Michael Burry (Trades, Portfolio) is maintaining bearish positions against Nvidia NASDAQ:NVDA, Micron Technology NASDAQ:MU, Palantir Technologies NASDAQ:PLTR, Tesla NASDAQ:TSLA and other AI-linked stocks, warning that record highs could precede a severe market reversal. His thesis is not that the rally must end immediately, but that falling volatility and renewed investor confidence may push risk-taking to unstable extremes.

Burry, best known for betting against the U.S. housing market before the 2008 financial crisis, disclosed continued bearish exposure to the iShares Semiconductor ETF NASDAQ:SOXX, Applied Materials NASDAQ:AMAT and Caterpillar NYSE:CAT, alongside the four high-profile technology names.

I continue to believe it is possible we are near a major top, and possible a 1987-type fall, Burry wrote.

His warning followed a powerful four-session advance that carried the S&P 500 to a record close on August 4. The index rose 1.8% Tuesday, while the Nasdaq Composite jumped 2.6% as AI stocks and improving geopolitical sentiment drove investors back into risk assets.

Burry highlighted data from BTIG strategist Jonathan Krinsky showing that the S&P 500 had previously risen 5% over four sessions to a fresh high only three times: April 1999, March 2000 and November 2020. Two occurred around the dot-com bubble's final phase, although that small historical sample does not prove another crash is imminent.

What really matters is the SOX, and the Momentum trade, Burry wrote, directing attention toward semiconductor leadership rather than the headline index.

His concern is that lower volatility may encourage systematic and institutional strategies to increase equity exposure. A sudden reversal could then force rapid selling, potentially magnifying the downturn.

Investor Takeaway

Investors should watch whether SOXX and other momentum-heavy groups continue leading the broader market. Weakening semiconductor breadth, rising volatility or failed breakouts among NVDA, MU and PLTR would lend credibility to Burry's warning.

Continued earnings growth and higher analyst estimates would undermine the bearish case. Burry acknowledged the danger directly: Again, shorting is not for everyone, he wrote. I must short. Most should not.