Monro: Braking Good

In my newest Small-Cap Insight article on Seeking Alpha, I analyze a company in the automotive repair and tire service industry, Monro Muffler Brake Inc. (MNRO). While the company operates very much under the radar of most investors compared to the major automotive industry favorites such as Tesla Motors Inc. (TSLA) and Ford Motor Co. (F), it remains a viable business segment with tremendous upside potential. Click here to read and enjoy!

Phil

On The Hunt For Profits With Cabela's

In my latest Seeking Alpha exclusive Small-Cap Insight article, I analyze the hunting/outdoor sports retailer Cabela's Incorporated (CAB). The small-cap, niche retailer has a powerful advantage compared to more traditional sporting goods retailers because the company markets specific, high-demand products to select, high-value consumers. As long as the trend of accelerating firearms purchases continues in The United States, Cabela's looks poised to keep growing and rewarding long-term shareholders. Click here to read and enjoy!

Phil

Snyder's-Lance: A Small-Cap Worth Snacking On

In my latest Seeking Alpha exclusive article, I analyze small-cap stock Snyder's-Lance, Inc. (LNCE), owner of snack food brands such as Snyder's of Hanover, Lance and Cape Cod. The company recently reported second quarter earnings results that came in below analyst expectations and the stock proceeded to sell off over 15% in the following two weeks. At current levels, shares of the oversold LNCE appear attractive in the long-term. As a Small-Cap Insight piece, the article will only be available to the public for 30 days! Click here to read and enjoy!

Phil

Tracking My Seeking Alpha Performance

As it is often mentioned on the Seeking Alpha contributor forums but has yet to be implemented, I thought it would be interesting to track my own performance on the site. Since I usually avoid giving very specific buy advice in my articles, I will simply limit the performance-tracking to stocks that I wrote favorably about. I will only include stocks that have been written about more than two months ago, to provide better perspective. I will include the company name and ticker as well as the date the article was published and the stock's approximate price per share at the time of publication and subsequent gain/loss.

(All numbers includes dividends reinvested where applicable)

Positive Mentions:
Discovery Communications, Inc. (DISCA) - 1/01/13 - $63.48, 26.45% gain
Scripps Network Interactive, Inc. (SNI) - 1/17/13 - $58.90, 28.55% gain
Alaska Air Group, Inc. (ALK) - 1/23/13 - $46.65, 29.18% gain
Church & Dwight Company Inc. (CHD) 1/29/13 - $57.60, 8.04% gain
VF Corporation (VFC) - 2/05/13 - $148.74, 34.81% gain
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) - 2/07/13 - $215.86, 20.78% gain
MasterCard Incorporated (MA) - 2/12/13 - $519.64, 22.37% gain
Visa Inc. (V) - 2/12/13 -$156.80, 14.89% gain
Nike Inc. - 2/26/13 - 2/26/13 - $54.27, 23.14% gain
J&J Snack Foods Corp. (JJSF) - 3/13/13 - $72.05, 10.43% gain
The Hershey Company (HSY) - 3/19/13 - $85.45, 13.67% gain
Balchem Corp. (BCPC) - 4/10/13 - $43.72, 20.11% gain
eBay Inc. (EBAY) - 4/22/13 - $51.63, 3.35% gain
Stepan Company (SCL) - 5/01/13 - $53.20, 10.64% gain
Boston Beer Co. Inc. (SAM) - 5/14/13 - $150.27, 40.89% gain
The Fresh Market, Inc. (TFM) - 6/03/13 - $49.60, 13.79% gain

Despite Some Turbulence, Alaska Air Group Is Still Headed North

In a 'Small-Cap Insight' follow-up to my first article on Alaska Air Group, Inc. (ALK) written earlier in the year, I discuss the recent setbacks the company has been dealing with and that have pressured shares in the last few months, including a pair of only recently resolved labor disputes and an increase in competition in its signature Alaska market by discount airliner JetBlue Airways Corporation (JBLU). While serious, these problems do not make ALK any less of an attractive long-term investment as I remain confident that management's plans to defend its turf are viable. The stock is still the only equity to consider in the space as it leads all others with regard to fundamentals. Click here to read more!

Phil

Proto Labs: Breaking The Mold

In my latest Seeking Alpha exclusive article, I tackle one of the best trading stocks in the market today, Proto Labs, Inc. The small-cap company is a machining producer that creates molds from 3D CAD models supplied by its developer-based customers. Often confused with 3D printing stocks like 3D Systems Corporation (DDD) and ExOne Co. (XONE), Proto Labs actually runs a more stable business and offers relative growth to most of the major 3D printing companies. Click here to read the article, which will be available to the public for only 30 days!

Phil

New Seeking Alpha Article On Francesca's Holdings, Chosen As Editors' Pick

My newest article on Seeking Alpha was published today and was chosen as an Editors' Pick. The article focuses on small-cap specialty retailer Francesca's Holdings Corp. (FRAN), which has been underperforming the broader market recently. However, with robust growth projections, compelling valuation and a viable growth story, shares of FRAN look attractive at current levels. Click here to read and enjoy!

Phil

Lithia Motors: Dealing Cars To Consumers, Profits To Investors

Hey all, check out my latest Seeking Alpha exclusive article on Lithia Motors Inc. (LAD), an owner and franchisor of car dealerships in the Western and Mid-Western United States. The small-cap company has performed exceedingly well for investors over the last few years, outperforming even the seemingly unstoppable Tesla Motors, Inc. (TSLA). As a Small-Cap Insight, the article will be available to the public for 30 days only!Click here to read and enjoy!

Phil

Change In Positions for August 2013

I recently sold all of my shares of eBay Inc. (EBAY) at a 7.5% gain and used the proceeds to add to my Visa Inc. (V) holding, as the latter dropped approximately 10% on news regarding increased regulation of swipe fees. I also purchased more shares of Under Armour, Inc. (UA), as the stock pulled back a little after a massive surge in price due to an earnings beat and increased guidance for fiscal 2013. UA continues to be one of the largest positions in my portfolio and my most profitable stock ever. I also sold all remaining shares of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (ALK) at 110% gain, McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC) at 16% gain and Google Inc. (GOOG) at 5% gain. I used the proceeds to initiate new positions in WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (WETF) at the $11 level and Tesla Motors, Inc. (TSLA) at the $120 level.

Phil

Domino's: Delivering Pizza and Gains!

In my latest Seeking Alpha exclusive article, I focus on Domino's Pizza, Inc. (DPZ), a small-cap company that has provided increasingly large returns for investors over the years, the stock is up 800% in the last decade alone! With aggressive international expansion plans and a successful embracement of technology, the pizza-delivery specialist looks set to continue rewarding long-term investors in the future. Please remember, as a Small-Cap Insight piece, the article will only be available to the public for 30 days! Click here to read and enjoy

Phil