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Fri, Apr 17th, 2026

Rob Isbitts

Fri, Apr 17th, 2026

Rob Isbitts

Rob Isbitts

In Rob’s version of “semi-retirement,” he shares his experience by writing here at Barchart.com, as well as at Seeking Alpha, where he leads the Sungarden Investors Club. He also blogs regularly at SungardenInvestment.com (aka Sungarden on Substack).

His investing journey started way back at age 16, when he first discovered stock charting from his late father, using graph paper and a pencil. Fast forward to today and Rob is now an investment intellectual property creator, retired investment advisor, fund manager, and CIO, with the successes and bruises to show for it! A former CIO, fund manager, investment writer, and published author, Rob sold his advisory practice in 2020. 

Rob is a longtime Barchart subscriber. So, in the midst of sharing his no-nonsense perspective on markets, ETFs, stocks, and investor behavior elsewhere, he was delighted when Barchart invited him to contribute to its rapidly growing platform, starting in 2025. 

Rob’s Reward Opportunity and Risk (ROAR) Score helps gauge intermediate-term risk on any stock or ETF, and his “Dog Collar” concept helps investors use the Barchart options screener and other tools to limit risk on the stocks and ETFs they own.

Most Recent Stories

Does the QQQ ETF Have a Bad Case of Premature Accumulation?

The market is trying to price in a happy ending before the script has actually been written.

QQQ : 649.33 (+1.38%)
$SPX : 7,138.63 (+1.38%)
CAT : 799.89 (+3.52%)
DIA : 496.34 (+2.21%)
SPY : 711.52 (+1.41%)
Dire Straits: This ETF Is a Must-Watch As Rare Earths Become the Real Boondoggle of the Iran War

All eyes have been on the energy and defense sectors amid the Iran war, but rare earths should be investors' focus. Here's why.

REMX : 103.20 (+0.15%)
^XAGUSD : 82.410 (+5.07%)
Social Media Stocks Could Be a High-Risk, High-Reward Bet Amid the Iran War Based on This Chart

The SOCL ETF could make for an interesting “nibble” on the way to a larger position if all things go well.

META : 684.22 (+1.09%)
GOOG : 336.28 (+1.05%)
GOOGL : 338.73 (+0.81%)
SOCL : 48.44 (+1.60%)
RDDT : 163.73 (+0.79%)
A ‘Straitjacket’ on Price Discovery: How the Iran War is Pushing Modern Markets Toward Unity. But Not The Good Kind.

It has become undeniably clear that the era of traditional price discovery is being crowded out by a new, digital architecture.

The VIX Just Broke Under 20. Here’s What That Really Means.

For those who prefer not to use options, or who don’t want to use them after VIX has recently spiked, these ETFs can be handy tools.

$VIX : 17.41 (-2.95%)
SVXY : 50.62 (+1.02%)
SH : 34.73 (-1.34%)
RWM : 14.54 (-2.48%)
VIXY : 27.77 (-1.84%)
SPY : 711.52 (+1.41%)
PSQ : 28.65 (-1.34%)
Delta Pops, Oil Drops, Will It Stop? How to Trade Airline Stocks and ETFs Now.

DAL popped by more than 10% Wednesday morning, following a triple-threat of positive catalysts: a dominant first-quarter earnings beat, robust forward guidance, and a timely cooling of tensions in the...

BNO : 44.82 (-8.68%)
CLK26 : 82.72 (-12.64%)
IYT : 82.69 (+2.93%)
JETS : 28.39 (+6.61%)
FTXR : 42.02 (+3.91%)
DAL : 73.56 (+5.25%)
SCO : 8.61 (+11.53%)
Want to Ride the Rally? Here’s the Ultimate ‘Go Big or Go Home’ Strategy for Your Stock Portfolio.

How you can use a small portfolio of ETFs to take risk on what could be high-flying stocks.

BIL : 91.55 (+0.03%)
$SPX : 7,138.63 (+1.38%)
SPXL : 240.18 (+4.15%)
TZA : 5.00 (-7.92%)
IWM : 277.25 (+2.70%)
3 ETFs That May Offer Peace of Mind, No Matter What Comes Next in the Iran War

These three ETFs don't care how the Iran war ends. They offer low volatility, which makes them perfect for times of geopolitical turmoil.

USMV : 94.83 (+0.47%)
SPLV : 74.67 (+0.55%)
MNA : 36.47 (+0.30%)
BTAL : 12.51 (-2.65%)
$SPX : 7,138.63 (+1.38%)
MKTN : 25.32 (+0.68%)
Is the Retail Sector Having a Resurgence? What the Charts of This Retail ETF Tell Us.

When the market gets tough, do investors go shopping? That seems to be what the charts of this ETF are saying. Here's what to know.

XRT : 87.47 (+3.51%)
If You Are Buying Into the Comeback Story in UnitedHealth Stock, Buy This ETF Too

As UNH shares pop higher, consider the iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF too.

CVS : 77.55 (+0.99%)
IHF : 45.82 (+1.78%)
CI : 279.30 (+1.06%)
HCA : 490.65 (+1.59%)
DIA : 496.34 (+2.21%)
UNH : 325.00 (+2.72%)
ELV : 324.46 (+2.74%)

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FUN FACT 🚨: Nasdaq 100 on track for its best April in 40 years 📈🥳🤑🫂
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