The stock market was flat-to-down last week, as technology stocks outperformed blue chips. During Friday's session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 124 points, or 0.36%. The S&P 500 was down 0.08%, and the Nasdaq Composite was down 0.48%. For the week, the DJIA was down 174 points, or 0.51%, the S&P 500 was down 0.43%, and the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.31%. Year-to-date, the DJIA is up 11.77%, the S&P 500 is up 10.64%, and the Nasdaq Composite is up 4.52%.

The stock market was slammed by not one, but two concerning inflation data points in the trading week ending May 14. The consumer price index for April jumped by 0.8% month-over-month and by 4.2% year-over-year. The producer price index was even more concerning, rising a lesser 0.6% month-over-month but a higher 6.2% year-over-year.

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.

As we do each week, we'll offer an update on the ongoing trends in insider-sentiment data from Vickers Stock Research, while also pulling out new insights gleaned from the weekly data.

The 1Q21 EPS season is mostly in the books, with retailers the last group to report over the next two weeks. The results were impressive -- but came against an easy comparison with last year's 1Q, when the world started to shut down to fight COVID-19. Through early May, Refinitiv reported that S&P 500 earnings rose 50.4% year over year -- the best quarter since 1Q2010. Some 87% of companies have come in ahead of expectations, up from the prior four-quarter average of 76%, according to Refinitiv. Where is the growth? Consumer Discretionary remains atop the list with a 170% earnings increase. Financials is second at 130%. Only Industrials is expected to remain negative -- with a 2% decline. Even the Energy sector, expected to have an earnings decrease at the start of the quarter, is now poised for 8% growth. Our analysts are always on the lookout for companies that raise their outlooks during earnings season. Management's ability to "raise guidance" can often be a catalyst for strong returns in the quarters ahead. Here are 20 BUY-rated companies in Argus coverage at which management has raised guidance or increased its outlook during the 1Q21 EPS reporting season.

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.

Continuing the Process: 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.

In April, the S&P 500 delivered its best monthly gain in 2021 (+5.3%, including dividends). And stocks could be further in growth mode at the end of May. Indeed, the stock market typically rises in May (on average 0.9% and with a 68% winning percentage). We note that market returns in May have exceeded 5% on six occasions since 1980, including a 9.2% gain in 2000; last year was close, at 4.5%. But there have been some clunkers in May, too, including 2010 (-8.2%), 2012 (-6.0%), and 1984 (-5.9%). May starts off as a busy month on Wall Street, as companies report their first-quarter earnings and the nonfarm payrolls report is released. But once retailers wrap up their results, investors will be left to ponder global COVID-19 trends, consider Federal Reserve activity, and enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend. We are bullish on stocks, as economic growth, earnings growth, and low interest rates all work to offset valuations that are on the high side as earnings recover. To be safe, we recommend a continued focus on quality stocks with strong earnings trends.

With April winding down, you can count on someone, somewhere saying, 'sell in May and go away.' That pronouncement is mainly popular because it rhymes. While it is true that summer is typically a period of relative underperformance, market timing rarely works. And sometimes summer is a good time for stock performance.