FourBrane

Recent Stock Performance Based on Analyst Ratings

In my experience, analysts upgrade/downgrades typically follow the market rather than lead it. The stock has gone up, causing people on the sidelines to start thinking, "Maybe I should..." Then the analyst recommendation hits and some of those wallflowers decide to dance. The same process happens in reverse with nervous holders wondering if they should sell, then deciding.
It's hardly worth paying attention to since the total difference between worst and best performing analyst deciles appears to be less than 5% and this small difference when the analysts are not even "predicting," they "postdicting."

Rising Yield Curve Generally Bad For Stock Performance

I hope that, in addition to a nice glossy chart, you will also report the correlation coefficient. Just looking at the chart, it appears that there might be a valid negative correlation (possibly enough to account for around 60% of the variation). That's not a sure thing, but it would be interesting, I'm sure.