2023 Barron’s “The Trader” Columns and WSJ Stock Market Data
Jun 2
The Stock Market Throws a Party—and Everyone’s Invited
Summer is a time to kick back and enjoy the sunshine. The stock market may be coming around to that idea.
S&P 500: 4282.37
May 26
Hedge Funds Are Bullish on Their Stocks but Bearish on the Market
In the first quarter, hedge funds sold banks and technology stocks, while adding to defensive stocks like healthcare.
S&P 500: 4205.45
May 19
Stock Market Shrugs Off Doomsday Scenarios. It Might Be Right.
Always look on the bright side of life, Monty Python once sang, and that’s a message the stock market seems to be embracing.
S&P 500: 4191.98
May 12
Everyone Expects the Stock Market to Tumble. What if It Goes Up Instead?
It isn’t time to get bullish just yet, but darn, we’re getting close.
S&P 500: 4124.08
May 5
The Fed Is Set Up for a Pause. Why the Stock Market Is Set for a Fall.
Considering the way this year has gone, one would expect the Federal Reserve’s likely pause in interest-rate hikes to send the stock market higher. That’s not what happened—and for good reason.
S&P 500: 4136.25
Apr 28
Many Stocks Look Attractive. The Stock Market Doesn’t.
Stockpickers will like the market’s next phase.
S&P 500: 4169.48
Apr 21
The Stock Market Barely Budged, but Don’t Let It Fool You—Earnings Season Is Going Swimmingly
For the stock market, earnings represent the sum of all fears. But if they don’t play out the way bearish investors think they will, shares’ next move could be higher.
S&P 500: 4133.52
Apr 14
As Bank Earnings Go, So Goes the Stock Market. So Far, So Good.
The major indexes finished a listless week not far from where they started, with below-average daily trading volume and declining volatility. Call it the calm before the first-quarter earnings storm.
S&P 500: 4137.64
Apr 7
Tired of Waiting for the Fed to Pivot? Try This Move Instead.
Investors can’t wait for the Federal Reserve to start pivoting. This past week’s action—illuminated by a pink full moon—shows that they might have to wait a bit longer.
S&P 500: 4105.02
Mar 31
The Stock Market Rallied Into a Banking Slowdown. Be Worried.
We take the good, and we take the bad—but the stock market is taking it to extremes.
S&P 500: 4109.31
Mar 24
This Stock Market’s Floor Could Still Fall Out
For a while, the most likely outcome for stock markets in 2023 was a trading range. Now, much worse scenarios are on the table.
S&P 500: 3970.99
Mar 17
The Stock Market Storm Is Far From Over
Stocks alternated strong rallies and sharp declines this past week amid a stretch of bank blowups and attempts to shore up the financial system.
S&P 500: 3916.64
Mar 10
The Stock Market Is Getting Hit by Higher Rates and Tumbling Banks. Why the Next Move Could Be Higher.
Rates are rising. Banks are failing. And, believe it or not, the S&P 500 could still hit 4600.
S&P 500: 3861.59
Mar 3
Jupiter and Venus Are Aligned, and the Stock Market Is Rallying Again
Jupiter and Venus appear to be “touching” despite being separated by 400 million miles. The stock market, seemingly millions of miles from the Fed, is in no rush to converge.
S&P 500: 4045.64
Feb 24
The Stock Market Doesn’t Look Cheap—Any Way You Slice It
Stock indexes closed another losing week in a downbeat February, as investors continue to debate the path of the economy and monetary policy.
S&P 500: 3970.04
Feb 17
Should You Sell Your Stocks in March and Go Away? Maybe.
Investors have heard the dictum “sell in May and go away.” This year they might want to consider selling in March.
S&P 500: 4079.09
Feb 10
The Stock Market Just Had Its Worst Week of the Year. No News Is Bad News.
It’s the middle of February, and the stock market finally seems caught in the winter doldrums. There may be more gray days ahead.
S&P 500: 4090.46
Feb 3
The Stock Market Is in the Mood to Rally, Even if It Defies Logic
“The disinflationary process has started,” said Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell at Wednesday’s press conference, and with that, the stock market took off.
S&P 500: 4136.48
Jan 27
An Unstoppable Market Is About to Meet the Immovable Fed
The stock market has acted as if the Fed doesn’t exist as it jumps out to a quick start. Expect Fed Chairman Jerome Powell to remind it when the central bank hikes interest rates this week.
S&P 500: 4070.56
Jan 20
Stocks and Bonds Are Sending Different Messages. One of Them Is Wrong.
Stocks have embraced the concept of a soft landing so far in 2023. Bonds are trading like a recession is nigh. Only one can be right.
S&P 500: 3972.61
Jan 13
Inflation Isn’t the Stock Market’s Biggest Problem Now. Deflation Is.
The boogeyman of disinflation—and even some deflation—is about to become the biggest risk to stocks, and investors are going to have to figure out how to position portfolios for falling prices.
S&P 500: 3999.09
Jan 6
The Stock Market Is Off to a Great Start. Earnings Season Could Be a Problem.
Investors got their Goldilocks jobs report on Friday morning, with a growing-but-slowing labor market, a tick-up in participation, and a deceleration in the pace of wage gains.
S&P 500: 3895.08