When you hear investment people talk about the big three, they are usually talking about GM, Ford, and Chrysler. But what about the other big three?
As children, most of us dreamed of having three things when we grew up: a nice house, a nice car, and a nice job. Right now, the outlook for this big three is about as optimistic as the outlook for GM, Ford, and Chrysler.
Over the past year, home values have dropped sharply, auto sales have sunk like a rock, and unemployment has gone through the roof. Before the U.S. economy can turn around, at least one of these markets is going to have to turn higher.
Now that October payroll numbers have been released, it isn’t looking like it’s going to be the job market. October auto sales were just as dismal. The one area that is showing some improvement is housing.
Three recent reports – the August Pending Homes Sales Report, the September Existing Home Sales, and the September New Home Sales – were all slightly better than expected. While the housing market still has a long way to go, the sector could be forming a base.
If you are looking to add to your long-term stock holdings, the Spyders Home Builders ETF (XHB) could be a good buy at this time. Housing may not start shooting up as it did in the early part of this decade, but the homebuilders have reduced their inventory drastically and they look ready to start a nice slow path to the upside.
[Ed. Note: The market may not look so hot right now. But you should be ready to take action when the moment strikes. Some incredible opportunities are headed your way, and market analyst Rick Pendergraft has put together an educational program that lays out the simple steps you need to take advantage of them. Not only do you get three months of Rick's best recommendations, you also learn how to make good investment choices yourself. Get the details here.]
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