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In April, the S&P 500 delivered its first monthly loss in 2024 (about 4.1%, before dividends). But if the historical track record holds, stocks could return to a positive performance in May. The stock market typically rises in May, on average 0.9% and with a 71% winning percentage. We note that market returns in May have exceeded 5% on six occasions since 1980, including a 9.2% gain in 2000. Last year was at least positive, with a 0.8% advance. So the bullish market trend since October 2022 could continue. Still, there have been some clunkers in May, including 2022 (a whopping -8.4%), 2010 (-8.2%), 2012 (-6.0%), and 1984 (-5.9%). May starts as a busy month on Wall Street, as companies report first-quarter earnings, the Federal Reserve meets, and the nonfarm payrolls report is released. But once the retailers wrap up their results, investors will be left to ponder inflation trends, future Federal Reserve activity, the risk of recession, and the long Memorial Day weekend. Looking ahead, we are bullish on stocks for 2024, as interest rates eventually head lower, the consumer sector of the economy remains in growth mode, and earnings continue to grow into the second half of the year. To be safe, we recommend a continued focus on the stocks of quality companies with strong earnings trends.

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.

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.

Liberty Global is a holding company with interests in several telecom companies in the U.K., Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland, and Slovakia. Liberty is the owner of the main cable network in each of these geographies and has pursued a strategy since 2016 to merge or partner with mobile-network-operators to be able to offer converged services. Liberty also owns minority stakes in other media, entertainment, and cloud companies.