Issues
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.
This month’s issue includes a new addition to the High Yield Tier, updates on all our holdings, and some advice on handling big winners.
Today’s recommendation is a steel stock! It’s a sector that nobody is excited about, but the value proposition is great, and the stock has just blasted off following an excellent earnings report.
Current Market OutlookToday saw another rotation day, with strong selling showing up among leading growth stocks while the broad market was relatively flat and some areas (financials, energy) perking up. As usual, we’ll see if today is the start of something more pronounced; the Nasdaq bumped up against its early June highs this morning, so if the selling continues, we could be looking at an intermediate-term top. However, it’s too early to conclude that—most major indexes remain in clear uptrends, as do the vast majority of leading stocks despite a few bouts of selling in recent weeks. Thus, we remain mostly bullish, holding our winners and looking to hop on new leadership that’s emerging.
This week’s list has another batch of strong growth-oriented stocks, and encouragingly, many are new names from sectors that have recently come to life. Our Top Pick is Celgene (CELG), which looks like a big-cap leader of the new uptrend in biotech stocks.
| Stock Name | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Autohome (ATHM) | 98.65 | ||
| Celgene (CELG) | 0.00 | ||
| Clovis Oncology (CLVS) | 0.00 | ||
| Paycom Software (PAYC) | 0.00 | ||
| Planet Fitness (PLNT) | 0.00 | ||
| Red Hat (RHT) | 0.00 | ||
| Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) | 818.87 | ||
| Trivago (TRVG) | 0.00 | ||
| U.S. Concrete (USCR) | 0.00 | ||
| XPO Logistics (XPO) | 0.00 |
In tonight’s issue, we give you our latest thoughts on each of our stocks and take a deep dive into the issue of handling big winners—a skill that few practice, but done right, it will make a huge difference in your portfolio.
While the Dow Jones Industrial Average has gained some 700 points since our last issue, our contributors and advisors, in general, remain bullish, as you can see from our Advisor Sentiment Barometer.
The market’s main trend remains up, though there is certainly some rotation going on, with technology stocks pulling back and financials and medical stocks surging. My advice is to react slowly to these shifts, taking things on a stock by stock basis according to what the stocks are actually doing—and not assuming anything.
Current Market OutlookThe issue following the huge selloff on June 9 was titled, “What Happens From Here is What Counts,” and so far, we’ve been encouraged by what we’ve seen—the Nasdaq found intraday support three times in the 6,100 to 6,150 area last week, and few growth stocks decisively broke key support levels. And today, we saw the Nasdaq and many leading stocks pop nicely. In the short-term, we can’t say the market is completely out of the woods, so picking your spots makes sense. But our main focus is on the intermediate-term, and the trends there remain up for most major indexes and the vast majority of leading stocks. All in all, we remain mostly bullish, though don’t be surprised to see some more “tests” for the market in the near-term.
This week’s list is also encouraging, as our screens aren’t finding it difficult to find great charts and enticing stories. Our Top Pick is LendingTree (TREE), which just broke out in late-April and has held up well during the recent market wobbles.
| Stock Name | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluebird Bio (BLUE) | 0.00 | ||
| Cooper Companies (COO) | 0.00 | ||
| HealthEquity, Inc. (HQY) | 70.70 | ||
| IAC/InterActiveCorp (IAC) | 0.00 | ||
| Impinj (PI) | 0.00 | ||
| Lending Tree (TREE) | 411.51 | ||
| PayPal (PYPL) | 147.00 | ||
| Summit Materials (SUM) | 0.00 | ||
| Supernus Pharmaceuticals (SUPN) | 52.50 | ||
| Zillow (Z) | 76.64 |
Updates
WHAT TO DO NOW: Big picture, the market and most leaders look great, and our market timing indicators are in fine shape. Near-term, though, there’s little doubt things have gotten a bit giddy, with many names and indexes extended to the upside. Tonight, we’re placing Cava (CAVA) on Hold as that stock has been caught up in some group weakness; we’ll hold our 45% cash position for now, but stay tuned, as we’d like to add some new names (or add to existing names) in the near future.
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.
Alerts
Ulta Beauty (ULTA) has likely formed an intermediate-term top after sinking on earnings during the past three days.
It looks like one of our stocks may be falling prey to a change in regulatory action by the Chinese government. Sell Yirendai (YRD).
I’m putting J.M. Smucker (SJM) on Hold today while we wait to see if the stock can find support, but I don’t think the earnings report merits selling.
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.