when you’re trying to save more for the future.

The Backdoor Roth in 30 Seconds
A backdoor Roth isn’t a special account—it’s a two-step method:

• Step 1: Make a nondeductible contribution to a Traditional IRA.

• Step 2: Convert those dollars to a Roth IRA.

This approach can be useful because Roth conversions are generally permitted regardless of income, even when direct Roth contributions are limited by income.

Business Owner Watch-Out: The Pro-Rata Rule
If you have Traditional IRA money elsewhere—including SEP or SIMPLE IRAs—those balances can make part of a conversion taxable under the IRS pro-rata rules. In plain English: even if your new contribution is after-tax, your conversion may be partially taxable if you have pre-tax IRA money elsewhere. The IRS looks at your total IRA balances for the year when determining the taxable portion of a conversion.

Mind Your Tax Bracket
A Roth conversion can increase taxable income for the year. For business owners, timing matters because income can swing based on profit, deductions, and year-end planning. Converting “just enough” to fit your overall tax plan is a common approach—but it’s worth modeling with a tax professional.

Plan Ahead: The 5-Year Rules
Roth IRAs have multiple “5-year rules.” Depending on your age and what you withdraw (contributions vs. converted amounts vs. earnings), taking money out too soon can trigger taxes and/or a 10% early distribution penalty. If there’s a chance you’ll need these funds in the next five years—especially if you’re under 59½—get advice before converting.

Ready to Do a Backdoor Roth at Firstrade?
Are you ready to move ahead and start maximizing your retirement savings? Follow this link to get started!

What is the process of Backdoor Roth Conversion at Firstrade?

• You need two IRA accounts: a Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA (both available at Firstrade). Don’t have an IRA account at Firstrade yet? Click here to open IRA accounts.

• Deposit funds into your Traditional IRA account.

• Complete Firstrade’s Roth IRA Conversion Form and upload it online or send it to Firstrade.

• Firstrade will process your request, and you’ll be set.

Final reminder: Backdoor Roth contributions are more complicated than a standard Roth contribution. If you have multiple IRAs or you’re uncertain about pro-rata taxation and the tax impact of a conversion, it’s wise to work with a qualified tax professional to avoid costly errors.

Important disclosure: This article is for general educational purposes only and isn't tax or legal advice. Small business retirement accounts can change the tax results of a Roth conversion. Consider consulting a qualified tax professional before acting.

Top 25 Most Traded Stocks & ETFs by Investors at Firstrade in December

Here’s the full list of top favored stocks and ETFs among Firstrade investors in the last month:

1. Tesla, Inc. (TSLA)

2. NVIDIA Corp (NVDA)

3. Ondas Holdings Inc. (ONDS)

4. Broadcom Inc. (AVGO)

5. Direxion Daily TSLA Bull 2X Shares (TSLL)

6. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSM)

7. Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X Shares (SOXL)

8. Micron Technology Inc (MU)

9. ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ)

10. Alphabet Inc Class A (GOOGL)

11. Alphabet Inc Class C (GOOG)

12. NuScale Power Corporation (SMR)

13. Oracle Corporation (ORCL)

14. Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ)

15. Netflix, Inc. (NFLX)

16. Vanguard 500 Index Fund ETF (VOO)

17. iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT)

18. Palantir Technologies Inc.  (PLTR)

19. Bitmine Immersion Technologies, Inc. (NVDL)

20. Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB)

21. Intel Corporation (INTC)

22. CoreWeave, Inc. (CRWV)

23. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)

24. Astera Labs, Inc. (ALAB)

25. SoFi Technologies Inc. (SOFI)

Boost Your Retirement Savings with Firstrade’s Year-End IRA Bonus

As we approach the end of the year, many investors take this time to reassess their financial goals and retirement planning strategies. To support your long-term saving efforts, Firstrade is offering a special IRA bonus from December 15, 2025 to January 31, 2026.

Earn More with Contribution & Transfer Bonuses

3% Contribution Bonus

When you open a new eligible Traditional, Roth, or Rollover IRA and contribute within 30 days of account approval, Firstrade will match 3% of your Net New Contribution.

*This bonus does not count toward IRS contribution limits.

2% Transfer Bonus

Moving an existing IRA or rolling over an old 401(k)? Firstrade will match 2% of your Net IRA Transfer or 401(k) rollover, up to $20,000.

Why Open or Transfer an IRA Now?

✔ Year-end is a practical moment to review retirement strategy

✔ IRA contributions may benefit from tax advantages

✔ Consolidating accounts can simplify your retirement management

✔ The bonus adds immediate value to your funding or transfer decision

How It Works

1. Open Your IRA Account: Use the "Open an Account" button on the IRA Deposit Bonus Promotion page to complete your application during the promotional period.

2. Fund Your Account: Make qualifying contributions or transfers via ACH, ACAT, wire transfer, or check within 30 days of successfully opening your account. Withdrawals during this period may reduce your eligible amount.

3. Earn Your Bonus: Firstrade will match 3% of qualifying contributions and 2% of eligible transfers.

The Firstrade Advantage

✔ No Account Fees: Firstrade IRAs have no annual fees, no maintenance fees, and no inactivity fees.

✔ Transfer Fee Rebate: Switching to Firstrade? We’ll reimburse up to $250 of your transfer fees.

✔ Trade with confidence in the IRA: Get commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds, plus access to bonds and CDs.

Important Details:

To qualify for this promotion, new IRA accounts must be opened using the "Open an Account" button on the promotional page. Each account type is limited to one offer, and this promotion is non-transferable. Additionally, the offer is only available to U.S. residents.

The end of the year is a meaningful financial checkpoint — and with Firstrade’s IRA bonus, you have an opportunity to help reinforce your retirement savings with added value.

Ready to take the next step?

Firstrade Invest 3.0 Is Now Live: Explore the New Era of Smarter and Effortless Trading

Firstrade is excited to announce the official launch of Invest 3.0, our redesigned web trading platform created to deliver a cleaner and a more intuitive trading experience.

Invest 3.0 introduces a refreshed interface aimed at making research, analysis, and trading feel more streamlined. Whether you are monitoring positions, analyzing trends, or placing trades, the upgraded design brings greater clarity and simplicity to each step.

A Closer Look at What’s New in Invest 3.0

• Quick Trade Anywhere:
  A highly requested feature, Quick Trade allows you to place orders instantly from nearly any page — positions, stock overview, watchlists, option chains, and more — streamlining your workflow and helping you react to market movements more efficiently.
  

• Redesigned Options Chain:
  We’ve reimagined the options chain with clearer data visualization, a more intuitive layout, and functionality that supports multi-leg strategies. Whether you’re exploring basic calls and puts or structured strategies, navigating options is now simpler and more transparent.
  

• Enhanced Dashboard & Charts:
  Enjoy sharper visuals and improved performance insights. The new dashboard makes it easier to track your positions, analyze trends, and stay informed with tools that adapt to your trading style.
  

• Light Mode / Dark Mode:
  Choose the view that fits your environment. Light Mode offers clarity and brightness, while Dark Mode provides a sleek, modern look.

Transition at Your Own Pace

We recognize that switching platforms is a personal process. To ensure a smooth transition, we’ve included a switch-back option that allows you to temporarily return to the classic version if you need more time to adjust.

Available Now — With More Enhancements on the Way

Invest 3.0 is now live for all Firstrade clients. This launch is only the beginning, as we continue building toward a more powerful, flexible, and comprehensive trading experience. More updates and tools will follow as we evolve the platform alongside the needs of modern investors.

Start exploring the new Firstrade Invest 3.0 today.

Disclaimer:
Firstrade is an online brokerage platform for self-directed investors. It does not provide investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. All investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Options trading has additional risks and not suitable for all investors. Diversification cannot assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. Investors should carefully consider their objectives, costs, and associated risks, as losses may exceed the principal invested. Options trading privileges are subject to approval. Review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options brochure before trading options. Any securities mentioned in the image are for illustrative purposes only. Firstrade Securities Inc is a registered member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, visit https://www.firstrade.com.