Reviewing past stock picks is one of the most valuable habits an investor can build. Each win or loss reveals clear lessons about your research, assumptions, risk control, and emotions, turning experience into sharper judgment and fewer repeated mistakes.
In this update we revisit the following stock picks and examine their performance:
Microsoft, introduced by Adam Levine in March.
Kingstone, covered by Dan Victor in May.
Cadre Holdings, reviewed by Dan Victor, also in May.
This is a regularly occurring column. Read last week's iteration here.
Microsoft
The third-largest holding in the iShares Tech-Expanded Software Sector ETF, has gained 21% over the past month. The stock recorded its best weekly gain in years during the past week of July. It is up 20% since our recommendation.
Bullish RSI divergence on the daily chart, with RSI making higher lows in March and June while the price made a lower low, was a strong signal that a price turn was imminent. On June 26, the stock advanced 6% on its strongest daily volume in at least a year, marking the bottom of a cup base. The $466.42 pivot was ultimately taken out on Aug. 3 with a 5% gap-up move.
The trigger came from the middle day of the bearish island reversal that formed June 1. Round-number theory then came into play at $500, where the stock met slight resistance, forming a bearish shooting star followed by two dojis between Aug. 7 and Aug. 11. One can enter here, although the stock could retrace toward the July 31 gap fill near $470.
I believe the stock could reach $582 by the first quarter of 2027, representing a 21% gain from current levels. Remain bullish above $450. Microsoft was trading around $485 Wednesday.
Kingstone
The regional property and casualty insurance player is up 43% over the past year. On its weekly chart it has the look of a cup with handle as it digests a strong six week winning streak that saw it rally by a combined 33% between early June and early July. The stock has gained 26% since our recommendation.
Looking at the daily chart, the stock has been a strong performer in the insurance group, as shown by its strength on the ratio chart against the iShares U.S. Insurance ETF. The chart has steadily ground higher, although it had to overcome some technical hurdles along the way. Most notably, a double-bottom breakout above the $16.96 pivot quickly failed after a bearish evening star was completed on April 20, with a doji forming as the middle day of the pattern.
Kingstone has since regained its footing and is holding above the $19.52 cup-base pivot, which was taken out July 1. It is now contending with round-number resistance at the $20 level, while a bull flag has also taken shape. The combination suggests the stock may be building the next platform for a move higher.
One can enter here and look for the stock to travel toward $26 by early 2027, representing a potential 30% gain from current prices. Remain bullish above $18.50. Kingstone was trading around $20 Wednesday.
Cadre Holdings
The provider of safety and survivability equipment has come to life over the past month, jumping 17%. It still trades 30% below its 52 week high, but has advanced four of the last five weeks. The stock is down 26% since our recommendation.
The ratio chart against the State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF shows a slight improvement in relative strength since the start of July. Looking left, the stock failed to break above the $46.74 cup-base pivot, a pattern that began with a doji candle on Nov. 5. Cadre traded above the pivot intraday on March 2 and March 5 but failed to close above it, and subsequent selling pressure eventually cut the stock in half.
The decline finally showed signs of exhaustion when a bullish hammer formed on May 12. A doji appeared June 16, further supporting the possibility that a durable bottom was taking shape. The stock then gapped 13% higher following earnings on Aug. 6, though the gap was filled the very next day. Still, bears had ample opportunity to push the stock lower and have been unable to do so.
One can enter here and look for a move toward $46 by early 2027, representing a potential 35% gain from current levels. Remain bullish above $31. Cadre Holdings was trading around $34 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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