Amidst the highly uncertain prognosis for the market, one industry is on its own schedule – energy.

Beyond the immediate price gyrations, the Iran war has changed things.

Before the war, the outlook for energy prices over the rest of this year and beyond was bearish. But that’s changed. Most forecasts are now calling for significantly higher average oil and gas prices going forward than were predicted before the war. And that was before hostilities resumed.

The forecast is higher prices than previously thought, with a significant risk of still higher prices ahead. Meanwhile, the prices of most energy stocks have fallen significantly over the past couple of months.

The current energy situation isn’t even the best reason to buy the best energy stocks. The current situation creates a good entry point for stocks that should have solid longer-term returns. In this issue, one of the very best exploration and production companies is highlighted.

After eight weeks of correction and consolidation, the market is still in the throes of no man’s land. Big picture, the odds continue to favor the next major move being up, and it’s possible earnings season launches some winners given that many stocks have been resting for a couple of months at this point. But overall, little money is being made as money sloshes back and forth based on the news of the day. Some select buying is fine, but we’re not flooring the accelerator until the bulls flex their muscle. We’ll leave our Market Monitor at a level 6.

This week’s list is a bit eclectic, with everything from energy to medicals to fintech and more. For our Top Pick, we’re going with an old school name where the underlying business looks great, as does last week’s earnings-related breakout. We’re OK entering here or (preferably) on dips.

To close out a tough July for stocks comes a potentially game-changing week, with the Fed revealing its latest intentions under newly minted chairman Kevin Warsh, the second-quarter GDP results due out, and more than half of the Mag. 7 reporting earnings. Will all of those newsy events help right the ship, particularly for tech stocks, which are going on two months of steady decline? We’ll see. But I’m quite confident the bull market is not over – not with earnings growth north of 30% so far this quarter. So today, we keep our foot on the growth pedal by adding a potentially revolutionary biotech company that’s caught the fancy of Cabot Growth Investor Chief Analyst Mike Cintolo for quite some time.

Details inside.

The AI and Semiconductor potential reckoning that has gripped Wall Street all month came to a head last week as the biggest names in the group finally stepped up to report earnings, and the market’s response was brutal as many of these strong earnings reports were aggressively sold into. Throw in worries in the Middle East and the Bond Market and it turned out to be a bad setup for stocks. For the week, the Nasdaq bore the brunt with a drop of roughly 2.1%, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.6%, the Dow eased 0.4%, and the Russell 2000 fell 1.1%.

The AI and Semiconductor potential reckoning that has gripped Wall Street all month came to a head last week as the biggest names in the group finally stepped up to report earnings, and the market’s response was brutal as many of these strong earnings reports were aggressively sold into. Throw in worries in the Middle East and the Bond Market and it turned out to be a bad setup for stocks. For the week, the Nasdaq bore the brunt with a drop of roughly 2.1%, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.6%, the Dow eased 0.4%, and the Russell 2000 fell 1.1%.

The AI and Semiconductor potential reckoning that has gripped Wall Street all month came to a head last week as the biggest names in the group finally stepped up to report earnings, and the market’s response was brutal as many of these strong earnings reports were aggressively sold into. Throw in worries in the Middle East and the Bond Market and it turned out to be a bad setup for stocks. For the week, the Nasdaq bore the brunt with a drop of roughly 2.1%, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.6%, the Dow eased 0.4%, and the Russell 2000 fell 1.1%.

As growth investors, we continue to advise a cautious but flexible stance, as our neutral-to-negative growth-focused indicators and the weak action among many leading stocks has us holding lots of cash. That said, we’re really not that negative--most big-picture evidence is still positive, and our watch list is still full of stocks holding in normally while the market finds its way. We have no changes tonight, but are ready to pounce when our indicators give the go-ahead.

Before we dive into this week’s covered call idea we need to clean up a couple positions from the July expiration cycle. First off, FROG, BROS and SN expired for their full profits. However, SEDG and FLEX did not, leaving us with our stock positions which we will exit today.

To execute these trades, you need to:

Sell SEDG Stock

Sell FLEX Stock

Moving on …

The split tape condition we alluded to last week continues to hold sway, with a divergence of strength and weakness among the major sectors. While there are some encouraging signs among key groups—including financials, healthcare and cybersecurity—the primary evidence is still mixed, with cross-currents holding sway and some growth-y names looking for support. Accordingly, we’ll keep our Market Monitor at level 6.

This week’s list has a fair number of stocks that should be able to shake off—or even benefit from—the latest headwinds. Our Top Pick is showing solid momentum and has excellent potential with a promising healthcare franchise.

Midsummer market malaise drags on, but perhaps that will change in the coming weeks now that second-quarter earnings season is in full swing. And while air has certainly come out of the balloon of the AI trade of late, money has mostly rotated into sectors and names that either didn’t participate in or sharply trailed the massive market run-up in April and May. That includes today’s new addition to the Cabot Stock of the Week portfolio. It’s an undervalued healthcare name that I recommended to my Cabot Value Investor readers last month. So far, it’s looking like a smart buy-low choice, as the stock is starting to build momentum. And yet, shares remain undervalued – making it perfect for the current risk-off climate.

Details inside.

The semiconductor selloff went from a sector story to the market’s main event last week, as the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) tumbled into a bear market — down 20% from its recent highs — while investors continued to question whether the enormous sums being poured into AI infrastructure will earn their keep. Adding to the drama, oil surged nearly 10% as the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire wobbled yet again. The encouraging news is that a cool June CPI report (inflation data) and strong results from the big banks kept money rotating — into energy, financials and consumer staples — rather than fleeing stocks altogether.

The semiconductor selloff went from a sector story to the market’s main event last week, as the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) tumbled into a bear market — down 20% from its recent highs — while investors continued to question whether the enormous sums being poured into AI infrastructure will earn their keep. Adding to the drama, oil surged nearly 10% as the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire wobbled yet again. The encouraging news is that a cool June CPI report (inflation data) and strong results from the big banks kept money rotating — into energy, financials and consumer staples — rather than fleeing stocks altogether.

It’s not often that we discuss currencies in the Cabot Turnaround Letter, but given the persistent relative strength of the U.S. dollar right now, I think it’s imperative that we address it—mainly because of how it will likely impact our portfolio holdings going forward.

The top haven asset for the first half of 2026 wasn’t gold, U.S. Treasury bonds or the Japanese yen.

After spending much of the year leading the market higher, small caps have finally run into a little turbulence. Through midday today, the S&P 600 Index is down 1.8% from last Thursday’s close, roughly in line with the S&P 500’s 1.9% decline.

That said, it’s important to keep the recent pullback in perspective. Small caps remain the market’s clear leader in 2026, with the S&P 600 up 20.2% year to date versus an 8.1% gain for the S&P 500.

While flashier, more star-studded teams like Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Kylian Mbappe’s France and Erling Haaland’s Norway garnered most of the headlines at the just-completed World Cup, Spain was the best team. There was nothing flashy about Spain: no mega-stars, not a ton of goals, no relentless attack. Instead, they dominated the tournament with precision passing, immaculate ball control and near-impenetrable (just one goal allowed all tournament!) defense.

High-flying AI-related stocks are facing a high bar of performance. Even what normally would be considered staggering growth is met with a yawn. The backdrop of the Middle East conflict and almost $100 oil is not helpful.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) has outperformed the S&P 500 by 57% this year, even after a sharp correction. This is basically a macro trade, and there are few industries as cyclical, or as capital-intensive, as semiconductor manufacturing.

The market rolls sideways amidst a slew of conflicting forces.

The S&P 500 has bounced around and is at the same level it was in the middle of May. The primary culprit is technology. That sector has been in a funk. The S&P 500 is hard-pressed to generate any lasting traction while this massive sector, accounting for over 40% of the index, flounders.

The market has gone sideways since May. It seems to be deciding what to do.

It’s encouraging that the resumption of hostilities with Iran has not sent the market lower. It’s also positive that oil prices aren’t rising back to the $100 level earlier in the war, although prices have risen. It’s also another earnings season and analysts expect a big one.

With war being one of the most dominant themes of the last four years, it stands to reason that investors should position their portfolios to account for this conspicuous (and unwelcome) trend.

And lest one be tempted to think that the warfare theme will diminish anytime soon, last week’s article by NPR deflates that illusion: It revealed that global military conflicts are at their highest level since WWII.

Price targets are standard practice on Wall Street. But sometimes, they can act as an artificial ceiling.

For example, say Truist sets a price target on an up-and-coming growth stock that’s 25% higher than its current share price. For a growth stock, a 25% return isn’t much. But then again, the stock could be a total flop, which is the natural boom-or-bust tradeoff growth investors must endure in trading off increased risk for massive upside. So, a price target on a growth stock seems almost like an unnecessary cap on a stock that has the potential to go through the roof.

WHAT TO DO NOW: Continue to trim your sails. In the Model Portfolio, we’ve been getting closer and closer to shore as growth funds and indexes are under pressure and AI stocks cascade lower. Tonight we’re going to further trim Marvell (MRVL) given its ugly action, selling a third of what we have left. That will leave the portfolio with a big 58% cash position. We could put some of that to work if growth names find support, but we want to see key growth measures firm up before buying.

After a brief pause last week, small caps are once again leading the pack.

Through Wednesday’s close, the S&P 600 Small Cap Index is up roughly 21% year to date, compared to gains of about 15% for the S&P 400 MidCap Index, 17% for the Nasdaq and 11% for the S&P 500.

Its earnings season again! That’s a good thing. Earnings just might save the day in an otherwise confusing and uncertain market.

The market is causing whiplash. The Iran peace deal changed things. Stocks held back by high oil prices, and the resulting higher inflation and interest rates, reignited as oil prices came back down after the peace deal. But hostilities with Iran have resumed.

The peace deal may be on hold again. But stocks are hanging in there so far.

The ceasefire with Iran is over and hostilities have resumed. That sounds like a bigger bummer than it’s been in the market so far. Falling oil prices enabled previously beleaguered stocks to soar higher again as the prognosis for inflation and interest rates simultaneously improved. But that rally is over if oil prices spike higher again.

Today we have two recommendations from Jim Oberweis at The Oberweis Report. Oberweis is cashing in his 50%-plus gains in DigitalGlobe (DGI), recommended last October, which no longer looks promising going forward. But he also has a new recommendation, below:

Evolution Petroleum Corp. (EPM)

Evolution Petroleum is a petroleum company engaged primarily...

Sell Alert: DigitalGlobe (DGI)
from The Oberweis Report, recommended around $21 in Investment Digest issue 728, dated October 10, 2012.

DigitalGlobe (DGI) is being deleted due to projected losses in the coming quarters.

Jim Oberweis, CFA, The Oberweis Report, www.oberweisreport.com, 800-323-6166, August 2013...

Today Wall Street Stock Forecaster Editor Patrick McKeough recommends a well-known stock that has been a target of speculation lately. Pershing Square Capital Founder Bill Ackman is seeking co-investors for a large investment in a public company, and while he has not named his target, he’s given enough hints that...

In today’s Daily Alert The Complete Investor Editor Stephen Leeb introduces a stock with a unique business model in the resurgent solar power industry. A recent IPO, the stock doesn’t have much history, but it has done well in its seven-and-a-half months as a public company. This stock is appropriate...

Today’s Daily Alert contains two important updates.

The Energy Strategist analysts are raising their buy target on a recent recommendation, giving new subscribers and anyone else who doesn’t own this stock yet a chance to get in on their “favorite idea in the entire energy universe.”

Following their update, we have a...

In today’s Daily Alert, Argus Analyst Christopher Graja is upgrading a stock that you may know from the mall, but probably haven’t seen in the financial press lately. This under-the-radar retail stock has been choppy year to date, but a long-term chart shows that its overall trend is still up....

Today The Buyback Letter Analyst David Fried recommends a growing company in the financial industry. The stock pays a small quarterly dividend and has strong momentum.

State Street Corporation (STT) is one of the world’s leading providers of financial services to institutional investors including investment servicing, investment management and investment research...

Today we have one more mid-year update on a Top Pick for 2013, from The Medical Technology Stock Letter Analyst John McCamant. For new subscribers, his Top Pick is nearly buyable at current levels; a market pullback in the next day or two could provide an opportunity to make this...

You’ll receive your new Investment Digest issue, with our experts’ updates on their Top Picks for 2013, this afternoon. First, here’s one more in-depth update from Gene Inger, whose Top Pick was Nuance Communications (NUAN).

“Nuance Communications, Inc. (NUAN) has actually made some progress here at midyear; lots of it isn’t...

Today’s Top Picks for 2013 mid-year update comes from Sound Advice Editor Gray Cardiff.

“Bond prices dropped sharply in mid-June, sending yields upward, just after Mr. Bernanke said that the Federal Reserve may begin scaling back its $85 billion monthly bond purchases later this year as long as the economy continues...

Today S.A. Advisory Editor William Velmer introduces his new Top Pick for the second half of 2013.

“Command Center, Inc. (CCNI, OTC) provides flexible, on-demand employment and staffing solutions to businesses nationwide through a network of more than 58 brand stores. During 2012, CCNI provided employment for 35,500 team members that...

In today’s Daily Alert, Dow Theory Forecasts Editor Richard Moroney introduces a great all-around stock. The new recommendation is followed by a sell alert from Cabot Benjamin Graham Value Investor.

“Macy’s, Inc.’s (M, NYSE) steady operating momentum over the past three years has translated into rapid dividend growth and impressive share-price...

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 Momentum 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 Momentum Trader features.