7 winning industries

Despite frozen credit and slow consumer spending, a (precious) few sectors are thriving. Successful industries sell anything with the word "dollar" in it, lipstick, Wii and Spam.

1 of 7

Video games

Wondering what all those laid off junior analysts are up to these days? Video games sales rose 18% in October, according to retail research firm NPD Group. Microsoft, which makes the Xbox gaming system, had its best Black Friday ever - sales on the popular November shopping day were 25% higher than last year. Nintendo has also seen higher sales, and GameStop, a leading retail chain, just posted a strong quarter. The stocks of most video game companies have been beaten down this year, but a strong holiday season may recharge the industry's returns.

By Mina Kimes, reporter

NEXT: Cosmetics

Last updated December 30 2008: 6:26 AM ET

Email | Print |

Digg this story |

RSS

10 stocks to buy now

We're mired in the grizzliest bear market in decades. But the good news is that stocks have been marked down to holiday-sale levels. Here are ten stocks we think are poised for strong returns in 2009 and beyond. More

8 really, really scary predictions

Dow 4,000. Food shortages. A bubble in Treasury notes. Fortune spoke to eight of the market's sharpest thinkers and what they had to say about the future is frightening. More

Symbol Matches

Symbol Starts With

Company Matches

7 winning industries

Despite frozen credit and slow consumer spending, a (precious) few sectors are thriving. Successful industries sell anything with the word "dollar" in it, lipstick, Wii and Spam.