The typical recession advice says not to buy steel companies in a bear market. But this group of companies has been among the strongest performers year to date!

During recessionary times, some of the safest places to invest in the stock market can be found in materials company. The gold & silver sub-industry has been one of the few positive gainers year-to-date. Generally more stable than most industries through troubled times, the basic materials sector is in a great position to make money in 2008.