Many investors look to buy and sell stocks based solely on near-term business conditions. If management raises guidance for the next quarter, shares rally. And if management takes note of some near-term headwinds, investors flee.

A great example: Shares of insurance giant American International Group (NYSE: AIG) fell 6.5% on the day of its earnings release in late October when CEO Robert Benmosche noted that the company's property and casualty insurance businesses were far healthier than a few years ago but still not generating the returns that they should.

Investors were also disappointed that a planned asset sale of its aircraft lease finance business may not happen. AIG could instead sell part of that business in an IPO and retain a majority stake.