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.

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 were higher on Thursday, with investors apparently moving beyond the panic that set in - for one day - earlier in the week after a hot CPI report. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.91%, the Nasdaq 0.30% and the S&P 500 0.58% (and at a record closing high). Early in Thursday's session, worries kicked in after the U.S. Commerce Department reported that retail sales dropped 0.8% last month, the biggest decrease since last February. But that bad news also was quickly discounted as recent winter storms were cited as one-time events that likely negatively impacted the data.

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.

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.

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.

Some investors believe that so-called 'seasonals' are enough to carry stocks higher through the end of 2023, and this year we are inclined to include corporate insiders in that group. Insider-sentiment data from Vickers Stock Research was very supportive of share-price gains during the push higher over the past month. But insiders have now pulled back to what we would call a 'let it ride' posture -- one in which selling is not extreme but buying is not evident either.

Stocks fell sharply on Thursday amid hawkish comments from Fed officials, as investors awaited Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech in Jackson Hole on Friday morning. Nvidia gave up most of its early gains and finished nearly flat for the day, and Boeing shares fell 5% after the company warned of delivery delays for its 737 MAX jets due to a defective part from a supplier. On the employment front, first-time claims for state unemployment benefits fell by 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 230,000 for the week ended August 19, below the Reuters consensus forecast of 240,000. Continuing claims fell by 9,000 to 1.702 million. The Dow fell 1.08%, the S&P 1.35%, and the Nasdaq 1.87%. Crude oil traded near $79 per barrel, while gold fell $3 to $1945 per ounce.

The volume of weekly insider transactions reported by Vickers Stock Research remains very low, as earnings season is in full swing. For the past few weeks, we've noted that, among the low volume, the vast majority of transactions have been the result of preplanned sales by corporate executives, directors and beneficial owners. That remains the case this week, as preplanned sales again make up the largest number of insider transactions.

Stocks rose strongly on Thursday as investors awaited the first earnings reports from major banks on Friday morning. The Labor Department reported that producer prices rose a less-than-expected 2.7% from the prior year in March, down sharply from 4.9% in February. First-time claims for state unemployment benefits also rose from the prior week and topped the consensus forecast. The data suggested that Fed rate hikes were cooling the labor market and slowing inflation. On the earnings front, Delta Air Lines shares fell after the company missed the 1Q consensus earnings estimate but predicted a strong summer travel season. The Dow rose 1.14%, the S&P 1.33%, and the Nasdaq 1.99%. Crude oil traded near $82 per barrel, while gold rose $30 to $2055 per ounce.

Stocks were mixed on Thursday morning, a day after the Fed's 25-basis-point rate hike and comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell drove a strong afternoon rally. Mr. Powell boosted sentiment by stating that 'the disinflationary process' had started, though he also cautioned that further rate hikes were forthcoming and that he did not expect the Fed to cut rates this year. Following the Fed's increase, the European Central Bank raised its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 2.5% and said that it would raise rates by a similar amount at its next meeting in March. The Dow fell 0.3%, the S&P rose 1.5%, and the Nasdaq rose 3%. Crude oil fell 0.5% to $76.04 per barrel, while gold fell $5 to $1937 per ounce.

Stocks rose on Tuesday morning as investors awaited the results of the midterm elections, with late polls pointing to a Republican victory in the House and a tight race in the Senate. On the earnings front, Lyft shares fell more than 20% after the ride-hailing firm posted weaker-than-expected 3Q revenue and earnings. The Dow rose 1.3%, the S&P 1.1%, and the Nasdaq 1.3%. Crude oil fell slightly to $91.50 per barrel, while gold rose $36 to $1717 per ounce.

Stocks rallied on Wednesday morning on signs of moderating inflation. The Labor Department said that its consumer price index rose 8.5% on a year-over-year basis in July, down from 9.1% in June with help from lower gasoline prices, and below the Bloomberg consensus forecast of 8.7%. The core CPI, excluding food and energy, rose at a 5.9% rate, unchanged from the June reading. The Dow rose 1.4%, the S&P 1.5%, and the Nasdaq 2.5%. Crude oil fell more than 2% to $88 per barrel, while gold traded near $1813 per ounce.

Stocks were mixed on Monday morning following Friday's massive selloff, as investors awaited the Fed's policy statement on Wednesday and a likely 50-basis-point rate hike. Manufacturing data disappointed. The Institute for Supply Management said that its U.S. factory index fell to 55.4 in April, down from 57.1 in March and below the Reuters consensus forecast of 57.6. The reading was the lowest since July 2020. The Dow fell 0.3%, the S&P fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.2%. Crude oil fell slightly to $104 per barrel, while gold traded near $1868 per ounce.

Stocks fluctuated on Wednesday morning following new employment data and earnings reports from a range of major companies. Payroll provider ADP said that U.S. private sector jobs fell by 301,000 in January, down from an increase of 776,000 in December. The reading was below the consensus forecast, which called for the addition of 180,000 jobs, and was the first decline since December 2020. Alphabet shares rose more than 6% after the company posted better-than-expected 4Q sales and earnings and announced a 20-for-1 stock split. The Dow fell 0.1%, the S&P rose 0.3%, and the Nasdaq was flat. Crude oil traded near $88 per barrel, while gold rose $8 to $1809 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 mixed on Thursday morning amid continued concerns about accelerating inflation. Disney shares fell more than 7% after the company posted disappointing fiscal 4Q earnings and much lower than expected growth in Disney+ subscriptions. The Dow fell 0.2%, the S&P rose 0.2%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.8%. Crude oil rose slightly to $81.50 per barrel, while gold traded near $1864 per ounce.

Stocks were largely flat on Monday morning as investors weighed positive employment data along with the impact of rising Delta variant cases. The Labor Department's JOLTS report said that U.S. job openings rose by 590,000 to 10.1 million on the last day of June, above the consensus forecast of 9.28 million. Hiring also rose to 6.7 million in June from 6.0 million in May. The data came after a strong July employment report on Friday morning. The Dow fell 0.2%, the S&P fell 0.1%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.1%. Crude oil fell more than 3% to $66 per barrel, while gold dropped $28 to $1735 per ounce.

Stocks rose modestly on Thursday morning, but gave up strong early gains amid a range of first-quarter earnings reports and new GDP and employment data. Investors also weighed President Biden's ambitious plans for new spending on families and education. The Commerce Department said that the U.S. economy expanded at a 6.4% annualized rate in the first quarter, above the Reuters consensus forecast of 6.1% and up from 4.3% growth in the fourth quarter. The Dow rose 0.1%, the S&P 0.3%, and the Nasdaq 0.1%. Crude oil rose 1.5% to $65 per barrel, while gold traded near $1768 per ounce.

Stocks fell on Thursday morning following mixed earnings from Walmart and disappointing employment data. The Labor Department said that first-time claims for state unemployment benefits rose to 861,000 for the week ended February 13, up from a revised 848,000 a week earlier and well above the Bloomberg consensus forecast of 773,000. Continuing claims of 4.494 million were down from the prior week but above the consensus forecast of 4.425 million. The Dow fell 0.6%, the S&P 0.7%, and the Nasdaq 1.1%. Crude oil fell slightly to $61 per barrel, while gold traded near $1776 per ounce.

Stocks were largely flat on Wednesday morning following earnings reports from Alphabet and Amazon and new employment data. Payroll provider ADP said that U.S. private employers added 174,000 jobs in January, well above the Reuters consensus forecast of 49,000 and up from a loss of 78,000 in December. The Dow fell 0.2%, the S&P was flat, and the Nasdaq rose 0.1%. Crude oil traded near $56 per barrel, while gold rose $3 to $1836 per ounce.

COVID-19 and Election Uncertainty: Our Monthly Survey of the Economy, Interest Rates, and Markets

Stocks rose strongly on Monday morning on continued optimism about a fiscal stimulus deal. Investors also awaited the start of the 3Q earnings season on Tuesday, with the first reports from major banks. Apple shares rose nearly 5% amid expectations that the company would launch a new 5G-ready iPhone at an event on Tuesday. The Dow rose 1.0%, the S&P 1.5%, and the Nasdaq 2.2%. Crude oil traded near $39.50 per barrel, while gold rose slightly to $1927 per ounce.

Stocks rose strongly on Monday morning on continued optimism about a fiscal stimulus deal. Investors also awaited the start of the 3Q earnings season on Tuesday, with the first reports from major banks. Apple shares rose nearly 5% amid expectations that the company would launch a new 5G-ready iPhone at an event on Tuesday. The Dow rose 1.0%, the S&P 1.5%, and the Nasdaq 2.2%. Crude oil traded near $39.50 per barrel, while gold rose slightly to $1927 per ounce.

Vickers Stock Research, a subsidiary of Argus Research Group, tracks and analyzes insider trading and institutional ownership trends. Form 13-Fs are due 45 days after the end of calendar quarters, and are just now coming in from 2Q20. We like to review the 13Fs of the major activist investors, including Carl Icahn, Trian Fund Management, Jana Partners and ValueAct Holdings, among others. Activist investing has evolved in recent years and is now less about generating a short-term return on an underpriced stock and more about achieving long-term returns through an active management/investor partnership. Here are some recent new purchases and key holdings of Activist investors, according to Vickers.

Vickers Stock Research, a subsidiary of Argus Research Group, tracks and analyzes insider trading and institutional ownership trends. Form 13-Fs are due 45 days after the end of calendar quarters, and are just now coming in from 2Q20. We like to review the 13Fs of the major activist investors, including Carl Icahn, Trian Fund Management, Jana Partners and ValueAct Holdings, among others. Activist investing has evolved in recent years and is now less about generating a short-term return on an underpriced stock and more about achieving long-term returns through an active management/investor partnership. Here are some recent new purchases and key holdings of Activist investors, according to Vickers.

Stocks fell on Thursday morning following a historically weak GDP report and continued grim employment data. The Commerce Department said that U.S. GDP fell at a 32.9% annualized rate in the second quarter. The decline was the steepest since the start of record-keeping in 1947. On the employment front, the Labor Department reported that 1.434 million Americans filed for state unemployment benefits in the week ended July 25, slightly below the consensus forecast and up from 1.416 million a week earlier. The Dow fell 1.1%, the S&P 0.7%, and the Nasdaq 0.1%. Crude oil fell more than 3% to $40 per barrel, while gold fell $20 to $1957 per ounce.

Stocks fell on Thursday morning following a historically weak GDP report and continued grim employment data. The Commerce Department said that U.S. GDP fell at a 32.9% annualized rate in the second quarter. The decline was the steepest since the start of record-keeping in 1947. On the employment front, the Labor Department reported that 1.434 million Americans filed for state unemployment benefits in the week ended July 25, slightly below the consensus forecast and up from 1.416 million a week earlier. The Dow fell 1.1%, the S&P 0.7%, and the Nasdaq 0.1%. Crude oil fell more than 3% to $40 per barrel, while gold fell $20 to $1957 per ounce.

Stocks rose on Thursday morning as investors again looked past staggering unemployment benefit claims. The Labor Department said that first-time claims totaled 3.169 million for the week ended May 2, down from the prior week but above the Reuters consensus of 3.0 million. On the earnings front, PayPal rose more than 12%, despite weak first-quarter results, after forecasting strong payment volumes in the second quarter. The Dow rose 1.7%, the S&P 1.8%, and the Nasdaq 1.7%. Crude oil traded near $26 per barrel, while gold rose $20 to $1709 per ounce.

Stocks rose on Thursday morning as investors again looked past staggering unemployment benefit claims. The Labor Department said that first-time claims totaled 3.169 million for the week ended May 2, down from the prior week but above the Reuters consensus of 3.0 million. On the earnings front, PayPal rose more than 12%, despite weak first-quarter results, after forecasting strong payment volumes in the second quarter. The Dow rose 1.7%, the S&P 1.8%, and the Nasdaq 1.7%. Crude oil traded near $26 per barrel, while gold rose $20 to $1709 per ounce.