Michael Brush
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MarketWatch columnist. Cabot. Stock letter: uponstocks.com. 🚫 consensus. Prior: NYT Business Economist Group MSN Columbia Biz Schl, Hopkins SAIS Italy.
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Articles by Michael Brush
Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS) Stock a Buy as Shares Go on Sale
Shoppers always love a good sale. Insiders at big retail chains do, as well. At Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS), directors, officers and the chief financial officer have been loading up on their company’s stock in its big pullback. In the 42%-off sale on Dick’s shares since late June, these insiders have purchased $5.6 million worth of stock at prices up to 136.39. You can still purchase the stock at prices not much above the upper end of their buy range, and it looks like it makes sense to do so.
How to Handle the Hidden Bear Market
The stock market and the economy now face significant challenges. So, it is no surprise that the majority of stocks are in a bear market, or at least a correction. When the market is in a steep sell-off like this, it is tough to know when it will bottom. I know what you are thinking: “What bear market? The S&P 500 keeps hitting new highs.” This is true. But it is only part of the story.
Stocks Are in a Correction Under the Surface—but Stay Bullish
Since early July, I have been cautioning about market weakness, and it has definitely arrived. True, you don’t see it in the broad indices. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq are up 2.3% and 3.4% in the past three months. While these indices are up moderately, anyone who is constructing broad portfolios of individual names is probably doing far worse. That’s because most of the market is in a correction.
A sudden end to the Iran war would strike a blow against oil prices and energy stocks. Yet company insiders are buying.
A screen capture from a video released by U.S. Central Command on Sept. 8, showing what the U.S. military said was a strike on an Iranian tanker in the Gulf of Oman. - Handout/US Central Command Public Affairs/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images Given the pressure that higher energy prices and the Middle East conflict are putting on the global economy, it makes sense to think President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders might find a way out of the crisis relatively soon.
A sudden end to the Iran war would strike a blow against oil prices and energy stocks. Yet company insiders are buying.
Given the pressure that higher energy prices and the Middle East conflict are putting on the global economy, it makes sense to think President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders might find a way out of the crisis relatively soon. In this scenario, oil prices would drop quickly, and so would energy stocks There's one problem with this positive outlook: Energy-sector insiders aren't buying it. Instead, they are buying their stocks — suggesting they think the stocks go higher from here, not lower.
A sudden end to the Iran war would strike a blow against oil prices and energy stocks. Yet company insiders are buying.
I just started dating someone I really like, but he’s moving to Mexico for six months. Should I spend the money to visit him?
Insiders Are Snapping Up These Specialized Cannabis Lenders
Popular plant-touching cannabis companies like Curaleaf (CURA) and Trulieve Cannabis (TRLV) may hold promise. After all, a majority of voters favor broader cannabis reform – even legalization. If reform plays out, these stocks will do well. But they’re also risky, and they require a lot of patience. That’s because they are so dependent on the federal and state governments to carry out reforms that open up new markets. “We continue to believe legalization of cannabis is inevitable though not imminent.
5 Reasons the Market Is Vulnerable to a Pullback
As of this week, my Cabot Insider Edge portfolio was up 17.35% since inception on June 10, 2026, compared to 4.56% for the S&P 500 exchange-traded fund (SPY), despite the headwind of a cash position. Six of the positions were up double digits. Three were up 25%-60%. All outperformed the market. There were no losers. This is positive performance, and I’m happy to see my system for reading the insider buy signals remains effective. But I’m resisting exuberance, for two reasons.
Five reasons we're headed for a 10% stock-market correction — or worse
Stock-market weakness over several recent trading days, with the major benchmarks losing ground in three straight sessions through Tuesday, may represent more than just normal volatility. It could be a sign of bigger trouble ahead — like a possible 10% to 20% market pullback. Here are five reasons for that, and what you should do to prepare. ‘Spooky season' is just around the corner: September is typically the worst month for the S&P 500.
Five reasons we’re headed for a 10% stock-market correction — or worse
- • Finally, a Bank of America bull-and-bear measure recently stood at 9.6 on a scale of 10. This represents extreme bullishness, which makes it a sell signal. This gauge measures factors like hedge-fund positioning, cash levels among portfolio managers, money flows into stocks versus bonds and credit-market technicals. Wall Street equity analysts are exuberant: Bulls argue that recent stock gains are justified by earnings-growth momentum, which has indeed been robust.
This Big Upcoming Change for Consumers Could Boost Cannabis Stocks
Thecannabis sector is about to see some dramatic changes over the next few quarters, which could push sector stocks significantly higher, predict four of the key CEOs in the space. “Buckle up,” said Green Thumb (GTBIF) CEO and founder Ben Kovler in his company’s second-quarter earnings call on August 4. “We think the next six months could potentially be the most significant in the cannabis landscape in the last 12 years.” Of course, CEOs are naturally optimistic by nature.
Psychedelics Stocks Surge on New Tailwinds
The psychedelics space continues to benefit from strong tailwinds. Here are the two biggest ones, so far this year: 1) On July 16, Eli Lilly (LLY) announced it is buying the psychedelics company AtaiBeckley (ATAI), which is developing DMT and MDMA (ecstasy) therapies for treatment-resistant depression and social anxiety disorder. Lilly is the company behind Prozac.
Think this stock market is in a bubble? These earnings numbers say otherwise.
By Michael Brush Stay with the AI trade and overweight technology stocks, according to one earnings expert The stock market still has many admirers who believe share prices still have plenty of upside. Many stock analysts compare the current tech-heavy U.S. market to the late 1990s internet-stock boom, specifically 1999 - just before the sharp run-up to the dot-com bust in 2000. The subsequent years were some of the worst in market history after the tech bubble deflated.
Think this stock market is in a bubble? These earnings numbers say otherwise.
The bottom line: Resilient earnings and the improving earnings-estimates momentum should support additional stock-market gains and new all-time highs this year for the S&P 500. 2. This is not 1999: Raich doesn't buy the market-top comparisons to the dot-com era. To predict where the market might go next, the key is to look for divergences between earnings-growth momentum and stock prices.
Think this stock market is in a bubble? These earnings numbers say otherwise.
By Michael Brush Stay with the AI trade and overweight technology stocks, according to one earnings expert The stock market still has many admirers who believe share prices still have plenty of upside. Many stock analysts compare the current tech-heavy U.S. market to the late 1990s internet-stock boom, specifically 1999 - just before the sharp run-up to the dot-com bust in 2000. The subsequent years were some of the worst in market history after the tech bubble deflated.
Welcome to the 'Roaring '20s': Here's how this earnings season will keep the bull market strong
Many stock analysts compare the current tech-heavy U.S. market to the late 1990s internet-stock boom, specifically 1999 — just before the sharp run-up to the dot-com bust in 2000. The subsequent years were some of the worst in market history after the tech bubble deflated. Over the next two weeks, investors will get a clearer picture of the U.S. market's health — especially Big Tech and AI-related stocks — as companies report second-quarter earnings.
Welcome to the ‘Roaring ’20s’: Here’s how this earnings season will keep the bull market strong
The stock market still has many admirers who believe share prices have retained plenty of upside momentum. Many stock analysts compare the current tech-heavy U.S. market to the late 1990s internet-stock boom, specifically 1999 — just before the sharp run-up to the dot-com bust in 2000. The subsequent years were some of the worst in market history after the tech bubble deflated.
Now’s the Time to “Buy Weakness”
This remains a “buy weakness” market. Sure, there are plenty of reasons for concern – which is almost always the case. But the positives continue to outweigh the negatives. So, I’m moderately bullish on stocks, particularly the ones that insiders favor. Here are six factors that are shaping my perspective on the market, three positive and three negative. Let’s start with the three negatives.
Tesla booted from the 'Magnificent Seven' by a top fund manager. Here is the tech giant he's crowned.
By Michael Brush T. Rowe Price fund manager David Giroux says Big Tech isn't in a bubble, but there's value in healthcare and utilities Some tech stocks look way too expensive, investor David Giroux says, but not most of the "Magnificent Seven." This sure is a tricky time to navigate the stock market. For guidance, I recently turned to veteran investor David Giroux, who has managed the T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund PRWCX for two decades through all kinds of market conditions.
Tesla booted from the ‘Magnificent Seven’ by a top fund manager. Here is the tech giant he’s crowned.
Some tech stocks look way too expensive, investor David Giroux says, but not most of the “Magnificent Seven.” This sure is a tricky time to navigate the stock market. For guidance, I recently turned to veteran investor David Giroux, who has managed the T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund PRWCX for two decades through all kinds of market conditions.
Tesla booted from the ‘Magnificent Seven’ by a top fund manager. Here is the tech giant he’s crowned.
Giroux says he can't justify that valuation for two companies that typically produce single-digit returns on invested capital (ROIC). Micron Technology and Western Digital had median ROICs of 7.96 and 1.26 respectively, from 2014 to 2024, according to FactSet. Recently they have been posting ROICs in the 300%-400% range. "The market is pricing in very positive outcomes," Giroux says.
Tesla booted from the 'Magnificent Seven' by a top fund manager. Here is the tech giant he's crowned.
By Michael Brush T. Rowe Price fund manager David Giroux says Big Tech isn't in a bubble, but there's value in healthcare and utilities Some tech stocks look way too expensive, investor David Giroux says, but not most of the "Magnificent Seven." This sure is a tricky time to navigate the stock market. For guidance, I recently turned to veteran investor David Giroux, who has managed the T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund PRWCX for two decades through all kinds of market conditions.
Tesla booted from the 'Magnificent Seven' by a top fund manager. Here is the tech giant he's crowned.
By Michael Brush T. Rowe Price fund manager David Giroux says Big Tech isn't in a bubble, but there's value in healthcare and utilities Some tech stocks look way too expensive, investor David Giroux says, but not most of the "Magnificent Seven." This sure is a tricky time to navigate the stock market. For guidance, I recently turned to veteran investor David Giroux, who has managed the T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund PRWCX for two decades through all kinds of market conditions.
A veteran investor is kicking Tesla out of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ — replacing it with this tech giant
Some tech stocks look way too expensive, investor David Giroux says, but not most of the “Magnificent Seven.” This sure is a tricky time to navigate the stock market. For guidance, I recently turned to veteran investor David Giroux, who has managed the T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund PRWCX for two decades through all kinds of market conditions.
A veteran investor is kicking Tesla out of the 'Magnificent Seven' - replacing it with this tech giant
By Michael Brush T. Rowe Price fund manager David Giroux says Big Tech isn't in a bubble, but there's value in healthcare and utilities Some tech stocks look way too expensive, investor David Giroux says, but not most of the "Magnificent Seven." This sure is a tricky time to navigate the stock market. For guidance, I recently turned to veteran investor David Giroux, who has managed the T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund PRWCX for two decades through all kinds of market conditions.
4 Reasons to Stay Long the Stock Market (and 3 Reasons for Caution)
The weight of the evidence suggests it continues to make sense to have long exposure to the stock market, despite widespread claims of a “bubble.” But it is a close call. Here’s my logic. 4 Reasons to Stay Invested With AI stocks doing so well and the market at or near new highs, there’s widespread talk of a 1999-style bubble, on X and elsewhere. These concerns are unfounded. Ed Yardeni at Yardeni Research deflates the bubble talk with some valuation data.
A powerful inflation storm is brewing - and your portfolio isn't ready
By Michael Brush Looming El Niño shock threatens to drive up global commodity prices. These investments can help protect your purchasing power. A forecasted "super" El Niño could severely disrupt global crop yields and keep inflation higher than expected. Analysts warn that a severe El Niño could raise global food commodity prices by up to 9%. Many investors think elevated U.S. inflation is poised to come down once an end to the Iran conflict opens the Strait of Hormuz, reducing energy prices.
A powerful inflation storm is brewing - and your portfolio isn't ready
By Michael Brush Looming El Niño shock threatens to drive up global commodity prices. These investments can help protect your purchasing power. A forecasted "super" El Niño could severely disrupt global crop yields and keep inflation higher than expected. Analysts warn that a severe El Niño could raise global food commodity prices by up to 9%. Many investors think elevated U.S. inflation is poised to come down once an end to the Iran conflict opens the Strait of Hormuz, reducing energy prices.
An inflation storm is brewing in the Pacific Ocean - and your portfolio isn’t ready
A forecasted "super" El Niño could severely disrupt global crop yields and keep inflation higher than expected. - Getty Images Many investors think elevated U.S. inflation is poised to come down once an end to the Iran conflict opens the Strait of Hormuz, reducing energy prices. They're in for a bad surprise — and their portfolios will likely suffer as a result. That's because a looming, powerful El Niño is expected to pick up where the Iran conflict leaves off.
Opinion: A powerful inflation storm is brewing — and your portfolio isn’t ready
Many investors think elevated U.S. inflation is poised to come down once an end to the Iran conflict opens the Strait of Hormuz, reducing energy prices. They’re in for a bad surprise — and their portfolios will likely suffer as a result. That’s because a looming, powerful El Niño is expected to pick up where the Iran conflict leaves off. A strong El Niño would disrupt crop production, sharply driving up agricultural commodity prices.
An inflation storm is brewing in the Pacific Ocean - and your portfolio isn't ready
By Michael Brush A looming climate shock threatens to drive up global commodity prices. These investments can help protect your purchasing power. A forecasted "super" El Niño could severely disrupt global crop yields and keep inflation higher than expected. Analysts warn that a severe El Niño could raise global food commodity prices by up to 9%. Many investors think elevated U.S. inflation is poised to come down once an end to the Iran conflict opens the Strait of Hormuz, reducing energy prices.
These stocks are reporting strong first-quarter earnings - helping fuel the market's record run
By Michael Brush Corporate executives with a front-row seat on the economy are broadcasting a bullish message and drowning out Iran war noise Corporate earnings results are giving stock investors an upbeat picture of the economy's health. As if the Iran war weren't enough to worry about, here comes earnings season and the insight it gives investors about economic growth. The good news is that both earnings and the economy will be fine. At least, that's what corporate executives are telling us.
Signs point to a solid earnings season — and with the S&P 500 topping 7,000, you should believe them
As if the Iran war weren’t enough to worry about, here comes earnings season and the insight it gives investors about economic growth. The good news is that both earnings and the economy will be fine. At least, that’s what corporate executives are telling us. Company insiders have front-row seats on economic trends, so their views say a lot about the economy. Their bullish message is coming through loud and clear in earnings reports and earnings guidance so far this reporting season.
Investors hoping the stock market will resume its bull run once the Iran conflict winds down may be in for a rude surprise. These several factors will hold the U.S. market back. The S&P 500 forward price/earnings ratio at 21 is still far above its long-term average of 16.1. On a trailing p/e basis, the benchmark index is at 25.7 times earnings compared with an average of 15 since 1900. On price-to-book value, the index recently traded at 5.59, the highest reading since 1978.
Follow the smart money to the makers of these favorite snack foods and drinks
Snack food companies were due some good news — like the recent round of insider buying at some of the biggest producers. Investors shunned these stocks due to concerns about the threat from appetite supressing GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. These medications reduce cravings for salty snacks, chocolate and sweetened drinks. • I settled my father’s estate, but found a will deeding a mobile home to his stepson. Am I ethically and legally obliged to fix this?
Follow the smart money to the makers of these favorite snack foods and drinks
Michael Brush Insiders are betting the U.S. snack food market still holds strong appeal Published: Feb. 7, 2026 at 10:02 a.m. ET Why shares of Utz Brands, Coca-Cola, Hershey and Molson Coors belong in your portfolio. Photo: MarketWatch photo illustration/iStockphoto Snack food companies were due some good news — like the recent round of insider buying at some of the biggest producers.
Follow the smart money to the makers of these favorite snack foods and drinks
By Michael Brush Insiders are betting the U.S. snack food market still holds strong appeal Why shares of Utz Brands, Coca-Cola, Hershey and Molson Coors belong in your portfolio. Shares of some snack food companies sunk to ridiculously cheap valuations. Snack food companies were due some good news - like the recent round of insider buying at some of the biggest producers. Investors shunned these stocks due to concerns about the threat from appetite supressing GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy.
These 6 great stocks are bargains right now - and a much better bet than Big Tech
By Michael Brush Here's what value-stock pro Bill Nygren is holding in the ETF he manages "A cheap enough price can make an average business a good investment," says Bill Nygren. 'Our tech weighting is awfully close to zero.'Fund manager Bill Nygren For decades we've had it drilled into us that the safest way to invest is to buy the S&P 500 SPX and let it ride. But that's one of the worst stock-market strategies right now.
These 6 great stocks are bargain-priced right now - and a much better bet than Big Tech
Michael Brush Here’s what value-stock pro Bill Nygren is holding in the ETF he manages Published: Feb. 5, 2026 at 7:50 a.m. ET “A cheap enough price can make an average business a good investment,” says Bill Nygren. Photo: AFP via Getty Images For decades we’ve had it drilled into us that the safest way to invest is to buy the S&P 500 SPX and let it ride. But that’s one of the worst stock-market strategies right now.
These 6 great stocks are bargain-priced right now - and a much better bet than Big Tech
By Michael Brush Here's what value-stock pro Bill Nygren is holding in the ETF he manages "A cheap enough price can make an average business a good investment," says Bill Nygren. 'Our tech weighting is awfully close to zero.'Fund manager Bill Nygren For decades we've had it drilled into us that the safest way to invest is to buy the S&P 500 SPX and let it ride. But that's one of the worst stock-market strategies right now.
These stocks are the market’s new momentum plays as Big Tech loses steam
Michael Brush A veteran money manager shares his top picks Published: Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:15 a.m. ET Photo: MarketWatch illustration/iStockphoto Investors continue to question the profitability of Big Tech’s AI investments and tech-stock valuations — and that’s leading them to put money on new momentum leaders. Momentum investing basically says to go with what’s working.
These stocks are the market's new momentum plays as Big Tech loses steam
By Michael Brush A veteran money manager shares his top picks Investors continue to question the profitability of Big Tech's AI investments and tech-stock valuations - and that's leading them to put money on new momentum leaders. Momentum investing basically says to go with what's working. Refined by investing legends such as Martin Zweig, William O'Neil and Jesse Livermore over the past century, this strategy posits that stock-price trends tend to persist.
6 stocks and ETFs that these unsung market heroes see outperforming in 2026
By Michael Brush Top stock-market newsletter editors share gems from their 'buy' list Stock-newsletter writers are the market's unsung heroes. They don't grab the attention that legendary investors such as Warren Buffett or Bill Ackman do. But they should, because many of them post excellent returns. So, each year around this time I check in with three of the best for a market outlook and favorite stock positions.
6 stocks and ETFs that these unsung market heroes see outperforming in 2026
- Getty Images/iStockphoto Stock-newsletter writers are the market’s unsung heroes. They don’t grab the attention that legendary investors such as Warren Buffett or Bill Ackman do. But they should, because many of them post excellent returns. So, each year around this time I check in with three of the best for a market outlook and favorite stock positions. Prediction Market powered by A few caveats: All three editors are reluctant to make market calls, given how tough it is to predict.
Opinion: 6 stocks and ETFs that these unsung market heroes see outperforming in 2026
Michael Brush Top stock-market newsletter editors share gems from their ‘buy’ list Published: Jan. 12, 2026 at 3:57 p.m. ET Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto Stock-newsletter writers are the market’s unsung heroes. They don’t grab the attention that legendary investors such as Warren Buffett or Bill Ackman do. But they should, because many of them post excellent returns. So, each year around this time I check in with three of the best for a market outlook and favorite stock positions.
Tax-related selling could set up these 11 stocks for big gains early in 2026
By Michael Brush Insider share ownership and corporate profitability are key to finding stocks that have been temporarily sold off Every December, a natural market dynamic creates bargains in the stock market. It's called tax-loss selling. Investors sell their losers to lower their capital-gains tax burden - harvesting losses to offset gains. They did quite a bit of tax-loss harvesting in 2025 because they have a lot of gains from the U.S. market.
Tax-related selling could set up these 11 stocks for big gains early in 2026
- Getty Images Every year around this time, a natural market dynamic creates bargains in the stock market. It’s called tax-loss selling. At year’s end, investors sell their losers to lower their capital-gains tax burden — harvesting losses to offset gains. This year, they’ve been doing quite a bit of tax-loss harvesting because they have a lot of gains from the U.S. market.
Opinion: Tax-related selling could set up these 11 stocks for big gains early in 2026
Michael Brush Insider share ownership and corporate profitability are key to finding stocks that have been temporarily sold off Published: Dec. 31, 2025 at 10:57 a.m. ET Every year around this time, a natural market dynamic creates bargains in the stock market. It’s called tax-loss selling. At year’s end, investors sell their losers to lower their capital-gains tax burden — harvesting losses to offset gains.
7 Reasons Why Cannabis Stocks Are a Buy
Cannabis stocks are down sharply ever since the group got its best news in decades – President Donald Trump’s December 18 executive order to reschedule the plant. Using the AdvisorShares Pure U.S. Cannabis exchange-traded fund (MSOS) as a proxy, the group is off 32%. That makes the sector a strong buy, in my view, for the following seven reasons.
Opinion: This winning fund manager spills 4 secrets about smart ways to buy non-U.S. stocks Original
Michael Brush David Herro is an experienced guide to the global market Published: Dec. 29, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. ET Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto David Herro has 40 years of investing under his belt and manages $15.3 billion across the Oakmark Global Fund OAKGX and the Oakmark International Fund OAKIX. Besides reasonable stock valuations, Herro looks for superior quality as measured by metrics like return on equity and return on capital.
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