It was another solid week for the market, with a bit more leadership emerging on the upside, with some medicals and online outfits joining the AI infrastructure group and a smattering of other names—though we’re still seeing plenty of choppy (selling on strength) action, too. Near term, we do think risk is a bit elevated, partly due to the recent run, partly due to the calendar and partly due to some near-term complacency—that said, when it comes to the intermediate-term (and longer-term) evidence, it remains much more positive than negative, so we’re not making any grand adjustments here. We’ll keep our Market Monitor at a level 7.

This week’s list is another well-rounded one, with some fresher breakouts and setups from a variety of sectors. Our Top Pick is a well-run firm that has lifted off powerfully from a two-month rest period. Try to enter on dips of a few points.

Fed Week has come and gone, and Jerome Powell and company did just what investors expected them to do, nudging stocks further into record territory. How long the market can keep this up, at least in the short term, is anyone’s guess. But we can only go with the evidence in front of us, and right now it’s a good time to buy. So today, we add another big growth name that has emerged as a leader of the recent rally. It’s a stock that has stood out enough to gain approval from both Mike Cintolo and Tyler Laundon.

Details inside.

The stock market rallied nicely into the Federal Reserve meeting, and then tacked on even more gains following it, and by week’s end the S&P 500 had risen 1.2%, the Dow had rallied 1%, and the Nasdaq gained 2.2%.

The stock market rallied nicely into the Federal Reserve meeting, and then tacked on even more gains following it, and by week’s end the S&P 500 had risen 1.2%, the Dow had rallied 1%, and the Nasdaq gained 2.2%.

The story remains mostly the same, with the overall market remaining in great shape, though it is a bit near-term extended, while growth stocks are good-not-great, with a lot of names mostly marking time, and even some AI names doing the same. That said, we have seen a little broadening of leadership of late, which should provide some opportunities down the road. Today we’re adding one new half-sized stake in a name that looks to have changed character today (up a lot, but this comes after a two-month correction), but we’re still going to hold 38% in cash as we look for more titles to get going.

With a big Fed meeting on tap for this afternoon, we’re continuing to maintain a steady pace of adding new positions, selling off some weaker ones, and adding fresh names to our Watch List.

Details on all of the above are included in this September’s Issue. Enjoy!

Ahead of the “big” Federal Reserve event this Wednesday, the leading indexes all advanced last week, as the S&P 500 gained 1.6%, the Dow rallied 1% and the Nasdaq rose by 2%.

For the most part, the story remains the same with the market, as most of the evidence is positive, though not necessarily powerful. The good news is that, for the first time in a while, we’re starting to see a little broadening in leadership: AI-related names remain strong, and now more medical and online names are starting to shape up along with some more cyclical plays. Today, we’ll stick with our current stance—Market Monitor at a level 7—though we could tweak that if we continue to see more names emerge.

This week’s list has something for everyone, from strong Ai-related names to cyclical outfits, and from those in strong uptrends to those with nice setups. Our Top Pick has the look of a potential liquid leader and after seven weeks of choppy action, is starting to break out nicely.

Stocks are already at all-time highs, and now it appears the Fed is (finally) prepared to give them an extra nudge in the form of interest rate cuts this week. When that happens, it’s typically bullish for stocks, even if there are some bumps along the way. So today, we continue to try and capitalize on a growth-friendly market by adding a fast-expanding biotech play to the Stock of the Week portfolio. It’s a new recommendation from Mike Cintolo in his momentum-based Cabot Top Ten Trader newsletter. And it’s been on a tear for the last month.

Details inside.

Ahead of the “big” Federal Reserve event this Wednesday the leading indexes all advanced last week as the S&P 500 gained 1.6%, the Dow rallied 1% and the Nasdaq rose by 2%.

Ahead of the “big” Federal Reserve event this Wednesday the leading indexes all advanced last week as the S&P 500 gained 1.6%, the Dow rallied 1% and the Nasdaq rose by 2%.

The markets continued rolling along this past month, buoyed by hopes that the Trump administration’s pressure on the Fed will result in the beginning of some serious rate cuts.

About 88% of the forecasts are calling for a half-point rate reduction at the Fed’s September 17 meeting, although economists at Goldman Sachs are predicting that August inflation numbers will be higher than expected, maybe dampening that forecast.

In today’s note, we discuss pertinent developments for some of the stocks in the portfolio, including Centuri Holdings (CTRI), GE Aerospace (GE), Intel (INTC), Pan American Silver (PAAS) and Paramount Global (PARA).

Intel (INTC) is reportedly mulling a sales of its network and edge businesses as part of an ongoing focus on streamlining the company.

Pan American Silver (PAAS) stands to benefit from recent gold-to-silver ratio readings.

WHAT TO DO NOW: The market has pulled back a bit this week after a big recent run, but most things have taken the selling in stride. Further weakness can’t be ruled out, especially in the near-term but with the market digesting well and our intermediate-term indicators looking good, we have a few moves tonight. First, we’re going to sell our small position in Flutter (FLUT), but we’re also adding half-sized positions in Axon Enterprise (AXON) and ProShares S&P 500 Fund (SSO), the latter of which we’re averaging up in. We’re also placing Take-Two Interactive (TTWO) on Hold. Our cash position will still be around 47% after these moves.

The news cycle moves fast these days, as does the market’s reaction.

Last week, the big news was the 90-day ceasefire in the U.S. vs. China trade war. This week, it’s the passing of the reconciliation bill in the House and concerns over the deficit (the two are not unrelated).

Retail stocks are having a rough year.

The S&P SPDR Retail ETF (XRT) is down 3.8% year to date, and consumer discretionary as a whole has been the worst performing of the 11 major S&P sectors. It makes sense. Tariffs threaten to hit U.S. retailers hardest, including the many companies that sell products like toys, child car seats, and sports apparel (such as our own Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS)), most of which are made in places like China, Indonesia, Japan and Thailand – the places with the highest potential tariff rates. Combine that with escalating fears of a U.S. recession – also brought on by tariffs – and it could be a double whammy for retailers who don’t sell the essential everyday items that consumers buy regardless of the economic environment.

Last week was another up week for the S&P 500. The index has made up all the tariff Armageddon losses, it’s in positive territory YTD and is within 3% of the all-time high.


The market is flat so far this week. But after the big surge higher, it’s encouraging that the index isn’t pulling back. Perhaps stocks are consolidating a bit ahead of another move higher.

Last week was another up week for the S&P 500. The index has made up all the losses since April and is now in positive territory for the year.

After a multi-month barrage of relentlessly negative headlines, the S&P is within 3% of the all-time high. Seven of the eleven market sectors are higher YTD, and two of the negative sectors are down less than 1% for the year so far.

In today’s note, we discuss pertinent developments for some of the stocks in the portfolio, including Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM), Alcoa (AA), Centuri Holdings (CTRI), Dollar Tree (DLTR), GE Aerospace (GE), Intel (INTC), Pan American Silver (PAAS) and Toast Inc. (TOST).

Intel’s prospects hinge on the success of its 18A process node, which has the potential to be a major catalyst for its turnaround.

The S&P 600 Small Cap Index rallied back to its March 25 levels early this week following weekend talks between China and the U.S. in Geneva, Switzerland. Those talks led to a 90-day ceasefire in the insane trade war between the two countries.

The latest news on trade is also positive, with supposed progress on talks between the U.S. and India, Korea and the EU. The market is a lot happier now that President Trump appears to be working to generate trade deals rather than destroy them.

As the United States and China reached a 90-day trade conflict ceasefire, markets have responded positively though the deal is not binding and lacks much detail. The S&P 500 edged into positive territory for 2025. A number of Explorer stocks are having very good years.

Stocks are back in business!

Yes, a little more than a month after some of the worst investor sentiment readings in years, soaring volatility, and a 19% decline in the S&P 500 – not to mention both the Nasdaq and the Russell 2000 swinging to bear market territory – stocks are suddenly on a roll, recession fears are abating, and, perhaps most importantly, tariff deals have been struck. The 90-day pause on most reciprocal tariffs initiated by President Trump on April 9 – one week after the deeply unpopular “Liberation Day” was announced – triggered one of the biggest one-day rallies in stock market history. Indexes flirted with their early-April lows two weeks later but eventually stabilized, and May has brought a wave of positive tariff news – first, a deal with the United Kingdom, in which key imports like cars were reduced to 10% and steel and aluminum tariffs were eliminated; then, last weekend came a 90-day truce with China. That sent stocks soaring more than 3% on Monday, and they haven’t looked back.

It’s cannabis company earnings season once again. Below, I summarize the highlights from our portfolio companies. But first, here are the major sector trends that emerged from the calls.

The market is booming. The worst appears to be over, and sustained upside from here is entirely possible.

The S&P 500 closed on Friday up about 17% over the last month. The index also moved to within 8% of the all-time high. And that was before the huge rally on Monday.

The Trump administration announced huge progress with China in trade talks over the weekend. The two sides reportedly agreed to a 90-day pause on tariffs, with duties set to drop 115% on both sides by Wednesday. President Trump and the Chinese president are likely to talk in the coming days. This follows the announcement of a comprehensive deal with the U.K. last week.

I’m recommending that we sell a quarter of our position in American Airlines (AAL).

We’re doing things a little differently this month since there’s potential for a stock-moving announcement tomorrow that could impact this month’s new addition, which is a speculative mining stock.

I’m recommending that we sell a quarter of our position in Super Hi International Holding (HDL).

WHAT TO DO NOW: Last week’s market action was disappointing, though it didn’t change any of our key indicators. Even so, we’re seeing some selling on strength appear, so we’re focused on managing our portfolio. Today we’re going to sell one-third of our solid profit in Palantir (PLTR), leaving us with 23% in cash.

AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) Update: Full Steam Ahead

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.

We continue to get positive signals out of Washington, D.C. for cannabis companies.

Last evening Zeta (ZETA) responded to the Culper Research short report with a scathing review of the allegations, saying, in short, that Culper is full of it and doesn’t know what the heck it’s talking about. It couldn’t even get Zeta’s auditor right. Link to the press release here.

I moved Zeta (ZETA) to buy this morning given the rather extreme selloff after earnings. Not long after that alert went out, a short seller by the name of Culper Research issued a short report on Zeta. | By far the most questions I’m getting right now are about Zeta (ZETA). You read my update yesterday, and it was bullish. Analysts increased price targets from the mid-30s into the low 40s, with some going up to 50.

An updated portfolio for Cabot Options Institute – Earnings Trader.

An updated portfolio for Cabot Options Institute – Quant Trader.

An updated portfolio for Cabot Options Institute – Quant Trader.

An updated portfolio for Cabot Options Institute – Earnings Trader.

An updated portfolio for Cabot Options Institute – Fundamentals Portfolio.

An updated portfolio for Cabot Options Institute – Income Trader.

An updated portfolio for Cabot Options Institute – Fundamentals Portfolio.

An updated portfolio for Cabot Options Institute – Income Trader.

An updated portfolio for Cabot Options Institute – Quant Trader.

An updated portfolio for Cabot Options Institute – Earnings Trader.

An updated portfolio for Cabot Options Institute – Income Trader.

An updated portfolio for Cabot Options Institute – Earnings Trader.

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.