Sam Stovall photo

MARKETS, STOCKS

Sam Stovall

Chief Investment Strategist,

CFRA Research

  • Author of The Seven Rules of Wall Street
  • Winner of the Money Show’s 2008 Stock Picker’s Award
  • Creator of the Pacer-CFRA Seasonal Rotation ETF (SZNE)

About Sam

As chief investment strategist, Sam Stovall serves as analyst, publisher, and communicator of CFRA's outlooks for the economy, market, and sectors. He focuses on market history and valuations, as well as industry momentum strategies. Mr. Stovall is the author of The Seven Rules of Wall Street and writes weekly Sector Watch and Investment Policy Committee meeting notes on CFRA's MarketScope Advisor platform. His work is also found in CFRA's flagship weekly newsletter The Outlook.

Sam's Articles

Year-to-date through June 20, the S&P 500 gained nearly 15%. Along the way, the market recorded the 11th greatest first quarter (Q1) return since 1945 and posted 22 new all-time highs. During the second quarter (Q2) to date, the market recorded an above-average Q2 return of 4.2% and added nine more new highs. There is both good and bad news about the outlook for the rest of the year, notes Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research.
At the start of the year, history reminded investors that good years tend to follow great years. In addition, every election year since WWII that started with a January gain posted a positive full-year return averaging 15.6%. These axioms have held true so far and imply a positive second half, advises Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research.
Many investors and members of the financial media have been asking if it will be prudent to heed the old Wall Street adage to “sell in May and go away,” reports chief investment strategist Sam Stovall in CFRA Research's flagship newsletter, The Outlook.
The first quarter 2024 earnings reporting period is about to get underway. The S&P 500’s Q1 2024 operating earnings per share (EPS) are expected to have risen 3% on a year-over-year (Y/Y) basis, according to S&P Capital IQ consensus estimates, notes Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research.

Sam's Videos

During the first quarter of 2024, the S&P 500 (1) recovered all that it lost in the 2022 bear market on January 19, (2) recorded 22 new all-time highs through March 28, and (3) posted the 11th strongest Q1 return since 1945. Since then, equities have digested some of these gains and experienced sector rotation away from the 2023 high flyers and into the more defensive areas of the market on concerns the Fed will be slower to lower interest rates while inflation remains sticky and GDP growth begins to cool. Investors now want to know if they should buy or bail. Sam Stovall, the chief investment strategist at CFRA Research, will discuss how current conditions may confirm or alter the traditional election-year enthusiasm, as well as share CFRA’s sector, sub-industry, and stock selections in what historically has been a surprisingly profitable year.   

The S&P 500 fell into "Pullback" mode on September 21, declining by more than 5% since the July 31 post-bear high. Investors now wonder if they should bail out of stocks for fear of further declines. Even though additional near-term weakness may be in order, history suggests but does not guarantee, that it would be wiser to prepare for a recovery than retreat. Come hear Sam Stovall, CFRA's Chief Investment Strategist, put today's market backdrop into historical context by discussing how far the S&P 500 may fall and where investment opportunities await.

The S&P 500 fell into Pullback mode on September 21, declining by more than 5% since the July 31 post-bear high. Investors now wonder if they should bail out of stocks for fear of further declines. Even though additional near-term weakness may be in order, history suggests, but does not guarantee, that it would be wiser to prepare for a recovery than retreat. Come hear Sam Stovall, CFRAs Chief Investment Strategist, put todays market backdrop into historical context by discussing how far the S&P 500 may fall and where investment opportunities await.

Even though the debt ceiling debate is behind us, and the Fed has completed its June FOMC meeting, investors should continue to be buffeted by headwinds from the longer-term effects of an aggressive rate-tightening policy on the economy and stock market. In addition, despite the surge in the Nasdaq-100 since AI has become an all-consuming topic, 50% of all Nasdaq-100 bull markets since its inception were fake-outs and went on to set an even lower low after advancing 20%. Also, with ever-shrinking breadth as the equity markets grind higher, is this a sign of disappointment to come and remind us that we are in a seasonally weak period for equities? For answers, tune in to hear Sam Stovall, Chief Investment Strategist at CFRA Research, discuss where the stock market is likely to take us during the second half of the year and how to position your portfolios accordingly.




Sam's Books

Sam Stovall

Seven Rules of Wall Street Crash-Tested Investment Strategies That Beat the Market by Stovall, Sam

Crash Tested Investment Strategies that Beat the Market from Sam Stovall, Chief Investment Strategist - Standard & Poor's Equity Research
Sam Stovall

Standard & Poor's Sector Investing: How to Buy The Right Stock in The Right Industry at The Right Time

Discusses the opportunities, merits, and methods of investing in "sectors," or industry groups with similar fundamental characteristics.