U.S. stocks headed higher on Thursday following positive economic data. Retail sales rose 1%, above expectations for a 0.4% gain. Weekly jobless claims fell again this week to 227,000. The S&P 500 was up 1.6%, the Dow gained 1.4% and the Nasdaq rose 2.3%.

At midday, the major benchmarks are modestly higher, with individual stocks moving on earnings news. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note is two basis points higher at 4.44%. Crude oil is up at $80 per barrel. Gold is also up, while Bitcoin is down.

Nearly two months into 2024, stocks continue to perform well, yet insiders remain very cautious (as they have been for the past month). Insiders have unique views into their respective corners of the market, and their overt caution begs a question. Shouldn't stocks be pulling back if insiders are correct?

Stocks rose again on Wednesday morning as investors weighed new retail sales and producer price data, along with strong earnings from Target. The Commerce Department said that U.S. retail sales fell 0.1% in October after a revised 0.9% increase in September. The Reuters consensus forecast had called for a decline of 0.3%. Meanwhile, producer prices pointed to continued progress on inflation. The Labor Department said that its producer price index for final demand fell 0.5% in October, the largest decrease since April 2020, after a 0.4% increase a month earlier. The Dow rose 0.3%, the S&P 0.2%, and the Nasdaq 0.2%. Crude oil fell nearly 2% to $77 per barrel, while gold traded near $1965 per ounce.

Stocks stumbled in 3Q, as the S&P 500 declined about 3.5% after gaining for three quarters in a row before that. The new bull market remains intact, but is wobbling from labor strife, high interest rates, and a (for now at least) deferred government shutdown. Year-to-date, the broad market index is up about 11.7%. Sector performance shifted in 3Q, as value-oriented groups such as Energy and Financial Services were leaders. The Technology sector dropped 3.0%, but remains up 34% year-to-date. The average stock in the broadly diversified Argus Fundamental Universe of Coverage declined 3.2% during the quarter, and the median stock fell 4.7%. The average BUY-rated stock dipped 2.3%, while the average HOLD-rated stock gave back 5.3%. Here are the 10-best (many from the Energy sector) and five-worst performers from the Argus Universe in 3Q23.

Stocks were mostly lower on Friday morning following higher-than-expected producer price data. The Labor Department said that its producer price index for final demand rose 0.8% from the prior year in July, up from 0.2% in June and above the Reuters consensus forecast of 0.7% growth. Excluding food, energy, and trade services, the core PPI rose 2.7% from the prior year, in line with the increase in June. Meanwhile, the University of Michigan said that its preliminary consumer sentiment index slipped to 71.2 in August, down slightly from 71.6 in June but in line with the consensus forecast. The Dow rose 0.1%, the S&P fell 0.4%, and the Nasdaq fell 0.9%. Crude oil rose less than 1% to $83.50 per barrel, while gold rose slightly to $1949 per ounce.

Monday Tee Up: Here Comes Retail

In 1Q23, stocks continued to recover from the bear-market lows of 2022, with the S&P 500 rising 7% for the quarter. Performance was led by last year's laggard sectors, including Communication Services and Technology. Last year's top-performing sector, Energy, was the worst in 1Q23. Financial Services, including banks, were not far ahead. The average stock in the Argus Universe of Coverage rose 4% in the quarter; the median stock advanced 2%. The average BUY-rated stock rose 5.4% and the average HOLD-rated stock gained 3.4%. Recently, we raised our sector rating on Technology to Over-Weight, and expect outperformance into 2Q -- especially if interest rates head lower. We also raised our rating on Financial Services, and the bottom five stocks in our list point to potential value opportunities.

The Vickers Top Buyers & Sellers is a daily report that identifies the five companies the largest insider purchase transactions based on the dollar value of the transactions as well as the five companies the largest insider sales transactions based on the dollar value of the transactions.

Stocks were flat on Wednesday morning, pausing after Tuesday's sharp selloff. Investors weighed hawkish comments from Fed officials and awaited the release of the latest FOMC meeting minutes for more clues about the Fed's plans for additional rate hikes. On the earnings front, Palo Alto Networks rose 11% after the cybersecurity company posted strong fiscal 2Q results and raised its full-year earnings guidance. The Dow rose 0.1%, and the S&P and the Nasdaq were flat. Crude oil fell more than 2% to $74.50 per barrel, while gold rose slightly to $1844 per ounce.

Stocks surged on Thursday following positive inflation data, recording their strongest one-day advance since 2020. The Labor Department said that its consumer price index rose 7.7% from the prior year in October, down from 8.2% in September and below the consensus forecast of 7.9%. The core CPI, excluding food and energy, also rose at a lower-than-expected 6.3% rate. On the employment front, first-time claims for state unemployment benefits rose by 7,000 to 225,000 for the week ended November 5, slightly above the consensus forecast. Continuing claims rose to 1.493 million, also up from the prior week and above consensus. The Dow soared 3.70%, the S&P 5.54%, and the Nasdaq 7.35%. Crude oil rose slightly to $86 per barrel, while gold jumped $47 to $1760 per ounce.

GDP Negative for Two Consecutive Quarters

Stocks rallied on Friday morning, paring some of their recent sharp losses. However, the major indices were still on track for their sixth straight weekly decline amid continued concerns about inflation and the Fed's ability to control it. In an NPR interview on Thursday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that the central bank would likely raise interest rates by 50 basis points at each of its next two meetings, but that it was 'prepared to do more' if the data warranted. The Dow rose 1.4%, the S&P 2.1%, and the Nasdaq 3.6%. Crude oil rose $4 to $110 per barrel, while gold traded near $1813 per ounce.

Stocks rallied on Friday morning, paring some of their recent sharp losses. However, the major indices were still on track for their sixth straight weekly decline amid continued concerns about inflation and the Fed's ability to control it. In an NPR interview on Thursday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that the central bank would likely raise interest rates by 50 basis points at each of its next two meetings, but that it was 'prepared to do more' if the data warranted. The Dow rose 1.4%, the S&P 2.1%, and the Nasdaq 3.6%. Crude oil rose $4 to $110 per barrel, while gold traded near $1813 per ounce.

Stocks fell sharply on Friday morning as continued concerns about the war in Ukraine overshadowed a strong monthly employment report. The Labor Department said that the U.S. economy added 678,000 payroll jobs in February, up from a revised 481,000 in January and well above the Bloomberg consensus forecast of 423,000. The official unemployment rate fell to 3.8%, the lowest reading since February 2020, from 4.0% in January. The Dow fell 1.4%, the S&P 1.6%, and the Nasdaq 2.2%. Crude oil jumped to $112 per barrel, while gold traded near $1965 per ounce.

Stocks gave up early gains on Monday morning as investors awaited reports from major retailers later this week along with October retail sales data. China posted stronger-than-expected industrial output and retail sales data for October. The Dow was flat, the S&P fell 0.1%, and the Nasdaq fell 0.4%. Crude oil fell 1% to $80 per barrel, while gold traded near $1866 per ounce.

The overall volume of insider transactions remains light due to trading restrictions in place during earnings season, but there are some interesting trends in the current data from Vickers Stock Research. And those trends are positive.

Volatility reigned last week, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average seeing four days with changes in excess of 350 points. Not surprisingly, the VIX Volatility Index logged some miles as well, starting the week at 17.34, hitting a mid-week high of 28.93, and ending the week back down at 18.81. When that type of wild day-to-day action occurs, finding solid ground in short-term indicators can be difficult. So at times like these, we favor a review of long-term gauges.

Stocks rose again on Monday morning, adding to Friday's gains, despite further increases in Treasury yields. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the passage of the administration's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package over the weekend would enable Americans to 'get to the other side of the pandemic' and help to drive a 'very strong' economic recovery. The Dow rose 1.2%, the S&P 0.9%, and the Nasdaq 0.6%. Crude oil traded near $65.50 per barrel, while gold fell $12 to $1687 per ounce.

Stocks were mixed on Thursday morning, with modest gains in Technology and Communication Services and losses in other sectors. On the employment front, first-time claims for state unemployment benefits fell to 709,000 for the week ended November 7, down from 757,000 a week earlier and below the consensus forecast of 731,000. Inflation data was muted. The Labor Department said that U.S. consumer prices were unchanged in October following growth of 0.2% in September. The Reuters consensus forecast called for growth of 0.1%. The Dow fell 0.5%, the S&P fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.3%. Crude oil rose more than 1% to $42 per barrel, while gold rose $16 to $1878 per ounce.

Stocks were mixed on Monday morning, with gains in the Healthcare, Consumer Discretionary and Technology sectors and losses in Energy and Financials. Major retail companies will begin to report later in the week. On the housing front, builder confidence, as measured by the NAHB/Wells Fargo housing market index, rose 6 points to 78 in August, above the Reuters consensus of 73 and the third straight monthly increase. The Dow fell 0.3%, the S&P rose 0.3%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.7%. Crude oil rose 1% to $42.50 per barrel, while gold jumped $46 to $1996 per ounce.

Stocks were mixed on Monday morning, with gains in the Healthcare, Consumer Discretionary and Technology sectors and losses in Energy and Financials. Major retail companies will begin to report later in the week. On the housing front, builder confidence, as measured by the NAHB/Wells Fargo housing market index, rose 6 points to 78 in August, above the Reuters consensus of 73 and the third straight monthly increase. The Dow fell 0.3%, the S&P rose 0.3%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.7%. Crude oil rose 1% to $42.50 per barrel, while gold jumped $46 to $1996 per ounce.

Stocks rose in late trading on Thursday, led by the Financial sector, after U.S. regulators eased a range of investment restrictions on Wall Street banks. The late-day rally followed a choppy session dominated by reports of rising coronavirus cases in 29 states and another week of heavy job losses. Responding to the sharp increase in new cases, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that the state would suspend elective surgical procedures and pause its reopening plan. Meanwhile, 1.48 million Americans filed first-time unemployment benefit claims in the week ended June 20, down from 1.54 million a week earlier but well above the consensus forecast. Continuing claims, reported with a one-week lag, fell to 19.52 million from 20.29 million a week earlier. The Dow rose 1.18%, the S&P 1.10%, and the Nasdaq 1.09%. Crude oil rose 2.5% to $39 per barrel, while gold fell slightly to $1773 per ounce.

Stocks rose in late trading on Thursday, led by the Financial sector, after U.S. regulators eased a range of investment restrictions on Wall Street banks. The late-day rally followed a choppy session dominated by reports of rising coronavirus cases in 29 states and another week of heavy job losses. Responding to the sharp increase in new cases, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that the state would suspend elective surgical procedures and pause its reopening plan. Meanwhile, 1.48 million Americans filed first-time unemployment benefit claims in the week ended June 20, down from 1.54 million a week earlier but well above the consensus forecast. Continuing claims, reported with a one-week lag, fell to 19.52 million from 20.29 million a week earlier. The Dow rose 1.18%, the S&P 1.10%, and the Nasdaq 1.09%. Crude oil rose 2.5% to $39 per barrel, while gold fell slightly to $1773 per ounce.

Stocks started to recover in April, and over the past month the S&P 500 has regained 13%. Momentum investing is a strategy designed to take advantage of current or recent market trends. Momentum investors identify and invest in stocks that typically are moving higher over a period of time. We like to see a chart featuring a prolonged period of rising highs and rising lows. Generally, the fundamentals are favorable for these stocks, which is why they are on the way up. But at the very least, momentum investors need to be cognizant of valuation, because at times these stocks may move outside of normal value bounds. In that case, investors may want to wait for a pullback in the stock price to a support level such as a 50-day or 200-day moving average. Below are the top 15 BUY-rated momentum stocks for the trailing one-month period, many from the beaten-down Energy and Retail sectors, but also a couple from Healthcare.

Stocks started to recover in April, and over the past month the S&P 500 has regained 13%. Momentum investing is a strategy designed to take advantage of current or recent market trends. Momentum investors identify and invest in stocks that typically are moving higher over a period of time. We like to see a chart featuring a prolonged period of rising highs and rising lows. Generally, the fundamentals are favorable for these stocks, which is why they are on the way up. But at the very least, momentum investors need to be cognizant of valuation, because at times these stocks may move outside of normal value bounds. In that case, investors may want to wait for a pullback in the stock price to a support level such as a 50-day or 200-day moving average. Below are the top 15 BUY-rated momentum stocks for the trailing one-month period, many from the beaten-down Energy and Retail sectors, but also a couple from Healthcare.

Charting the Path Forward

Charting the Path Forward

Stocks scored a win in the trading week ended March 27-- as in the best market week in 82 years, even as Friday of that week was a down day. The rally had some investors wondering if 'the low was in.' But in past big selloffs, the confirming low re-test has come months later.

Stocks scored a win in the trading week ended March 27-- as in the best market week in 82 years, even as Friday of that week was a down day. The rally had some investors wondering if 'the low was in.' But in past big selloffs, the confirming low re-test has come months later.

The stock market took a very large blow on Monday, February 24 and again on Tuesday, February 25, with the S&P 500 falling about 210 points over the two days and the Nasdaq Composite down over 600 points. February 24 was the worst day for the '500' since February 2018 and the worst day for the Nasdaq since December 2018.

The stock market took a very large blow on Monday, February 24 and again on Tuesday, February 25, with the S&P 500 falling about 210 points over the two days and the Nasdaq Composite down over 600 points. February 24 was the worst day for the '500' since February 2018 and the worst day for the Nasdaq since December 2018.

Stocks were mixed on Monday morning, with gains in the Healthcare, Consumer Discretionary and Technology sectors and losses in Energy and Financials. Major retail companies will begin to report later in the week. On the housing front, builder confidence, as measured by the NAHB/Wells Fargo housing market index, rose 6 points to 78 in August, above the Reuters consensus of 73 and the third straight monthly increase. The Dow fell 0.3%, the S&P rose 0.3%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.7%. Crude oil rose 1% to $42.50 per barrel, while gold jumped $46 to $1996 per ounce.

Stocks rose in late trading on Thursday, led by the Financial sector, after U.S. regulators eased a range of investment restrictions on Wall Street banks. The late-day rally followed a choppy session dominated by reports of rising coronavirus cases in 29 states and another week of heavy job losses. Responding to the sharp increase in new cases, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that the state would suspend elective surgical procedures and pause its reopening plan. Meanwhile, 1.48 million Americans filed first-time unemployment benefit claims in the week ended June 20, down from 1.54 million a week earlier but well above the consensus forecast. Continuing claims, reported with a one-week lag, fell to 19.52 million from 20.29 million a week earlier. The Dow rose 1.18%, the S&P 1.10%, and the Nasdaq 1.09%. Crude oil rose 2.5% to $39 per barrel, while gold fell slightly to $1773 per ounce.

Stocks started to recover in April, and over the past month the S&P 500 has regained 13%. Momentum investing is a strategy designed to take advantage of current or recent market trends. Momentum investors identify and invest in stocks that typically are moving higher over a period of time. We like to see a chart featuring a prolonged period of rising highs and rising lows. Generally, the fundamentals are favorable for these stocks, which is why they are on the way up. But at the very least, momentum investors need to be cognizant of valuation, because at times these stocks may move outside of normal value bounds. In that case, investors may want to wait for a pullback in the stock price to a support level such as a 50-day or 200-day moving average. Below are the top 15 BUY-rated momentum stocks for the trailing one-month period, many from the beaten-down Energy and Retail sectors, but also a couple from Healthcare.

Charting the Path Forward

Stocks scored a win in the trading week ended March 27-- as in the best market week in 82 years, even as Friday of that week was a down day. The rally had some investors wondering if 'the low was in.' But in past big selloffs, the confirming low re-test has come months later.

The stock market took a very large blow on Monday, February 24 and again on Tuesday, February 25, with the S&P 500 falling about 210 points over the two days and the Nasdaq Composite down over 600 points. February 24 was the worst day for the '500' since February 2018 and the worst day for the Nasdaq since December 2018.

We last talked about the Healthcare Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) at the end of October, and it has added a few percentage points in November so far. The sector was a major disappointment from late 2018 and into 2019 as it has lagged most other sectors badly. Still, XLV is starting to show a pulse, rising over 10% since October 3. From the latter part of 2018 until April, it lagged the S&P 500. It has outperformed the "500" since the latter part of September, but just slightly.

Stocks rose on Friday, with news flow including better-than-expected growth in October retail sales and optimistic comments about a China trade deal from the Trump administration. Stocks also maintained momentum, leading to a sixth consecutive rise for the S&P 500. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 both rose 0.8%, while the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.7%, resulting in record highs for all three benchmarks. Year-to-date gains are now 20.1% for the Dow, 28.7% for the Nasdaq and 24.5% for the S&P 500.

Stocks rose on Friday, with news flow including better-than-expected growth in October retail sales and optimistic comments about a China trade deal from the Trump administration. Stocks also maintained momentum, leading to a sixth consecutive rise for the S&P 500. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 both rose 0.8%, while the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.7%, resulting in record highs for all three benchmarks. Year-to-date gains are now 20.1% for the Dow, 28.7% for the Nasdaq and 24.5% for the S&P 500.

The major indices continued to fall on Monday amid deepening trade war concerns, led by the Energy, Financial and Consumer Discretionary sectors. Investors responded negatively to reports of a CBS-Viacom merger, sending the shares of both companies down in morning trading. On the positive side, Amgen rose 5% after the company won a legal case against Novartis that upheld the AMGN patents on rheumatoid arthritis drug Enbrel. The Dow fell 1.1%, the S&P 0.9%, and the Nasdaq 0.8%. Crude oil rose slightly to $54.50 per barrel, while gold rose $8 to trade near $1516 per ounce.

The major indices continued to fall on Monday amid deepening trade war concerns, led by the Energy, Financial and Consumer Discretionary sectors. Investors responded negatively to reports of a CBS-Viacom merger, sending the shares of both companies down in morning trading. On the positive side, Amgen rose 5% after the company won a legal case against Novartis that upheld the AMGN patents on rheumatoid arthritis drug Enbrel. The Dow fell 1.1%, the S&P 0.9%, and the Nasdaq 0.8%. Crude oil rose slightly to $54.50 per barrel, while gold rose $8 to trade near $1516 per ounce.

U.S. stocks rallied for the third day in a row, recovering all of Monday's loss, following strong earnings from Walmart and Cisco and new housing market and employment data. The Dow rose 0.8%, the S&P 0.9%, and the Nasdaq 1.0%. Crude oil rose to about $63 per barrel, while gold traded near $1287 per ounce.

U.S. stocks rallied for the third day in a row, recovering all of Monday's loss, following strong earnings from Walmart and Cisco and new housing market and employment data. The Dow rose 0.8%, the S&P 0.9%, and the Nasdaq 1.0%. Crude oil rose to about $63 per barrel, while gold traded near $1287 per ounce.

Stocks were largely flat on Tuesday morning as investors weighed mixed economic data and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's testimony before the Senate Banking Committee. The Conference Board reported rising consumer confidence in February after three months of declines. However, housing data was weak. The Commerce Department said that U.S. housing starts fell 11.2% to an annualized 1.078 million units in December, below the consensus forecast. The Dow was flat, the S&P rose 0.1%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.1%. Crude oil rose slightly to about $56 per barrel, while gold traded near $1330 per ounce.

Stocks were largely flat on Tuesday morning as investors weighed mixed economic data and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's testimony before the Senate Banking Committee. The Conference Board reported rising consumer confidence in February after three months of declines. However, housing data was weak. The Commerce Department said that U.S. housing starts fell 11.2% to an annualized 1.078 million units in December, below the consensus forecast. The Dow was flat, the S&P rose 0.1%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.1%. Crude oil rose slightly to about $56 per barrel, while gold traded near $1330 per ounce.

Large-caps have outperformed over the past 12 months, but small- and mid-caps may be in a better position to generate returns going forward. For one thing, most smaller companies are often more focused on domestic operations and may not be exposed to the uncertainty surrounding the trade wars. For another, the long-term record favors small-caps over large-caps. Since 2003, the Russell 2000 Index has climbed 260%, compared to an advance of 189% for the Russell 1000 Value Index. But small-caps can be risky.

Large-caps have outperformed over the past 12 months, but small- and mid-caps may be in a better position to generate returns going forward. For one thing, most smaller companies are often more focused on domestic operations and may not be exposed to the uncertainty surrounding the trade wars. For another, the long-term record favors small-caps over large-caps. Since 2003, the Russell 2000 Index has climbed 260%, compared to an advance of 189% for the Russell 1000 Value Index. But small-caps can be risky.

The major indices continued to fall on Monday amid deepening trade war concerns, led by the Energy, Financial and Consumer Discretionary sectors. Investors responded negatively to reports of a CBS-Viacom merger, sending the shares of both companies down in morning trading. On the positive side, Amgen rose 5% after the company won a legal case against Novartis that upheld the AMGN patents on rheumatoid arthritis drug Enbrel. The Dow fell 1.1%, the S&P 0.9%, and the Nasdaq 0.8%. Crude oil rose slightly to $54.50 per barrel, while gold rose $8 to trade near $1516 per ounce.

U.S. stocks rallied for the third day in a row, recovering all of Monday's loss, following strong earnings from Walmart and Cisco and new housing market and employment data. The Dow rose 0.8%, the S&P 0.9%, and the Nasdaq 1.0%. Crude oil rose to about $63 per barrel, while gold traded near $1287 per ounce.

Stocks were largely flat on Tuesday morning as investors weighed mixed economic data and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's testimony before the Senate Banking Committee. The Conference Board reported rising consumer confidence in February after three months of declines. However, housing data was weak. The Commerce Department said that U.S. housing starts fell 11.2% to an annualized 1.078 million units in December, below the consensus forecast. The Dow was flat, the S&P rose 0.1%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.1%. Crude oil rose slightly to about $56 per barrel, while gold traded near $1330 per ounce.

Insider sentiment, which has been exceedingly bullish over the past several weeks, has pulled back a bit this week. But let's be clear. It was exceedingly bullish before; now it is only very bullish. Indeed, the rather remarkable steak of eye-popping insider-sentiment results remains in full force and effect this week.

Insider sentiment, which has been exceedingly bullish over the past several weeks, has pulled back a bit this week. But let's be clear. It was exceedingly bullish before; now it is only very bullish. Indeed, the rather remarkable steak of eye-popping insider-sentiment results remains in full force and effect this week.

Insider sentiment, which has been exceedingly bullish over the past several weeks, has pulled back a bit this week. But let's be clear. It was exceedingly bullish before; now it is only very bullish. Indeed, the rather remarkable steak of eye-popping insider-sentiment results remains in full force and effect this week.

Stocks rose on Friday, with news flow including better-than-expected growth in October retail sales and optimistic comments about a China trade deal from the Trump administration. Stocks also maintained momentum, leading to a sixth consecutive rise for the S&P 500. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 both rose 0.8%, while the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.7%, resulting in record highs for all three benchmarks. Year-to-date gains are now 20.1% for the Dow, 28.7% for the Nasdaq and 24.5% for the S&P 500.

Insider sentiment, which has been exceedingly bullish over the past several weeks, has pulled back a bit this week. But let's be clear. It was exceedingly bullish before; now it is only very bullish. Indeed, the rather remarkable steak of eye-popping insider-sentiment results remains in full force and effect this week.