This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

Returns can get a bit dicey for the stock market from February into mid-March, especially in a presidential election year. Yet February 12 saw a massive reversal in relative strength, one that could be described as 'Revenge of the Small Caps.' That also can be said about the three trading days before 2/12. The Russell 2000 (IWM) rose 1.8% on February 12 and had popped 5% in three days. The iShares Micro-Cap ETF (EWC) gained 2.8% and surged over 6% in three days. The IWM is quickly approaching a key technical level at 205, which was the recent high in late December as well as the key breakdown level from January 2022.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

Stocks fluctuated in volatile trading on Thursday morning, but were nearly flat at midday. Disney shares rose 7% after the company reported better-than-expected fiscal 4Q EPS and announced plans to cut an additional $2 billion in expenses. Disney and other content providers, including Netflix and Paramount, also benefited from a tentative agreement ending the Hollywood actors strike. On the employment front, first-time claims for state unemployment benefits fell by 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 217,000 for the week ended November 4, slightly below the Reuters consensus forecast. The Dow was flat, the S&P rose 0.1%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.2%. Crude oil rose 1% to $76 per barrel, while gold traded near $1968 per ounce.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

Stocks fell on Wednesday morning amid continued concerns about rating downgrades for some U.S. banks and more weak economic data from China, which reported deflation in both consumer and producer prices in July. On the earnings front, Twilio shares rose after the software maker posted above-consensus 2Q results and raised its full-year earnings forecast. Meanwhile, Lyft shares fell 7% on concerns about slowing revenue growth as the company cuts prices to better compete with Uber. The Dow fell 0.4%, the S&P 0.6%, and the Nasdaq 1.2%. Crude oil rose slightly to $83.50 per barrel, while gold fell $10 to $1950 per ounce.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

In this edition, we catalog catalysts that can catapult GE; life science shares offer opportunities; Cognizant shares are a top pick; and Cooper, Veeva Systems, and NetEase.

Stocks fell again on Thursday amid pressures on regional banks and debt ceiling concerns as investors awaited the April employment report on Friday morning. On the earnings front, e-commerce software provider Shopify surged 24% after posting better-than-expected 1Q results, while Paramount Global plunged 28% after reporting disappointing sales and earnings and cutting its dividend. On the employment front, the Labor Department said that first-time claims for state unemployment benefits rose by 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 242,000 for the week ended April 29, slightly above the Reuters consensus of 240,000. Continuing claims, reported with a one-week lag, fell by 38,000 to 1.805 million. The Dow fell 0.86%, the S&P 0.72%, and the Nasdaq 0.49%. Crude oil traded near $68.50 per barrel, while gold rose $21 to $2058 per ounce.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

Earnings Fading, but Investors Don't Seem to Care

Over the six trading sessions ended January 13, the S&P 500 (SPX) tacked on 5%, while both the Nasdaq and Nasdaq 100 were up over 7%. The S&P MidCap 400 was up 6.3% and the Russell 2000 popped 7.7%. The NYSE, as well as mid- and small-cap indices, are opening up some distance from their 200-day averages (a good sign), while the '500' closed 18 points above its 200-day (good, not enough to declare a breakout). The next two key pieces of resistance for the '500' are the bear-market trendline (which comes in at 4,035 when looking out a week) and the December high (at 4,100).

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

Stocks fell on Wednesday morning amid uncertainty about the outcome of the midterm elections, as the Republicans' 'red wave' in Congress failed to materialize. Disney shares dropped nearly 12% after the company reported disappointing fiscal 4Q earnings, driven in part by sharp losses in its video streaming services. The Dow fell 0.8%, the S&P 0.8%, and the Nasdaq 1.1%. Crude oil fell more than 2% to $87 per barrel, while gold traded at $1716 per ounce.

Stocks fell on Tuesday morning, led by declines in the Technology and Consumer Discretionary sectors, as investors awaited the July CPI report on Wednesday. Micron Technology shares fell more than 5% after the chipmaker warned of lower demand and cut its fiscal 4Q sales guidance. Vaccine maker Novavax dropped nearly 30% after reporting a wider-than-expected 2Q loss and slashing its full-year sales forecast. The Dow fell 0.2%, the S&P 0.5%, and the Nasdaq 1.3%. Crude oil traded near $91 per barrel, while gold rose $3 to $1808 per ounce.

Year-to-Date Review and 2022 Outlook

Stocks rose strongly on Tuesday morning on signs that at least some Russian troops were pulling back from positions near the Ukrainian border. However, on the economic front, inflation data was again higher than expected. The Labor Department said that its producer price index rose 1.0% in January, above the Bloomberg consensus forecast of 0.5% and up from a 0.4% increase in December. The Dow rose 1.2%, the S&P 1.5%, and the Nasdaq 2.1%. Crude oil fell nearly 4% to $92 per barrel, while gold fell $17 to $1852 per ounce.

Stocks were mixed on Thursday morning, a day after the Federal Reserve announced the start of its $15 billion per month tapering program. Fed Chair Jerome Powell also indicated that the Fed would prefer to wait for the completion of the tapering plan, and further improvement in the labor market, before considering higher interest rates. The Dow fell 0.2%, the S&P rose 0.3%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.6%. Crude oil rose slightly to $81 per barrel, while gold traded near $1796 per ounce.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Large Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. Stocks of large-cap companies where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as large cap.

Stocks rose on Thursday amid a new round of earnings reports along with 2Q GDP and weekly employment data. Investors also continued to assess the Fed's probable timeline for tapering its bond-buying program. The Commerce Department said that the U.S. economy expanded at a 6.5% annualized rate in 2Q, up from the prior quarter but well below the consensus forecast of 8.4%. On the employment front, first-time jobless claims fell to 400,000 for the week ended July 24, but exceeded the consensus of 380,000. Continuing claims rose slightly to 3.27 million from 3.18 million a week earlier. The Dow rose 0.44%, the S&P 0.42%, and the Nasdaq 0.11%. Crude oil rose to $73.50 per barrel, while gold rose $29 to $1828 per ounce.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Large Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. Stocks of large-cap companies where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as large cap.

Positive 1Q21 Earnings Trends Boost EPS Forecasts

Stocks fluctuated on Thursday in choppy trading as investors weighed weekly employment data, a continued decline in new U.S. coronavirus cases, and a warning from President Biden about challenges from China. The Labor Department reported that both first-time and continuing unemployment claims fell from the prior week, though both readings were above consensus forecasts. After the close, Disney posted an unexpected fiscal 1Q profit amid strong growth in Disney+ subscribers. The Dow fell 0.02%, the S&P rose 0.17%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.38%. Crude oil fell more than 1% to $58 per barrel, while gold fell $17 to $1826 per ounce.

On Thursday, stocks went back down on the seesaw, in a market in which bulls and bears are tag-teaming leadership. Perhaps Triskaidekaphobes took over the exchange Thursday, with Friday the 13th looming. According to a Barron's study from 2019, however, it turns out that Fridays falling on the 13th day of the month trade pretty much as they would on any day of the calendar.

Stocks rose on Thursday, rebounding from Wednesday's selloff but also giving up some of their gains late in the session. The Commerce Department reported strong growth in 3Q GDP, which rose at a better-than-expected 33.1% annualized rate. Unemployment claims, still high by historical standards, also trended lower. First-time unemployment benefit claims fell from the prior week to 751,000, below the consensus forecast. Continuing claims totaled 7.756 million, also down from the prior week and below consensus. The Dow rose 0.52%, the S&P 1.19%, and the Nasdaq 1.64%. Crude oil fell more than 3% to $36 per barrel, while gold fell $13 to $1866 per ounce.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Large Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. Stocks of large-cap companies where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as large cap.

Washington and the Stock Market: Gridlock is Over-Rated

Washington and the Stock Market: Gridlock is Over-Rated

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Large Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. Stocks of large-cap companies where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as large cap.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Large Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. Stocks of large-cap companies where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as large cap.

Stocks finished mixed on Thursday following a record decline in quarterly GDP and continued high unemployment claims. Investors were also rattled earlier in the session by a tweet from President Trump calling for a delay in the November election. The U.S. economy contracted at a 32.9% annualized rate in the second quarter, and first-time unemployment claims exceeded 1 million for the 19th straight week, with a slight increase to 1.434 million. Continuing claims, reported with a one-week lag, also rose to 17.01 million, above the Bloomberg consensus of 16.2 million. The Dow fell 0.85%, the S&P fell 0.38%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.43%. Crude oil fell 2% to $40.50 per barrel, while gold dropped $5 to $1972 per ounce.

Stocks finished mixed on Thursday following a record decline in quarterly GDP and continued high unemployment claims. Investors were also rattled earlier in the session by a tweet from President Trump calling for a delay in the November election. The U.S. economy contracted at a 32.9% annualized rate in the second quarter, and first-time unemployment claims exceeded 1 million for the 19th straight week, with a slight increase to 1.434 million. Continuing claims, reported with a one-week lag, also rose to 17.01 million, above the Bloomberg consensus of 16.2 million. The Dow fell 0.85%, the S&P fell 0.38%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.43%. Crude oil fell 2% to $40.50 per barrel, while gold dropped $5 to $1972 per ounce.

Stocks finished mixed on Thursday following a record decline in quarterly GDP and continued high unemployment claims. Investors were also rattled earlier in the session by a tweet from President Trump calling for a delay in the November election. The U.S. economy contracted at a 32.9% annualized rate in the second quarter, and first-time unemployment claims exceeded 1 million for the 19th straight week, with a slight increase to 1.434 million. Continuing claims, reported with a one-week lag, also rose to 17.01 million, above the Bloomberg consensus of 16.2 million. The Dow fell 0.85%, the S&P fell 0.38%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.43%. Crude oil fell 2% to $40.50 per barrel, while gold dropped $5 to $1972 per ounce.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Large Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. Stocks of large-cap companies where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as large cap.

This edition features new data on immuno-oncology drugs; moat trends for Chinese coal producers; Australian infrastructure stocks; and notes from ICU Medical, Cognizant, and new coverage Kogan.com.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Large Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. Stocks of large-cap companies where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as large cap.