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 were largely flat on Wednesday morning following mixed earnings from major banks. Goldman Sachs posted much better-than-expected 3Q revenue and earnings, driven by strength in asset management and fixed-income trading. Bank of America posted mixed results, missing on revenue but with EPS slightly above consensus. Wells Fargo posted better-than-expected revenue but fell short on EPS. The Dow rose 0.1%, the S&P 0.1%, and the Nasdaq 0.2%. Crude oil traded near $41 per barrel, while gold rose $17 to $1911 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.

Stocks rebounded on Friday, finishing off a week that saw the major indexes close mixed. Technology stocks performed better than blue chips, breaking a three-week string of FAANG sell-offs. On Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 359 points, or 1.3%. The S&P 500 increased 1.6% and the Nasdaq Composite increased 2.3% on the day. For the full week, the Dow was down 1.8%, the S&P 500 was down 0.6%, and the Nasdaq was up 1.1%. With last week's drop in the S&P 500, the broader market has declined four weeks in a row. For the year-to-date, the DJIA is down 4.8%, the S&P is up 2.1%, and the Nasdaq is up 21.6%. Over the past 52 weeks, the Dow is up 1.3%, the S&P 500 is up 11.4%, and the Nasdaq is up 37.5%.

The carnage continued after the long holiday weekend, with the S&P 500 losing 2.8% on Tuesday, the Nasdaq falling 4.1%, and the Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) cratering 4.8%. The three-day loss for investors comes to 7% for the "500," 10% for the Nasdaq, and 10.8% for the QQQ's. What a difference a few days make.

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.

The recent 7% pullback in the S&P 500 did little to calm rampant stock market excesses, and sentiment remains frothy. Sooner or later, we may need something larger or targeted at everyone's favorite stocks -- mostly from Technology. If the highflying stocks, the Nasdaq and Nasdaq 100 take a hit (which we have been talking about lately), that might be just what the doctor ordered to relieve the excessive optimism.

This edition features utilities' dividend strength; cybersecurity trends; a fresh look at airlines; and notes from Netflix and new coverage DiaSorin and Central China New Life.

Stocks fell on Thursday as investors weighed mixed earnings reports and new retail sales and employment data. Morgan Stanley posted strong second-quarter earnings, driven by fixed-income trading, while Bank of America reported a sharp drop in earnings amid rising loan loss provisions. Johnson & Johnson reported earnings that were down from the prior year but above the consensus forecast, and raised its full-year guidance. First-time unemployment benefit claims rose to 1.3 million for the week ended July 11, above the consensus forecast, while continuing claims, reported with a one-week lag, fell by 422,000 to 17.338 million. Retail sales rose 7.5% in June, above the consensus estimate of 5.0% growth. The Dow fell 0.50%, the S&P 0.34%, and the Nasdaq 0.73%. Crude oil fell 1% to $41 per barrel, while gold dropped $18 to $1795 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.

In our weekly review of data from Vickers Stock Research, we often focus on insider trading activity from the past week. Arguably, it offers the best 'real time' view of the sentiment held by corporate executives, directors and beneficial owners. But in times of volatility (and we'd argue this is one of those times), a broader view can smooth out the data. So this week, we're making the eight-week data from Vickers the subject of our commentary.

With the near-parabolic move by the S&P 500 since May 29, the index bumped its head against the top of the channel that has been in place since early April. For now, that channel resistance is keeping a lid on prices. During the pop higher, we saw 90% up days (90% of NYSE issues rose and 90% of the volume went into rising stocks) on June 5 and 8. This type of strength in breadth usually is seen coming off a bottom, not after an extended move such as we have seen.

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 S&P 500 gapped up on the post-holiday Tuesday, initially rising above the 200-day moving average (at 3,000). Still, some late-day selling knocked the index back below the average. All the major indices -- including the "500," the Dow Industrials, NYSE, Nasdaq, and Nasdaq 100 -- made at least intraday recovery highs. The beginning of this trading week is starting out just like the beginning of last week, with huge rallies in the most beaten-down stocks and declines in some of the highest relative-strength stocks. The stock market witnessed another stunning rotational day.

This edition features the prognosis for discount chains; two energy gems; cruise lines downgraded; and notes from Berkshire Hathaway, Air Canada, and Disney.

Carnival is the largest global cruise company, with more than 100 ships on the seas. Its portfolio of brands includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn in North America; P&O Cruises and Cunard Line in the United Kingdom; Aida in Germany; Costa Cruises in Southern Europe; and P&O Cruises in Australia. Carnival also owns Holland America Princess Alaska Tours in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Carnival's brands attract about 13 million guests annually.

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.

Slowly but surely, our intermediate- to longer-term measures of market breadth are improving -- with some giving buy signals and reversing earlier bearish signals. The bear market, assuming it ended on March 23, was swift and unusual, and a number of long-term technical indicators and technician models went bearish near the lows in March.