While many investment products allow investors to make money when the market environment is favorable, sector ETFs are among those that can help investors make money even when the market environment is unfavorable. Many investors however use them improperly and get their fingers burnt.

Contrary investors with the courage and conviction to get into automotive and retailing shares at the depth of the Great Recession have made it out like a bandit. Fidelity Select Automotive Fund (FSAVX) and SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) are up 305% and 189%, respectively from their 2009 lows, while selected stocks in these groups like Ford (F) and Saks (SKS) are up 699% and 449%, respectively.

Money market investments have gained in popularity during these tough times and nearly $1.9 trillion are now invested in them. As simple as these investments may appear, they too need to be carefully researched and analyzed to choose the best one for your dollars.