6 Barbell Stocks: Growth Meets Income For U.S. And Iran Negotiations

Steven Cress, Quant TeamSA Quant StrategistFollow5ShareSavePlay(18min)Comments(5)SummaryIn a market driven by geopolitical uncertainty, inflation, and shifting interest rate expectations, a barbell strategy for growth and income offers a way to navigate volatility.By combining high-growth stocks with energy exposure, infrastructure industrials, and REITs, this portfolio offers multiple ways to win with balance.Rather than timing the market, this approach enables "time in" the market by remaining exposed with a diversified mix.Together, these stocks balance cyclical growth and defensive qualities, allowing investors to navigate volatility while remaining positioned for multiple market outcomes.I am Steven Cress, Head of Quantitative Strategies at Seeking Alpha. I manage the quant ratings and factor grades on stocks and ETFs in Seeking Alpha Premium. I also lead Alpha Picks, which selects the two most attractive stocks to buy each month, and also determines when to sell them. mustafaU/iStock via Getty Images Markets Stabilize, But Uncertainty Calls for Diversification Markets have found short-term relief with the two-week ceasefire in the Iran war, easing immediate geopolitical risk, and helping to stabilize investor sentiment. Combined with what is expected to be a mostly positive quarterly earnings season, theThis article was written bySteven Cress, Quant Team89.35K FollowersFollowSteven Cress is VP of Quantitative Strategy and Market Data at Seeking Alpha. Steve is also the creator of the platform’s quantitative stock rating system and many of the analytical tools on Seeking Alpha. His contributions form the cornerstone of the Seeking Alpha Quant Rating system, designed to interpret data for investors and offer insights on investment directions, thereby saving valuable time for users. He is also the Founder and Co-Manager of Alpha Picks, a systematic stock recommendation tool designed to help long-term investors create a best-in-class portfolio.Steve is passionate and dedicated to removing emotional biases from investment decisions. Utilizing a data-driven approach, he leverages sophisticated algorithms and technologies to simplify complex, laborious investment research, creating an easy-to-follow, daily updated grading system for stock trading recommendations.Steve was previously the Founder and CEO of CressCap Investment Research until its acquisition by Seeking Alpha in 2018 for its unparalleled quant analysis and market data capabilities. Prior to that, he had also founded the quant hedge fund Cress Capital Management, after spending most of his career running a proprietary trading desk at Morgan Stanley and leading international business development at Northern Trust.With over 30 years of experience in equity research, quantitative strategies, and portfolio management, Steve is well-positioned to speak on a wide range of investment topics.Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of MU either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given that any particular security, portfolio, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. The author is not advising you personally concerning the nature, potential, value or suitability of any particular security or other matter. You alone are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, security or strategy, or any product or service, is appropriate or suitable for you based on your investment objectives and personal and financial situation. Steven Cress is the Head of Quantitative Strategy at Seeking Alpha. Any views or opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank.