Issues
As I do from time to time around the major holidays, I spent much of the weekend hanging with family and traveling. That means this week’s Monday Week in Review will be focused on our open positions.
Of note, I am working the full week, outside of Thursday, when the market will be closed for New Year’s.
Of note, I am working the full week, outside of Thursday, when the market will be closed for New Year’s.
As I do from time to time around the major holidays, I spent much of the weekend hanging with family and traveling. That means this week’s Monday Week in Review will be focused on our open positions.
Of note, I am working the full week, outside of Thursday, when the market will be closed for New Year’s.
Of note, I am working the full week, outside of Thursday, when the market will be closed for New Year’s.
First and foremost, all of us here at Cabot wish you and your family a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year. Our offices will close early today and be closed tomorrow, but we’ll be back at it next week.
As for the evidence, it remains in a similar place as it has been: Market-wide, most of what we look at is positive, and bigger picture, the odds continue to favor the major indexes having solid upside in the months ahead. That said, growth stocks and funds are much more mixed, and near term, some crosscurrents are likely due to the calendar and elevated sentiment. All in all, with growth stocks, we’re continuing to take it step-by-step, emphasizing the positive while pruning names that are weak. Tonight we’re filling out our stake in one recent purchase, leaving us with 45% on the sideline.
As for the evidence, it remains in a similar place as it has been: Market-wide, most of what we look at is positive, and bigger picture, the odds continue to favor the major indexes having solid upside in the months ahead. That said, growth stocks and funds are much more mixed, and near term, some crosscurrents are likely due to the calendar and elevated sentiment. All in all, with growth stocks, we’re continuing to take it step-by-step, emphasizing the positive while pruning names that are weak. Tonight we’re filling out our stake in one recent purchase, leaving us with 45% on the sideline.
Despite a mid-week wobble in tech (especially AI stocks), the bulls stepped up Thursday and Friday, and by week’s end the indexes finished mostly mixed. The S&P 500 gained 0.1%, the Dow lost 0.7%, the Nasdaq rose by 0.5% and the Russell fell 0.9%.
The market has been spectacular. Can we expect more of the same in 2026?
The S&P is up a staggering 95% since this bull market began in October of 2022. It’s up 128% this decade, for an average annual return of about 15%, 50% higher than the historical average.
The huge returns have been all technology. Without technology, market returns for the past few years would be rather uninspired. But there is growing investor angst regarding the sustainability of technology valuations and whether all this massive AI investment will deliver tangible payoffs. The sector could have a tougher year in 2026.
Fortunately, there are a lot of stocks that aren’t technology. The rest of the market cares more about interest rates and the economy, and those things are shaping up well. The Fed is in a rate-cutting cycle, inflation is subdued, oil is cheap, and a higher level of economic growth is expected in 2026.
The rally is broadening, and 2026 may be a year for non-technology stocks to shine. Overall earnings are expected to grow 14% next year, with much of the growth over last year coming from other sectors. Many stocks in other industries sell at cheaper valuations than the market, and performance is improving as investors seek to diversify beyond technology.
The bull market has been lopsided toward technology so far. But 2026 is shaping up to be a year for other stocks to catch up. In this issue, I highlight a stock poised to do just that in the year ahead.
The S&P is up a staggering 95% since this bull market began in October of 2022. It’s up 128% this decade, for an average annual return of about 15%, 50% higher than the historical average.
The huge returns have been all technology. Without technology, market returns for the past few years would be rather uninspired. But there is growing investor angst regarding the sustainability of technology valuations and whether all this massive AI investment will deliver tangible payoffs. The sector could have a tougher year in 2026.
Fortunately, there are a lot of stocks that aren’t technology. The rest of the market cares more about interest rates and the economy, and those things are shaping up well. The Fed is in a rate-cutting cycle, inflation is subdued, oil is cheap, and a higher level of economic growth is expected in 2026.
The rally is broadening, and 2026 may be a year for non-technology stocks to shine. Overall earnings are expected to grow 14% next year, with much of the growth over last year coming from other sectors. Many stocks in other industries sell at cheaper valuations than the market, and performance is improving as investors seek to diversify beyond technology.
The bull market has been lopsided toward technology so far. But 2026 is shaping up to be a year for other stocks to catch up. In this issue, I highlight a stock poised to do just that in the year ahead.
First off, some housekeeping: This is our last Top Ten issue of the year, as next Monday is the second of two “off” weeks we have all year. We will, however, send out a full Movers & Shakers update next Monday (December 29) to keep you up to date. Most important, we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
As for the market, the five-day dip into last Wednesday was a downer, but it looks like a year-end rally is underway, with the indexes and many stocks lifting nicely of late. Of course, looking ahead, early January is usually very tricky, though as always, we’ll just take it as it comes: Today, we continue to see more good than bad out there, though it does depend on where you look, with cyclical and financial areas doing well while growth areas are picking up steam but lagging. We’ll nudge our Market Monitor up to a level 7, respecting the action, but focusing on what’s working remains paramount.
This week’s list is again well balanced, with some strong names continuing their moves and other titles emerging after long rest periods. Our Top Pick has many industry-wide and company-specific tailwinds, and the stock looks to be changing character as it discounts a much brighter future.
As for the market, the five-day dip into last Wednesday was a downer, but it looks like a year-end rally is underway, with the indexes and many stocks lifting nicely of late. Of course, looking ahead, early January is usually very tricky, though as always, we’ll just take it as it comes: Today, we continue to see more good than bad out there, though it does depend on where you look, with cyclical and financial areas doing well while growth areas are picking up steam but lagging. We’ll nudge our Market Monitor up to a level 7, respecting the action, but focusing on what’s working remains paramount.
This week’s list is again well balanced, with some strong names continuing their moves and other titles emerging after long rest periods. Our Top Pick has many industry-wide and company-specific tailwinds, and the stock looks to be changing character as it discounts a much brighter future.
In our final issue of 2025, we close out what has been another extremely profitable year for the market and the Stock of the Week portfolio by adding one more risk-on stock that will hopefully take flight in the new year. It’s a mid-cap nuclear energy play that was recently recommended by Tyler Laundon to his Cabot Early Opportunities audience. We will be back with our next issue in two weeks, on January 5, 2026. In the meantime, enjoy today’s issue – and Happy Holidays!
Please note, here is the schedule for the holiday-shortened week:
You will receive the Daily Option Order Flow email Monday through Thursday mornings, and then again starting the following Tuesday.
Have a great holiday!
Despite a mid-week wobble in tech (especially AI stocks), the bulls stepped up Thursday and Friday, and by week’s end the indexes finished mostly mixed. The S&P 500 gained 0.1%, the Dow lost 0.7%, the Nasdaq rose by 0.5% and the Russell fell 0.9%.
- The stock market will be open Monday through Wednesday until 1 eastern.
- Closed Wednesday afternoon and Thursday.
- Open on Friday.
You will receive the Daily Option Order Flow email Monday through Thursday mornings, and then again starting the following Tuesday.
Have a great holiday!
Despite a mid-week wobble in tech (especially AI stocks), the bulls stepped up Thursday and Friday, and by week’s end the indexes finished mostly mixed. The S&P 500 gained 0.1%, the Dow lost 0.7%, the Nasdaq rose by 0.5% and the Russell fell 0.9%.
Please note, here is the schedule for the holiday-shortened week:
You will receive the Daily Option Order Flow email Monday through Thursday mornings, and then again starting the following Tuesday.
Have a great holiday!
Despite a mid-week wobble in tech (especially AI stocks), the bulls stepped up Thursday and Friday, and by week’s end the indexes finished mostly mixed. The S&P 500 gained 0.1%, the Dow lost 0.7%, the Nasdaq rose by 0.5% and the Russell fell 0.9%.
- The stock market will be open Monday through Wednesday until 1 eastern.
- Closed Wednesday afternoon and Thursday.
- Open on Friday.
You will receive the Daily Option Order Flow email Monday through Thursday mornings, and then again starting the following Tuesday.
Have a great holiday!
Despite a mid-week wobble in tech (especially AI stocks), the bulls stepped up Thursday and Friday, and by week’s end the indexes finished mostly mixed. The S&P 500 gained 0.1%, the Dow lost 0.7%, the Nasdaq rose by 0.5% and the Russell fell 0.9%.
Amid all the noise, you may have missed that Microsoft (MSFT) is investing $5.4 billion over the next two years to expand its existing data center capacity in Canada. The investment is primarily aimed at strengthening Canada’s AI and cloud infrastructure in Toronto and Quebec City.
Microsoft has pledged to keep Canadian data on Canadian soil and is launching a new “Threat Intelligence Hub” in Ottawa. This hub will allow experts to work closely with the Canadian government on cybersecurity threat monitoring.
This is a big win for Canada and is likely tied to one of the country’s secret weapons: cheap, dependable hydro power. This is where we go for this week’s new recommendation.
Microsoft has pledged to keep Canadian data on Canadian soil and is launching a new “Threat Intelligence Hub” in Ottawa. This hub will allow experts to work closely with the Canadian government on cybersecurity threat monitoring.
This is a big win for Canada and is likely tied to one of the country’s secret weapons: cheap, dependable hydro power. This is where we go for this week’s new recommendation.
While momentum in many of 2025’s leading growth and AI names has waned, there are many “new” groups of stocks acting very well. This month’s issue focuses on these companies, which might offer somewhat less top-line growth but still significant upside share price potential.
This month’s issue tilts toward industrial-type names, like companies that make filters and specialized bearings for mission-critical equipment, power converters for data centers and medical imaging devices, and protection equipment for nuclear facilities. We also have a cruise line operator that’s crushing it.
Enjoy!
This month’s issue tilts toward industrial-type names, like companies that make filters and specialized bearings for mission-critical equipment, power converters for data centers and medical imaging devices, and protection equipment for nuclear facilities. We also have a cruise line operator that’s crushing it.
Enjoy!
Despite a late-week sell-off, stocks finished last week with a mixed but telling tape. Federal Reserve policymakers delivered a widely anticipated 25 basis-point rate cut mid-week — reinforcing easier policy expectations — while fresh highs in cyclicals and small caps early in the week signaled strong breadth, only to be met by renewed AI valuation angst into Friday. Rotation out of mega-cap tech and into value names helped buoy the Dow and Russell 2000, which gained 1% and 0.5%, respectively, even as the tech-heavier S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell 0.6% and 1.6%.
Updates
The waiting game continues. President Donald Trump teased cannabis rescheduling in an August 11 press briefing, suggesting it would happen in a few weeks.
A month has passed, but no joy yet for cannabis investors.
While it would make more sense to reschedule closer to the 2026 mid-term elections for greater political impact, media reports once again recently cited Washington, D.C., insiders who say rescheduling will happen soon.
A month has passed, but no joy yet for cannabis investors.
While it would make more sense to reschedule closer to the 2026 mid-term elections for greater political impact, media reports once again recently cited Washington, D.C., insiders who say rescheduling will happen soon.
The market is enduring the post-summer market well, so far. The expected Fed rate cut is pushing stocks higher.
There are few things Wall Street loves more than rate cuts. And there is one almost surely on the way. Traders are assigning better than 90% probability to a cut. But speculation is growing as an increasing number of analysts expect a 0.50% cut, instead of the usual 0.25%.
There are few things Wall Street loves more than rate cuts. And there is one almost surely on the way. Traders are assigning better than 90% probability to a cut. But speculation is growing as an increasing number of analysts expect a 0.50% cut, instead of the usual 0.25%.
It has been called “Beijing’s missile fashion week” by news outlets, and it commanded a fair share of this week’s headlines. It’s also a reminder to investors why the defense sector is still in a leadership position from a relative strength standpoint, driven by ongoing military conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Yesterday, Alphabet (GOOG) shares were up 8% after it avoided harsh antitrust penalties keeping its browser and partnership with Apple (APPL). Alibaba (BABA) shares were up 9.9% this week as quarterly cloud growth was up 26% year-over-year and profits exceeded expectations.
Uncertainty and a weak dollar are two reasons gold and silver are doing so well. The pressure on the Federal Reserve, political volatility, and voracious central bank buying from China and other countries are also factors.
Uncertainty and a weak dollar are two reasons gold and silver are doing so well. The pressure on the Federal Reserve, political volatility, and voracious central bank buying from China and other countries are also factors.
The post-Labor Day market is here. And it’s starting off ugly.
The sobered-up, post-summer investor is notoriously cranky. That’s why September is historically the worst month. Combine that fact with a market that is within a whisker of the high with plenty of uncertainty swirling around, and you have a recipe for trouble.
The sobered-up, post-summer investor is notoriously cranky. That’s why September is historically the worst month. Combine that fact with a market that is within a whisker of the high with plenty of uncertainty swirling around, and you have a recipe for trouble.
The day of reckoning has arrived. The summer is over. It’s after Labor Day. What will sobered-up investors see when they really start paying attention again?
The post-summer investor can be cranky. That’s why September is historically the worst-performing month in the market. Combine that fact with a market that is within a whisker of the high with plenty of uncertainty swirling around, and you have a recipe for potential turbulence.
The post-summer investor can be cranky. That’s why September is historically the worst-performing month in the market. Combine that fact with a market that is within a whisker of the high with plenty of uncertainty swirling around, and you have a recipe for potential turbulence.
WHAT TO DO NOW: The market remains in good shape as we roll into the long weekend, and we’re happy to see some growth stocks rebound in recent days, with today being a solid performance. That’s not a signal to cannonball into the pool, but with a huge cash position, we’re doing some buying tonight, buying another 3% position in GE Vernova (GEV) and starting a half-sized stake in MP Materials (MP). We’re close to adding some other names, too, but we’ll start with these moves and go from there. Our cash position will be around 49%.
Small caps shot higher last Friday after Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated his willingness to consider a September rate cut.
On Friday, the S&P 600 SmallCap Index jumped by 3.8%, blasting through the 1,400 level that has served as intermittent overhead resistance in July and August. The index also broke through the 1,424 level, which the index jumped to following the weak jobs report a couple weeks ago.
On Friday, the S&P 600 SmallCap Index jumped by 3.8%, blasting through the 1,400 level that has served as intermittent overhead resistance in July and August. The index also broke through the 1,424 level, which the index jumped to following the weak jobs report a couple weeks ago.
It’s been a rough few years for the housing sector.
Ever since the Fed raised interest rates to multi-decade highs in 2022/2023, both housing starts and existing home sales have fallen off a cliff in the U.S. Housing starts peaked at 1.82 million in April 2022; they dipped as low as 1.28 million this May, a 30% dropoff. Existing home sales have fallen even further, from a 6.6-million-unit peak in January 2021 to a 3.9-million-unit nadir this June – a 41% haircut.
Ever since the Fed raised interest rates to multi-decade highs in 2022/2023, both housing starts and existing home sales have fallen off a cliff in the U.S. Housing starts peaked at 1.82 million in April 2022; they dipped as low as 1.28 million this May, a 30% dropoff. Existing home sales have fallen even further, from a 6.6-million-unit peak in January 2021 to a 3.9-million-unit nadir this June – a 41% haircut.
The market is solid. It is within a whisker of the high. But this is the last week of August. What will it do when investors start really paying attention again after Labor Day?
There has been some back and forth recently. The indexes pulled back as technology and the AI trade ran out of gas. But then stocks rallied again after the Fed Chairman indicated at the Jackson Hole speech last week that the central bank would finally cut the fed funds rate in September. Wall Street loves rate cuts.
There has been some back and forth recently. The indexes pulled back as technology and the AI trade ran out of gas. But then stocks rallied again after the Fed Chairman indicated at the Jackson Hole speech last week that the central bank would finally cut the fed funds rate in September. Wall Street loves rate cuts.
A theme that has emerged in the last couple of weeks is rotation out of this summer’s high-flyers and into some of the market’s biggest laggards of recent months. While this is encouraging from our perspective, especially since it bodes well for some of the turnarounds in our portfolio, it’s also a reason for embracing a measure of caution, as it shows that the broad market still isn’t firing on all cylinders.
Alerts
Delcath (DCTH) reported before the bell this morning that Q4 revenue was $15.1 million (+2,701%) and adjusted EPS was $0.00. Revenue beat by $1.5 million (almost 11%). Gross margin was 86%.
It’s been a pretty ugly stretch lately, with numerous crashes in a number of growthy names. I’m far from confident that the selling is over, however, history has shown that a little buying when things seem bleak can pay off.
As I mentioned in this week’s update, CEG has some technical support around the $225 per share range. The stock had been flying high but has been under considerable pressure recently. CEG (currently around $227 per share) is down over 35% from the high made in late January.
Please sell our Recursion Pharmaceuticals (RXRX) recommendation, as after a strong start the stock has pulled back sharply.
Portfolios
Strategy
A few Cabot Options Trader subscribers have asked me about ways to protect gains in their portfolios, so I thought I would write to everyone with a couple of strategies using options to hedge your portfolio.
A subscriber recently asked me if I keep a journal of my trades. Many traders keep journals so they can look back at their trades and evaluate what they did right and what they did wrong.
Want to know how the big institutional investors use options? Here is an example of how one trader spent $132 million on three technology stocks.
Options trading has its own vernacular. To know how to do it, you need to know what every options term means. Here are some of the basics.
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.