Shares of heavy machinery companies could see increased activity Wednesday as the government releases data expected to show demand for big-ticket manufactured goods grew slightly in July, after a big jump the previous month.

By anyone's reckoning, it was a rough week.  Crude oil continued its relentless climb; banks and brokerages gave hints of more discouraging news; government data pointed to a weak economy; even strong companies like Nike, Oracle, and Research In Motion issued cautious guidance; and Federal Reserve policymakers, widely perceived as powerless to help, left interest rates unchanged.  But all week, even through the worst of the market's sell-offs, CNBC guests offered

To help investors through this volatile market environment, CNBC asked the experts for their best trades now.

At annual meetings across the country shareholders are making the yearly pilgrimage to have their voices heard,  and votes counted,  at the companies they own.  In some cases, those shareholders have a hand in changing the way the firm does business.