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Filed under: Consumer experience, Stocks to Sell

The problem with using consumer confidence as a guide to buy stocks is that consumers tend to be fickle.

Nowhere is that more true than in the clothing space, especially the teenybopper clothing space. Fall out of favor with the younger crowd and your business can be destroyed. Poor management decisions don't help, either.

As such, Pacific Sunwear (NASDAQ: PSUN) lost its mojo and has yet to find its way.

Continue reading Consumer stocks to sell now: #1 -- Pacific Sunwear (PSUN)

Filed under: Stocks to Buy

If you're going to the beach this summer, chances are you'll bring a swimsuit with you. Last summer, with the recession beginning and the credit crisis just unfolding, consumers held off on updating their wardrobe. This summer, those two-year-old duds will not do.

One of my favorite beachwear names is Quicksilver (NYSE: ZQK). This ultra-hip name will provide beach goers with an instant upgrade. My bet is that sales will increase this summer from previously anemic levels.

Continue reading Stock #2: Quicksilver (ZQK)

Filed under: Stocks to Buy

Before you retreat to your favorite summer locale with the perfect book, let's take a look at the stocks set to profit as consumers look to enjoy the fruits of their labor over the next several months.

For me, summer means lots of boating, fishing, and time with my family. And this year I'll be doing more of each to make up for lost time spent hunkering down during the downturn.

As such, companies that make the goods in each of these categories should do well. That's how it goes during a recession. Demand builds as we retreat to preserve cash and fix balance sheets.