5 Materials Stocks for a Growing Economy

MINNEAPOLIS (Stockpickr) -- After much worry and consternation, stocks are moving higher again. Three months of consolidation has the market poised for gains. The fuel for appreciation should come in the form of higher corporate profits and a growing economy.

The big concern for many investors is inflation. The headlines have been screaming about rising oil and other commodity prices. Eventually those high prices are going to eat into profits. If earnings are lower, stock values need to adjust lower as well or at least that is the bear argument.

Currency values have played a big role in commodity price swings. A falling dollar has propped up many raw material prices, including oil. Recently we have seen what can happen when the dollar strengthens: commodity prices fall and stock prices move higher.

Related: 5 Heavily Shorted Stocks That Could Explode in 2011

Next week Alcoa (AA) kicks off earnings season, reporting its second-quarter results after the market closes on July 11. Investors will get a good idea of the impact of inflation. It will be an interesting tug of war between rising input prices and increasing sales thanks to a growing economy. I would put my money on the growing economy winning the day.

Results for Alcoa and other material stocks are likely to be strong. Here's how I would trade five materials stocks for the rest of the year.

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