Buy Small-Cap Stocks to Avoid the “Rotating Blades of Death”

Fish yourself a Dow stock out of the earnings pond.

Go ahead—grab your rod and reel one in.

Now ask yourself this question: Will it blend?

The answer, of course, is yes. Forget scaling it, removing its tail, head and bones—that bass will blend into a perfectly grotesque liquid. Unfortunately, investors have to drink it…

Get the picture?

These fish are the Dow Jones components just before 4th quarter earnings came out…

Guess what happens next?

Thirsty yet?

It’s earnings season again. And fourth quarter earnings have flat-out sucked so far. Excuse my French, but there’s no other way to put it. The market is slicing the poor earners to bits…

Caterpillar and Procter & Gamble just released disappointing earnings forecasts for the year. P&G dropped more than 3% on the day. Caterpillar wasn’t so lucky. It cratered more than 7%.

But wait—there’s more!

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Microsoft plummeted more than 9% on the day thanks to a whoppingfour downgrades after its underwhelming earnings announcement. No – that’s not a typo. Even this one-time king of the tech stocks fell straight into the rotating blades of death.

Here’s another fun fact: Out of the 30 Dow stocks, just one—United Technologies—escaped the flying bits of gore. It gained a mouth-watering 41 cents on the day. When the blades stopped turning, the Dow lost nearly 300 points to begin the week.

But before you run off into the woods with your gold hoard and survival kit, there’s something you need to understand: While the Dow fell into the spinning blades, another group of stocks managed to stay in one piece.

As a trader, that’s what you need to be looking for on days like Monday. When the market starts falling apart, there’s usually onegroup of stocks, one sector, or one industry that avoids the carnage. That’s a huge tell. When the big money is buying on a bad day, you know you’re probably onto something…

And that’s exactly what’s happening with small-cap stocks right now.

The big boys have had their fun. Now, small stocks are in the early stages of jumping out in front. The Russell is simply crushing the S&P since October 13th – the week stocks bottomed out. And over the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen more of the same from these little engines that could…

“That’s a sign of a healthy bull market,” I told you earlier this year. “You want to see the small companies–considered much more speculative investments–outperforming the big kids. Investors who are willing to take more risk leads to rising prices. That’s what’s been building over the past three months.”

So start thinking small. And stay away from blenders.

Regards,

Greg Guenthner
for The Daily Reckoning

P.S. This trade rings two bells. It’s the perfect way to protect your trading portfolio right now–while booking solid gains at the same time.  If you want to cash in on the biggest profits this market has to offer, sign up for my Rude Awakening e-letter, for FREE, right here. Stop missing out. Click here now to sign up for FREE.

Questions to Ask Moving Companies:

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Do you work for the mover or are you a broker?

Broker’s play an important role in helping customers match up with moving companies. Keep in mind, however, that a broker cannot give you a binding estimate and a broker is not responsible for loss or damage.

Do you give binding quotes?

Over the phone, a mover or broker may give you a quote that is generally not binding. A mover may give a binding, or “not to exceed” quote upon reviewing your items in person. Brokers don’t typically give binding quotes.

Does the quote include extra charges?

For example – flight charges, long carry charges, appliance charges, parking charges, storage charges, fuel charges, awkward objects, etc. If you have a piano, you should let them know right up front. Ask them if they have equipment to help with heavy and awkward items.

Will my items be transferred?

Long distance moves can sometimes require your items be transferred to another truck. This extra handling increases the chances for damage to occur.

What forms of payment do you accept and on what terms?

We don't recommend that you hire movers if they only accept cash; be sure you are clear about the amount that is due on delivery versus the deposit amount, and whether deposits are refundable.Most companies that have a merchant account will accept credit cards so be sure to ask if credit cards are an option.

What type of insurance is included in your quote? What else is available to me?

Basic coverage is 60 cents per pound but your moving company may offer an upgrade at a reasonable price. You can also work with 3rd party insurance providers to cover the move.

What is the process if something were to break or is missing? Who’s responsible?

This is a follow-up to the previous question that clearly breaks down who is responsible for what. If you’re discussing a self-service move, you may not get reimbursed for something that you packed poorly.

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Getting to Move Day:

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Fantastic Tips on Getting to Move Day - 2-3 weeks before move day

Schedule your move at least two weeks in advance.

 The representative at Fantastic Moves will ask many questions to learn how best to

plan for your move. Let us know which items are especially sentimental, valuable or large and heavy.

 If you plan to pack yourself, start NOW. It takes longer than you expect. See our Packing Tips.

 Your packed boxes can be stacked 4-5 high. Place away from the furniture so the movers can have a

clear path for moving. Set aside any boxes you plan to move yourself and label as such.

Make a plan on paper where each piece of furniture goes in your new home. If a piece isn’t going,

please donate, or sell prior to the move. It can feel GOOD to have unnecessary items out of sight!

Don’t forget to clean out your garage, attic, and storage sheds.

 This is a good time to use food from the freezer or opened items in the pantry.

 Arrange address, cable, utility changes; cancel or redirect deliveries. Make sure you have phone

access on move day. Call Fantastic Moves if you have any questions as you prepare for your move.

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IRS Announces 2015 Filing Season Start Date:

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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has finally announced the 2015 filing season start date. And surprise! There’s no delay. Tax season for paper and electronically filed returns will open on January 20, 2015. That’s 11 days sooner than last year’s start date and 10 days sooner than the 2013 start date (though the 2012 season started a few days earlier on January 17).
Even better? There’s no tiered opening season. All taxpayers can begin filing on January 20, 2015. There was some concern about the tiered filing system because Congress had initially signaled that it might not sign off on all of the tax extenders. Congress eventually approved a tax extenders package which renewed all of those four dozen or so provisions for a year – with no changes – making it possible for all taxpayers to start filing at the same time. President Obama signed the tax extenders package into law on December 19, 2014.
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said, about the extenders that, “[w]e have reviewed the late tax law changes and determined there was nothing preventing us from continuing our updating and testing of our systems.” He added, “Our employees will continue an aggressive schedule of testing and preparation of our systems during the next month to complete the final stages needed for the 2015 tax season.”

Tips on Selecting the Right Moving Company:

If you are thinking of moving to San Francisco, one of the first things you should do is select a suitable company to handle the move. Moving can lead to a lot of frustration but with the right company, it can be a lot easier. There are various companies to select from and this is why it is essential to take your time to find one that offers the services you require.

Most companies have websites that indicate the services they offer but while this is a good way to start your search, you should not base your decision on the information they provide. Use the internet to get an idea of the companies that are available in the area.

Get References

Get references from real estate agents who are based in the city. You can also use locals who have been living in the area for a while. They are more likely to have reliable information compared to the internet. Ask for references for companies that have been in operation for at least five years. An established moving company is more likely to have reliable services.

Set Appointments

Once you get references, set appointments with at least three movers. One of the best ways to reliable services from a San Francisco moving company is to request for an estimate during the appointment. The estimate should be based on a physical inspection of your home. An inspection will allow the movers to determine how much work will be carried out during the move based on the items in your home. You should not sign a contract before you know exactly how much you will be required to pay for the moving services.

The estimate has to be in writing. This is essential in case the moving company fails to fulfill the contract terms.

Does Your Mover Have Insurance?

This is one of the things that most homeowners overlook when they are looking for a San Francisco moving company. The company you use should be insured. It has to be liable in case any of your items are damaged or lost during the move. Without insurance, you will not get any compensation. You can also choose to purchase the insurance yourself instead of relying on the mover. Comprehensive insurance protects you from unexpected expenses in case anything goes wrong.

These are some of the things that you need to keep in mind if you want to find a professional and experienced San Francisco Moving Company.

Should I Use a 'You Load, We Drive' Moving Trailer to Move?

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As we've previously reviewed, you have three primary transportation and storage options when it comes to a do-it-yourself move: A rented moving truck, a portable storage container (POD), or a 'You Load, We Drive'moving trailer. Today we are going to discuss the 'You Load, We Drive' moving trailer option, helping you understand what this transportation option entails, how it works, and when a moving trailer should be used for your move.

What is a 'You Load, We Drive' moving trailer?

Typically operated by a freight carrier, a 'You Load, We Drive' moving trailer is a 28' truck that is used for long distance moving. A moving trailer is a very affordable long distance moving option for both large and small moves. Companies operating these moving trailers handle all of the driving, you simply load and unload your household items (or hire professional moving help) and they transport the trailer between your origin and destination.

How does a moving trailer it work?

Begin by contacting one of the three major moving trailer companies: ABF U-Pack®, Estes SureMove® or Old Dominion®. Each company will provide you with a quote for the transportation of your items as well as an estimate of the amount of space you will need, from the minimum of 3-4' to the full 28' trailer. The company will drop off your moving trailer at your home and (usually) provide you with up to three days to load your items. Once loaded, the trailer will be picked up and driven to your destination, usually arriving in 3-5 business days. You will then unload your items into your new home and the trailer will be taken away.

What are the benefits of a moving trailer?

A moving trailer is one of the most affordable ways to move long distance, and thus, is a major benefit. Companies that provide this service can offer affordable rates because they will use the entire 28' trailer, regardless of how much space you actually use. For example, if you utilize 13' of space the company will use the remaining 15' of space to transport commercial goods. Rest assured that the shipments are separated by a bulkhead to prevent your items from mixing in with the commercial goods. Additionally, these companies have very low minimum space requirements making it a very attractive option for small moves that only need a few feet of space.

What are the downsides of using a moving trailer?

Although a very affordable relocation option, moving trailers do have several downsides that you should be aware of. First, these trailers do not have an air-ride suspension. This basically means there is little shock absorbed and your items are more likely to be rattled around unless they are very carefully secured. Second, moving trailer companies do not offer a furniture blanket rental option. Because you cannot rent furniture blankets from these companies you are often forced to spend a significant amount of money buying your own or utilize less a effective option, such as bedding and towels. It is important to understand that furniture protection is vital to ensuring that your furniture arrives at your new home without damage. Be sure to factor in the cost of furniture blankets into your moving budget while shopping for a transportation solution.

When should I use a moving trailer for my move?

A 'You Load, We Drive' moving trailer can only be used for a long distance move. A moving trailer is your best option if you who do not want to drive a rented moving truck and if you are able to move into your new home right away without having to store your items temporarily.

Hire moving help to load or unload your freight trailer

Aside from the obvious physical benefits of hiring moving help, there are several other reasons to consider hiring movers. Firstly, you are billed for the amount of space you use on your trailer. By hiring professional movers you will be able to maximize the available space and, ultimately, use less space, saving you money. Secondly, moving trailers have a spring ride suspension and your household items are more likely to rattle around during the drive. Professional movers have the expertise to know when and where to use e-track straps and how to best pad and wrap your furniture to help reduce the risk of damage.

Learn more about hiring movers to load your moving trailer and see why it's both beneficial and affordable. You can also request a moving help quote online or by contacting Customer Support at (888) 354-8303.

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Tips and Tricks to choose the perfect Bay Area Movers:

Planning a move or relocation can be stressful, but knowing how to prepare can help in providing a smooth transition. Every situation is different, but the rules are the same. Here are a few tips and tricks that will help:

• Establish a firm move date.

Knowing when you will be moving will help establish a window of time to get things done. With a firm schedule in place, tasks can be distributed to alleviate a rush.

• Find a place to live

Once you know when you are moving, deciding where you will be moving to is the highest priority on the list. You’ll be able to determine distance, what you can and cannot bring, and whether or not you will need storage.

• Contact a reputable moving company.

The right moving company can help alleviate a number of problems. Bay Area Movers is available to help pack, crate and give you estimates of how long the move will take, the costs, and resources you can use in your new location.

• Get packing supplies.

Packing supplies are a must for a great move. Your moving company should be able to help direct you to places where you can find boxes at an inexpensive cost, or they can provide them for you. Bay Area Movers will help you pack and haul away your boxes if needed to help you get settled quicker.

• Contact your utilities and other service providers.

Once you know your move date and know where you are moving to, it’s time to arrange for connect and disconnection of services. Keeping a binder of names, numbers and when you requested services and personal records will keep you organized while providing a checklist of additional things that may need to be done.

• Start packing.

When you pack, finish one room at a time and color code your boxes for consistency. Using a color coding system will help you locate items quickly and will give your moving company a ledger in which to work from. Once your movers have a system of where boxes need to go, things will go a lot smoother.

• Pack-and-Go Box

For every move there needs to be a box of items that will travel with you. This should include toiletries, sheets, paper goods and anything else that will keep you going for at least a day or two just in case.

These are just a few tips and tricks that will help create the perfect move without hassle. Utilizing the services of reliable movers who are familiar with the area will be well worth the cost. Bay Area Movers is ready and available to assist in your transition. For more information on their services, contact an associate today!