Issues
Your Spring issue of Cabot’s 10 Best Marijuana Stocks is ready, with updates on the 10 stocks we’ve been following and two new stocks I’ve added to the mix.
And it’s a great time to take a fresh look at all of them, as the market’s recent correction has brought most of them down to what look like good buying areas. Yes, the correction is deep, but it was overdue, and long term, I remain very optimistic about the sector.
And it’s a great time to take a fresh look at all of them, as the market’s recent correction has brought most of them down to what look like good buying areas. Yes, the correction is deep, but it was overdue, and long term, I remain very optimistic about the sector.
Do you feel like you’ve been on a roller-coaster lately? Well, you’ll probably need to hold on tighter to your seats this year, as it looks like market volatility is here to stay. After several multi-hundred point swings in the past month, and surging past the 26,000 mark, the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s net loss since our last newsletter was some 745 points. And while the overall market sentiment remains bullish, the bears have gained some steam—for longer-term prognostications.
After a two-week correction that prompted us to axe some stocks from the portfolio and reduce our exposure to others, markets have staged an abrupt about-face and staged a four-day rally. It’s not enough to turn our shorter-term indicators positive, but it’s a welcome relief. If the rally continues—which would be unusual given the history of similar corrections—we will change our tactics accordingly.
Today’s bargain is a little-known stock in the fast-growing industry of marijuana farming, production and distribution, which recently was selling at a discount of more than 50% from its recent high. It’s rebounded a bit since then, but is trading calmly, and I think this is a decent entry point.
Current Market OutlookAfter a 10-day, 11% plunge for the major indexes, the market has stabilized for the time being. When looking at the evidence, we see that the longer-term trend is still up, but there’s no doubt the intermediate-term trend is down, the broad market is unhealthy and many stocks have cracked. A bounce could easily get underway at any time, but until the intermediate-term trend turns up (indexes back above their 50-day lines and some stocks acting better), you should play some defense by holding cash, cutting back on new buying and, if you own some broken stocks, using any market rebound to pare back. On the flip side, we still advise holding your resilient stocks—if they’ve held up so far, they have a good chance of doing well whenever the correction finishes up.
What’s interesting is that, despite the market carnage, we saw a ton of positive earnings surprises last week—which is a good way to spot potential leaders down the road. Our Top Pick is Grubhub (GRUB), which has the look of an emerging blue chip.
| Stock Name | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Array Biopharma (ARRY) | 46.35 | ||
| BeiGene (BGNE) | 170.20 | ||
| Century Aluminum Co. (CENX) | 17.24 | ||
| Fortinet Inc. (FTNT) | 137.53 | ||
| GrubHub (GRUB) | 140.03 | ||
| New Relic (NEWR) | 103.70 | ||
| Snap Inc. (SNAP) | 16.68 | ||
| Twitter (TWTR) | 40.37 | ||
| W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) | 311.99 | ||
| Wayfair (W) | 167.03 |
In the last two weeks we’ve seen unusual volatility in the stock market coupled with rising interest rates. However, the fundamentals remain strong and our long-term view is positive.
Emerging market stocks corrected sharply along with U.S. stocks today, dropping back to December levels and closing decisively below the MSCI EM ETF’s 25- and 50-day moving averages. We didn’t really need that kind of technical signal to tell us that all growth stocks were falling off the end of the dock, but it’s good to get a formal notice.
This week’s recommendation is a special situation—a transport stock that, thanks mostly to a game changing acquisition, is poised for major earnings growth. And the stock is holding up well after a recent earnings pop.
Updates
What a difference a month can make! What an April! The S&P rose 9.6% in April, making it the best single month for the market in six years. It hit an all-time high on Friday.
Sure, the war isn’t over. But the market doesn’t really seem to regard it as a war anymore, more like a blockade situation with the possibility of some skirmishes. While there is still headline risk, investors have moved beyond this war and are focusing on earnings. And for good reasons.
Sure, the war isn’t over. But the market doesn’t really seem to regard it as a war anymore, more like a blockade situation with the possibility of some skirmishes. While there is still headline risk, investors have moved beyond this war and are focusing on earnings. And for good reasons.
The results are in for the month of April. It was fabulous. The S&P rose 9.6%, making it the best single month for the market in six years. It hit an all-time high on Friday.
Sure, the war isn’t over. But the market doesn’t really seem to regard it as a war anymore, more like a blockade situation with the possibility of minor skirmishes. While there is still headline risk, investors have moved beyond this war and are focusing on earnings.
Sure, the war isn’t over. But the market doesn’t really seem to regard it as a war anymore, more like a blockade situation with the possibility of minor skirmishes. While there is still headline risk, investors have moved beyond this war and are focusing on earnings.
Now before you call me crazy concerning today’s newsletter headline, hear me out.
Even though large-cap names have garnered more than a fair share of attention among investors this year, I think a case can be made that companies with big capitalizations have a lot more room to run higher before they can be truly regarded as “overbought” or “played out.”
Even though large-cap names have garnered more than a fair share of attention among investors this year, I think a case can be made that companies with big capitalizations have a lot more room to run higher before they can be truly regarded as “overbought” or “played out.”
The market is digesting the push and pull of higher oil prices, a deeply divided Federal Reserve, prospects for a prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and fading momentum from the AI trade that helped push markets to all‑time highs earlier this month.
Despite the crosscurrents, the overall tone still tilts bullish, supported by investor comfort (for the time being) with the geopolitical tension, resilience in the U.S. economy, and improving visibility into earnings growth over the coming quarters.
Despite the crosscurrents, the overall tone still tilts bullish, supported by investor comfort (for the time being) with the geopolitical tension, resilience in the U.S. economy, and improving visibility into earnings growth over the coming quarters.
Yesterday, four tech giants, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft, representing 22% of the S&P 500’s market value, reported strong quarterly earnings that highlighted the importance of AI.
You might think the above companies and their AI brethren are “asset light” companies but you would be very wrong.
You might think the above companies and their AI brethren are “asset light” companies but you would be very wrong.
It’s been a glorious April following a miserable March for the market. What happens in May may determine which direction stocks are headed for the rest of the year.
That’s probably overstating things a bit, but May should be crucial for the reasons we discussed last week: namely, the fate of the Iran war, but also the bulk of first-quarter earnings season and the introduction of a new Fed chair.
That’s probably overstating things a bit, but May should be crucial for the reasons we discussed last week: namely, the fate of the Iran war, but also the bulk of first-quarter earnings season and the introduction of a new Fed chair.
What war? This market is moving on. We may not be out of the woods yet, but investors are looking beyond the Iran war.
Stocks have already made up all losses from a rough March and then some. The S&P 500 had fallen 7.7% in the month of March by the 30th. Since then, the index has rallied over 13%. The S&P is now at a higher level than before the war began and is hitting new all-time highs.
Stocks have already made up all losses from a rough March and then some. The S&P 500 had fallen 7.7% in the month of March by the 30th. Since then, the index has rallied over 13%. The S&P is now at a higher level than before the war began and is hitting new all-time highs.
The other day I was paid a visit by a roving ISP salesman who was pitching his company’s fledgling internet service over the local monopoly’s. We struck up a conversation and he asked what I did for a living. When I told him, his eyes lit up and he asked, “Got any good stocks you can recommend?”
Without thinking I blurted out, “Anything AI-related. You can’t go wrong.” The advice was only semi-facetious, for there’s undeniably a degree of truth behind it. My instinctive response to that question also prompted me to consider the question: just how long can the broad market continue its “all things AI” run without broader sector participation
Without thinking I blurted out, “Anything AI-related. You can’t go wrong.” The advice was only semi-facetious, for there’s undeniably a degree of truth behind it. My instinctive response to that question also prompted me to consider the question: just how long can the broad market continue its “all things AI” run without broader sector participation
Note: I’m out of town this week, so I’ll be a bit briefer on the update today—but I’m still checking my laptop a couple of times a day if you have any questions or comments. I’ll be back at my desk come Monday. Cheers.
WHAT TO DO NOW: Remain optimistic. The market and some leaders have hesitated, but all of our market timing indicators are bullish, and most stocks we own or are watching are working. Last Friday, we bought a half-sized stake in Nebius (NBIS) and added a 3% additional stake in ProShares S&P 500 Fund (SSO); earlier this week, we sold our small remaining position in GE Aerospace (GE); and tonight, we’ll buy a half-sized position (5% of the portfolio ) in Cava (CAVA). We’ll still have 46% in cash or so after these moves.
WHAT TO DO NOW: Remain optimistic. The market and some leaders have hesitated, but all of our market timing indicators are bullish, and most stocks we own or are watching are working. Last Friday, we bought a half-sized stake in Nebius (NBIS) and added a 3% additional stake in ProShares S&P 500 Fund (SSO); earlier this week, we sold our small remaining position in GE Aerospace (GE); and tonight, we’ll buy a half-sized position (5% of the portfolio ) in Cava (CAVA). We’ll still have 46% in cash or so after these moves.
Despite all the headline noise lately we’re marching deeper into first‑quarter earnings season with the market’s path of least resistance still pointing higher.
Optimism around the extension of the tentative ceasefire in the Middle East has reduced geopolitical anxiety to a seemingly manageable level. The U.S. economy continues to show resilience, and the corporate earnings outlook points toward meaningful growth in the coming quarters and years.
Optimism around the extension of the tentative ceasefire in the Middle East has reduced geopolitical anxiety to a seemingly manageable level. The U.S. economy continues to show resilience, and the corporate earnings outlook points toward meaningful growth in the coming quarters and years.
The old saying, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes,” is an apt one for the stock market these last two years.
In early 2025, the S&P 500 raced to new all-time highs before peaking in late January/early February, only to get dragged down in March and April by a geopolitical crisis (tariffs/Liberation Day), before rallying in a V-shaped pattern as the severity of the crisis abated.
In early 2025, the S&P 500 raced to new all-time highs before peaking in late January/early February, only to get dragged down in March and April by a geopolitical crisis (tariffs/Liberation Day), before rallying in a V-shaped pattern as the severity of the crisis abated.
The market turned on the afterburners. The S&P 500 made up all the March losses and catapulted to a brand new high in a remarkably short time. It’s a market that sure looks like it wants to go higher. But stocks are being held back this week by more war uncertainty.
The current ceasefire with Iran expires on Wenesday night. Talks may not happen, and war talk is growing. The resumption of the war will almost certainly prompt a decline in the market. Aside from that near-term threat, investors are clearly looking past this war. Hopefully, it won’t last much longer.
The current ceasefire with Iran expires on Wenesday night. Talks may not happen, and war talk is growing. The resumption of the war will almost certainly prompt a decline in the market. Aside from that near-term threat, investors are clearly looking past this war. Hopefully, it won’t last much longer.
Alerts
For 2017, 12 analysts have increased their earnings estimates for this home builder, and the stock was recently upgraded by FBR & Co. to ‘Outperform’ and by BofA/Merrill, to ‘Buy’.
GameStop (GME) is about 5% lower today after Target (TGT) reported earnings that missed estimates and issued disappointing guidance. Other store-based retailers are also pulling back today. Analysts fear that Target stores’ lower traffic and comp sales are a bellwether for other brick-and-mortar retailers.
This telecom company beat analysts’ estimates by $0.12 last quarter, and Wall Street is forecasting triple-digit growth for the company this year.
This Internet of Things company beat estimates by $0.11 last quarter. Analysts expect double-digit growth this year and next, with 11 increasing their 2017 estimates in the past 30 days.
Synchronoss Technologies (SNCR) is the subject of an investigative report published today by the Southern Investigative Reporting Foundation.
12 analysts have increased their 2017 earnings forecasts and seven have raised their 2018 estimates for this telecom company in the past 30 days.
Stockbrokers.com just ranked this brokerage company #1. The shares were recently upgraded to ‘Outperform’ at Credit Suisse and Nomura.
I’m maintaining my rating of Hold Half for the time being. I’ll keep a close eye on the stock and will update you again in Friday’s Weekly Update.
Updates on 10 of our stocks and more.
Bank of America analysts just upgraded the shares of this tech company to ‘Buy’. The company beat analysts’ estimates by four cents last quarter.
The retail sector has been tight all last year, and it doesn’t look like things will be improving anytime soon.
We’re going to buy a growth-oriented firm that offers a range of lending services in Texas and elsewhere. The company’s sales and earnings growth are accelerating and we think the stock can do well in a bull market.
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.