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Value stocks -- a market segment that includes high-yield stocks -- outperformed growth stocks in 2022. In early 2025, value stocks once again outperformed growth and remained on top for about six months. That's a recent rarity, as for the past decade-plus, the performance record has favored growth. But the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines gave a lift to some of the cyclical companies (energy and regional banks) that had lagged, and value stocks outpaced growth stocks that year. While growth stocks have retaken the lead since 2023, the Federal Reserve continues to keep interest rates high to fend off inflation. This could possibly cap multiple expansion for growth companies in coming quarters. In any event, the value sector is the place to achieve income.

The demand for clean energy in America is increasing as consumers and businesses prioritize sustainability and seek to reduce their carbon footprints. Government policies and incentives, along with growing environmental awareness, are driving substantial investments in renewable energy sources and technologies. United in concern over greenhouse gas emissions stemming from fossil fuel power plants and car and truck tailpipes, 194 member states of the United Nations signed the Paris Agreement in 2015. This legally binding international treaty on climate change seeks to limit global warming. In the U.S., the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, enacted by the 117th Congress, called for the investment of $391 billion in programs and incentives relating to energy security and climate change, including over $120 billion for renewable energy and grid energy storage, tax credits for wind power, solar power, clean energy manufacturing, electric vehicle incentives, and other energy efficiency measures. Though the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act changed some provisions previously available under the IRA, we expect economic factors to kick clean energy into a higher gear. Consider the fate of coal. As recently as 2001, coal was used to generate more than 50% of the country's electricity. That is now only 19%, due to coal's relative lower efficiency. Meanwhile, wind power as a percentage of U.S. electricity generation has grown from less than 1% in 1990 to 10% by 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The global solar power market is also large and quickly growing. It generated $235 billion in 2022 revenues and is projected to rise at a compound annual growth rate of 7%, to $293 billion in 2029.

Was Friday's Fed-induced spike higher just a one-day wonder for equites, or will it lead to a greater push into all-time high territory? According to studies we have seen, the market seems likely to go higher based on historical patterns. On Monday, stock indices gave back a small portion of Friday's gains, with the S&P 500 off 0.4%, the Nasdaq down 0.2%, and the Nasdaq 100 lower by 0.3%. Meanwhile, the S&P Mid Cap 400 fell 0.8% and the S&P 600 declined 0.9%. The U.S. Dollar Index, which was hit on Friday, recaptured all its losses, while Treasury yields across the curve rose slightly. Bitcoin, which ripped higher to $117,500 on Friday, has now dropped to under $111,000 -- breaking support (at $112,500) on a minor basis. Ethereum soared to an all-time high of $4,830 Friday, held the gains over the weekend, but was whacked on Monday, dropping to around $4,400. There used to be a relatively consistent stock-market cycle that lasted four years, guided by the economy. Indeed, the bear market in 1970 was followed by corrections and bear markets in 1974, 1982, 1987, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2007/2008, 2010/2011, 2015/2016, 2018, and 2022. Yes, the weak periods do not line up perfectly -- but there is some rhythm. Decades ago, the U.S. economy was driven heavily by manufacturing, which led to these cycles. Shorter term, there has been some regularity with 18 weeks higher and then 18 weeks lower. That makes some sense, as 18 weeks is one quarter. We are on week 18 of this uptrend, so things could get interesting. (Mark Arbeter, CMT)

The Vickers Top Buyers & Sellers is a daily report that identifies the five companies the largest insider purchase transactions based on the dollar value of the transactions as well as the five companies the largest insider sales transactions based on the dollar value of the transactions.