Defiance ETFs' 2026 Steady Market Outlook and December 23 Market Performance Analysis

On December 23, 2025, at 02:45:39 EST, Sylvia Jablonski, Co-founder and CIO of Defiance ETFs, joined CNBC’s “Squawk Box” to discuss global market trends and her firm’s 2026 outlook, characterized as “pretty steady” [1]. The interview was later published on YouTube under the headline “All signs point to a pretty steady market in 2026, says Defiance ETFs’ Sylvia Jablonski” [1].

U.S. major indices closed positively on December 23, with the NASDAQ Composite (+0.66%) leading gains, followed by the S&P 500 (+0.54%) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (+0.25%) [0]. Sector performance on that day saw utilities (+1.67%) as the top performer, with consumer defensive (+1.01%) and technology (+0.21%) sectors posting modest gains—aligning with Defiance ETFs’ focus on thematic tech sectors [0]. However, due to the absence of full interview transcripts, specific factors supporting Jablonski’s “steady” outlook remain unknown. Additionally, limited access to real-time price data for Defiance ETFs (DEFI, AIQ, BITQ) prevents confirming a causal link between the interview and fund performance.

1. The positive market close on December 23 cannot be directly attributed to Jablonski’s remarks, as critical context (interview details) and real-time ETF performance data are missing.
2. Defiance ETFs’ focus on high-growth thematic sectors (AI, crypto, digital assets) introduces potential volatility for these funds, even if the broad market follows the predicted steady trajectory in 2026.

• Forecast Uncertainty
  : Market outlooks are not guarantees; shifts in interest rates, geopolitical events, or corporate earnings could disrupt the projected “steady” 2026 market scenario.
• Sector Volatility
  : Defiance ETFs prioritize thematic sectors that historically experience higher volatility than broad market indices, creating potential divergence between fund performance and overall market trends.
• Data Limitations
  : Incomplete interview content and restricted ETF performance data require caution when interpreting short-term market movements relative to the event.

The steady market outlook may indicate reduced near-term broad market volatility, potentially providing stable conditions for diversified investment portfolios. However, this is not a prescriptive recommendation and should be evaluated alongside individual risk tolerance and market conditions.

This analysis is based on the CNBC YouTube interview [1] and internal market data [0]. Key takeaways include:

• Defiance ETFs’ CIO anticipates a steady 2026 market, but supporting factors remain undisclosed.
• U.S. markets closed positively on December 23, 2025, with utilities leading sector gains.
• Data gaps and thematic sector volatility are critical considerations for market participants.