By Doug Busch
Reviewing past stock picks is essential because it provides accountability and sharpens the investment process, helping identify what worked, what didn't, and why. By reviewing previous calls, investors can refine their framework, improve decision-making, and stay grounded in results rather than narratives.
This week we discuss the following picks:
-- S&P Global Inc., introduced byTodd Chanko in January. -- Charles Schwab, covered by Todd Welsch in December. -- Viking Holdings, written by Teresa Rivas in May.
This note revisits past stock picks where new developments favor fresh buy or sell signals. Read last week's edition here.
S&P Global
The financial data provider has gone through a rough patch, down 16% year to date and 11% over the past 12 months. Bears have been unable to press the stock down any further after a four-week losing streak that saw a 30% decline from late January to mid February. The stock is down 16% since our recommendation.
The daily chart has begun to outperform the broader financial sector, as seen on the ratio chart against the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF:
The chart's appeal lies in the bullish ascending triangle pattern that has taken shape with a series of higher lows since Feb. 12. For the breakout to be considered legitimate SPGI needs to clear $455, which could see a move toward $520 in the second half. That corresponds to a 18% gain from current prices.
If strength materializes further, a double bottom base is setting up with a pivot of $552.35 in a pattern that started with a doji candle on Aug. 15. Remain bullish above $415. S&P Global was trading around $433 Wednesday.
Charles Schwab
The financials stock is down 9% in 2026 but has gained 13% over the past year. It is currently trading right at the very round $90 number, which has provided support six times since the stock broke a bull flag at the level last July. SCHW is down 9% from our recommendation.
Looking at the daily chart, one can see Schwab has had issues with the very round $100 number after breaking out above the $99.69 cup base pivot on Dec. 22:
That bounce was short lived, a red flag, and has since floundered. Two weeks ago SCHW did break below an eight-month uptrend on the ratio chart against the XLF. A bullish morning star completed Monday gives investors a good area to play on the long side. A double bottom base is now taking shape with a potential pivot of $100.85.
I think this stock can reach $121 by year end, representing a 33% gain from current prices. Remain bullish above $86. Charles Schwab was trading around $90 Wednesday.
Viking Holdings
The cruise ship operator has gained 93% over the past 12 months and is up 11% year to date. It has been very consistent, declining in consecutive weeks just four times over the past year. The stock is up 78% from our recommendation.
The daily chart illustrates how VIK has been a stalwart on the ratio chart against the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF:
The price has not touched the 200-day simple moving average since May and is currently retesting a cup base breakout pivot of $81.57, which was taken out on April 17. That base started with a doji candle on Feb. 26. The depth of that pattern successfully retested a $62.72 double bottom breakout pivot from November 2021. It is now finding support at its 21-day exponential moving average just after completing a bearish evening star pattern on April 21.
Look for this to trade toward the very round $100 number by year end, a 20% gain from current prices. Remain bullish above $74. Viking Holdings was trading around $78 Wednesday.
Doug Busch is the senior technical analyst at Barron's Investor Circle . His technical view is added to stock picks, including those published exclusively for Investor Circle readers. A glossary of technical terms is updated regularly with new entries.
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April 29, 2026 22:09 ET (02:09 GMT)
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