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The major indexes have been flopping around this week, with some ups and downs, though things are quieting down just a bit. Growth funds have been mostly in the same boat, choppy but up a smidge on the week. Not the worst, not the best.

Some of the world’s best investors built their reputations investing in spin-offs, and these 3 look particularly interesting.

Much like the NFL, the field of sportsbook stocks is dominated by two heavy hitters while a couple of also-rans try to make things interesting.

Cannabis stocks got a jolt of life in the lead-up to President Trump’s rescheduling push and quickly reversed course. But the sector still has room for growth.

The sharp market break of 2008 has made it clear that the bears are in control, which means you should remain in a highly defensive position. But money has to flow somewhere, and it appears that, for the moment, pharmaceutical and metal stocks are in favor. This week’s Top Ten sports three pharmaceutical stocks, two other medical names and two precious metal stocks – and most of them have good-looking chart patterns. Just be aware that even strong stocks can get hit in bearish environments, so your emphasis should be on building your watch list, holding cash, and making just token new buys until the storm passes. Our favorite pick this week is Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPDI), a steady company whose bottom line is set to accelerate this year. The stock just broke free from a long consolidation after a bullish outlook, which should offer support on any retreat.

Stock Name	Price	Buy Range	Loss Limit
AUXL (AUXL)	0.00	28-31	-
BMRN (BMRN)	0.00	34-37	-
CPHD (CPHD)	0.00	26-30	-
DV (DV)	0.00	53-59	-
GOLD (GOLD)	0.00	38-41	-
LKQX (LKQX)	0.00	19-21	-
MATK (MATK)	0.00	29 1/2 - 31	-
MLNM (MLNM)	0.00	15-16	-
PAAS (PAAS)	0.00	33-36	-
PPDI (PPDI)	0.00	39-44	-

No question this is a challenging market but Explorer stocks held their ground. Cloudflare (NET) had a good week up five points, and Ford (F) remains my favorite pick on risk/reward basis. This week we move to a surprising trend that will benefit America, the climate, and your portfolio.

All three major U.S. indexes were up around 2% yesterday as the Bank of England stepped in to stabilize the pound, but the recovery looks fragile as sentiment remains mixed at best in the short term. Explorer stocks drifted lower this past week and we remain defensive looking for asymmetric plays where the upside potential exceeds downside risk.

Throughout U.S. history, federalists and states’ rights advocates have battled it out. Federalists believe in strong centralized power. The other side wants issues to get resolved locally. Federalists are usually on the left, and states’ rights advocates are normally conservatives. But not always. It depends on the issue.

While every situation is different, a pretty good rule of thumb for investors is to look for stocks of well-run companies with solid fundamentals in a sector that has been out of favor. Then check that the stock is in an uptrend with clear catalysts that support a further rise in its stock price.

Today, we add a stock that checks all those boxes.

Welcome news: The Fed holds interest rates steady in a sign tightening has peaked and that rates cuts may be coming in 2024. Big positive for stocks.

One of the Explorer’s themes is the exciting and potentially profitable sector of medicine and life sciences. A success story is Novo Nordisk (NVO), which is up about 45% this year. The Denmark-based company has been the talk of the pharma and medical world and even Hollywood with stars trying the firm’s diabetes and weight-loss medicines, Ozempic and Wegovy.

Legendary investor J.P. Morgan was often asked what the stock market would do. “It will fluctuate,” replied the taciturn Morgan.

The psychology of the markets can be puzzling. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve, America’s Central Bank, raised its benchmark interest rates 75 basis points, the most since 1994. And the market liked it because it was way overdue and will hopefully help stem inflationary pressures in the economy. Will it slow growth, housing sales, consumer spending, and raise the carrying cost of U.S. debt? Yes, of course.

The markets continue to be challenging to say the least, with the S&P 500 off 18% so far this year, but like everyone I see some amazing companies posting strong numbers being pulled down over a blend of macro issues. These range from inflation and interest rates to the slowdown in China and conflict in Ukraine. Current Explorer recommendations still managed to outperform the market, with some up and most holding their ground in the past week. SQM (SQM) of Chile reported first-quarter profits up 10X over 2021.

Abbott Laboratories (ABT) and Advance Auto Parts (AAP) are among five stocks with the right credentials to perform well in 2012.

Editor of Cabot Stock of the Month reviews the lessons that the Olympic games taught him and discusses a young high-potential stock.

Here are earnings updates on three of our stocks, including a rating change, plus minor updates on three others.

Led higher by major tech stocks (and especially AAPL) the Nasdaq gained nearly 4% last week, closing at a new record high. Less impressive were the other leading indexes, though their gains were very positive as well as the S&P 500 added 2.4%, while the Dow rallied 1.3%.

Stocks struggled back from early losses yesterday after blue chips posted their biggest two-day gains in more than two years.

Explorer stocks had a good week with most up nicely and Infineon (IFFNY) up about 18%.

Perhaps the best indicator of where the U.S. and global economy is going are commodity prices. For example, copper prices are gaining ground though they are still far from highs reached earlier this year.

There are a lot of high-quality stocks trading at value prices out there. For next week’s recommendation, I’m looking at semiconductor companies worldwide and will try to pick the stock with the most upside and lowest downside risk. This is as Congress wrangles over the $52 billion CHIPS act to support the domestic semiconductor supply chain.