(By Rich Bieglmeier) When so many new faces populate our emerging bull list while stocks are churning a touch, it's been our experience that it's sort of a renewal process. Kind of like the old Popeye cartoons, the bulging-forearmed sailor nearly drowns and size-zero Olive Oil has to use his leg as a lever to pump out the water, "out with old, in with the in."
While stocks could stall until the German court rules on the European Central Bank's bailout fund on Wednesday and Thursday's FOMC meeting, there is a change in style occurring under the surface.
If you recall, for the last month or so, this column has been touting large-cap stocks, particularly of the growth variety. The monsters of the big such as Apple Inc. (AAPL) and Google Inc. (GOOG) set the pace for at least the last six weeks.
Well, that could be changing. Small and mid-cap equities could be ready to pull the cart for a while; after taking a back seat to their bigger cousins, small and midsized stocks, both and value, crossed over from underperformers to outperformers relative to the S&P 500.
Historically speaking, small-caps lead the way in the final leg of a bull market. It's too early to tell if that's what is happening now, or exactly how long the final stages will last. However, investors must be aware of the subtle changes to be prepared.
As for sectors that standout, in our view, iStock really likes the way Autos, Auto Parts, Clothing and Non-Ferrous metal look on their sector charts. Personal Products have the most unappealing feel on the bear side of the ledger.
A little later today, we'll have a small or mid-cap idea from the emerging bull list, make sure you check back.
EMERGING BULL: Industries with positive technical analysis traits that are in the early stages, indicating possible above average returns in the near-term:
Asset Managers
Autos
Auto Parts
Business Training
Basic Materials
Basic Resources
Clothing
Brewers
Leisure Goods
Non-Ferrous Metals
Gold Mining
Investment
Household Goods
Heavy Construction
Software
MATURE BULL: Industries that have outperformed and their charts suggest the above average returns could continue:
Media
Construction & Materials
Internet
Publishing
Durable Household Goods
Tires
MATURE BEAR: Industries that have underperformed and, based on their current chart patterns, could continue to lag:
Aerospace
Waste & Disposal
Drug Retail
EMERGING BEAR: Industries that have fresh negative technical analysis set ups and could have subpar performance in the weeks ahead:
Beverages
Personal Products
Railroad
Semiconductors
Soft Drinks
Tobacco