The benchmark S&P 500 index
SPX,
-0.37%
is now in a bull market, which is a far cry from what we were looking at a year ago. But what is a bull market? William Watts digs into the history of bull and bear markets and what drives them, while providing modern definitions for the terms.
Over the years, you have probably read articles urging investors not to try to time stock-market cycles. The tendency of an investor moving to the sidelines to avoid a market decline is to return well after a recovery has started. But after a 24% gain in a little over six months, the most obvious question is, what is next for the market? Here’s an array of coverage to help answer that question:
The Ratings Game
Analysts see potential for a financial boost for Netflix as the streamer cracks down on password sharing.
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The Ratings Game column tracks analysts’ evolving opinions of high-profile stocks. This week one analyst said investors were looking at a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy shares of Netflix
NFLX,
-2.99%,
as the streaming pioneer’s crackdown on password sharing had been bearing fruit. Another set a $535 price target for Netflix, which would make for a 20% gain over the stock’s closing price of $445.27 Thursday.
More from the Ratings Game:
A related topic: Bank of America execs blew $93.6 billion. Here’s how they did it.
Another force driving inflation
Some food companies plan to continue raising prices even as their input costs decline.
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Much of the blame for the current inflation cycle has gone to the Federal Reserve and the federal government, whose policies to stimulate (or defend) the U.S. economy during the Covid-19 pandemic created trillions of new dollars to build demand and push prices higher. But some food companies are touting their ability to raise prices even as inflation cools. The applicable term is “greedflation,” as Ciara Linnane reports.
Mirth and insight into the world of (expensive) money management
When it seems as if all the high-profile money managers are advising investors to move in the same direction, it may be best to avoid the crowd.
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Brett Arends shares the simple and successful investing strategy of “Pariah Capital.”
IPO Report
Shares of Cava more than doubled on June 15 after their initial listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
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Even during a period of reduced investment-banking activity, there are companies planning on going public to raise money from investors. These are tracked in the IPO Report. Shares of Cava Group
CAVA,
-12.86%
soared during their trading debut Thursday. Right before the IPO, Ciara Linnane interviewed the Mediterranean-themed fast-casual restaurant chain’s chief financial officer Tricia Tolivar, who steered clear of predicting when Cava might turn a profit.
More from the IPO Report:
The big move
Even a money pit can make you a profit on sale, but then you may face capital-gains taxes.
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Aarthi Swaminathan writes The Big Move column, to help readers with decisions about where to live and how to invest in residential real estate. This week she works through scenarios for a couple who would profit on the sale of a decrepit house they don’t live in, but wish to avoid capital-gains taxes.
Another housing story: The share of first-time homeowners hits lowest level in 41 years. But this house hunter, 33, has a plan.
Stock strategies and ideas
Investors can reap rewards if they hold shares of biotechnology companies that are takeover targets.
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Michael Brush interviews Joseph Hudepohl, who manages the Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital Focused Growth Fund
EILGX,
-0.26%,
which has a strong performance record over the long term. Hudepohl offers five tips for investors and names related stock selections.
Brush also surveys the biotechnology landscape and names three companies he believes are potential acquisition targets.
Stock screens:
Read this if you have any interest in how higher education is financed or wish to protect a college student
Amid the discussions of potential forgiveness of student debt by the federal government, you might also benefit from a deep look into the nuts and bolts of how government aid is actually disbursed and how companies in the business of facilitating the movement of money also target students to harvest fees. Jillian Berman does this while taking a close look at BankMobile.
Are you afraid the deployment of artificial intelligence technology threatens your job?
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Zoe Han has some tips on how you can prepare by embracing AI.
More AI-related coverage:
Early retirement and healthcare coverage
If you wish to retire well before you are eligible for Medicare coverage, research your health insurance choices ahead of time to avoid an unpleasant surprise.
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What if you have built up a sizable retirement nest egg, but now wish to stop working sooner than you had previously planned? If you are years away from being eligible for Medicare, you will probably have to arrange your own private health insurance. In this week’s Help Me Retire column, Alessandra Malito helps a couple, both aged 54, learn how to prepare.
Spread the word: Social Security scams are ‘an out-of-control epidemic.’ How to protect yourself.