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.

U.S. stocks were down on Wednesday following Chairman Powell's speech yesterday. He noted current monetary policy could be maintained until inflation shows more downward progress. Investors are now looking at September for the first rate cut according to CME's FedWatch tool, and are split as to whether or not there will be just one or two rate cuts this year - a significant departure from last year when markets had anticipated five rate cuts in 2024. The Dow was down 0.3%, the S&P 500 fell 0.4% and the Nasdaq lost 0.6%. Crude oil is trading near above $84 per barrel and gold fell $6 to $2401 per ounce.

This weekend, in Vegas, it's the Chiefs versus the 49ers. Usher is the halftime show; Tom Brady appears in a commercial; and Taylor Swift fans add a whole new demographic to the fan base. But aside from all that, there is big money at stake. For our list this week, we present possible ways to invest in the Super Bowl.

The stock market blasted off late last week, propelling the S&P 500 to an all-time high (ATH). It has been a long recovery (over two years) for the index, as its last ATH was on January 3, 2022. The Nasdaq 100 and the S&P 100 beat the '500' to new highs, while the S&P 400 is close. The Nasdaq and the NYSE still have work to do to puncture their ATHs from late 2021 and early 2022. The Russell 2000 and S&P 600 are nowhere near all-time highs.

Stocks fell on Wednesday morning amid rising geopolitical tensions and mixed earnings reports from major companies. Investors also weighed new housing market data. The Commerce Department said that overall housing starts rose 7% to an annualized 1.358 million in September, helped by strong growth in multifamily housing. Housing starts for single-family homes rose a lesser 3.2%. In China, GDP data was stronger than expected. The National Statistics Bureau said that the Chinese economy expanded at a 4.9% rate in the third quarter, above the Reuters consensus forecast of 4.4% though down from 6.3% growth in 2Q23. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, GDP rose 1.3%, up from 0.5% growth in 2Q. On the earnings front, Procter & Gamble posted strong 3Q results, while Morgan Stanley reported a 9% year-over-year decline in third-quarter earnings, hurt by weakness in its investment banking business. The Dow fell 0.6%, the S&P 0.8%, and the Nasdaq 1.0%. Crude oil rose 1% to $88 per barrel, while gold jumped $32 to $1968 per ounce.

Stocks were mixed on Thursday morning following earnings reports from Netflix, Tesla, and Johnson & Johnson. Netflix reported strong subscriber growth in 2Q, though revenue disappointed. The company also projected below-consensus revenue in 3Q, sending the shares lower. Tesla shares also fell sharply, despite better-than-expected earnings, after the company warned of further price cuts on its electric vehicles. On the positive side, Johnson & Johnson rose after posting stronger-than-expected 2Q results and raising its full-year EPS guidance. The Dow rose 0.6%, the S&P fell 0.4%, and the Nasdaq fell 1.3%. Crude oil rose slightly to $75.50 per barrel, while gold traded near $1973 per ounce.

Short term measures of market breadth have oscillated below overbought levels and above oversold readings since early April. In other words, we are not seeing breadth exhibit a whole lot of strength or weakness recently. For instance, the McClellan Oscillator, a breadth indicator using advances and declines on the NYSE, has been stuck between -60 and +77 in recent months. Overbought or strong breadth readings are at least +100 and weak breadth would be -100 or lower.

Stocks rose on Monday morning as investors awaited new inflation data along with the Fed's next interest rate decision later this week. Oracle shares rose more than 6% on expectations for a strong fiscal 4Q earnings report after the close. Adobe will also report results for its fiscal second quarter on Thursday. The Dow rose 0.1%, the S&P 0.3%, and the Nasdaq 0.7%. Crude oil traded near $68 per barrel while gold fell $5 to $1972 per ounce.

In this edition, cable companies won't tangle up wireless; upside in Downer; initiating coverage of Saia; and Dr. Reddy's, United Airlines Holdings, and Trip.com.

The S&P 500 (SPX) continues to trend toward several important pieces of resistance following the rally off the March 13 intraday low of 3,809. First, the SPX is right at trendline resistance off the peak since August. Back in the latter part of February, the index had broken down out of a bearish wedge, backtested the lower line of the pattern, and continued lower. From the February 2 closing high to the recent closing low, the index gave up almost 8%, or 324 points. Based on the size of the wedge, a minimum target was down at 3,656 -- which the index didn't come close to hitting.

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 gave up early gains on Wednesday morning as investors weighed more 4Q earnings reports and new inflation and retail sales data. The Labor Department said that its producer price index for final demand rose 6.2% from the prior year in December, down from 7.3% in November and below the consensus forecast, which called for an increase of 6.8%. Meanwhile, U.S. retail sales fell a greater-than-expected 1.1% in December after a downwardly revised 1.0% drop in November. The Dow fell 0.9%, the S&P 0.5%, and the Nasdaq 0.3%. Crude oil rose 2% to $82 per barrel, while gold traded near $1914 per ounce.

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.

With the final month of 2022 now underway, there is no shortage of 'year-in-review' commentary that is justifiably focused on the dubious performance of stocks. In contrast, corporate insiders have been sending off bullish signals since mid-May. We are willing to assume that many investors will end 2022 in the red, but not so willing to say that insiders therefore missed the mark.

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 mixed on Wednesday morning as investors weighed earnings reports from Netflix, Procter & Gamble, and Abbott Laboratories, and new housing market data. The Commerce Department said that U.S. housing starts fell 8.1% in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.439 million, below the Reuters consensus forecast of 1.475 million. Building permits rose 1.4% to an annualized 1.564 million, above the consensus of 1.530 million. The Dow rose 0.2%, the S&P fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq fell 0.4%. Crude oil rose slightly to $83 per barrel, while gold fell $17 to $1639 per ounce.

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.

Earnings from major companies will continue on Friday, with 2Q reports from Twitter, Verizon, and Schlumberger. On Thursday, stocks extended their winning streak, with strong gains in the Consumer Discretionary and Healthcare sectors. Tesla shares rose nearly 10% following strong 2Q results, while AT&T fell more than 7%, despite above-consensus earnings, after management lowered its free cash flow guidance. On the employment front, first-time claims for state unemployment benefits rose to 251,000 for the week ended July 16, up from 244,000 a week earlier and above the Bloomberg consensus estimate. The Dow rose 0.51%, the S&P 0.99%, and the Nasdaq 1.36%. Crude oil fell more than 3% to $96.50 per barrel, while gold rose 1% to $1718 per ounce.

Bear Growl: Our Monthly Survey of the Economy, Interest Rates, and Markets

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.

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 rose on Monday morning, led by the Communication Services and Financial sectors. In a light week for economic data, investors continued to weigh the better-than-expected employment report on Friday and hawkish comments from Fed officials. The major data release of the week will come on Friday with the Labor Department's consumer price index for May. The Dow rose 0.4%, the S&P 0.8%, and the Nasdaq 0.9%. Crude oil fell slightly to $118.50 per barrel, while gold traded near $1847 per ounce.

The CEO of Marriott thinks it is going to be a "blockbuster" summer. Hotel bookings are up. Airfares are up (both pricewise and for bookings). As well, U.S. hotel profitability is above pre-pandemic levels for the second consecutive month, according to Smith Travel Research, and the key metrics used to judge hotel performance are higher than in the comparable period in 2019. The most-recent Average Daily Rate (ADR) measured against a range of hotel properties is $151.73, up 22% compared to the same period in 2019. Revenue per available room, or RevPAR, is $100.97, up 26%. Travel experts say that reservations are strong because of pent-up demand. Consumers are anxious to vacation and visit friends and family after two years of restrictions. Business travel also is starting to perk back up as companies are eager to see clients in-person again. We are living in a new inflationary economic environment, but consumers so far are willing to spend on leisure activities. Here are some of Argus' BUY-rated travel companies, with a few airlines, a few big hotels, and some online booking agencies. Some are these stocks are included in our model portfolios (Growth & Income, Equity Income, Growth, and Institutional).

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 fell sharply on Thursday afternoon, giving up early gains after Fed officials raised prospects for more aggressive 50-basis-point rate hikes beginning next month. On the earnings front, automaker Tesla and American Airlines posted stronger-than-expected results. Weekly employment data was generally positive. The Labor Department said that first-time claims for state unemployment benefits fell to 184,000 for the week ended April 16, down from 186,000 a week earlier but above the Bloomberg consensus of 180,000. Continuing claims fell to 1.417 million from 1.475 million a week earlier and were below the consensus estimate. The Dow fell 1.05%, the S&P 1.48%, and the Nasdaq 2.07%. Crude oil traded near $104 per barrel, while gold fell $2 to $1954 per ounce.

Stocks plunged on Thursday on concerns about soaring inflation and the impact of aggressive Fed rate hikes. The Labor Department reported that its consumer price index rose at a 7.5% annualized rate in January, up from 7.0% in December and the highest reading in 40 years. Employment data was mixed. First-time jobless claims fell to 223,000 for the week ended February 5, down from 239,000 a week earlier and below the consensus forecast of 230,000. Continuing claims were flat with the prior week at 1.621 million and slightly above consensus. The Dow fell 1.47%, the S&P 1.81%, and the Nasdaq 2.10%. Crude oil traded near $90 per barrel, while gold fell $7 to $1830 per ounce.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

Stocks rose modestly on Wednesday morning, adding to Tuesday's gains amid a new round of earnings reports. Abbott Laboratories rose 3% after posting strong 3Q results, which benefited from higher sales of COVID tests, and raising its full-year earnings guidance. Netflix reported strong earnings and customer growth in 3Q, but the shares fell on disappointing fourth-quarter guidance. The Dow rose 0.4%, the S&P 0.4%, and the Nasdaq 0.1%. Crude oil traded near $83 per barrel, while gold rose $15 to $1785 per ounce.

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.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

Stocks rose on Wednesday morning, adding to Tuesday's gains as investors again shrugged off concerns about the Delta variant. On the earnings front, Johnson & Johnson posted better-than-expected second-quarter results and raised its full-year guidance. Netflix shares dropped 4% after the company posted disappointing 2Q earnings and projected below-consensus subscriber growth in 3Q. The Dow rose 0.7%, the S&P 0.6%, and the Nasdaq 0.5%. Crude oil traded near $69 per barrel, while gold fell $8 to $1803 per ounce.

Earnings season begins this week, with big banks starting the action. Major stock indices are at or near all-time highs, but also have been performing a typical dance that takes share prices both higher and lower as investors view both the risks and the opportunities in this rarified air. It would be nice to assume that 'easy' earnings comparisons to this time last year (when the economy was in major shutdown mode due to the pandemic) will drive shares higher still. But with investors usually looking ahead (guidance) more than behind (results), there is no sure thing here. After first-half EPS growth of about 50%, economists at Argus look for more moderate but still above-trend EPS growth of 18% in the second half.

Stocks continued their overall strong trend in the April 16 week, which saw the launch of the biggest crypto exchange (Coinbase) and finished with modest but across-the-board gains. Also notable in that week was the resurgence in growth sectors that had previously taken a back seat to cyclical and defensive areas of the market.

Stocks rallied on Thursday following better-than-expected retail sales and employment data, along with earnings from Bank of America and BlackRock. The Commerce Department said that U.S. retail sales rose a strong 9.8% in March, helped by government stimulus checks and supplemental weekly unemployment benefits. The reading was above the consensus of 5.9% growth and up from a 2.7% decline in February. First-time jobless claims fell to 576,000, a post-pandemic low and well below the consensus forecast of 700,000. Continuing claims rose to 3.731 million, up slightly from 3.727 million a week earlier and above the consensus of 3.7 million. The Dow rose 0.90%, the S&P 1.11%, and the Nasdaq 1.31%. Crude oil traded near $63 per barrel, while gold rose $29 to $1765 per ounce.

This edition features an oil market update; Amazon's potential in Australia; revisiting our North American airline coverage; and notes from Maersk, Air Liquide, and Allstate.

Stocks fell on Friday morning as investors weighed a new round of earnings reports and prospects for congressional approval of the Biden administration's $1.9 trillion fiscal stimulus package. IBM shares fell 10% on weaker-than-expected 4Q revenue, while Intel fell 8%, despite strong earnings, after the company provided few specifics about its manufacturing strategy. The Dow fell 0.5%, the S&P 0.3%, and the Nasdaq 0.1%. Crude oil traded near $52.50 per barrel, while gold dropped $10 to $1856 per ounce.

On paper, most recent investment trends remained intact for the full year 2020. Large-caps outperformed small-caps; growth topped value; and domestic stocks returned more than international stocks. Will it be a value market in 2021? Will small-caps continue their recent strong run? Given low interest rates, we favor growth stocks and think that investors recently were simply taking some extraordinary profits from their winners in an extraordinary year. Investors seeking value are encouraged to look for dividend yields in the 3%-4% range. As for small-caps, the promise of a COVID-19 vaccine is encouraging for these companies, which typically don't have the strong balance sheets of large-caps and are thus more dependent on a strong U.S. economy. Small-cap valuations remain depressed despite the recent run, and this group continues to look well-positioned in 2021.