Just days into the New Year, Jim Cramer revealed his "big themes" for investing in 2013. What follows is a list of sectors and stocks he recommends investors consider, especially when the stock market gets into a slump in the year ahead.
Housing: The "Mad Money" host thinks the U.S. housing market is turning around. To play it, he suggests homebuilder Toll Brothers on a pullback.
Automobiles: As the U.S. economy improves, consumers will be more likely to buy new vehicles, Cramer said. He likes Ford Motor on any weakness.
Insurance: "Find an insurance stock because your rates are going higher," Cramer said.
Chemicals: Investors can take advantage of cheap natural gas prices by owning a chemical company, Cramer said. After all, chemical companies use lots of natural gas, so low prices helps their bottom line.
Aerospace: Cramer thinks the aerospace cycle is "alive and well." Avoid the headline risk of a stock like Boeing, though, and go with the parts makers instead, he suggested.
Regional Banks: When it comes to banking, Cramer currently prefers the smaller regional banks because he thinks they might report better-than-expected numbers. He said the smaller banks are less likely to disappoint investors, too, as Wells Fargo had Friday.
Healthcare: Although President Barack Obama signed the healthcare reform bill into law on March 23, 2010, many of the changes to the healthcare system won't take effect until 2014.
"The temporary staffing companies like Robert Half, Manpower and Insperity were red hot coming into this year," Cramer said. "I think they will stay that way because temporary staffing is a great way to beat the new taxes businesses might have to pay because of government mandates."
Cramer likes hospital operators Tenet Healthcare and Community Health Systems ahead of the 2014 changes, too. He also likes healthcare service provider Athena Health.
Finally, Cramer said to keep an eye out for possible takeovers and breakups. Last year, investors made a lot of money on such big transactions. He thinks 2013 will be no different.
"These themes are meant as a way to deal with the inevitable retreats in the market, not to go hog wild on while the bull roars," Cramer said. "They are meant to be a method to stay in the game when the going gets tough, as it always does. They let you navigate the shark infested waters of Washington and they give you the comfort of being able to buy in a down market."
Call Cramer: 1-800-743-CNBC
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