Today's Stock Picks: Coal and Dividend Plays

The economy's worsening. So's inflation. And the stock market is tanking. What to do?

CNBC asked market experts for their best investment advice. Here are some of their picks.

Warming Up Your Portfolio With Coal

“I’ve seen some interest in some of these coal stocks.  I think although it’s a momentum play, and it’s had a nice move, especially on a day like today when there’s a pullback...ACI [Arch Coal] , CNX [CONSOL Energy] , BTU [Peabody Energy] …that group could continue to move higher.”

Jeffrey Frankel, Stuart Frankel President

Going for the Dividends

"I think investors are going to start looking at the dividend side of the equation, companies with above market yields that have the history of growing their dividends – companies like JNJ [Johnson and Johnson] , Eli Lilly , Kimberly Clark , Pepsico .  Those I think will hold up pretty well.”

Frederic Dickson, D.A. Davidson Chief Market Strategist

Betting Against the Consumer

“Find areas where you're not really dependent on the consumer, find areas where the U.S. economy's not going to drive the opportunity set for the company's fortunes…St. Jude is a good example of that.”

Tom Ognar, Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund Manager

Ognar also recommends: Hewlett Packard and Cisco Systems

© 2008 CNBC.com