Stormy Weather, Stormy Market

Written by Rob Goldman   

October 29, 2012
Volume 3, Number 18

The Goldman Guide

Stormy Weather, Stormy Market

There are advantages and disadvantages to writing a blog the day before it is published.  One of the disadvantages occurs when one refers to potential future events on that day, which may prove to be inaccurate.  Then again, if one refers to the potential event, and it occurs, it can be fruitful and useful, even in hindsight.

For example, as I write this blog, I look ahead to what the maniacal weathermen and television anchors have dubbed “Frankenstorm”, which is due to hit the Mid-Atlantic area Monday morning. The storm could end up being nothing or could be a major disaster. Surely you, the reader, will know what is happening, as you read this on Monday morning. What is noteworthy about the storm at this juncture is not just how it will affect the targeted areas, but how it could impact the economy, the stock market, and potentially the Presidential election.

The region has already been impacted on a few occasions in the past 3 years from blizzards, tropical depressions, and derechos, which have knocked out power to millions for several days at a time.  So let’s look at the financial impact for a moment.  Obviously, storm damage is a negative to insurers and many property and casualty insurers were in the red on Friday. If the storm packs a wallop, we will see these stocks get hammered in the early – middle part of the week.

New construction could be damaged along with existing homes, prompting an increase in the purchase of lumber, appliances, drywall, etc. Given the sheer number of people that live in the region (66M on the east coast), and the strength, the damage could be in the tens of billions of dollars.  The usual panic to buy generators, flashlights,   batteries, food, water, etc. could be a mini-boon to supermarkets in the region, along with the Home Depot’s (NYSE – HD) and Lowe’s (NYSE – LOW) of the world. A loss of power among a large swath of the region could result in   lower volumes in the market as well as some of the industry’s largest institutional investors, traders, and brokers, and their firms could be closed without power since they are largely based in this region. Some4 are sending key execs into Manhattan that live nearby the workplace. The NYSE is actually “closed” but will trade electronically. The entire NYC mass transit system will not be running and some mandatory evacuations have already occurred.

Although (largely disappointing) earnings results and economic reports have dominated the stock market action of late, some investors like to play the market based upon Presidential election bets and hedges.  Both candidates would have to spend time in the region rather than campaigning in swing states, so as not to appear apathetic to the cause and plight of those affected by the storm. Trivial as it may sound less campaigning in the swing states could help shape election results in those states.

Reduced sales of Halloween candy, costumes, cards, and a decline in the number and scope of parties could be in the cards as well. If you don’t have power, you probably aren’t even thinking about Halloween. 

Of course that could mean big discounts late next week.

Meanwhile, let us hope everyone is safe and damage from the storm is minimal.

Looking Ahead…

There is a lot of truth to the negative comments regarding last week’s Q3 financial results which are disturbingly demonstrating slowing and even declining revenue growth.  These declines have economists concerned that the anemic recovery is tired and on its last legs. Perhaps it is naiveté on our part, but we believe that some businesses have intentionally not put the pedal to the metal, in anticipation of the election and prospective budget and tax changes that would mute or eliminate the fiscal cliff we are facing come 2013.

Looking at the still large cash levels, continued job cuts, and anemic growth seems to echo these ideas.

Still, the market’s key indices are down 4.5% - 6.5% from their year highs and the market is already factoring in slower growth and earnings ahead. Thus, we still are bullish, at least in the near term, and would be even more so, in the event of a Romney victory.

All in all, Sandy the hurricane/tropical storm/tropical depression and the outcome of the elections will make things interesting for much of America, directly, and indirectly. Once the storm and election are    behind us, investors will get back to brass tacks. As I have been reminded from Sam Stovall of S&P (via an email from the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII), good things are to come in the market, which we have been preaching as well.

After all, according to Stovall:

“The “best six months” for stocks start a week from today (Oct 25). Since the end of World War II, the S&P 500 has historically realized an average return of about 7% between November 1 and April 30. Conversely, during the “worst six months,” the S&P has only gained 1.2% between May 1 and October 31.”

Until next week…

Analyst: Robert Goldman
Rob Goldman founded Goldman Small Cap Research (GSCR) in 2009. Rob has over 20 years of investment and research experience as a senior research analyst and as a portfolio and     mutual fund manager. During his tenure as a sell-side analyst, he was a senior member of Piper Jaffray's Technology team. Prior to joining Piper, Rob led Josephthal & Co.'s Emerging Growth Research Group. Rob has also served as Chief Investment Officer of two boutique investment management firms, where he managed Small Cap Growth and Balanced portfolios and The Blue and White Fund.  As an investment manager, Rob's model portfolio was once ranked the 4th best small cap growth performer in the U.S. by Money Manager Review. In addition to his work at GSCR, Rob is the editor of Penny Stock Junction (www.pennystockjunction.com.)

Analyst Certification
I, Robert Goldman, hereby certify that the view expressed in this newsletter accurately reflect my personal views about the subject securities and issuers. I also certify that no part of my compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the recommendations or views expressed in this research publication.

Disclaimer
This newsletter was prepared for informational purposes only. Goldman Small Cap Research, (a division of Two Triangle Consulting Group, LLC) produces research via two formats: Goldman Select Research, which typically highlights small cap and mid cap companies, and Goldman Opportunity Research, which features micro cap companies in a sponsored research format. Thus, the Select product reflects the Firm’s internally generated stock ideas while the Opportunity product reflects sponsored research reports. 

It is important to note that while we may track performance separately, we utilize the same coverage criteria in determining coverage of all stocks in both research formats. Please view the company’s individual disclosures for each engagement, which can be found in each company-specific report. All information contained in this newsletter and in our reports were provided by the Companies or generated from our own due diligence. Our analysts are responsible only to the public, and are paid in advance to eliminate pecuniary interests, retain editorial control, and ensure independence. Analysts are compensated on a per report basis and not on the basis of his/her recommendations. 

The information used and statements of fact made have been obtained from sources considered reliable but we neither guarantee nor represent the completeness or accuracy. Goldman Small Cap Research did not make an independent investigation or inquiry as to the accuracy of any information provided by the Company, or other firms. Goldman Small Cap Research relied solely upon information provided by the Company through its filings, press releases, presentations, and through its own internal due diligence for accuracy and completeness. Such information and the opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. A Goldman Small Cap Research report, note, or newsletter is not intended as an offering, recommendation, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned or discussed.

This report or newsletter does not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs of any particular person. This report or newsletter does not provide all information material to an investor’s decision about whether or not to make any investment. Any discussion of risks in this presentation is not a disclosure of all risks or a complete discussion of the risks mentioned. Neither Goldman Small Cap Research, nor its parent, is registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser with the FINRA or with any state securities regulatory authority.

ALL INFORMATION IN THIS REPORT OR NEWSLETTER IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, OR REPRESENTATIONS OF ANY KIND. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TWO TRIANGLE CONSULTING GROUP, LLC WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR THE QUALITY, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, RELIABILITY OR TIMELINESS OF THIS INFORMATION, OR FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF THE USE OF THIS INFORMATION BY YOU OR ANYONE ELSE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOST PROFITS, LOSS OF OPPORTUNITIES, TRADING LOSSES, AND DAMAGES THAT MAY RESULT FROM ANY INACCURACY OR INCOMPLETENESS OF THIS INFORMATION). TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TWO TRIANGLE CONSULTING GROUP, LLC WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANYONE ELSE UNDER ANY TORT, CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, PRODUCTS LIABILITY, OR OTHER THEORY WITH RESPECT TO THIS PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION.

For more information, visit our Disclaimer: www.goldmanresearch.com.