Market Actions Articles
Best-Performing S&P Composite 1500 Stocks at Midpoint 2026
August 2026 by John Bajkowski
One of the clearest themes during the first half of 2026 was the remarkable breadth of the artificial intelligence (AI) investment cycle.
August 2026 by John Bajkowski
One of the clearest themes during the first half of 2026 was the remarkable breadth of the artificial intelligence (AI) investment cycle.
Worst-Performing S&P Composite 1500 Stocks at Midpoint 2026
August 2026 by John Bajkowski
Many of the largest declines occurred in software, IT services and enterprise application companies as investors favored businesses supplying the semiconductor, memory and data-center ecosystem.
August 2026 by John Bajkowski
Many of the largest declines occurred in software, IT services and enterprise application companies as investors favored businesses supplying the semiconductor, memory and data-center ecosystem.
Best-Performing S&P Composite 1500 Stocks
August 2025 by John Bajkowski
Looking at the strongest stocks year to date reveals industry leadership and potential investment opportunities.
August 2025 by John Bajkowski
Looking at the strongest stocks year to date reveals industry leadership and potential investment opportunities.
Worst-Performing S&P Composite 1500 Stocks
August 2025 by John Bajkowski
Looking at the weakest stocks year to date can expose companies poised for a reversal in fortunes.
August 2025 by John Bajkowski
Looking at the weakest stocks year to date can expose companies poised for a reversal in fortunes.
What Market Volatility Really Is and How to Navigate It
June 2025 by Charles Rotblut
Volatility refers to the magnitude of movement instead of a single direction; AAII founder James Cloonan encouraged investors to focus on “real risk.”
June 2025 by Charles Rotblut
Volatility refers to the magnitude of movement instead of a single direction; AAII founder James Cloonan encouraged investors to focus on “real risk.”
Understanding the VIX: A Practical Guide
April 2025 by Wayne A. Thorp
The VIX is a widely watched metric that tracks expected volatility in the stock market. How you can use it to gauge potential market turning points.
April 2025 by Wayne A. Thorp
The VIX is a widely watched metric that tracks expected volatility in the stock market. How you can use it to gauge potential market turning points.
The S&P 500 Outcasts: Picking Up the Dropped Stocks
November 2024 by John Bajkowski
As a starting point for investors, this First Cut lists stocks possibly neglected due to their removal from the S&P 500 index.
November 2024 by John Bajkowski
As a starting point for investors, this First Cut lists stocks possibly neglected due to their removal from the S&P 500 index.
Large-Cap Stocks' Rally Rooted in Artificial Intelligence
August 2024 by Charles Rotblut
The S&P 500 index’s strong performance for the first half of 2024 is attributable to its technology-related stocks.
August 2024 by Charles Rotblut
The S&P 500 index’s strong performance for the first half of 2024 is attributable to its technology-related stocks.
Best-Performing S&P Composite 1500 Stocks
July 2024 by John Bajkowski
This month’s First Cut identifies the stocks in the S&P Composite 1500 index that have the highest price change this year when compared to their peers.
July 2024 by John Bajkowski
This month’s First Cut identifies the stocks in the S&P Composite 1500 index that have the highest price change this year when compared to their peers.
Worst-Performing S&P Composite 1500 Stocks
July 2024 by John Bajkowski
While the list only covers a half-year time period, it can reveal current trends or struggling companies ready for a reversal in fortunes for the contrarian investor.
July 2024 by John Bajkowski
While the list only covers a half-year time period, it can reveal current trends or struggling companies ready for a reversal in fortunes for the contrarian investor.
The S&P 500 at 5,000: Don't Be Fooled by Point Hype
March 2024 by Charles Rotblut
There is an obvious difference between point moves and percentage changes.
March 2024 by Charles Rotblut
There is an obvious difference between point moves and percentage changes.
The Relationship Between Stock Market Volatility and Returns
October 2023 by Craig Israelsen
Less volatility isn’t always a good thing, especially when considering the returns that follow periods of high volatility.
October 2023 by Craig Israelsen
Less volatility isn’t always a good thing, especially when considering the returns that follow periods of high volatility.
Correlation Between High Valuation and Low Returns Confirmed
August 2023 by Grace Malone
A study assesses how well starting valuations have historically predicted future high-yield bond and stock returns and what current valuations could suggest for those returns.
August 2023 by Grace Malone
A study assesses how well starting valuations have historically predicted future high-yield bond and stock returns and what current valuations could suggest for those returns.
MegaCap-8 Stocks Lead Resurgence in Large-Cap Growth
July 2023 by Charles Rotblut
The eight so-called MegaCap-8 companies accounted for 26.4% of the S&P 500 index’s total market capitalization as of June 9, 2023.
July 2023 by Charles Rotblut
The eight so-called MegaCap-8 companies accounted for 26.4% of the S&P 500 index’s total market capitalization as of June 9, 2023.
Best-Performing S&P 500 Stocks
September 2022 by Jack Gilleland
This First Cut seeks to identify the S&P 500 index stocks that have had the highest price change compared to their peers over the last 52 weeks.
September 2022 by Jack Gilleland
This First Cut seeks to identify the S&P 500 index stocks that have had the highest price change compared to their peers over the last 52 weeks.
Worst-Performing S&P 500 Stocks
September 2022 by Jack Gilleland
This First Cut seeks to identify the S&P 500 index stocks that have had the lowest price change compared to their peers over the last 52 weeks.
September 2022 by Jack Gilleland
This First Cut seeks to identify the S&P 500 index stocks that have had the lowest price change compared to their peers over the last 52 weeks.
CAPE Ratio Is High, but Down From Peak
July 2022 by Charles Rotblut
The cyclically adjusted price-earnings (CAPE) ratio is a widely followed, long-term measure of the stock market’s valuation.
July 2022 by Charles Rotblut
The cyclically adjusted price-earnings (CAPE) ratio is a widely followed, long-term measure of the stock market’s valuation.
Online Exclusive: Delving Into the Definition of the CAPE Ratio
July 2022 by Matthew Bajkowski
Dividing current market price by a 10-year average of earnings can be used to predict long-term performance of a stock or the market.
July 2022 by Matthew Bajkowski
Dividing current market price by a 10-year average of earnings can be used to predict long-term performance of a stock or the market.
Measuring Market Volatility Trends With the VIX
June 2022 by Brian Haughey
The power of the S&P 500 Volatility Index lies more in its relative, or comparative, level than in its absolute level.
June 2022 by Brian Haughey
The power of the S&P 500 Volatility Index lies more in its relative, or comparative, level than in its absolute level.
Online Exclusive: What Is the Put-Call Ratio?
April 2022 by Matthew Bajkowski
As a measure of market sentiment, the put-call ratio can be of help to determine when the market is getting too bullish or bearish.
April 2022 by Matthew Bajkowski
As a measure of market sentiment, the put-call ratio can be of help to determine when the market is getting too bullish or bearish.
Tracking the Market's Expectations for Interest Rate Hikes
March 2022 by AAII Staff
A measure we follow to gauge expectations for monetary policy is the CME FedWatch Tool.
March 2022 by AAII Staff
A measure we follow to gauge expectations for monetary policy is the CME FedWatch Tool.
Effects of Monetary Policy on Emerging Markets
December 2021 by Jack Gilleland
The effects of monetary policy on the U.S. equities market are often scrutinized but can also be seen in the flow of money to other markets outside the U.S.
December 2021 by Jack Gilleland
The effects of monetary policy on the U.S. equities market are often scrutinized but can also be seen in the flow of money to other markets outside the U.S.
The Bond Market's Expectations for Inflation
July 2021 by Charles Rotblut
The breakeven rate reflects the bond market’s expectation for future inflation. While breakeven rates cannot accurately predict what will occur in the future, they can provide insights.
July 2021 by Charles Rotblut
The breakeven rate reflects the bond market’s expectation for future inflation. While breakeven rates cannot accurately predict what will occur in the future, they can provide insights.
What Triggers Market Jumps?
June 2021 by AAII Staff
Market cycles are expected, but the reasons for a switch to an up or down market are less understood.
June 2021 by AAII Staff
Market cycles are expected, but the reasons for a switch to an up or down market are less understood.
What You Can Gain From Reading the Economic Tea Leaves
November 2020 by Brian Haughey
Comparing changes in given metrics and their relative performance allows us to assess if economic activity is accelerating or decelerating and adjust our portfolio allocations if desired.
November 2020 by Brian Haughey
Comparing changes in given metrics and their relative performance allows us to assess if economic activity is accelerating or decelerating and adjust our portfolio allocations if desired.
How Individual Investors Are Responding to the Market's Coronavirus Volatility
May 2020 by Charles Rotblut, Matthew Bajkowski, Ryan Reeh
Though many AAII members bought or sold securities and funds in reaction to the coronavirus-related volatility, 70% say they are continuing to stick to their portfolio strategy.
May 2020 by Charles Rotblut, Matthew Bajkowski, Ryan Reeh
Though many AAII members bought or sold securities and funds in reaction to the coronavirus-related volatility, 70% say they are continuing to stick to their portfolio strategy.
Stock Market Retreats and Recoveries
October 2017 by Sam Stovall
Only six months, on average, have separated the end of one decline and the start of the next one, but recoveries have been quick.
October 2017 by Sam Stovall
Only six months, on average, have separated the end of one decline and the start of the next one, but recoveries have been quick.
Stock Market Volatility
October 2017 by AAII Staff
Large-company stocks can experience big price swings on a 12-month basis, but become less risky when looked at over longer periods.
October 2017 by AAII Staff
Large-company stocks can experience big price swings on a 12-month basis, but become less risky when looked at over longer periods.
Downside Volatility Determines Trend-Following Profits
May 2017 by AAII Staff
The success of trend-following strategies is more dependent on the volatility of the underlying asset following a buy or sell signal than the rules used for determining when signals are issued.
May 2017 by AAII Staff
The success of trend-following strategies is more dependent on the volatility of the underlying asset following a buy or sell signal than the rules used for determining when signals are issued.
The Danger of Getting Out of Stocks During Bear Markets
May 2014 by Charles Rotblut
Panicking and pulling out of stocks during turbulent market conditions can have a significant and lasting negative impact on your wealth.
May 2014 by Charles Rotblut
Panicking and pulling out of stocks during turbulent market conditions can have a significant and lasting negative impact on your wealth.
What Defines a Bear Market?
November 2011 by AAII Staff
The severity of a market fall determines how it is categorized and helps to provide a sense of how quickly a rebound may occur.
November 2011 by AAII Staff
The severity of a market fall determines how it is categorized and helps to provide a sense of how quickly a rebound may occur.
Market Barometers: A Look at Stock Indexes and How They Work
June 2008 by AAII Staff
You don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows, but you do need a stock market index to know which way the stock winds are blowing. A look at stock market indexes and what they are telling you.
June 2008 by AAII Staff
You don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows, but you do need a stock market index to know which way the stock winds are blowing. A look at stock market indexes and what they are telling you.
Are We in a Bull Market Beginning or a Bear Market Correction?
September 2003 by Mark Hulbert
Investment Newsletters: Since March 2003, small-cap growth stocks have outperformed small-cap value stocks. This is more reminiscent of the speculative behavior prior to major market tops than the beginning of a new bull market.
September 2003 by Mark Hulbert
Investment Newsletters: Since March 2003, small-cap growth stocks have outperformed small-cap value stocks. This is more reminiscent of the speculative behavior prior to major market tops than the beginning of a new bull market.