The brief respite of this truncated trading week is upon us, with Good Friday closing the market gates. As we pause for a moment of reflection, the S&P 500 quietly notches its fifth consecutive month of gains, reminiscent of the halcyon days of 2013.

As we bid farewell to March, we face the triumphant close of a remarkable first quarter. The S&P 500 proudly parades a 9.4% gain, the Dow struts its stuff with a 4.8% jump, and the NASDAQ dazzles with an 8.6% climb.

The impetus behind this market surge was the splendid fourth-quarter earnings dance. Companies delivered a grand jete with a 2.9% earnings growth leap, outshining the anticipated 1.4% retreat as per FactSet.

Let’s talk about our Breakthrough Stocks Buy List. I affectionately call them “bunny stocks.” Like bunnies, these small- and mid-cap stocks enjoy serene moments of repose before leaping forth on positive news or earnings surprises.

It’s a waiting game during the placid times when our stocks are perched, not yet ready to pounce. But fear not, the time is nigh for our bunny stocks to reclaim the spotlight. The first quarter earnings extravaganza beckons in mid-April, with prognosticators already heralding another splendid season.

FactSet predicts a bounteous 3.6% average earnings growth for the S&P 500 in the initial quarter. This upsurge would mark the third quarterly stride in year-over-year earnings growth.

A note on history: Flashback to December 31, 2023, and the landscape boasted an earnings growth prediction of 5.7%. As the bar is lowered, the stage is set for a flurry of earnings spectacles from our fundamentally superior stocks.

Attune your portfolio for the upcoming second quarter and earnings fiesta. Stake your claim in stocks buoyed by unwavering institutional support, ready to leapfrog to new heights as the earnings curtain rises.

On the other side of the coin, steer clear of stocks with shaky fundamentals and tepid buying momentum. Enter today’s realm of Market 360, where we navigate the turbulent waters of stocks set to face headwinds and those poised for a jubilant hop.

Recent Changes in Ratings

Fresh evaluations of institutional patronage and fiscal robustness led to a metamorphosis in the Portfolio Grader for 56 behemoths of the stock market. Among these titans, 20 saw a dip from a B-rating (Buy) to a C-rating (Hold), while 11 plummeted from a C-rating to a D-rating (Sell).

To enlighten you, here are the inaugural 10 stocks tagged with a Sell rating. Upon perusing this roll call, you may decide to shuffle your portfolio accordingly.

An Investor’s Guide to Seizing Opportunities in AI Stocks

The tantalizing aroma of success wafts through the air as the financial streets of 2024 bustle with vibrant activity. The first-quarter earnings season looms on the horizon, promising a surge in stock market tides.

Amid the spirited market dance, the stars of Breakthrough Stocks gleam brightly. The current Buy List takes center stage, boasting a remarkable climb of over 19% since the year’s dawn. Anticipation rides high as the impending first-quarter earnings reveal whispers of a potential upward leap.

Beyond the cosmic realm of general success, a select niche of stocks garners attention – the enigmatic artificial intelligence stocks. Cloaked in a cloak of hype, these AI entities must prove their mettle beyond mere buzzwords.

Shaping the future landscape, I’ve meticulously curated five AI gems poised to lead the charge in the impending automation surge. Delve into the world of possibility by embracing these companies driving the AI boom.

However, amidst the victors lies a shadow of caution. Three stocks face the abyss of AI landmines – a perilous terrain to navigate. Tread carefully, for these entities risk becoming inert relics in the wake of AI’s relentless advancement.

Embark on the journey with me at Breakthrough Stocks and unveil these reports that hold the keys to navigating the AI labyrinth. Uncover the secrets of AI success and shield yourself from potential traps veiled in the guise of innovation.

Lurking within the AI-induced frenzy are both triumph and tribulation. Navigate wisely, safeguard your interests, and seize the opportunities lying dormant within the AI stockscape.

Sincerely,

Louis Navellier

Editor, Market 360