There’s a significant amount of fear in the market.

Especially when we begin to see the infamous “death cross” appear, which is popping up in the Russell 2000 (RUT) small cap index.

But don’t let it chase you out of the market.

Use it to begin accumulating small cap stocks on excessive fear.

As I’ve learned over the years the time to buy is “when blood is running in the streets… even if that blood is your own,” according to Baron Rothschild

I’ll admit it’s a hard maxim to follow. Your instinct is to follow the herd. It’s counter-intuitive to run into a burning house not knowing if you’ll come out alive.

Investors run scared. And they don’t know it but they’re selling everything at the wrong time. But as Warren Buffett will also tell you: “Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.”

Bullish Golden Cross

For example, we can spot a bullish “golden cross” when the short-term moving average, such as the 50-day crosses above the longer-term average, such as the 200-day.

When this happens, we’ll typically see a move higher in a stock or an index.

Bearish Death Cross

Or, we can spot the bearish “death cross” when the short-term average, such as the 50-day crosses below the longer-term average, such as the 200-day. When this happens, we’ll typically see a move lower in a stock or index.

However, we have to consider that it’s a lagging indicators, often late to the game.

For example, if we look at the latest death cross in October 2018 on the Russell 2000, we can see the cross is just beginning to take place after a big decline. Plus, when it comes to the Russell 2000, typically death crosses are short-lived, and soon become buy opportunities.

In fact, “The Russell 2000 has experienced 22 death crosses since its inception, and on average, the index loses an additional 0.8% one month following a death-cross formation,” notes MarketWatch. “But three months later, on average, the index has gained 2.8%, and one-year later it has typically gained 12.5%, according to the Dow Jones Data Group.”

Many also argue that it’s tough to bet against small-cap stocks

Jefferies analyst Steven DeSanctis, as quoted by Barron’s notes that it’s difficult to see the small-cap sector continuing to underperform, given that there aren’t many signals that we’re entering the final stages of an economic cycle. “We are forecasting 3% GDP growth this year and in 2019, and I think that prediction is supported by a very strong labor market and healthy capex spending. It’s hard to see how the economy’s current momentum doesn’t continue into 2019.”

While the technical death cross pattern may be present, more often than not it leads to a buy opportunity. It’s just something to keep in mind.