Since 2010, the best scoring names in our weekly mid cap reports have outpaced the S&P 400 by an average 4.43% in the following year. The best performers from our list from 1 year ago are KNX up 77%, ILMN up 76%, IRF up 57%, LVLT up 55%, and AAP up 47%.
The average score across mid cap is 60.41, below the four week moving average score of 64.99. The average mid cap stock is trading -17.19% below its 52 week high, -0.85% below its 200 dma, has 7.45 days to cover held short, and is expected to post EPS growth of 16.37% next year.
The best mid cap sector is consumer goods. Utilities, services, technology, and financials also score above average. healthcare scores in line. Industrial goods and basic materials score below average.
The top scoring mid cap industry is trucking (KNX, ODFL, HTLD). Rates benefit from NAFTA trade and import port volume growth. The DoT's Freight Transportation Services Index hit a new record level in October. Through the first 49 weeks of 2014, intermodal railcar volume is up 5.2% year-over-year — bullish for logistics revenue. Semiconductor ICs (IRF, MSCC) offer upside. Restaurant (WEN, CBRL, CAKE, PZZA, EAT, BWLD) foot traffic and same store sales support the basket through the holidays. The Nat'l Restaurant Association's current index for restaurant performance has shown expansion readings above 100 for 8 consecutive months. Auto dealers (GPI) are strong scoring. According to Ward's Automotive, the daily sales rate improved by 8.7% in November versus a year ago. Market daily trading volume remains a tailwind for investment brokers (MKTX, GHL).
No mid cap basics baskets score above average. In consumer goods, focus on textiles (DECK, WWW, COLM), processed & packaged goods (HAIN, FLO), and business equipment (HNI, PAY). In November, industrial production of clothing climbed 3.7% from last year. The best financials groups include investment brokers and regional banks (OZRK, FHN, NPBC, FFIN, ASBC). In healthcare, only medical instruments (HRC, PODD, NUVA, HAE, WST) score above average. Industrial electrical equipment (BDC) and diversified machinery (MIDD, BC) are best across industrial goods. November industrial production of machinery was 8.2% higher than a year ago. The top scoring services buckets are trucking, restaurants, and auto dealers. Semi ICs, technical & system software (TYL, CDNS, MENT), and semi-broad line (CAVM, ONNN) score highest in technology. Home electronics industrial production grew 5.6% year-over-year in November.
