This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

Zoom Video Communications is a video-first, cloud-native scalable communications system for enterprises designed to facilitate video, voice, chat, and content-sharing across devices and locations through its Zoom Meetings and Zoom Phone applications. Zoom was founded in 2011 and completed its initial public offering on April 18, 2019 at $36 per share. Zoom derives about 20% of revenue from outside the U.S.

Key inflation data is coming this week and AI superstar Nvidia reports earnings. Wall Street will continue to absorb comments from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell from last week, noting that the Fed is ready to start easing monetary policy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended last week up 1.3%, the S&P 500 gained 1.5%, and the Nasdaq was higher by 1.4%. Year to date, the DJIA is higher by 9%, the S&P is up 18%, and the Nasdaq has popped 19%. On the economic calendar, inflation data via PCE is the highlight of the week, to be reported on Friday. In June, the PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditures) came in at 2.5%. We see that bumping up slightly to 2.6%. Core PCE came in at 2.6% for June. We see no change for July. Elsewhere, Durable Goods Orders will be reported on Monday. On Tuesday, the Case-Shiller Home Price Index and Consumer Confidence hit the tape, and on Thursday, GDP will be updated. Several Fed officials speak throughout the week. The earnings calendar is winding down, but some important reports remain. On Wednesday, Nvidia, Salesforce, CrowdStrike, HP, and J.M. Smucker all report. Aside from Nvidia's data, analysts will be listening to hear what CrowdStrike management has to say about the global software glitch last month and the impact on business. On Thursday, reports come from Dell, Marvell Technology, Best Buy, Lululemon, Gap, and Ulta Beauty. Earnings are coming in 12.7% higher this quarter than a year ago. Some 95% of S&P 500 companies have reported so far. Financials and Healthcare are the leading sectors, both up 20% for the quarter compared to the same quarter last year. Materials are on the other end, down 6%. Expectations were for 8%-12% earnings growth for 2Q, so corporate America has again surpassed the initial forecast. Mortgage rates fell three basis points (bps) to 6.46% for the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Gas prices fell three cents to $3.38 per gallon for the average price of regular gas. The Atlanta Fed GDPNow indicator is forecasting for 3Q and calls for expansion of 2.0%. The Cleveland Fed CPINow indicator forecasts 2.6% for August CPI. Looking ahead, the next Fed rate decision comes on September 18, with odds at 100% for a rate cut. Of that, 63% expect a 25-bps cut and 37% a 50-bps cut. There are then two more Fed rate meetings this year, the first on November 7 and the second on December 18. We now expect three rate cuts this year, for a total of 75 bps. We see two rate cuts in 2025. We see all cuts in the size of 25 bps.

Zoom Video Communications provides a communications platform that connects people through video, voice, chat, and content sharing. The company’s cloud-native platform enables face-to-face video and connects users across various devices and locations in a single meeting. Zoom, which was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in San Jose, California, serves companies of all sizes from all industries around the world.