Smart investments for a low-return environment

Like Congress, Wall Street has a history of not acting until it's too late. You may not have that luxury. Just remember what happened in 2008 when you looked up and half your 401(k) was wiped out in a matter of weeks.

The American consumer is feeling the fear and when consumers stop spending, businesses stop hiring.
Add to that a slowdown in emerging economic giants like China and India, and even the biggest global companies like McDonalds and Nike start taking it on the chin.

Consumer cyclical stocks are the first to react to the shifting economic winds, and that's where Zephyr Management's managing director Jim Awad says you should put your money if you think the economy will improve.