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This week Chris and Brad talk about the latest Chinese GDP numbers and whether it’s safe to invest in China, Tesla’s earnings release, and what they’re seeing with Regional banks now that they’re reporting. After that, they break down FAANG stocks, their popular ascent as market shorthand, and whether Microsoft is “sexy” enough to sit at the cool kids’ table.

Last week was full of ups and downs for the market, as the inflation/economic story continues to swing with every data point. And while there was volatility, by week’s end the S&P 500 and Nasdaq had risen marginally, while the Dow had gained 1%.

The market has rallied for more than a year in the happy space between inflation and recession. But that dynamic is unlikely to persist. Amid persistent inflation, it is likely that the market will have to contend with high interest rates or a faltering economy. Each one is problematic.

In a flatter or faltering market, dividends provide a bigger part of total returns. Let’s get ahead of the curve and get a big fat yield.

In this issue, I highlight a stock with a massive dividend yield that has shown good price stability for several years. The company can also thrive amidst inflation and high or rising interest rates and can provide a high income return even if the market struggles through an inflation/recession catch-22.

The market has shown some renewed strength over the past several days, particularly among interest rate-sensitive stocks. The Fed met last week, and the market dug this month’s vague insinuations.

The rally sputtered in April after sticky inflation soured the falling interest rate narrative. But last week the Fed Chairman indicated that the next Fed Funds rate move would most likely be a cut and not a raise. Although a hike wasn’t expected, investors like hearing the Fed say it. The statement also combines with recent news of weaker economic growth and a slowing job market.

Shares of Intapp (INTA) should open higher today after the company beat Q3 fiscal 2024 expectations after the close yesterday. Revenue grew 20.2% to $110.6 million, beating by $2.4 million (2.3%), while EPS of $0.14 was up from a penny in the year-ago quarter and beat by $0.07.

Rivian (RIVN) has been our dog in the portfolio but I’ve held on because I think the potential for shares to come back and ultimately work well is still there. Yesterday’s first-quarter results don’t suggest that will happen right away, but there are certainly some bright spots.

New kid on the block Zeta (ZETA) is starting the week off with a bang after the Q1 report yesterday sailed past expectations.

Cannabis stocks look buyable in the current weakness.

Cannabis stocks are always buyable when they are down, but there are potential near-term catalysts on the horizon. That is the case now. There are three to expect over the next few months, and possibly as soon as the middle of May.

What does drafting an NFL prospect or trading down for more picks have to do with investing? They’re both a matter of pricing risk.

These two aerospace stocks are flying under Wall Street’s radar but are checking off my “3 Rs” growth stock criteria just the same.

Both stocks have been strong performers in recent years and trade at elevated valuations, but which stock belongs in your portfolio: Costco (COST) or Nvidia (NVDA)?

The original meme stock rally was a strange time in the market, and the fact that we’re seeing a repeat of it is stranger still. So, do we need to worry that it’ll play out in the same way and put an end to the bull market?