The end of summer or any change of season is a natural time to look back and reflect; I know I made plenty of happy memories this summer with family and friends - and I hope you did, too.
As rewarding as that can be, we should take care that "looking back" doesn't become the almost permanent condition of "focusing on the past."
Millions of investors are focused on the past right now, for a number of reasons: They're thinking about past earnings or past performance, or they might be apprehensive about the future, say, with the feeling that things were "just simpler back then."
Especially when it comes to how they view current headlines.
I don't blame 'em, though.
It may feel comforting, but that focus puts those investors at a huge disadvantage - because it's the future that matters, both in terms of how we live our lives and how we make our money.
These investors have essentially been conditioned to believe that life moves because of what's already happened. So they see the financial markets the same way and, not surprisingly, get stuck in a rut - an expensive one, at that.
That's too bad, especially right now. Here's why...
Every Risk Is an Opportunity in Disguise
You cannot have one without the other. And yet, the warped perception of risk and the propensity to look backward instead of forward will compel tens of millions of investors to leave trillions of dollars on the table.
And because we're armed with the proper perspective - not to mention a risk-balanced approach to investing - it'll be a supremely easy job for us to walk in and take that money for ourselves.
WATCH NOW: America's favorite "Shark" debuts the Angels & Entrepreneurs Summit. Check it out...
To that end, I want to talk about three "if sectors" poised for big gains behind some pretty big "ifs" - if there's a recession, if stocks lurch lower, or if there are more tariffs thrown around in the trade war.
Or, best of all... even if none of that stuff happens.
[mmpazkzone name="in-story" network="9794" site="307044" id="137008" type="4"]
"Big If" Sector No. 1: Health & Medical Care
People will get sick and injured whether the good times are rolling or all hell is breaking lose. They'll still need medicine - and as we age, frankly, we need more of it. Providers and practitioners will all urgently require instruments, supplies, medicine, and data security, to name just a few needs. If it's involved in healthcare, there's a great investing case for owning it. They're all great investments. On the top of my mind is Becton Dickinson & Co. (NYSE: BDX), a company we've talked about before, which provides medical devices, instruments, and a whole lot more.
GRAB THIS: Our new book could help you quadruple your monthly income, and we're ready to send it to you immediately, FOR FREE - but only 1,000 copies are available today. Read more...
"Big If" Sector No. 2: Technology
Tech has been revolutionizing our lives since humans figured out how to make fire and fashion flint tools. Eons later, and the big tech firms are only beginning to hit their stride. I know there are challenges for firms like Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) and others that have a cavalier attitude toward the customers that put them in business to begin with, but that doesn't change the fact that the genie is out of the bottle. The way I see it, cybersecurity stocks - even "old line" stalwarts like Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) - are the smart play here because of how long our data will survive out there in the "wild"... even if we're not thrilled about that fact.
"Big If" Sector No. 3: Utilities
There are more than 7.72 billion people alive today. At present growth rates, it's likely another 18 people will be born in the time it takes you to read just this one sentence alone. And come what may, every single one of 'em will need food, shelter, energy, water, and sewage services - all the "stuff" that allows folks to live the life they want, to have switches and taps work when you flip them to "ON." I can't foresee a situation in which we wouldn't need utilities.
Utilities are easy to own, too. Many pay very appealing dividends, giving you a decent income in a permanently low-rate world. One utility we own in the Money Map Report model portfolio has returned 114.6% and counting, and all indications are that the board is planning to pay out a delectable $1.25 a share in cold, hard cash this month. (NOTE: Learn how to get the Money Map Report and access its model portfolio right here.)
There's One More "Big If"
I've recommended great companies in all three sectors to my paid subscribers over the years and have, in fact, got a few new recommendations on tap, too.
Many have resulted in triple-digit winners - as in, they've helped readers following along as directed chart a path toward 100%, 200%, 300%, or even more on their money.
Through thick and thin, up and down - it doesn't matter.
The right companies can make a world of difference to your wealth, even under economic conditions that stymie most investors...
... but only "IF" you know what to look for.
Neil Patel Is One of the Most Successful Angel Investors in the World
Neil grew up cleaning toilets and emptying trash cans at a B-level theme park in Orange County. Not anymore, though. At this special event, Neil reveals how angel investing took him from making $5.75 an hour... to more than $20,000 per month... to now hundreds of millions per year. And he has indisputable proof that anyone can do this. The best part? You can start for as little as $50. Click here to learn more.
Follow Money Morning on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Author
Keith is a seasoned market analyst and professional trader with more than 37 years of global experience. He is one of very few experts to correctly see both the dot.bomb crisis and the ongoing financial crisis coming ahead of time - and one of even fewer to help millions of investors around the world successfully navigate them both. Forbes hailed him as a "Market Visionary." He is a regular on FOX Business News and Yahoo! Finance, and his observations have been featured in Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, WIRED, and MarketWatch. Keith previously led The Money Map Report, Money Map's flagship newsletter, as Chief Investment Strategist, from 20007 to 2020. Keith holds a BS in management and finance from Skidmore College and an MS in international finance (with a focus on Japanese business science) from Chaminade University. He regularly travels the world in search of investment opportunities others don't yet see or understand.