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.

Often overlooked amid gyrations in the stock market is dividend income, which is an important element of total return. Between 1930 and 2012, dividend income accounted for 42% of total return of the S&P 500, according to Hartford Funds. And that's just the average. In some decades, dividends accounted for more than 50% of total returns and even 100% of returns. More recently, dividends have accounted for 15%-20% of returns. Still, in 2018, dividend payments softened the blow when most market indices declined as the Federal Reserve hiked rates. Not all dividends are created equal, though, and it is important to understand the difference between the two main categories: high-yield stocks and dividend-growth stocks.

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.

Stocks fell on Tuesday morning, led by a sharp drop in large Tech stocks. On the economic front, the Commerce Department said that U.S. factory orders rose 1.1% in March, up from a 0.5% decline in February but below the Reuters consensus forecast of 1.3% growth. The Commerce Department also reported that the U.S. trade deficit rose 5.6% to an all-time high of $74.4 billion in March on strong growth in imports. The Dow fell 0.9%, the S&P 1.3%, and the Nasdaq 2.5%. Crude oil traded near $65 per barrel, while gold rose slightly to $1794 per ounce.

Stocks were mixed on Monday morning amid a new round of first-quarter earnings reports and weaker-than-expected manufacturing and construction data. The Institute for Supply Management said that its factory index fell to 60.7 in April, down from 64.7 in March and below the Reuters consensus forecast of 65.0. Meanwhile, the Commerce Department said that U.S. construction spending rose 0.2% in March, up from a 0.6% decline in February but well below the consensus forecast calling for 1.9% growth. The Dow rose 0.9%, the S&P rose 0.3%, and the Nasdaq fell 0.5%. Crude oil traded near $64.50 per barrel, while gold jumped $27 to $1795 per ounce.

Stocks kept the momentum going in April, and are now up almost 12%, including dividends, in the year-to-date. Our analysts have been progressing through earnings season, and have come across many stocks in coverage that have approached target prices. We set target prices through our valuation framework, which includes analysis of historical multiples, peer multiples, future dividends, and cash flows. After adjusting the models for the latest earnings and dividend information -- most of which has been good -- here are some of the stocks on which we have raised target prices over the past month. All stocks are rated BUY at Argus.

Stocks recovered from midday losses on Thursday afternoon, led by the Communication Services and Financial sectors. Facebook shares rose more than 7% after the company posted much better than expected 1Q sales and earnings, along with an increase in daily active users. On the economic front, the Commerce Department reported that U.S. GDP rose at a 6.4% annualized rate in the first quarter, above the consensus forecast of 6.1%. First-time jobless claims fell to 553,000 for the week ended April 24, down from a revised 566,000 a week earlier but above the consensus forecast of 540,000. Continuing claims rose to 3.66 million, up from 3.65 million a week earlier. The Dow rose 0.71%, the S&P 0.68%, and the Nasdaq 0.22%. Crude oil traded near $65 per barrel, while gold fell slightly to $1773 per ounce.

Stocks were largely flat on Wednesday morning as investors weighed mixed earnings reports and awaited the Federal Reserve's policy announcement this afternoon. Boeing shares fell following a wider-than-expected first-quarter loss, though the company also reported a strong increase in aircraft deliveries. Microsoft shares also fell despite better-than-expected sales and earnings. The Dow fell 0.3%, the S&P rose 0.1%, and the Nasdaq fell 0.2%. Crude oil traded near $64 per barrel, while gold fell $6 to $1773 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.

Stocks were little changed on Thursday morning following new employment and housing market data. The Labor Department said that first-time claims for state unemployment benefits fell to 547,000 for the week ended April 17, down from 586,000 a week earlier and below the Bloomberg consensus forecast of 610,000. The National Association of Realtors said that existing home sales fell 3.7% to an annualized 6.01 million in March. The reading was the weakest since August 2020 and below the consensus forecast of 6.19 million. The Dow fell 0.2%, the S&P was flat, and the Nasdaq rose 0.2%. Crude oil fell slightly to $61 per barrel, while gold traded near $1787 per ounce.