Issues
There remain some yellow flags in the market, but when you look at the big picture, there remains far more good than bad. It’s vital to remain flexible of course, as in 2020, things have changed on a dime a couple of times, but with most of the evidence still positive, we remain mostly bullish.
Markets rebounded this past month, albeit with plenty of volatility. But the net result was a 1,500+ gain in the Dow Jones Industrial Markets.
Unemployment, of course, is still pressuring the economy, with some 29.5 million Americans without jobs. However, the housing market perked up, with starts and building permits rising. Retail sales—reflecting the reopening of the economy—were also up.
It’s worrying that coronavirus is rising in about 20 states, but, hopefully, if people begin once again following social distancing, the new cases won’t push us off the economic reopening strategy.
Advisors and consumers are back on the bullish track, as you’ll see in our Barometer, as well as Market Views.
Despite the market’s rise, there are still plenty of undervalued stocks in the marketplace. And we begin this issue with our Spotlight Stock, a technology company that is gaining market share in the highly competitive field of cybersecurity—in this case, specializing in ID authentication for employees and customers. My feature article explores the industry in more depth, as well as additional reasons for adding our Spotlight Stock to your portfolio.
Unemployment, of course, is still pressuring the economy, with some 29.5 million Americans without jobs. However, the housing market perked up, with starts and building permits rising. Retail sales—reflecting the reopening of the economy—were also up.
It’s worrying that coronavirus is rising in about 20 states, but, hopefully, if people begin once again following social distancing, the new cases won’t push us off the economic reopening strategy.
Advisors and consumers are back on the bullish track, as you’ll see in our Barometer, as well as Market Views.
Despite the market’s rise, there are still plenty of undervalued stocks in the marketplace. And we begin this issue with our Spotlight Stock, a technology company that is gaining market share in the highly competitive field of cybersecurity—in this case, specializing in ID authentication for employees and customers. My feature article explores the industry in more depth, as well as additional reasons for adding our Spotlight Stock to your portfolio.
Markets rebounded this past month, albeit with plenty of volatility. But the net result was a 1,500+ gain in the Dow Jones Industrial Markets.
Unemployment, of course, is still pressuring the economy, with some 29.5 million Americans without jobs. However, the housing market perked up, with starts and building permits rising. Retail sales—reflecting the reopening of the economy—were also up.
It’s worrying that coronavirus is rising in about 20 states, but, hopefully, if people begin once again following social distancing, the new cases won’t push us off the economic reopening strategy.
Advisors and consumers are back on the bullish track, as you’ll see in our Barometer, as well as Market Views.
Despite the market’s rise, there are still plenty of undervalued stocks in the marketplace. And we begin this issue with our Spotlight Stock, a technology company that is gaining market share in the highly competitive field of cybersecurity—in this case, specializing in ID authentication for employees and customers. My feature article explores the industry in more depth, as well as additional reasons for adding our Spotlight Stock to your portfolio.
Unemployment, of course, is still pressuring the economy, with some 29.5 million Americans without jobs. However, the housing market perked up, with starts and building permits rising. Retail sales—reflecting the reopening of the economy—were also up.
It’s worrying that coronavirus is rising in about 20 states, but, hopefully, if people begin once again following social distancing, the new cases won’t push us off the economic reopening strategy.
Advisors and consumers are back on the bullish track, as you’ll see in our Barometer, as well as Market Views.
Despite the market’s rise, there are still plenty of undervalued stocks in the marketplace. And we begin this issue with our Spotlight Stock, a technology company that is gaining market share in the highly competitive field of cybersecurity—in this case, specializing in ID authentication for employees and customers. My feature article explores the industry in more depth, as well as additional reasons for adding our Spotlight Stock to your portfolio.
Investor received a well-deserved wake-up call last week but the big-picture trends are still positive and growth stocks continue to be where the action is. In this month’s Issue of Cabot Early Opportunities, we take a look at a diverse mix of fresh opportunities that are all linked by one commonality – they give investors exposure to some of the most interesting and durable growth trends out there.
The Cabot Profit Booster Portfolio continues to do very well … though depending on which sectors are in favor and which are not on any given day, we have had some stocks moving up and down violently.
Current Market OutlookLast Thursday’s massive selloff was a shot across the market’s bow, and today saw the broad market take another punch to the gut. That said, the evidence remains mostly bullish at this point—the trends of the major indexes are up, nearly all institutional-quality leading growth stocks are still acting fine and many secondary indicators (such as the number of stocks hitting new lows, which remains microscopic) are also pointing higher. Of course, 2020 has been all about staying flexible, and right now isn’t a time for complacency; it’s always possible the 11-week advance is going to lead to a sharper correction or consolidation. Thus, you should be open to any possibility, but right now, the evidence remains bullish, so we advise remaining heavily invested.
This week’s list has a bunch of growth-oriented titles that are showing attractive setups. Our Top Pick is Lululemon (LULU), which could pull in further after earnings, but our guess is that this dip will give way to higher prices in the weeks ahead.
| Stock Name | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Argenx SE (ARGX) | 222.54 | ||
| Bandwidth Inc. (BAND) | 129.19 | ||
| Coupa Software (COUP) | 262.20 | ||
| CrowdStrike (CRWD) | 105.02 | ||
| DraftKings Inc. (DKNG) | 38.26 | ||
| Fiverr (FVRR) | 71.41 | ||
| Lululemon Athletica (LULU) | 304.69 | ||
| Novavax, Inc. (NVAX) | 65.95 | ||
| Peloton (PTON) | 53.03 | ||
| Redfin (RDFN) | 40.40 |
Last week’s sharp market selloff may have made headlines, but far more important than any one day’s action are patterns and trends, and today the patterns and trends I look at are still positive.
Still, diversification remains a key factor in successful portfolios, so today’s recommendation swings back to the conservative side; it’s a big global company with a healthy 4.8% dividend.
As for the current portfolio, while we sold two stocks last week just before the big drop, today I have no changes. All our stocks are behaving well.
Full details in the issue.
Still, diversification remains a key factor in successful portfolios, so today’s recommendation swings back to the conservative side; it’s a big global company with a healthy 4.8% dividend.
As for the current portfolio, while we sold two stocks last week just before the big drop, today I have no changes. All our stocks are behaving well.
Full details in the issue.
Our emerging markets signal (EEM) is decisively positive after relative outperformance by emerging market stocks over the last couple of weeks. The Fed signals that rates will likely stay near zero through 2022 and the Fed chairman promised to “run stimulus programs forcefully, proactively and aggressively for years, if necessary.”
Although jobs numbers surprised on the upside, it looks like the market is shrugging off that GDP will gap down about 6% in 2020 and the federal budget deficit reached $400 billion for one month – May!
Today, we have a new recommendation that is at the heart of technology and hedges the growing tension and risk in Asia.
Although jobs numbers surprised on the upside, it looks like the market is shrugging off that GDP will gap down about 6% in 2020 and the federal budget deficit reached $400 billion for one month – May!
Today, we have a new recommendation that is at the heart of technology and hedges the growing tension and risk in Asia.
Updates
Continue to lean bullish, but also keep some powder dry as we wait for growth stocks to kick into gear. The overall market remains in great shape, and with the trends pointed up, we expect higher prices down the road. However, growth stocks aren’t participating, with many still under pressure. Our one change tonight is that we’re placing Proofpoint (PFPT) on Hold.
Today I want to talk about energy stocks, because I’m seeing a growing correlation between quality and share price performance. Also, Royal Caribbean (RCL) moves from the Growth Portfolio to the Growth & Income Portfolio, and Tesoro (TSO) joins the Buy Low Opportunities Portfolio.
The Emerging Markets Timer is still negative, although investors are edging back into the sector, moving the MSCI Emerging Markets Fund (EEM) higher over the past week. Our only portfolio move today is to buy a half position in Vale (VALE) bringing the portfolio to 40% invested.
We head into the holiday with a trimmed-back portfolio after locking in partial profits on three positions, courtesy of the Trump Bump. It feels to me like the market is ready for a modest pullback given the intense buying since the election (early trading today supports this assertion).
We don’t have any rating changes today—we’ve sold three underperforming stocks this month, so our portfolio is in fighting shape. If you’re underinvested, focus on our Buy-rated recommendations, and try to start new positions on pullbacks.
I’m excited about all of the recent price action in the stock market! For many months—or several years?—investors’ stock portfolios alternated between treading water and surviving market corrections. Finally, the markets seem to have been set free, adding bullish stock movements into the mix.
Today I move two stocks back to Buy: Aspen Aerogels (ASPN) looks like a relatively low-risk buy given a very big recent pullback, and Primo Water (PRMW) has begun to act like it should after announcing a big acquisition. Other than that, all guidance remains the same. That means we have five of our 10 stocks rated Hold.
I have recommended selling nine stocks in November because of high stock prices and a turnover in the market caused by the election of the new President, and in this update, I suggest where you should invest the proceeds of your sales. Also, three Cabot Benjamin Graham Value Investor companies reported quarterly financial results or other noteworthy news during the past week.
Put a little money to work. Our Cabot Tides turned positive yesterday, so both the intermediate- and longer-term trends of the market are now pointed up. That said, there remain many crosscurrents and growth stocks are generally struggling.
I now recommend selling Pattern Energy (PEGI), a yieldco that is facing a multitude of short- and medium-term challenges, and I’m putting Pembina Pipeline (PBA) on Hold today. On the plus side, we’re sitting on a two-month, 21% gain in Prudential Financial (PRU) and are going to book some profits today, while holding the rest for further gains. Lastly, because of its recent strength, I’m putting US Bancorp (USB) back on Buy, but I recommend waiting for a pullback.
Financial stocks, as a group, are undervalued, with strong expected earnings growth, bullish price charts and prospects of upward earnings revisions as interest rates rise. Today’s Portfolio Changes: BigLots (BIG) moves to a Hold, and D.R. Horton (DHI) increased its dividend.
We’re going to reel in a few profits during this post-election stock market surge in the event the honeymoon is short-lived. Along those lines, today I recommend you sell your remaining stake in Mitek (MITK), as well as sell half your position in LeMaitre Vascular (LMAT) and NanoString (NSTG).
Alerts
The three largest sectors for this Japanese fund are: Industrials (26.4% of assets); Consumer Cyclicals (19.38%); and Technology (16.08%).
Our portfolio includes a few stocks that we took partial gains on a while back and which haven’t been able to get going in the right direction since. And one that never got going in the first place.
This electronics manufacturer beat Wall Street’s earnings estimates by $0.09 last quarter, and five analysts have raised their EPS forecasts in the past 30 days.
This building products company’s EPS forecasts have just been increased by one analyst, and consensus estimates expect the company to grow by an annual rate of 15.76% over the next five years.
Wall Street expects this pharma to grow by 19.9% annually over the next five years.
Analysts for this retailer are increasing quarterly and yearly earnings guidance.
This defense contractor has a bright future with hefty new military contracts, but shares are very sold-off.
This sports network company is trading at bargain levels, yet is expected to grow more than 10% this year.
We all saw U.S. stock markets exhibit exuberance on December 3 and then fear on December 4. I anticipate another strong upward move during the remainder of this week.
This old favorite and new punching bag offers turnaround potential for adventurous investors.
Our second recommendation is a sale based on sector downturn.
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.