Where To Dress For A Recovery

摘要

U.S. retailers have been whipsawed by therndire economy and crimped consumer spending, so should investors just dump the idea of investing in this sector? Not at all. Despite retail's woes, some segments offer a glimmer of hope. Analysts say specialty retailers, including those catering to teens or women, may be the group tornfocus on since they tend to rally quickly after signs of economic improvement.rn"Brighter days are ahead for the [special lines] group," says Susan Ferrara of Value Line. In an industry report, she says specialty retailing "offers a plethora of choices that would be suitable for portfolios with a buy- and -hold strategy" over a three-to-five-year time frame.rn"I couldn't agree more," says Ann Poole, senior analyst at investment bank Stephens, who covers specialty retailers such as American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) and Chico's (CHS), which top her buy list. Eagle and Chico's have "gotten their act together in terms of improved new products, productivity, and lower costs," she notes. These positives aren't yet reflected in their stocks, she adds.