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 were mixed on Thursday as investors weighed a range of earnings reports and new employment data. Macy's shares jumped more than 21% after the retailer posted strong 3Q earnings and raised its full-year guidance. Nvidia shares also rose on stronger-than-expected results, while Cisco fell on weak sales guidance and supply-chain concerns. On the employment front, the Labor Department said that first-time claims for state unemployment benefits fell to 268,000 for the week ended November 13, down slightly from the prior week but above the consensus forecast of 260,000. Continuing claims fell to 2.08 million, down from 2.209 million a week earlier. The Dow fell 0.17%, the S&P rose 0.34%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.45%. Crude oil fell slightly to $79 per barrel, while gold fell to $1861 per ounce.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Large Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. Stocks of large-cap companies where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as large cap.

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 U.S. stock market tends to rise, as a profitable October demonstrated after a challenging September. This long-term upward trajectory has its foundation in the country's democratic political system and its market-based, capitalist economic system. In theory, the stock market efficiently allocates the nation's capital to generate solid investment returns. Theory typically turns into reality in November, which since 1980 has been the second-best month for equity performance, with an average 1.93% gain, narrowly trailing April (+1.95%) but ahead of December (+1.3%), July (1.1%), and January (+1.0%). November's batting average is high as well: stocks rise during the month 73% of the time. The best Novembers have been 1980 (+10.2%), 2001 (+7.5%), 1996 (+7.3%), 1985 (+6.5%), and 1998 (+5.9%). There have been some clunkers: 2000 (-8%), 2008 (-7.5%), and 1987 (-5.9%). The month usually starts at a fast pace, as some companies are still reporting 3Q earnings, nonfarm payrolls are reported, and IPOs are launched before the holiday season sets in. This year, the Fed meets this week and likely will announce plans to commence winding down its asset-purchase program. If the central bank comes on too aggressively, that may a one tall hurdle for the market to overcome in a historically strong month for stocks.

The Vickers Top Insider Picks is a daily report that utilizes a proprietary algorithm to identify 25 companies with compelling insider purchase histories based on transactions over the past three months.