Welcome back to our weekly newsletter where we provide an overview of the main US and UK indices, along with analyses of selected assets that are outperforming the market.

April has quietly delivered one of the most interesting market backdrops in years. U.S. indices are breaking out, the FTSE is holding firm, and a few stocks are defying expectations. This is the kind of environment where focus and discipline pay off, but where a little context and patience can give you a real edge.

Let’s get into this week’s newsletter!

US & UK INDICES OVERVIEW

S&P 500

This month, the S&P 500 has been quietly, steadily breaking out in a way that rewards anyone who’s kept their plan intact through the first quarter’s noise.

April’s growth sits at 9.75%, bringing year-to-date performance to 4.67%. The former 2025 high at $6945 is now firmly in the rearview, price cleared that barrier and is carving fresh all-time highs above the $7000 round number.

We saw a modest 0.55% gain last week and finished Friday up 0.8%, which, from my experience, is often the sort of unexciting progress that sustains a genuine long-term trend.

The key for the weeks ahead is whether we get a standard pullback, some cooling off, and then a renewed move that decisively closes above the most recent high. If that happens, it’s a classic bull trend continuation, and I’ll be watching for further upside targets. If not, that pullback could offer an opportunity for those waiting with cash on hand. 

Dow Jones

This month, the Dow Jones has been the steady workhorse, moving higher with fewer fireworks, but that’s often where you find the kind of resilience that pays off.

April’s growth came in at 6.23%, and the year-to-date number is 2.43%. Importantly, price now sits securely above the 2025 high at $48,886, even though it hasn’t yet reclaimed the all-time high of $50,512 from February.

There’s meaningful upside if we see a close above this year’s high, followed by a confident push through the key $50,000 level and finally that record high.

In my experience, these stepwise moves, where each barrier becomes the next foundation, are how longer-term trends actually develop. If the broader market momentum holds, I expect the Dow to keep building on these gains. 

Nasdaq 100

This is where the Nasdaq 100 stands out. April’s move has been nothing short of explosive, up 15.01% for the month and now sitting at 8.13% year-to-date.

What makes this especially interesting to me is that it’s not just hitting new highs, it’s cleared the key 2025 benchmark at $26,182 and is pressing into record territory with conviction.

If you’re looking for the next hurdle, the $30,000 psychological level is now the obvious area to watch. But in my experience, these runs work best when you wait for a simple rhythm. A pattern of higher highs, higher lows, and a smooth continuation.

As long as that pattern holds, this market has room to surprise to the upside. If we see a pullback, especially after such a sharp climb, it’s not a signal to panic, it’s more likely a pause that could set up the next leg higher. 

FTSE 100: 

The FTSE 100 is in a holding pattern right now, and if you’ve been following its moves, you’ll recognize this as one of those classic periods where short-term nerves and long-term patience start to clash.

April’s gain stands at a modest 1.99%, bringing the year-to-date growth up to 4.51%. But last week saw a 2.71% drop, and Friday closed down by 0.75%, so the market is clearly digesting a lot of recent gains.

The real story is in where the index sits, caught between firm support at 10,036 (the March 23 low) and resistance at the all-time high of 10,934. It’s also holding above last year’s key level at 9,954.

This sort of consolidation can frustrate anyone looking for excitement, but it’s often where future trends quietly take shape.

If support holds here, I’d be looking for signs of a bounce and a return to the upside, those are the setups that have rewarded patience in my own experience.

If support is lost, there’s no need to chase; instead, give the market time to find its footing and let the next clear pattern emerge before acting.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Keysight Technologies (KEYS)

Keysight Technologies has delivered the kind of run that reminds me why I hold through the noise.

April’s gain stands at 22.87%, pushing the year-to-date growth to 70.76%. That kind of outperformance isn’t common, but it tends to happen when a stock finally breaks through years of resistance.

The stock has risen 3.77% over the last week and managed a quiet but telling 0.12% upmove on Friday. These strong, steady moves stack up best when we continue to see a series of higher highs and higher lows.

I’ll be watching the $317 level: if the stock pulls back and holds, it can lay the groundwork for the next leg higher, just like we’ve seen with other lasting trends.

The longer this clean trend persists, the more interesting the opportunity becomes for patient investors.

OUTPERFORMING ASSET FOR THE WATCHLIST

Intel (INTC)

Intel’s story is a real case study in market psychology and why patience, sometimes far more than most people are comfortable with, can pay off.

Looking at the longer-term view of this stock, you’ll see Intel was locked inside a giant consolidation box for over two decades, stuck between $12 and $75.

Most investors would have given up on it, and honestly, I did for a while too, there are few things as humbling as waiting years for a breakout that never seems to come.

But April finally delivered what so many were waiting for: Intel broke cleanly above that August 2000 all-time high.

The surge was triggered by a positive earnings report, causing the stock to jump 23.6% in a single day. Over the past month, the stock has gained 87.04%, bringing its year-to-date increase to 123.69%. In the last week alone, it climbed another 20.5%.

Now, here’s where experience helps cut through the emotion. When a stock finally escapes a consolidation that’s lasted this long, the first surge can feel like you’ve missed the boat.

Historically, these breakouts often provide a second opportunity to invest. After an initial surge, the price typically pulls back to test a new support level before moving higher again, confirming the new trend.

That’s what I’ll be watching for now: a pause, a retest, and then, if the uptrend holds, the start of a new chapter for Intel after more than two decades in the waiting room.

Looking Ahead

The number of U.S. stocks trading above their 200-day moving average has increased from 42% to 58%, and market indices are hitting record highs. This suggests a strong market recovery, and we are optimistic that this upward trend will continue for the remainder of the year.

Keep it simple. Keep it Sublime.

The ST Team

P.S. Answer 21 rapid-fire questions about your investing approach and then as if by magic, we will give you recommendations that are right for you and you’ll unlock your FREE Bonuses that will improve your investing results over the next 3 to 5 years.