Inflation Fighters: Three Stock Picks

Consumer inflation rose by 4 percent over the last 12 months -- reflecting a 17 percent surge in energy costs and a 4.4 percent rise in food prices. Where are the safe investments in this environment?

Jon Fisher, portfolio manager at Fifth Third Asset Management, named the sectors -- and the stocks -- that will thrive as inflation continues to climb.

Fisher told CNBC that the challenge facing companies, as always, is to be able to raise prices faster than their costs go up -- without cutting into demand.

Outlook:

He says the winning trend has remained the same for most of this decade:

"Energy, raw materials and most industrial companies have had pricing power and haven't had to sacrifice revenue growth," Fisher said.

• Learn more: Watch the entire interview (2 mins, 28 secs)

Consolidated energy and coal are sure winners: they're driven by global demand; and coal, in particular, can raise prices even above the increases enacted by the railroad companies that transport it.

Sectors to avoid? Fisher warns against financials and tech stocks.

Recommendations:

-Fertilizer provider Mosaic enjoys Chinese demand.
-On the oil services side, Fisher likes Weatherford International .
-And in materials/construction, the manager points to U.S. Steel .

Disclosures:

Disclosure information was not available for Fisher or his firm.

Disclaimer

© 2008 CNBC.com