We are about to voyage across a new frontier; a place where few investors have traveled before. Brace yourself! You’ve reached the point of no (or low) returns.
With apologies to Star Trek, we might need a leader as resourceful as Captain Kirk to get us out of this predicament.
Take stocks. You know this story; they’re bad and getting worse.
Commodities? That five years of fun is over. Oil is breaking down, slipping under $100 on Monday.
Bonds? With treasury yields so low, few strategists recommend holding for the long term.
And hedge funds… surely the high net worth investor has found a way out of this pickle? Alas, not so. In 2008, the average fund was down at least 5%.
No doubt about it. Investors are getting kicked in the assets. But just when it looks like all hope is lost, Star Fleet command comes to the rescue.
We’ll maybe not Star Fleet, but we can offer you the good old consumer. They’re still buying the basics. Companies that sell toothpaste, razors and Band-Aids are holding up well. Wal-Mart is up more than 25% making it the biggest gainer in the Dow.
How should you trade when facing a landscape of no (or low) returns?
I think investors should keep it boring, says Jeff Macke. Wal-Mart, McDonald’s and Procter and Gamble are the way to trade.
I’d go with Nike, adds Pete Najarian.
Or you can look at food, says Joe Terranova. When we lose food spending we’re in trouble. Take a look at Kraft .
Johnson & Johnson or Church and Dwight , adds Guy Adami.
‘Nuf said.
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Trader disclosure: On Oct.1, 2008, the following stocks and commodities mentioned or intended to be mentioned on CNBC’s Fast Money were owned by the Fast Money traders; Macke Owns (MSFT), (WMT), (HAS); Adami Owns (AGU), (BTU), (C), (GS), (INTC), (MSFT), (NUE); Najarian Owns (WB); Najarian Owns (AAPL) And (AAPL) Puts; Najarian Owns (BIIB) Calls; Najarian Owns (GS) Call Spread; Najarian Owns (MS) And (MS) Puts; Najarian Owns (NCC) Calls; Najarian Owns (XLF) Call Spread; Terranova Owns (MA), (AAPL), (EOG), (FCX), (FTO), (GS), (KOL), (NOV), (POT), (X), (VLO), (YHOO); Terranova Owns (MS) And Is Short (MS) Call; Terranova Owns (AIG) And (AIG) Puts
Terranova Is Chief Alternatives Strategist Of Virtus Investment Partners, Ltd.; Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (ABD), (ARE), (BIG), (CNW), (OFC), (DLM), (DRH), (DLR), (EPR), (EXR), (FL), (SLB), (LNET), (MAC), (DBC), (DBV), (SKT), (UA), (BLV), (VV), (CLB), (GWX), (IGE), (FSMXX); Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of Shares Of Incitec Pivot Ltd.; Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of Shares Of Essex Property Trust Inc.; Virtus Investment Partners Owns Seagate Tax Refund Rights; Virtus Investment Partners Owns Seagate Technology Tax Refund Rights
Terranova Is Co-Portfolio Manager Of The Virtus Diversifier PHOLIO; Virtus Diversifier PHOLIO Owns (IGE), (DBC), (DBV)
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