3 Consumer ETFs Buck Debt Crisis

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- The gloomy debt situations facing the United States and the EU have led many to question the strength, stability, and longevity of the global economic recovery picture. While the current economic climate is certainly challenging, there are still a number of places investors can turn in order to find stability and strength.

Earlier this week, I highlighted gold miners as being a pocket of strength given the market's uncertainty and the continued appeal of gold. Funds like the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) have managed to power higher, outpacing not only the broader markets, but also physically-backed gold products like iShares Gold Trust (IAU).

While gold and gold miners have surged and will continue to stay in favor as investors second guess the strength of the market's recovery, other corners of the investing realm have become attractive due to their surprising resilience in the face of market turmoil.

The consumer, for instance, has held strong throughout this bout of market rockiness. As Washington lawmakers have continued to butt heads over a debt ceiling agreement, and EU leaders struggle to sort out their own debt crisis, domestic consumers have remained willing to open their wallets and spend. On Tuesday, the markets received further evidence of the consumer's hardiness when July's consumer confidence number ticked higher, outpacing analyst expectations and June's reading.

The discretionary side of the consumer sector has been notably strong as individuals increasingly treat themselves to luxuries.

This eagerness to spend on "wants" as well as "needs" has helped power a number of consumer discretionary-focused ETFs to top spots within our momentum rankings. Looking to the near term, some of these funds may prove to be attractive bets for risk tolerant investors.

As I noted in this morning's video , it seems only fitting that the PowerShares Dynamic Leisure & Entertainment Portfolio (PEJ) has ascended towards the top of our momentum rankings. Summer vacation season has gotten into full swing. Expect companies in the media, dining, and travel industries to benefit.

The gaming industry has been a major beneficiary as consumers become more comfortable with their spending. The Market Vectors Gaming ETF (BJK) is the strongest option for those looking to specifically target this component of the consumer sector.

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