Quick Read iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) gained 6.8% in 2026 versus a 0.1% S&P 500 decline. IWM returned 17.6% over the past year. Fed cut rates three times in 2025 to 3.50%-3.75%, reducing borrowing costs for the Russell 2000 ETF’s small caps. Russell 2000 earnings grew 12% in late 2025, outpacing large caps for the first time since 2021. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. The S&P 500 ...

Core Viewpoint - Susan Bao's large-cap JPMorgan fund has consistently outperformed the S&P 500 over many years, indicating strong management and investment strategy focused on identifying bargains in the stock market [1] Group 1 - The fund's performance highlights its ability to deliver returns above the benchmark index, showcasing effective investment decisions [1] - The bullish outlook on stocks suggests a positive sentiment towards market conditions and potential growth opportunities [1] - The focus on bargains indicates a strategy that seeks undervalued stocks, which may present significant upside potential [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF was initially expected to outperform the S&P 500 in 2025, but the S&P 500 delivered a higher return due to the AI surge [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Thesis - Small-cap stocks were trading at their greatest valuation gap relative to large caps in over 25 years, with a price-to-book ratio of 2.1 for Russell 2000 components compared to 5.0 for S&P 500 companies [3]. - Falling interest rates generally favor smaller companies, as they are more reliant on borrowed money, leading to increased investment in riskier assets like small-cap stocks [4]. Group 2: Current Outlook - Despite the S&P 500's outperformance, a 13% return for the Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF is considered solid historically, and the ETF is viewed as a long-term investment [5]. - The valuation gap between small caps and large caps has widened further, suggesting potential for small caps to outperform in the coming decade, similar to trends observed during the dot-com boom [6]. - Experts anticipate that interest rates will continue to trend lower, and regulatory support from the Trump administration may benefit small-cap companies [7].

Group 1 - Technology stocks experienced a significant decline in share prices since September, particularly affecting major players like Nvidia and Palantir, as the S&P 500 expanded to include a broader range of stocks [1][4] - The Russell 2000 small-cap index has shown remarkable gains, up 9.5% year-to-date, contrasting with the flat performance of the S&P 500 due to weakness in technology stocks [2] - The composition of the Russell 2000 is more balanced compared to the S&P 500, with over 50% of the index comprised of industrials, financials, and healthcare, which may influence its performance relative to large-cap stocks [3] Group 2 - President Trump's reversal on tariffs has positively impacted technology stocks, leading to a rally in shares of companies like Nvidia and Palantir, raising questions about investment strategies between tech and small-cap stocks [4][5] - The SPDR Healthcare ETF (XLV) and SPDR Energy ETF (XLE) have outperformed the tech-heavy S&P 500, with gains of 13.8% and 9.5% respectively, highlighting a shift in investor focus towards healthcare and energy sectors [6]

Core Insights - Large-cap stocks have been the focus of market attention post-pandemic, with the S&P 500 experiencing gains of 25% or more in three of the last five years [1] Group 1: Market Performance - The S&P 500 has shown significant growth, indicating a strong performance in large-cap stocks [1] Group 2: Investment Philosophy - The belief in the efficiency of financial markets suggests that most stocks reflect their true current value, highlighting the importance of identifying less-followed stocks for potential profit opportunities [1]

Core Insights - Erik Smolinski, a full-time trader, has achieved significant stock market returns, with an average return of 24.6% from 2018 to 2022 and a record triple-digit return in 2023 [1][2] - His success is attributed to a structured approach, including detailed trading plans and regular after-action reviews (AARs) to assess performance and adjust strategies [2][6] Group 1: Trading Performance - Smolinski's strongest year was 2023, with triple-digit returns, and he reported a 79% return in 2025, indicating a potential third-strongest year [2] - He has only experienced two negative years since he began trading in 2007, showcasing a consistent performance [1] Group 2: Strategy and Methodology - The use of monthly AARs and an extensive annual review allows Smolinski to evaluate what strategies worked and what did not, facilitating necessary adjustments [3][4] - He emphasizes the importance of adapting strategies based on market shifts, particularly the dominance of tech stocks in recent years [4][5] Group 3: Advice for Investors - Smolinski encourages everyday investors to conduct regular reviews of their portfolios, suggesting at least quarterly or annual check-ins to compare returns against major market benchmarks [6][7]

Core Insights - Dayforce Inc. is a human capital management software company with a market cap of $11.1 billion, offering cloud-based HR solutions across the U.S., Canada, and internationally [1][2] Financial Performance - Dayforce's Q3 results showed a 9.5% year-over-year revenue increase to $481.6 million, meeting expectations, but adjusted EPS fell 21.3% year-over-year to $0.37, missing consensus estimates by 33.9% [5] - Year-to-date, DAY stock prices have declined 4.7%, and over the past 52 weeks, they have decreased by 10.6%, while the Dow has surged by 12.6% in 2025 [4] - Despite recent challenges, Dayforce's stock has outperformed its peer Workday, which saw a 16.3% decline in 2025 and a 22.3% drop over the past year [6] Stock Performance - Dayforce's stock touched a 52-week high of $77.52 on December 17, 2024, and is currently trading 10.7% below that peak, with a slight increase of 1.2% over the past three months [3] - The stock has remained above its 200-day moving average since mid-August but has traded along its flat 50-day moving average recently, indicating a consolidation phase [4] - The consensus rating among 16 analysts covering DAY stock is a "Hold," with the stock trading slightly below its mean price target of $70 [6]

Company Overview - Keysight Technologies, Inc. is a leading technology company providing electronic design and test solutions across various industries including communications, industrial, aerospace, defense, automotive, and semiconductor [1] - The company is headquartered in Santa Rosa, California, with a market capitalization of $35.2 billion [1][2] Financial Performance - For Q4 2025, Keysight reported a 10% year-over-year increase in revenue, reaching $1.42 billion for the quarter ended October 31 [5] - Non-GAAP EPS increased to $1.91, up from $1.65 in the previous year, contributing to positive investor sentiment [5] - The stock rose 2.9% on November 24 and 10% on November 25 following the earnings release [5] Stock Performance - The stock reached a 52-week high of $214.58 on December 11 but has since pulled back 4.5% [3] - Over the past three months, the stock has surged 19.1%, outperforming the Dow Jones Industrials Average's return of 5.2% [3] - Year-to-date, Keysight has gained 27.5%, compared to the Dow's 13.1% increase [4] - Over the past 52 weeks, shares have risen 19.9%, while the Dow has returned 10.1% [4] - The stock has been trading above the 200-day moving average since early June and above the 50-day moving average since late November, indicating renewed momentum [4] Competitive Position - Keysight has outperformed its rival Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, which has returns of 9.1% year-to-date and 6.4% over the past year [6]

Core Viewpoint - TKO Group Holdings, Inc. is a significant player in the sports and entertainment industry, with a market capitalization of $41.1 billion, leveraging its strong brands and media contracts for revenue growth [1][2]. Group 1: Company Overview - TKO operates prominent live-event sports brands and generates revenue through various channels including media rights, live events, sponsorships, merchandising, and licensing [1]. - The company is classified as a "large-cap stock" due to its market cap exceeding $10 billion, highlighting its influence and dominance in the entertainment sector [2]. Group 2: Stock Performance - TKO's stock reached a 52-week high of $213.23 and has gained 5.2% over the past three months, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 2.9% increase during the same period [3]. - Over the past 52 weeks, TKO's shares have rallied 43.3%, significantly outpacing the S&P 500's 12% increase, and are up 48.2% year-to-date compared to the S&P 500's 16.6% return [4]. Group 3: Financial Results - In Q3, TKO reported a revenue decline of 27.3% year-over-year to $1.1 billion, although this figure exceeded analyst estimates by 3.7% [5]. - The adjusted EPS of $0.50 fell short of consensus expectations of $0.55, leading to a 3.3% drop in shares following the earnings report [5]. Group 4: Analyst Sentiment - Analysts maintain a highly optimistic outlook for TKO, with a consensus rating of "Strong Buy" from 23 analysts and a mean price target of $221.65, indicating a 5.2% premium to current price levels [6].

Core Viewpoint - As 2025 approaches, there is a growing debate regarding concentration and high valuations in large-cap stocks, alongside concerns about macroeconomic uncertainty and economic conditions, leading to a collective call for diversification, particularly highlighting opportunities in small-cap stocks [1] Group 1 - The discussion emphasizes the need for diversification in investment strategies [1] - There are concerns about the concentration of investments in large-cap stocks and their lofty valuations [1] - The macroeconomic environment and economic conditions are contributing to the call for diversification [1] Group 2 - Small-cap stocks are identified as a specific area of opportunity within the diversification strategy [1]