When to Go Long

Written by Rob Goldman   

No, this title is not referring to football, although we were severely tempted to discuss it. Instead, we shoot a warning shot across your bow as a head's up with respect to moves market makers will make this week. Plus, we profile some heavily shorted stocks that could turn, warn about others, and tell you why to puts on Apple.


January 14, 2013
Volume 3, Number 28

The Goldman Guide

When to Go Long

I had planned to talk about the Ravens and their wide receivers going long this past weekend, but I thought the better of it. Still, this topic is relevant.

I have mentioned on several occasions that I tend to be a little early on stocks or themes from time to time. In some cases, it is a good thing to be a little early.  With that in mind, here is why you should keep the calendar in mind before going “long-heavy.”

The market will be closed a week from today for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and that means that come Friday, market-makers will likely do everything in their power to not “be long” in stocks in which they make markets, or at worst end the week in a market-neutral status in their positions. That could either present a buying opportunity or be a harbinger for a profit-taking period. I suspect that it could be a little of both but we will know more as the week progresses. Small stocks continue to rule the day and the Russell 2000 Index remains the best performing index thus far this year. This is not to say that investors aren’t bullish. In fact, they are by many metrics.

As we predicted, equity fund money inflows have been a big driver of the stock rise. For the week ended January 9th, stock funds and ETFs saw $18 billion in inflows, according to Lipper. That compares with $12 billion in the best week during 2012. When these things happen, money has to be put to use. This is why on Friday, for example, the NYSE and NASDAQ had 400 stocks reach new highs and 16 lows. Wow. Moreover, although the advance/decline line is still roughly the same, advancing volume on NASDAQ is roughly 2x declining volume.

Go Long On Moves Higher

We remain in the early stages of the 4Q12 earnings season but if in the aggregate the performance is solid, the market will rally this week. We believe that is likely to be the case. If the numbers are not so great, investors should expect a modest, short-term sell-off. In either event,  at the risk of buying a little late, if you have a stock on your radar that has been moving incrementally higher and is not selling off by week-end, it is probably a good sign of future performance. What will be interesting to see is how heavily shorted stocks fare this week. With the exception of the high-profile and controversial Herbalife (NYSE—HLF), short interest has dropped by about 5%, most likely in response to the equity fund inflows. I’ll bet that as those inflows subside (this week) and the market sees a little profit-taking or sideways action, short interest will pick up again. Which goes back to my earlier thesis that the earnings season will play a role this week and that traders will step aside later, so as not to get caught holding the bag. They would rather have us hold it for them.

Two Shorts That Could Turn

Common sense tells me to avoid heavily shorted stocks, let alone consider buying one. Still, there are 2 intriguing plays out there. Hhgregg (NYSE—HGG—$7.89), an electronics retailer, has over 8 million of its over 35 million shares outstanding, short. The P/E on March 2013 estimates is a paltry 8.5x. As Best Buy (NYSE—BBY) goes, especially with the pending potential buyout, so does HGG. The huge short position, which represents 44% of the public float has really capped the potential, but it appears as if the risk/reward ratio is in investors’ favor.   I see a maximum of a 20% downside but 40% minimum upside, pending revenue and EPS performance. 

Education Management (NASDAQ—EDMC—$4.31) is up 10% since our profile last month in our daily blogs and these pages. While receivables are on the rise and revenue is on the decline, we think that the bad news is bottoming and the valuation, at 10x June FY13 EPS, is cheap. Thus, we believe that these shares could go to $6.00-7.00, buoyed by good results at the end of the month.  A major short covering of the 3 million shares short (13% of the public float) would help.  Feeling lucky? Buy some now and sell after the financials are released.

Speaking of Shorts…

Last week, we highlighted a stock we felt is a good buy at current levels, given the expected huge EPS growth in 2013. Amkor Technology Inc. (NASDAQ – AMKR - $4.69), provides semiconductor packaging and test services.  EPS is expected to jump by more than 50% from 2012 to 2013, with estimates calling for $0.39 in 2012 and $0.61 on 2013, representing a P/E below 8x for next year.  Even the chart is trending higher.  Still, as the stock has climbed steadily from a floor of $3.65 in November, we neglected to mention that the stock has 16 million shares short, representing 20% of the public float.  Obviously these naysayers think that the EPS forecasts will not be met. We think that they are too focused in the industry and not on the company and that EPS coupled with these shorts will help propel longs to big gains this year. 

Since we are looking backwards as well as looking forward this week, our sell call on  JC Penney (NYSE—JCP—$18.26) was right on target as it dropped 15% at one point last week, ending down 11%. What a troubled company. Stay away.

Speaking of trouble, Apple (NASDAQ—AAPL  - $520.30) is down nearly 12% since the end of November while NASDAQ is up almost 4%. The luster appears lost, competition abounds, Apple fanatics are growing weary, and analysts are reducing forecasts and sentiment. While one would be foolish to short the stock, perhaps buying short term out of the money puts is not a bad play.  The stock just feels like it is going to trade sideways for a while. 

Finally, we suggest avoiding Nokia (NYSE—NOK—$4.70) and Research in Motion (NASDAQ—RIMM—$13.56). These are still disasters that could frankly go either way.  Staying away from controversial names is always a wise maneuver.

And, never, ever trust a short-seller.

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.