This Week in Barrons: 08.16.2026

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-08162026-r-f-culbertson-7jjme 

 

Factually: (a) The equal-weighted S&P500 continues its upturn vs the cap-weighted S&P.  For now, that’s a good thing as it reflects a bullish broadening theme.  (b) Earnings revisions surge higher – partly supported by a strong macro environment.  (c) Sentiment & allocations remain high thanks to higher prices and confidence.  And (d) Seasonality, a stalling Mag-7 (Lag-7), and credit advances vs declines are suggesting caution.  Overall, per Callum Thomas: It’s a distinctly bullish looking environment = strong trend, strong breadth, good macro, and buoyant confidence, with a few shadows = risk of overconfidence, seasonality, stalling mega caps, and rising rates.  Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-08162026-r-f-culbertson-7jjme 

 

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This Week in Barrons: 08.09.2026

 

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-08092026-r-f-culbertson-n1i5c 

 

Factually (a) Global equities are in a bull market (path of least resistance = higher).  (b) US equities are in a broad-based upswing.  (c) Investors are scrambling into tech stocks at a record pace.  (d) A calmer macro (limited Iran War) is keeping the lid on credit spreads.  And (e) BUT VIX seasonality is telling us to stay alert to any/all Q3 surprises – “Life comes at you Fast.”  Overall, per Callum Thomas, the global equity bull market rages on, and with supportive-benign macro – the path of least resistance is higher. Fair Warning: VIX seasonality and known tail risks suggest still having a plan and process on the risk management front…  Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-08092026-r-f-culbertson-n1i5c 

 

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This Week in Barrons: 08.02.2026

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-08022026-r-f-culbertson-qn3mc 

 

Factually (a) The S&Ps closed July lower by -0.1%, but still up +9.4% YTD.  (b) Semiconductors have seen a +20% correction off their peak.  (c) Seasonality is showing semis remaining lower with elevated volatility.  (d) Even REITs and defensives are sounding a cautionary tone.  And (e) Resource-based capex is being crowded out by tech capex.  Overall, per Callum Thomas, the carnage that unfolded last week in semiconductors is probably setting up for consolidation and ranging phase (at best) vs the correction and resurgence like we saw earlier this year.  Multiple risk flags continue to wave so don’t be blindsided. Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-08022026-r-f-culbertson-qn3mc 

 

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This Week in Barrons: 07.26.2026

 

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-07262026-r-f-culbertson-wcnvc 

 

Factually, (a) The Mag-6 (minus Apple), the other 493, the cap + equal-weighted S&P500 have peaked.  (b) Seasonally speaking, market messiness / volatility is coming right on schedule.  (c) Retail trading behavior is consistent with the hints of regime change.  (d) A FED rate hike risk will simply mimic the global trend and weigh further on stocks.  And (e) A backdrop of expensive valuations and much lower free-cash-flow positions is damping any rally.  Overall, per Callum Thomas: There has been a distinct change in market tone this past week.  Geopolitical flare-ups, rising rates and AI/capex concerns are making markets wary.  Keep risk ‘front-of-mind’ – so you don’t get blindsided.  Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-07262026-r-f-culbertson-wcnvc 

 

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This Week in Barrons: 07.12.2026

 

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-07122026-r-f-culbertson-kqbte 

 

Factually, (a) Speculative trading in leveraged ETFs has surged.  (b) Investors are increasingly ‘all-in’ on stocks for their portfolio allocation. (c) The Fed is becoming more hawkish - echoing a global pivot to rate hikes.  (d) July through October tends to be a more volatile time of the year.  And (e) A long-term trend change is underway in US vs Global relative performance.  Overall, per Callum Thomas, multiple risk flags are waving as we head towards what has historically been a more volatile time of the year.  Risks are showing themselves both on the shorter-term = tactical front, and on the longer-term = bigger picture horizon.  Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-07122026-r-f-culbertson-kqbte 

 

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This Week in Barrons: 07.05.2026

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-07052026-r-f-culbertson-trrrc/ 

 

Factually, (a) The equal-weighted S&P continues to make new highs, while the cap-weighted index remains stuck – thanks to the Lag-7.  (b) The S&P500 Value index also rung-up all-time-highs last week.  (c) Micro caps and financials are putting in promising price action.  And (d) the USA, Korea, and China have one large, AI, bubbly thing in common.  Overall, per Callum Thomas, the bull-market-broadening and bullish rotation theme continues to play through, with the old leaders lagging, and everything else starting pick up. This is a constructive development, but there are a few things to keep an eye on including the XLF vs SPY ratio, the Microcap ETF = IWC, and REITs.  Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-07052026-r-f-culbertson-trrrc/

 

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This Week in Barrons: 06.28.2026

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-06282026-r-f-culbertson-wtize/ 

 

Factually: (a) The Mag-7 have become the Lag-7 with an almost -20% performance gap YTD.  (b) Across various indicators valuations look expensive.  (c) Strong earnings expectations are supporting high valuations.  (d) Tech stocks have become the dominant sector in many portfolios / metrics.  And (e) after a long period of trending higher, I’m expecting a period of range-bound-trading.  Overall, per Callum Thomas:  The bullish rotation theme remains in play as the Mag-7 decline and the S&P493 win.  But there is a definite bearish vibe where the Lag-7 may foreshadow an extended Bear Market – even if we manage a short-term rebound rally.  Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-06282026-r-f-culbertson-wtize/ 

 

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This Week in Barrons: 06.21.2026

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-06212026-r-f-culbertson-igcae/ 

 

Factually: (a) Mag-7 are underperforming vs the “S&P493 = eXMAG-7”.  (b) Valuations are high because profitability is high, but profitability is cyclical.  (c) Investor cash allocations are very low - a warning sign for Mag-7 stocks. (d) Margin debt acceleration is also reaching warning levels.  And (e) Stock market seasonality turns negative from July-Oct.  Overall, per Callum Thomas:  We are witnessing a continued bull-market-broadening and bullish rotation into the eXMag-7 as the eXMag-7 makes new highs along with the equal vs cap weighted S&Ps.  The warning signs are: (a) There is very little retail cash on the sidelines. (b) Levels of margin debt are moving dangerously higher.  And (c) Continued underperformance by the Mag-7 could turn into something sinister.  Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-06212026-r-f-culbertson-igcae/ 

 

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This Week in Barrons: 06.14.2026

 

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-06142026-r-f-culbertson-wwmke 

 

Factually: (a) The steep sell-off looks to have run its course. (b) Leveraged long ETF traders bought the dip. (c) The equal-weighted S&P500 (RSP) has already made new highs. (d) AND small caps (IWM) are gaining ground in absolute and relative terms.  Overall, per Callum Thomas, this sharp-sell-off looks to have largely run its course, and dip-buyers were there for it.  Being optimistic, small caps and the equally weighted S&P Index point to a continued bull market and a broadening ‘n bullish rotation.  Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-06142026-r-f-culbertson-wwmke 

 

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This Week in Barrons: 06.07.2026

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-06072026-r-f-culbertson-qtyve 

 

Factually: (a) It’s convenient that the Nasdaq ($42T in market cap) plunged 4.18% on Friday = $1.75T == delivering the exact liquidity required for SpaceX’s IPO this Friday. (b) With the S&P denial, investor expectations are being reset for this Friday’s IPO.  (c) Mag6 buybacks have evaporated, and the semis are closer to coming ‘Down-to-Earth’.  (d) Investors should be closing their tech shorts early this week, and (e) last week’s rotation into relatively smaller-cap financials, healthcare, consumer staples, and utilities was extremely orderly.  Overall, Friday’s rotation was just the liquidity SpaceX required for Friday’s ‘coming-out party’ and gave the semis the room they needed to at least ‘tread-water’ until the next FED meeting.  One day does not a trend make, and the trend is still our friend ... until it ends.  Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-06072026-r-f-culbertson-qtyve 

 

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This Week in Barrons: 05.31.2026

 

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-05312026-r-f-culbertson-n2kfe 

 

Factually: (a) The S&Ps gained +5.15% in May (up +10.73% YTD).  (b) Investor expectations, allocations, and valuations are near record highs.  (c) Buyback tailwinds have faded, and semis look heavily overbought.  (d) Stock short interest has surged to decade+ highs.  And (e) Small Caps & Software are showing us that there are overlooked opportunities out there.  Overall, per Callum Thomas: there are more signs of market extremes as a generational run in stock market speculation sets in.  While the risks and vulnerabilities are arguably rising, the trend is still your friend ... until it ends.  Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-05312026-r-f-culbertson-n2kfe 

 

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This Week in Barrons: 05.24.2026

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-05242026-r-f-culbertson-3jsie 

 

Factually: (a) The equally weighted S&P500 has broken out to new highs. (b) Space stocks are soaring following the SpaceX IPO filing.  (c) SpaceX (SPCX) could end up with an index weighting of 3%.  (d) The mega-IPO wave is a sign of the times (late-cycle signal).  And (e) the swearing-in of a new FED Chair might be a bearish omen.  Overall, per Callum Thomas, the bull market got a bit more bullish this week with the breakout of the equal-weighted index.  However, the arrival of a new Fed Chair and IPO boom point to a more volatile horizon…   Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-05242026-r-f-culbertson-3jsie 

 

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This Week in Barrons: 05.17.2026

 

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-05172026-r-f-culbertson-obive/

 

Factually: (a) Round-number-itis has hit the S&Ps as they stalled at 7500.  (b) Rates and inflation risk are the key catalysts for a selloff.  (c) The Semis look overheated following their near-vertical run.  (d) Retail has chased the rally with heavily leveraged bets.  (e)  Bulls are looking for a for broadening/rotation (e.g.? into software?).  Overall, per Callum Thomas, the market looks to be taking a breather at a technically convenient spot (the equal-weighted S&Ps are stalled at resistance, the cap-weighted rolling over from 7500).  The easy answer points to be a period of market relaxation and letting-off steam.  Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-05172026-r-f-culbertson-obive/

 

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This Week in Barrons: 05.10.2026

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-05102026-r-f-culbertson-1wy3e 

 

Factually: (a) The equal-weighted S&Ps have stalled at resistance, while the market cap-weighted is back to outperforming equal-weighted.  (b) We are potentially in the blow-off top phase of the market cycle.  (c) Investors are all-in on stocks (and all-out of bonds).  And (d) several major shifts in market structure have just begun.  Overall, per Callum Thomas, the market continues to press higher (lead largely by big tech/AI) and investors (in aggregate) are all-in on growth and the stock bull market continuing.  Yet, there are a few major changes in market structure that investors need to be aware of and some very interesting corners of the market that many are overlooking…  Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-05102026-r-f-culbertson-1wy3e 

 

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This Week in Barrons: 05.03.2026

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-05032026-r-f-culbertson-48q4e 

 

Factually: (a) The S&Ps gained +10.4% in April (+5.3% YTD), and a good (>5%) April bodes well for the rest of the year.  (b) Microcap stocks are making a big move = a good sign for all stocks.  (c) There was a big pivot in preference from cash-flow back to capital expenditures (capex).  (d) And Value Investing may be dead (for the time being), but don’t ignore valuations altogether.  Overall, per Callum Thomas: This was a near textbook healthy correction, and unless some new bad news or shocks show up – the path of least resistance is onwards and upwards.  Please feel free to read the rest of the blog post:  #investing #stocks #bonds #options

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/week-barrons-05032026-r-f-culbertson-48q4e 

 

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