Today’s recommendation is a doozy. It may go to the moon, or it may fall flat on its face, but it’s got a good story, and I think we’ve got a decent entry point here.

Current Market Outlook


On an intermediate-term basis, the overall market remains stuck in the middle—many areas are still looking ragged, and most major indexes are hanging around their 50-day moving averages. Our screens this weekend did reveal a number of solid five- to six-week setups among growth stocks, as well as lots of solid action in other areas that have recently come to life. If the market gets going from here, there should be plenty of stocks to jump on. We’re not opposed to buying small amounts of a couple of these potential leaders today, but until we see more than just a day or two of rallying, you should play things carefully. We have our Market Monitor at a level 6 (out of 10), and will simply let the market tell us (through its own action) whether the next big move is up or down.

In the meantime, we’re laser-focused on stocks that have either just blasted out of bases or uptrending stocks that have resisted the Nasdaq’s wobbles since early June. Our Top Pick is Medidata Solutions (MDSO), which remains in good shape after lifting from a two-year base in April. Keep positions small.

Stock Name	Price	Buy Range	Loss Limit
Alibaba (BABA)	254.81	138-144	125-130
Align Technology (ALGN)	316.20	145-150	135-137
American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL)	0.00	51-53	46-47.5
Exact Sciences (EXAS)	116.91	35-37	31.5-32.5
First Republic Bank (FRC)	0.00	100.5-103.5	96-96.5
Medidata Solutions (MDSO)	0.00	77-80	71-72
Puma Biotech (PBYI)	0.00	82.5-87	74-76
RingCentral (RNG)	238.73	35.5-37.5	33-34
Tesoro (TSO)	0.00	92-95	87-88
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (WCG)	271.83	177-181	166-168

This month’s selection is a small company in the health care space given the strength in this group of stocks. The company has a very specific focus on products to treat peripheral nerve injuries, and it’s growing revenue north of 50% annually.

In tonight’s issue, we write about what we’re seeing in the market’s recent rotation as well as another batch of studies that portend higher prices for the market down the road. We also dive into all our recommendations and present some of our favorite ideas for the next market upleg.

Today’s featured stocks include a bank and its CCAR results, a retailer and its prognosis in the wake of the Amazon-Whole Foods merger, and a new addition to the Growth & Income Portfolio.

Current Market Outlook


The Nasdaq and leading growth stocks were whacked again last week, extending the correction in that group to just over three weeks. At this point, the major trend is still up, but intermediate-term, the onus is on the bulls, as many stocks (and the Nasdaq itself) have fallen toward key support—a couple of big selloffs from here would be a red flag, especially for names that have had big runs during the past year, though a strong sign of support could arrest the decline. Right now, we remain mostly bullish because many stocks are still in good shape, especially early-stage growth stocks that are trading resiliently and new leadership is emerging as money rotates into other areas.

This week’s list is a mix of both categories. Our Top Pick this week is Citigroup (C), which, despite its huge size, has great potential thanks to industry trends and recent news flow. The stock was the first big bank to leap to new highs recently, too.

Stock Name	Price	Buy Range	Loss Limit
Carvana (CVNA)	82.90	18-20	15-16.5
Citigroup Inc. (C)	0.00	66-68	63-64
Exelixis (EXEL)	27.35	23.5-25	21-21.5
iRhythm Technologies (IRTC)	51.15	41-43	37-38
Nintendo Co., Ltd. (NTDOY)	0.00	39.5-41.5	36-37
Packaging Corp (PKG)	0.00	108-111	101-103
Square, Inc. (SQ)	91.04	22-23.5	20-21
Teladoc, Inc. (TDOC)	127.95	32.5-34	29.5-31
Wayfair (W)	167.03	72-75	65-67
Winnebago (WGO)	48.56	34-35.5	31-32

The recommended stock, unusually, is not a U.S. company; it’s a Canadian company. But it trades on the NYSE, and it has a great growth story.

While the Cabot Emerging Markets Timer remains technically positive, there’s no doubt that all EM stocks, including many of our own holdings, have been under pressure in recent weeks. We’re taking steps today to lower our exposure by trimming a couple of stocks, but we also have a strong Korean stock to add to the portfolio.

It’s the same basic market story as it has been for the last four months. Technology is floundering while other sectors are killing it. But a couple of events occurring this week could potentially change the dynamic.

For value-focused investors, this year’s prologue has been a welcome change from the turmoil experienced in early 2025.

In just the past few weeks, some of last year’s most ignored or underappreciated laggards have posted outsized gains, with rallies that have made even momentum-driven tech stock traders envious. Even more remarkable is the fact that much of that strength has been concentrated in ultra-defensive areas of the market like consumer staples, utilities and healthcare.

The market rotation continues to be the main story out there this week, though rumblings of a potential strike on Iran, an update from the January FOMC meeting, and a slew of earnings reports and economic data releases have been giving investors plenty to think about.

In terms of the rotation, the equal‑weight S&P 500 ETF (RSP) is up 5.5% so far this year, illustrating that leadership is broadening beyond the narrow group of mega‑cap stocks that drove much of last year’s performance.

Year to date, the S&P 600 SmallCap Index is up 8.3% and the S&P 400 Mid‑Cap Index is up 7.9%. Both are comfortably outperforming the S&P 500, which is up just 0.1%, and the Nasdaq, which is down 2.1%.

Happy Chinese New Year! The year of the horse is upon us.

China is expecting an incredible 9.5 billion trips to be made during the 40-day Lunar New Year travel period. Chinese automakers are also on the move as the country’s numerous brands sold nearly 200,000 vehicles in Britain last year, doubling their market share to almost 10%.

As U.S. investors have shifted from risk-on to risk-off mode in recent months, a clear disparity between the “haves” and the “have-nots” has materialized.

Let’s start with the “have-nots.” Financials have fared the worst so far this year (-4.7%), followed by technology (-3.1%), communication services and consumer discretionary (-2.8% each). The downturn in the two tech-related sectors in particular is a stark departure from recent years, when technology led the charge of the current bull market.

Cyclical stocks are soaring and technology is floundering in the transformed market.

The bull market is turned upside down. For most of the first three years, technology, and particularly AI stocks, soared while most other stocks did very little. Now, previously meandering stocks are killing it while technology sinks.

Strong fourth-quarter earnings are confirming what the market was already doing.

Current estimates based on earnings reported so far are for 13.2% overall S&P earnings growth for the quarter. It’s a solid quarter and the fifth straight quarter of double-digit earnings growth. In terms of sector performance, cyclical companies are killing it, and technology is floundering, just like before earnings.

Like many coffee aficionados, I have something of a love/hate relationship with Starbucks (SBUX). My main gripe is that the company’s food and beverage offerings have always been pricey compared to the fare served in most fast-food restaurants and run-of-the-mill coffee houses.

The outperformance of small caps continues.

Through Tuesday’s close, the S&P 600 is up 10% year to date versus just 1.6% for the S&P 500.

All but three small-cap sectors are outperforming their large-cap counterpart. The strongest small-cap sectors are materials (+20%), energy (+23%), industrials (+17%), and tech (+11.4%).

Let’s talk about the power of staying invested.

Sure, when the market turns south – and I’m not even sure last week’s mini-dip qualifies – it makes sense to pare back on your weakest stocks and put a larger portion of your portfolio in cash. But taking your ball and going home – selling out of all of your stocks when times are tough – is not a winning strategy. Here’s why.

NOTE: We’re sending this a day early as I’m soon to embark on a trip with the kiddos over the next week. I will be working a good amount from the road, though, and will have updates if need be. Also, next week’s issue will be published as scheduled.

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WHAT TO DO NOW: The market remains very mixed, with growth measures still generally pointed sideways to down, while the broad market remains in solid shape. What’s interesting, though, is that we’re seeing more growth stocks kick into gear, along with some huge buying action in a few “cyclical growth” names. Tonight we’re making one move—adding a half-sized stake in Macom Tech (MTSI)—but are keeping our eyes open for a broader character change among growth stocks. Our cash position will be around 53%.

Today could be a big day for cannabis stocks.

The reason: We may get an important update on the rescheduling timeline.

Cannabis investors will be watching closely today to see whether Attorney General Pam Bondi offers a rescheduling update when she appears before the House Judiciary Committee. Upbeat comments could spark a sharp cannabis sector rally. The hearing starts at 10 a.m. EST.

It’s been an interesting week for quarterly earnings reports. Today I’ll bring you up-to-date on seven companies. Three reported earnings way above estimates, three below estimates, and one exactly on target.

Today’s big-volume selloff has damaged Wynn Resorts (WYNN) in the short-term, so I’m switching the stock from Buy to Hold.

Primo Water (PRMW) reported solid Q3 results last night. The bottom line is that it was another good quarter and the acquisition of Glacial Water looks to be on track. In other news, LogMeIn (LOGM), Mindbody (MB) and LeMaitre Vascular (LMAT) are holding up well, while USA Technologies (USAT) and Mitek (MITK) are looking weak.

We came into this week with 50% cash in the Model Portfolio, and tonight, we’re going to raise a little more cash by selling our remaining shares of a long-time winner.

The downtrend in Chinese stocks is hitting many of our holdings, but has been especially hard on Baozun (BZUN), which we took a half position in on September 9. Sell BZUN.

Health care industry stocks are selling off today due to some negative earnings reports and, possibly more importantly, pessimistic management comments on earnings calls. Two of our portfolio holdings, Amgen (AMGN) and AbbVie (ABBV), are affected. Both reported earnings in the last 24 hours and we are lowering our ratings on both as a result.

Our Cabot Top Ten Trader’s market timing system consists of two parts—one based on the action of three select, growth-oriented market indexes, and the other based on the action of the fast-moving stocks Cabot Top Ten features.