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

February has the reputation of recording the second-worst average monthly S&P 500 price change since WWII. Only September can boast a less-admirable track record. Yet should the S&P post a positive return, 2025 will join a select group of years, highlights Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research.
There has been a sharp narrowing in the percentage of the 155 sub-industries in the S&P 1500 trading above both their 50- and 200-day moving averages to 46% from 76%. But treat this as a sign of opportunity, not a troubling omen, says Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research.
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.

Sam's Videos

The S&P 500 posted its second consecutive 20%+ annual advance. Yet since WWII, only 20% of the time did the S&P 500 follow up with a “three-peat.” What’s more, 2024 was the sixth year in the past eight in which the Tech sector rose by 30% or more. With that in mind, should investors buy last year’s winners or losers? A “Free Lunch” is defined as receiving something for nothing, or with investing, receiving a higher return with lower volatility. In this presentation, Sam Stovall, Chief Investment Strategist at CFRA Research, will discuss whether history advises buying last year’s winners or losers and how a portfolio consisting of only two sectors delivered 94% of Tech’s return since 1990 with 40% lower volatility. 

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.



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.