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The Vickers Top Insider Picks is a daily report that utilizes a proprietary algorithm to identify 25 companies with compelling insider purchase histories based on transactions over the past three months.

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.

Founded in 1920, Helmerich & Payne, Inc. through its subsidiaries, designs, fabricates, and operates high-performance drilling rigs in conventional and unconventional plays around the world. H&P also develops and implements advanced automation, directional drilling and survey management technologies. At December 31, 2024, H&P's fleet included 225 land rigs in the United States, 30 international land rigs and seven offshore platform rigs. The shares are a component of the S&P SmallCap 600 index and the firm currently employs about 7,000 people.

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)