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Oil and gasoline prices, as you likely have noticed, have been easing lately, even as we’re in the midst of what energy industry hands call “the summer driving season.” I bring up gas prices because as editor of the Cabot Green Investor, I have noticed that there is a fairly popular--and false--idea about the correlation between gas prices and Green stocks. The idea is that as the prices of oil products drop, there must be a decrease in interest in hybrid cars, solar panels and the like. I contend it’s false for one simple reason: the daily fluctuations of a commodity aren’t going to affect whether someone chooses to go ahead with a capital intensive purchase of a geothermal heating system or an electric car. Yet some people trade Green stocks each day against the price of oil, surrendering longer-term gains.

As an investor and editor of Cabot Green Investor, I separate my personal feelings from investment analysis, relying instead on sound fundamental analysis I developed at Forbes and Dow Jones and the unique and time-tested technical analysis performed here at Cabot, publisher of the Cabot Green Investor. If you follow the stock market, you already know the stock of Whole Foods Market (WFMI) has been a big winner for much of this decade. In fact, in recent years, sales of organic products overall were rising 25% a month (!) until the economic turmoil of last autumn. Naturally, because organics are generally pricier, that rate of growth dropped. Yet while pundits expected the recession to be the death knell of the widespread move to organics, it hasn’t been.

Two fundamental analysis systems that can be used to find great stocks.

Many companies became extinct in the 1930s, but the companies that survived helped to build the U.S. into the greatest industrial nation to date. It is surprising how many of our current U.S. companies were founded more than 150 years ago.

While going to cash to preserve capital in a downturn is a popular strategy, portfolio hedging with ETFs is a useful alternative.

The market tried to stage a small rally yesterday. But the combination of a consistently hawkish Fed, rising concerns of a global recession and increased risk of something going sideways in the financial markets (witness the Bank of England launching an emergency government bond buying program) is making it tough for the market to get off its knees. Stocks are selling off again today.

Tuesday’s CPI report served up a 0.02% miss, which sent the market into a tailspin. The Nasdaq fell more than 5%, its worst day since 2020. The S&P 500 Index fell 4.3%. And small caps? The S&P 600 fell 3.9%

Investors are always looking for the latest and greatest trading strategy. Unfortunately, many overlook my favorite options strategy to generate premium regardless of market direction.

Cannabis stocks continue to get weighed down by the SAFE banking debacle. As you recall, late last year legislators failed to approve cannabis sector banking reform called the SAFE Banking Act that would have made it easier for banks to serve cannabis companies.

The first two weeks of 2024 have been a bit sloppy with the markets down the first week, strengthening a bit this week then back down again today as this morning’s inflation numbers (CPI) came in a little higher than expected.

Thus far small caps have lagged large caps this year at the index level, though it’s not worth overthinking it too much just 11 days into the year.

In today’s note, we discuss the earnings reports from Wells Fargo (WFC). Please note that our comments on Well’s earnings didn’t make it into the podcast.

Despite some weakness early in the week, the indexes bounced back in a big way, closing at new all-time highs. For the week the S&P 500 gained 1%, the Dow added 1.07%, and the Nasdaq soared higher by 2%.

Despite some weakness early in the week, the indexes bounced back in a big way, closing at new all-time highs. For the week the S&P 500 gained 1%, the Dow added 1.07%, and the Nasdaq soared higher by 2%.

Small caps are having a very nice week as a lot of rate-sensitive areas of the market zoom higher following the Fed’s meeting and Jerome Powell’s press conference yesterday.

I’ve been saying I think small caps are very attractive lately, so the directional move here isn’t a surprise, though the pace of this week’s gains is rather eye opening. The S&P 600 Small Cap index is up about 7% over the last two days through midday Thursday!

Corn diverted to the fuel market, growing demand for meat in emerging markets and floods in Australia have all contributed to food shortages and spiking food prices in recent months. Riots around the world, a fertilizer shortage and less free bread at restaurants are just some of the effects the food crisis is having around the world. Some people believe that the food crisis will be bigger than the problems with credit crunch and global warming.

One of the most important investing lessons—letting winners run and cutting losses short—is often the downfall of investors. Many disobey this rule, leaving them with a portfolio of losing stocks. Novatel Wireless (a losing stock that had to be cut) and First Solar (a winning stock that’s been allowed to run) are used to illustrate this lesson.

The major indexes are up today, led by the Nasdaq, while growth stocks are beginning to perk up. As of 3 pm EST, the Dow is up 46 points and the Nasdaq is 132 points, while some growth funds are up 2% to 4% today.

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.

The top dividend paying stocks in the market today all benefit from the improving American economy. These are my six favorite.

The highest paying dividend stocks in the S&P 500 share certain commonalities. Here’s a closer look at the 10 highest yielders.