Agricultural stocks should be considered a safe haven during economic weakness. Yet agricultural stocks were absolutely pummeled in the latter part of 2008. That being the case, an investment opportunity exists in this sector.

We all know that the major pharmaceutical companies are struggling. Normally, in times of economic distress, shares of the big pharmaceutical companies are seen as a safe haven because of their consistent earnings and dividend payments.

Where we go from here is yet to be determined. There is a very interesting tug of war going on in the market between the bulls and bears, heading into 2009.

There are many theories as to why the theory works, including tax-loss selling at the end of the prior year and genuine enthusiasm for the start of a new year. Whatever the cause, stocks do tend to go up in January in a disproportionate amount. Will there be a January effect this year? I wouldn't bet against it. Here are 5 stocks set to profit from the January effect.

Will we have a V-shaped recovery quickly bouncing of the lows returning to growth in rapid fashion or will we experience the L-shaped recovery that was the experience of Japan during their lost decade in the 1990's?

SFD broke out again with a new trading target, but longer-term investors might want to hold it.

This morning the administration announced that it was lending the industry up to some $17 billion. In return they did achieve some concessions, but they did not go far enough in my opinion.

Momentum stocks have taken a hit as the Madoff scandal has inspired liquidation driven by fear and necessity. The good news is that investors can take advantage of this mess by identifying stocks that are undervalued.

Investors have definitely been handed some sour lemons this year. And all nine of them have affected the global economy. But regardless of the rough economic and investment environment that we're currently in, they've actually created some profitable opportunities -- all of which lie in China. Find out which companies are turning lemons into lemonade here.

By breaking through resistance at $40, X has completed a major pattern reversal.

You know the economy is in a rough spot when a supposed defensive name like Newell Rubbermaid (NWL) can go down 25% in one day of trading. That's what happens though when you drop a bomb on the Street as NWL did today.

I thought Dire Straits' anthem of the 1980's would be fitting for an article discussing today's historic move by the Federal Reserve. Inflation be damned, the central bank lowered its target rate to zero to .25%. The Federal Reserve is taking a very firm stand. Bankers are laying down the gauntlet...

Dallas based Dean Foods (DF) has become the nation's largest producer of fluid milk and dairy products.

With fuel costs sharply lower, JBHT could see a huge reduction in the cost of running its fleet.

I would take a closer look at the online educators despite the chaos in the rest of the market.

Each of Fortune Brands' three business lines has been impacted in different ways by the slumping global economy.

While it is very difficult to kill a company, businesses can and do perish. It often takes time, but it does happen. For several years now, Eastman Kodak (EK), the purveyor of film for cameras has been on a slow death march that has been fascinating to watch.

It has often been said that the markets are driven by fear and greed. Uncertainty breeds fear, while a strong economy fosters greed. While this maxim certainly has historical and psychological roots, the fears that grip the markets today appear to be impelling investors to new levels of histrionic behavior.

As we're in the midst of the worst financial crisis of our time, many investors are on-edge about what's in store for China in 2009. With China's government still focused on the economy, I think China will outperform other countries next year with robust economic growth and a revived stock market. Here are the best ways to profit.