The 50-day moving average is a short- to mid-term trend indicator. When a stock is above its rising 50-day MA, it has about a 67% chance of closing higher the next day. That trend flips bearish when the 50-day is sloping downward. This “technical rule” can be used effectively on stocks, ETFs and market indices.

The S&P 500 pulled back 2% during the first four trading sessions this week, but it was essentially flat for 2025 through May 22, with dividends reinvested. So some investors might still have been sighing with relief, considering that the large-cap U.S. benchmark had been down 15% for the year through April 8.

If these stocks aren't leading their industries in uncertain market conditions, they're typically paying a hefty dividend.

Investors have a chance to lock in higher yields of 4 or 5 percent, which is only slightly below long-term stock market returns, Braxton says. The bonds come with a lot less risk than stocks, making it a great time to diversify your portfolio between the two asset classes, she added.

Wall Street experts share what they think will drive stock market gains for the second half of the year.

Investors worried about the US debt pile are weighing the House vote to approve President Trump's "big, beautiful" tax bill.

Stock investors are starting to tune out President Donald Trump’s trade war. After frantically pushing share prices higher and lower for weeks on each twist and turn in Trump’s tariff negotiations, investors are now largely ignoring new announcements.

Targeting a million as a stock market newcomer? It might not be as unlikely as it sounds. Our writer gets into some of the practical details.