Investors trying to time a bottom have been burned, and the reality is that we are still not out of the woods. So is it time to give up? Not at all! There are some stocks that will be reliable investments no matter how long the recession lasts. These are the five best recession-proof stocks to own now.

Illinois Tool Works (ITW) sharply reduced their forecast of revenues and earnings for the first quarter, sending shockwaves through the market for the company's stock.

If INTC breaks out, the trend will have changed to intermediate up, which could attract more long-term buying.

Smithfield Foods (SFD), the nation's largest hog producer and pork processor, said it lost 15 cents per share in the quarter ending Feb. 1, 2009, excluding a restructuring charge and other one-time items, on sales of $3.35 billion.

Shares of men's apparel retailer The Men's Wearhouse (MW) were one of Thursday's big winners after the company posted better-than-expected results for its fourth quarter ending Jan. 31, 2009.

Korn/Ferry International Inc. (KFY) in its third-quarter earnings release noted that traditional customers of executive search and staffing firms are reducing spending at an unprecedented pace.

When a drug company is facing the expiration of patent rights for a product which delivers 25% of company revenue, it has to find sources to replace the loss. This was the issue facing Lipitor maker Pfizer Inc. (PFE), the world's largest pharmaceutical company.

MGM Mirage (MGM) continues to reel after a spate of negative developments were announced last week. MGM saw its bonds plunge in price after a ratings cut.

Quality fast-food server YUM appears to have triple bottomed, setting up both trading and long-term opportunities.

So you'd have to be crazy to own bank stocks now, right? Wrong. Here are five banks stocks that you'd be crazy NOT to buy at these levels for the long term.

Though still retaining investment grade status, Starwood bonds are yielding returns indicating investor concerns about the industry.

Despite falling sales, KMG Chemicals (KMGB) has managed to stay profitable and looks to benefit once the economy eventually recovers.

With stocks in a bear-market rally and the stochastic giving a buy signal, AAPL might provide a quick trading opportunity.

The Chinese government is about to pull the plug on the U.S. markets, and the inevitable shock wave will not only send the dollar south but also drive more investors out of U.S. stocks and into China. If you can add top China stocks to your holdings now, you could be looking at 20%-40% gains in the next 12 months as the flight to safety lands squarely in China.

Tax-preparation firm H&R Block Inc. (HRB) posted higher-than-expected quarterly profit for its fiscal third quarter ending Jan. 31, 2009.

AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (ANN) released operating results for the 2008 fiscal year and fourth-quarter ending January 31 that far exceeded the losses expected by analysts.

A break above the 200-day moving average could quickly challenge AUY's recent high.

Foster Wheeler's (FWLT) recent news of an agreement for the construction of the largest refinery ever built has significant implications not only for the company but for the world economy as a whole.

In the current spending environment, discount retailer BJ's Wholesale is outlining big ambitions for the coming year to take more market share away from the traditional grocers.