Retail investors had a rough go of things in the first half, but since the March lows of all the markets, the Standard & Poor’s Retail Index is showing progress toward its 52-week high of 427.13.
In past downturns, it was a resurgent U.S. housing market that led the American economy out of the recessionary doldrums. But U.S. investors shouldn’t expect history to repeat itself this time around.
Consumer deleveraging has barely even started, says Payout Trader editor and Crisis Strategy Alert senior analyst Charles Delvalle.
U.S. housing starts and permits unexpectedly plummeted to record lows in April, torpedoing hopes of a housing market recovery as well as hopes the overall economy is regaining traction.
Massive unemployment? No problem! Adam Lass of the Taipan Publishing Group says that no one is buying luxury goods right now but he gives us two puts in the retail sector that are playing out well during the crisis.
With thinning household budgets, deteriorating retirement and home prices taking a nosedive, Wal-Mart (WMT) is a leading recession retailer. But can it clean up the other casualties in its sector?
The dismal U.S. unemployment numbers have gotten more airtime recently than Jerry Springer. And why not? The numbers are mind-numbing.
Mortgage rates plunge to record lows… but are they at the bottom?… Overlooked details from Friday’s jobs news… troubling signs from retail and energy sectors… Rob Parenteau charts a different way to view the S&P… could the worst be over?… Russia/Ukraine gas conflict ends… who “won” the latest resource skirmish… Bill Gross’ sad-but-true guide to 2009… how to invest amid rife market manipulation.
Tech stocks are certainly not immune to the global downturn, but when Apple’s (Nasdaq:AAPL) sales decline the sector could be in for a dragged-out recession. Coupled with a surprisingly aggressive downturn in semiconductor sales for next year, it could be 2010-2011 before we see any significant opportunities for investors in anything digital.
Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) is thriving as recession grips the economy. As a cost leader in the retail sector, the company is benefiting from an increase in thrift. And it continues to expand its operations overseas. Horacio Marquez says Wal-Mart should emerge stronger than ever from this crisis, making it an essential part of any stock portfolio.