Issues
If you are a commodities or small-cap investor, you’d probably be heavily invested right now -- but, for growth stocks, the environment remains challenging, with lots of ups and downs but no real progress, and with most growth funds (including the Nasdaq) under performing even defensive stocks. The odds favor the next major move being up, but until that starts, we’re staying relatively close to shore and waiting for more stocks to get going, possibly during earnings season.
Momentum has broadened out to start 2026, with several previously under‑the‑radar groups (like industrials) showing powerful relative strength, even as last year’s market leaders take a breather.
This month’s issue leans into these emerging trends. I feature companies tied to infrastructure, building systems, aerospace engines, and industrial filtration. I’ve also included a fast‑moving biotech company with multiple near‑term catalysts.
Enjoy!
This month’s issue leans into these emerging trends. I feature companies tied to infrastructure, building systems, aerospace engines, and industrial filtration. I’ve also included a fast‑moving biotech company with multiple near‑term catalysts.
Enjoy!
Coming off record highs early last week, U.S. equities drifted lower as the week progressed as the first week of the corporate earnings season unfolded. And despite upbeat earnings from select tech and semiconductor names, profit-taking set in across large caps late in the week and kept the major averages slightly underwater by Friday’s close. Small caps bucked the broader trend, continuing their early-year leadership as the Russell 2000 extended gains on optimism around economic resilience and rotation out of mega caps. For the week, the S&P 500 lost 0.4%, the Dow fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined by 0.7%.
The market took a good-sized hit today, and we see the action as a shot across the bow and are remaining flexible. But as always, we’re going to go with what’s in front of us: Right here, many stocks remain in good shape, though clearly things are mixed, while some yellow flags have arisen. It’s imperative to stick with what’s working, aim for decent entry points and actively manage your portfolio (partial profits on the way up, raising stops, etc.). We’ll again stick with a level 7 on the Market Monitor, though the next few days should be telling.
This week’s list has a bigger growth mix, though as has been the case, there’s something for everyone here. Our Top Pick has shown outstanding power and ties into both AI and the recently strong defense and space trades. Try to buy on further weakness.
This week’s list has a bigger growth mix, though as has been the case, there’s something for everyone here. Our Top Pick has shown outstanding power and ties into both AI and the recently strong defense and space trades. Try to buy on further weakness.
Tariffs are back in the news, and the market doesn’t like it. How long they remain in the news is anybody’s guess. Perhaps the situation will be settled over lunch in Davos this week. In the meantime, fourth-quarter earnings season serves as a welcome diversion and ramps up this week after some mixed results from the banks last week. Speaking of banks, today we add a regional play that should pair well with our Morgan Stanley (MS) holding. It’s a lower-risk, income-generating stock that is a new choice of Cabot Dividend Investor Chief Analyst Tom Hutchinson.
Details inside.
Details inside.
*Please note, S&P 500 futures are indicated lower by 1.5% this morning on renewed tariff fears.
Coming off record highs early last week, U.S. equities drifted lower as the week progressed as the first week of the corporate earnings season unfolded. And despite upbeat earnings from select tech and semiconductor names, profit-taking set in across large caps late in the week and kept the major averages slightly underwater by Friday’s close. Small caps bucked the broader trend, continuing their early-year leadership as the Russell 2000 extended gains on optimism around economic resilience and rotation out of mega caps. For the week, the S&P 500 lost 0.4%, the Dow fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined by 0.7%.
Coming off record highs early last week, U.S. equities drifted lower as the week progressed as the first week of the corporate earnings season unfolded. And despite upbeat earnings from select tech and semiconductor names, profit-taking set in across large caps late in the week and kept the major averages slightly underwater by Friday’s close. Small caps bucked the broader trend, continuing their early-year leadership as the Russell 2000 extended gains on optimism around economic resilience and rotation out of mega caps. For the week, the S&P 500 lost 0.4%, the Dow fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined by 0.7%.
*Please note, S&P 500 futures are indicated lower by 1.5% this morning on renewed tariff fears.
Coming off record highs early last week, U.S. equities drifted lower as the week progressed as the first week of the corporate earnings season unfolded. And despite upbeat earnings from select tech and semiconductor names, profit-taking set in across large caps late in the week and kept the major averages slightly underwater by Friday’s close. Small caps bucked the broader trend, continuing their early-year leadership as the Russell 2000 extended gains on optimism around economic resilience and rotation out of mega caps. For the week, the S&P 500 lost 0.4%, the Dow fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined by 0.7%.
Coming off record highs early last week, U.S. equities drifted lower as the week progressed as the first week of the corporate earnings season unfolded. And despite upbeat earnings from select tech and semiconductor names, profit-taking set in across large caps late in the week and kept the major averages slightly underwater by Friday’s close. Small caps bucked the broader trend, continuing their early-year leadership as the Russell 2000 extended gains on optimism around economic resilience and rotation out of mega caps. For the week, the S&P 500 lost 0.4%, the Dow fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined by 0.7%.
Explorer stocks are off to a good start in 2026. Alibaba (BABA) shares soared 15.8% this week as it was reported that Alibaba Cloud has captured about 36% of China’s AI cloud market share. Archer Aviation (ACHR) shares followed last week’s 11.5% gain with a 5.8% gain this week as its CEO presented at Bank of America’s Defense and Commercial Aerospace Forum. Alphabet (GOOG) shares gained more than 4% this week as Apple (AAPL) announced that it had selected Gemini to power a more personalized version of its Siri chatbot. And Coeur Mining (CDE) shares were up 7.7% this week following last week’s 8% gain.
Now we look to a region that is in the headlines, performed well last year, and is likely to be at the center of attention this year.
Now we look to a region that is in the headlines, performed well last year, and is likely to be at the center of attention this year.
The New Year is shaping up to be different from recent years. And market leadership is already changing.
The economy is transforming.
The positive effects of tax cuts and deregulation are starting to take effect. There are also significantly cheaper oil prices, lower interest rates, and the absence of much of the tariff uncertainty from last year. The chances are good that 2026 will feature the strongest economy of the bull market so far.
Most cyclical businesses benefit from a stronger economy. In fact, cyclical stocks have been the best performing market sectors for the past few months. Bank stocks in particular are in a great position because of cheap valuations, rising earnings, and a likely steepening yield curve.
Banks took it on the chin during inflation and rising rates. Although bank stocks have recovered from the loss, they are still near the same price level they were four years ago. The recovery should have further to go. In this issue, I highlight one of the country’s largest regional banks. The bank has rapidly growing earnings and the stock price has momentum.
The economy is transforming.
The positive effects of tax cuts and deregulation are starting to take effect. There are also significantly cheaper oil prices, lower interest rates, and the absence of much of the tariff uncertainty from last year. The chances are good that 2026 will feature the strongest economy of the bull market so far.
Most cyclical businesses benefit from a stronger economy. In fact, cyclical stocks have been the best performing market sectors for the past few months. Bank stocks in particular are in a great position because of cheap valuations, rising earnings, and a likely steepening yield curve.
Banks took it on the chin during inflation and rising rates. Although bank stocks have recovered from the loss, they are still near the same price level they were four years ago. The recovery should have further to go. In this issue, I highlight one of the country’s largest regional banks. The bank has rapidly growing earnings and the stock price has momentum.
*Note: Your next issue of Cabot Profit Booster will arrive next Wednesday, January 21 due to the market holiday next Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
A broad-based rally carried U.S. equities to fresh record territory last week as investors cheered softer labor data and tilted back toward risk. For the week, the S&P 500 advanced by 1.8%, the Dow climbed 3%, the Nasdaq rose 1.9%, and the Russell 2000 led the charge, adding 4.6%.
A broad-based rally carried U.S. equities to fresh record territory last week as investors cheered softer labor data and tilted back toward risk. For the week, the S&P 500 advanced by 1.8%, the Dow climbed 3%, the Nasdaq rose 1.9%, and the Russell 2000 led the charge, adding 4.6%.
January has lived up to its billing so far, with lots of ups and downs among individual stocks and sectors based on a variety of news, rumors and, starting today, some Q4 pre-announcements linked to upcoming conference presentations. Even so, while the action is hectic, the underlying evidence is the same as it has been for the past few weeks: The intermediate-term trend of the major indexes is positive, not powerful, while for individual stocks and sectors, many are acting well, but it depends where you look. If we see a shift in the evidence, we’ll shift our stance, but until then, we’re leaving our Market Monitor at a level 7.
This week’s list is a potpourri of ideas from a variety of different areas that have come into favor this year. Our Top Pick is a solid growth story in the strong aerospace/defense area with big earnings coming. Shares boomed out of a base last week—try to enter on weakness.
This week’s list is a potpourri of ideas from a variety of different areas that have come into favor this year. Our Top Pick is a solid growth story in the strong aerospace/defense area with big earnings coming. Shares boomed out of a base last week—try to enter on weakness.
Landmines abound out there, especially as it relates to the Fed, with two inflation prints coming this week and the Department of Justice launching an investigation into Jerome Powell. And yet, volatility is low, stocks are near all-time highs, and another potentially strong earnings season gets underway this week. So, there’s reason for optimism, particularly given that growth stocks haven’t gone anywhere since late October. Small-cap stocks are starting to gain momentum, and today we add a Canadian one courtesy of Carl Delfeld, who last month recommended our newest portfolio addition to his Cabot Explorer audience.
Details inside.
Details inside.
Updates
The market rally is sputtering. The near-term direction of stocks is highly uncertain. But we might have a much better idea of where things are going by the end of this week.
This will be an important week for a market that’s been floundering.
The S&P 500 is still in an uptrend that began in April. The index is up 14.5% year to date and within 3% of the high. But stocks are down 2% so far in November as investors fret about technology.
A growing chorus of concern regarding artificial intelligence valuations is dragging on the market. Several analysts believe AI stocks have gotten ahead of themselves. Technology has pulled this market higher all year and for most of the bull market. A pullback in those stocks will likely drag the index lower.
The S&P 500 is still in an uptrend that began in April. The index is up 14.5% year to date and within 3% of the high. But stocks are down 2% so far in November as investors fret about technology.
A growing chorus of concern regarding artificial intelligence valuations is dragging on the market. Several analysts believe AI stocks have gotten ahead of themselves. Technology has pulled this market higher all year and for most of the bull market. A pullback in those stocks will likely drag the index lower.
In her latest State of the Union address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen provided the parliament and citizens of Europe with a stark reminder of a problem that continues to plague governments, corporations and individuals around the world.
In her speech, she specifically referenced “the higher cost of living” for millions of Europeans as “THE global crisis” (emphasis mine). Not climate or geopolitical instability or cybersecurity threats, but inflation.
In her speech, she specifically referenced “the higher cost of living” for millions of Europeans as “THE global crisis” (emphasis mine). Not climate or geopolitical instability or cybersecurity threats, but inflation.
Small caps continue to underperform large caps in 2025.
The S&P 600 is up a mere 3.6% year to date, trailing the S&P 500’s 16.7% gain by roughly 13 percentage points.
The gap closes meaningfully if we strip out megacaps’ strong performance and compare the S&P 600 with the S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP), which is up “just” 10.3%.
The S&P 600 is up a mere 3.6% year to date, trailing the S&P 500’s 16.7% gain by roughly 13 percentage points.
The gap closes meaningfully if we strip out megacaps’ strong performance and compare the S&P 600 with the S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP), which is up “just” 10.3%.
The end of the government shutdown is buoying markets while indications that some of the AI-related stocks are retrenching is a headwind for the overall market.
The AI story is clearly impacting the cutting of management jobs with the worst numbers in one month in more than two decades, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The last time companies made more layoffs during that month was in 2003, when cell phones started to take off. American investors funded $104 billion of AI startups in the first half of 2025 alone.
The AI story is clearly impacting the cutting of management jobs with the worst numbers in one month in more than two decades, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The last time companies made more layoffs during that month was in 2003, when cell phones started to take off. American investors funded $104 billion of AI startups in the first half of 2025 alone.
Growth stocks, led by the Magnificent Seven, have again carried the market this year.
The Mag. 7 – the clever name for big-tech behemoths Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG), Meta (META), Microsoft (MSFT), Nvidia (NVDA) and Tesla (TSLA) – are up an average of 22% this year. Because those seven companies account for more than a third of the entire S&P 500, they’ve carried the index to a solid 16.5% gain year to date. The Equal Weight S&P 500 index, which equally weighs each of the 500 stocks that comprise the benchmark index, is up a mere 8.5% and has barely budged since the Fourth of July. For most stocks, the entirety of this year’s rally occurred during the post-Liberation Day run-up from the second half of April through early July.
The Mag. 7 – the clever name for big-tech behemoths Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG), Meta (META), Microsoft (MSFT), Nvidia (NVDA) and Tesla (TSLA) – are up an average of 22% this year. Because those seven companies account for more than a third of the entire S&P 500, they’ve carried the index to a solid 16.5% gain year to date. The Equal Weight S&P 500 index, which equally weighs each of the 500 stocks that comprise the benchmark index, is up a mere 8.5% and has barely budged since the Fourth of July. For most stocks, the entirety of this year’s rally occurred during the post-Liberation Day run-up from the second half of April through early July.
It’s cannabis earnings season once again. Like most retailers, cannabis companies report late in the earnings season. I’ll get into company details below. But first, here are the key sector takeaways from third-quarter results.
Stocks started off this week much higher as the end of the government shutdown seems likely. The newfound strength comes off a sluggish month for stocks and could signal a new surge higher.
The shutdown has lasted over 40 days, and investors began to worry that it was negatively affecting consumer confidence and could lower GDP going forward. Ending the shutdown does take some risk off the table. At the same time, some bullish forecasts have come out for 2026, citing rising overall earnings and continuing AI dominance.
The shutdown has lasted over 40 days, and investors began to worry that it was negatively affecting consumer confidence and could lower GDP going forward. Ending the shutdown does take some risk off the table. At the same time, some bullish forecasts have come out for 2026, citing rising overall earnings and continuing AI dominance.
In view of the alarming number of news headlines that point to a weakening economy (at least in some quarters of it), it may seem surprising that the normally defensive consumer staple stocks are underperforming.
Normally, the staples are viewed by investors as something of a safe haven during periods of economic uncertainty, providing as they do essential goods like food and household products that are purchased even in tough times. But the present environment is proving to be an exception to that rule of thumb.
Normally, the staples are viewed by investors as something of a safe haven during periods of economic uncertainty, providing as they do essential goods like food and household products that are purchased even in tough times. But the present environment is proving to be an exception to that rule of thumb.
WHAT TO DO NOW: Our Cabot Tides are now on the fence while our Two-Second Indicator is negative as the market is in the middle of another test of the uptrend. Meanwhile, growth stocks have bent but not too many have truly broken, and there are still a good number setups out there. We sold Arista (ANET) on a special bulletin this morning, leaving us with around 45% in cash; we’ll hold onto that tonight as we want to see how this pullback plays out. Details below.
After beautifully navigating the historically troubling months of September and October, stocks are off to a dicey start this month. While the S&P managed to close slightly higher on Monday, most stocks had a rotten day. The index was propelled by technology while 400 of the 500 stocks moved lower on the day. On Tuesday, technology sold off and almost all sectors were lower. Is this a hiccup or a harbinger?
The S&P 500 started the week on another up note. But the index return is deceiving.
The S&P is being pulled higher by a handful of technology stocks. But 400 of the 500 stocks and nine of the 11 sectors were lower on Monday at midday. The earnings season so far has reaffirmed a positive outlook for artificial intelligence investments. That helps drive the index higher as technology stocks represent more than a third.
The S&P is being pulled higher by a handful of technology stocks. But 400 of the 500 stocks and nine of the 11 sectors were lower on Monday at midday. The earnings season so far has reaffirmed a positive outlook for artificial intelligence investments. That helps drive the index higher as technology stocks represent more than a third.
Alerts
Shares of Byrna (BYRN) are trading modestly higher this morning after the company released preliminary revenue results for Q3.
WHAT TO DO NOW: The weakening of growth stocks that’s been going on for weeks has resulted in all-out selling this week—we came in with 43% in cash, which has helped, but today we’re selling the rest of our Palantir (PLTR) and Rubrik (RBRK) stakes, leaving us with a large 57% on the sideline. Details below.
With a slew of fresh ideas coming in tomorrow’s August Issue and a portfolio that may soon have too many ideas to stay on top of, I’m trimming one position today.
Most of our cannabis companies reported earnings in the past week.
Here are some of the key sector insights, followed by company updates.
Here are some of the key sector insights, followed by company updates.
Today, a whopping eight Profit Booster positions will expire. Most are “slam-dunk,” full-profit trades, while others will go down to the wire.
The big takeaway, before we dive in, is we are going to let the situation play itself out, and come Monday/Tuesday of next week we will revisit our profits, as well as how we will manage the remaining positions.
The big takeaway, before we dive in, is we are going to let the situation play itself out, and come Monday/Tuesday of next week we will revisit our profits, as well as how we will manage the remaining positions.
WHAT TO DO NOW: The indexes continue to look good, and the big-picture (months down the road) outlook is very favorable. But growth stocks remain hit and miss, with some newer names perking up but many potholes out there, too. Today, we’re going to sell one-third of our stake in GE Aerospace (GE), which has been a fine performer, but it’s been lagging a bit, got hit today and many in the group have topped. We’ll take a few chips off the table and hold the rest, leaving us with around 42% in cash.
National Grocers (NGVC) stock should have a good day after posting a solid Q3 FY 25 and raising guidance for the rest of the year. Revenue in Q3 grew 6.3% to $328.7, daily average comparable store sales grew 7.4%, net income grew 26% to $11.6 million and adjusted EPS grew 34% to $0.54. The company declared a $0.12 dividend, payable on September 17.
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.