Stocks End Mixed, 3 More Trading Days Left In The Year

Plus 5 Just-Added Strong Buys Stocks End Mixed, 3 More Trading Days Left In The Year [Kevin Matras - EVP - Photo] Profit from the Pros By Kevin Matras Executive Vice President Stocks End Mixed, 3 More Trading Days Left In The Year [Stocks End Mixed, 3 More Trading Days Left In The Year]Image: Bigstock Stocks closed mixed yesterday with the Dow eking out a slight gain, while the S&P, Nasdaq, and small-cap Russell 2000 finished lower. On Monday, it was reported that holiday sales (November 1 thru December 24), were up 7.6% this year. That was a slower pace than last year's 8.5%. But another year of growth, especially when many were worried that we wouldn't see any, was a positive sign for the economy. Tuesday's Retail Inventories report rose by 0.1% m/m, up from last month's -0.4% pace. And Wholesale Inventories rose 1.0% m/m vs. last month's 0.5%, and views for 0.4%. The Case-Shiller Home Price Index slipped -0.5% m/m (adjusted), but came in better than expected vs. last month's -1.3%, and the consensus for -1.2%. Unadjusted, it was down -0.8% m/m vs. last month's -1.5%. On a y/y basis, it was up 8.6%, but under last month's pace of 10.4%. The International Trade in Goods report showed the trade deficit narrowing to -$83.3 billion vs. last months -$98.8B and views for -$97.0B. Imports were down -7.6%, while exports were down -3.1%. And the Dallas Fed Manufacturing Survey showed the General Activity Index came in at -18.8 vs. last month's print of -14.4 and estimates for -11.0. The Production Index came in at 9.7 vs. last month's 0.8. Today we'll get the Pending Homes Sales Index, the Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index, the Survey of Business Uncertainty, and the State Street Investor Confidence Index. With only 3 more trading days left in the week and the year, we're running out of time for the so-called Santa Claus rally to take place. And if stocks can't get their act together in time, the month of December, which is typically a strong one, will atypically end lower this year. Regardless, I know many are anxious to close the books on 2022, and start 2023 anew. The seasonals bode well for next year as the 4-year Presidential Cycle shows that year 3 (that's 2023), is the best year of all 4 years. In fact, since 1950, stocks have always gone up in the year after midterms, with an average 12-month forward return of 18.6%. But the driving forces next year will be the same ones as this year: inflation, interest rates, and the underlying economy. The difference, however, is that inflation was on the rise at the start of last year, while the Fed embarked on one of their fastest rate hikes in history. This time, we enter the new year with inflation on the decline. The pace of interest rates has slowed, with an end target in sight. And the economy (at the moment) appears resilient enough to avoid a recession next year. Things can change. But the way 2023 is set to begin is much different than the way 2022 began. And that's a positive. In the meantime, we still have 3 more days to make the best of 2022. See you tomorrow, [Kevin Matras - Signature] Kevin Matras Executive Vice President, Zacks Investment Research Sponsor [Best Retirement Stocks to Buy in 2023]( Worried about rising interest rates and other volatility in the stock market? MarketBeat has found seven stocks that every investor near retirement should consider for their portfolio. These stocks are stable, a little bit boring, and throw out huge dividends each quarter. [Click here to view these stocks]( Most Popular Articles from Zacks.com [5 Stocks Set to Pop In 2023]( Each of these stocks carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), leads in their respective industry and is experiencing positive earnings estimates. [Read More »]( [2022: Winners & Losers]( Previous winners became losers, and losers morphed into some of the year's biggest winners. [Read More »]( [4 Top Biotech Stocks Worth Adding to Your Portfolio in 2023]( New drug approvals and focus on coronavirus treatments look to maintain momentum for the Zacks Biomedical and Genetics industry. [Read More »]( [3 Under-$10 Drug Stocks Wall Street Analysts Recommend Buying]( We have chosen three small biotechs with a solid Zacks Rank and robust average broker ratings. [Read More »]( [5 Sector ETFs That Beat the Market in December]( While most segments of the market are suffering from huge losses, these select ETFs have performed really well and are likely to continue outperforming. [Read More »]( [Announcing Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2023]( Position your portfolio for outperformance with our most powerful long-term recommendations. From a universe of more than 4,000 stocks these 10 have been handpicked as the best buy-and-hold stocks for the year. Since 2012, our Top 10 portfolios have TRIPLED the market. While the S&P 500 gained +287.4%, Zacks Top 10 Stocks skyrocketed +884.5%. Be among the first to see the new stocks when they're released Tuesday, January 3. [Click to Get Access »]( [Bull of the Day: Mesa Labs (MLAB)]( After Q2 results, EPS estimates soar 39% as revenues grow 24% on strong M&A strategies. [Read More »]( [New Zacks Strong Buys for December 28th]( Here are 5 stocks added to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) List today. [Read More »]( More Zacks Resources Mobile App Download our app for convenient on-the-go access to even more—daily and weekly newsletters published by Zacks experts, proprietary research and tools, and Portfolio Tracker on Zacks.com. [Download our Zacks App for Apple iOS]( [Download our Zacks App for Android]( Zacks Members' Success Stories Visit [Success Stories]( to hear how Zacks research, tools and portfolios help our members outperform the market. Get all of our market insights and much more when you connect with us. [Visit Zacks on Facebook]( [Follow Zacks on Twitter]( [See Zacks videos on YouTube]( [Join Zacks on LinkedIn]( [Read Zacks Commentary on StockTwits]( This free resource is being sent by [Zacks.com](. We look for investment resources and inform you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms of Service". [www.zacks.com/terms_of_service]( Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. The Zacks #1 Rank Performance covers the period beginning on January 1, 1988 through September 12, 2022. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank #1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit [( for information about the performance numbers displayed above. Zacks Emails If you would prefer to not receive future profit-producing emails from [Zacks.com]( the primary purpose of which is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service, then please [click here]( and confirm your request. If you have trouble with the unsubscribe link, please email support@zacks.com. Zacks Investment Research 10 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60606