There are industries that are not hurting from the slow economy. Unfortunately, the housing and credit markets will probably have 3 years before they return to health. You can bet there will be more rolling effects of bad debts being written off as these sub-prime loans are foreclosed and everything gets passed up the credit food chain. Eventually someone has to take the hit, the loss has to be recognized on someone’s financials. We might only be about half way through this mess. There is always a lag as new home builders slow or stop building and people give up buying and selling existing homes. Eventually, the supply reduces and wrings out the excesses. Once the excesses are gone, demand catches up with the shrinking over-supply can then start to pick up again. It takes time.
Not everyone in the economy is hurting. According to Kiplinger, whose publications keep a finger on the pulse of trends, some of the industries that are doing well are; Energy, agriculture. Demand is high and so are prices therefore. Anything exported (and those who export) doing well because of the weak dollar and demand abroad. (Computers) Others benefiting now include heavy equipment, airplane fasteners, debt collectors, credit councilors, auto repairs, campgrounds, vacation rentals, health care, electronics, toys, skin care, garbage, scrap recycling, pets, law.
Expect rolled steel to get very pricy, affecting anyone who uses it.
States are going to be passing laws that force consumers to pay for the cost to recycle old electronics.
Source: Kiplinger
Prime rate: 5.25%
CPU March 4.0%
Mileage rate: 50.5 cents (business)
Mileage rate: 14.0 cents (charitable)