Small-Cap Report -- Summary                                                                                             

• The best ranked small-cap sector is industrial goods.
• The top-scoring industry is staffing & outsourcing.

**Scores have rolled to reflect fourth quarter seasonality** The best small-cap sector is industrial goods (ESE, DAKT, BZH, AIR, AEGN). Services, REITs, financials, basic materials, utilities, technology, and consumer goods are neutral. This isn’t common and often suggests we’re on the cusp of a shift in leadership. Healthcare is ranked below average.

Stock Ratings -- Best & Worst Scoring 

The following stocks are top-rated in small-cap this week:

Sector & Industry Ranking -- Best & Worst Scoring 

The highest-rated small-cap industries include staffing (BBSI, KFRC), aerospace/defense (AIR), newspaper publishing (GCI), P&C insurers (HMN, GLRE), and semi equipment (KLIC).

The best basics baskets are independent oil & gas (EGY), and steel & iron (ROCK). Business equipment (LYTS), textiles (RCKY), and processed & packaged goods are top-rated in consumer goods. Concentrate on P&C insurers, regional banks (TBBK), and S&Ls (FBC, DCOM) in financials. Medical appliances (IVC) and medical instruments (UTMD) are top-rated in healthcare. Aerospace/defense, heavy construction (AEGN), and farm & construction machinery (CMCO) offer upside in industrial goods. Staffing, newspaper publishers and trucking (SAIA, MRTN, HTLD) score highest in services. The top technology industries include semi equipment, information technology (SYKE, MNDO, SYNA), and networking & communication devices (DGII).