The Bear Mauls Our Stock Picks: But a bear fund we suggested shot out the lights

摘要

IN "HOW TO PROTECT YOUR Money Now" (April 2008), we cited 12 stocks that we thought would hold up well during hard times. Our picks in two industries-drugs and energy distribution - did just that. But our other choices sank beneath the waves. In all, the dozen lost an average of 35% (including dividends) through February 6, edging Standard & Poor's 500-stock index by less than one percentage point. Teva Pharmaceutical (symbol TEVA) lost just 8% over the period, reinforcing our belief that this is a stock worth holding for years (see "7 Blue Chips to Hold Forever," on page 28). Drug giant Eli Lilly (LLY) fell 22%, a decent showing. Royalty trusts San Juan Basin (SJT) and Cross Timbers (CRT) and pipeline operator Magellan. Midstream (MMP) surrendered 26%, on average. The big losers were Dow Chemical (DOW), DuPont (DD) and Whirlpool (WHR), down 70%, 43% and 59%, respectively.