Have speculators gone too far? | Oil and gas discover tech | How to spot a bear market

Speculation in a handful of stocks could be a sign of trouble.

VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE SAT, FEB 22, 2020 WEEKEND BRIEF EDITOR'S NOTE It's a late-cycle market with slowing economic growth around the world and a stock market that has been bouncing not far below its all-time highs.   What's an investor to do? Well, some are speculating big on Tesla, Virgin Galactic and a hydrogen engine maker called Plug Power — doubling or tripling the value of these stocks, writes CNBC's Michael Sheetz.   These are now the "poster boys for speculation," says Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer at Bleakley Advisory Group. They're the cool stocks — "and what's cooler than electric vehicles and space?"   Beware: Such irrational surges in the face of slowing growth may just be warning signs. And for more warning signs, read CNBC's Maggie Fitzgerald's piece on how to tell if a bear market is on the way.   Also in this edition of Weekend Brief, CNBC's Pippa Stevens writes about new hope for the heavily battered energy industry. Oil and gas companies are finally starting to partner with tech companies that can help them streamline operations and cut costs, creating a market that could grow by 500% over the next five years.   "The digital age is finally dawning for Oil & Gas," Barclays said in January in a note to clients. "We see a market poised to erupt over the next five years."   Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend and thanks for reading Weekend Brief.  Email your thoughts at EveningBrief@nbcuni.com or message me on Twitter @tellittoal.   Subscribe to CNBC PRO for exclusive insights and analysis, and live business day programming from around the world.   Al Lewis | CNBC Markets Editor @tellittoal THE WEEK AHEAD Coronavirus fears spoiled a solid earnings season and will further dominate markets ahead   YOUR WEEKEND BRIEFING  Crazy speculative trading is driving some stocks inexplicably higher, a 'late cycle' market sign Tech and energy are teaming up, creating a market that could grow 500% in the next 5 years Here's how to tell a bear market is coming This fund is a play for the millennial home renter, and some of its holdings are up big this year These stocks have been hit by coronavirus fears, but analysts still say buy Cramer's week ahead: February could 'end with a nasty whimper'     Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2020 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS