STOCKS TO BUY: We have identified several stocks that can potentially TRIPLE. Learn more!

This Chaotic Time Could Be Right for Some Financial Stocks

Stock quotes in this article: JPM, MS, WFC 

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- In spite of this week's positive home sales and housing price data, overall economic data can at best be described as mixed.

Manufacturing activity has slowed, employment gains have dropped off and the impact of the European debt crisis is beginning to be felt everywhere around the globe. In response to all the data, the Federal Reserve and the Commerce Department have downgraded GDP estimates for the rest of the year, and revised the first quarter reading to a modest 1.9% growth rate.

Given the tepid GDP forecasts, and when taking into account weak commodity prices, a strong dollar and continued debt issues in Europe, get ready for "Helicopter Ben" Bernanke and the Fed to unleash Quantitative Easing (QE) 3, probably sometime in July or August.

Although it may be tempting to simply look back and see how markets behaved after QE 1 and QE 2 were implemented as a guide as to what to do, I believe the global environment is sufficiently different this time that investor need to be extra careful.

First of all, the impact of quantitative easing is lessened as it is repeated. Second, for earlier rounds, China was still propelling the global economy. Today there are stories about a deepening slowdown and provincial governments distorting reports to hide the actual depth of the slowdown. Meanwhile, in Europe the question has turned from "if" to "when" Greece exits the euro zone.

Finally, in the United States, too, the economy has deteriorated -- perhaps not on the surface, but certainly within its bowels. Just look at what the credit markets are telling us -- a 1.6% 10-year Treasury yield is not a sign of a healthy economy.

This doesn't mean that investors should short the market; rather, a more calculated approach is likely necessary.

If QE 3 is deployed in combination with other policy steps, such as delaying the implementation of the capital rules of Basel III -- focused primarily on bank capital requirements -- financials should be big winners.

Specifically, I like J.P. Morgan Chase (JPM), Wells Fargo (WFC) and troubled Morgan Stanley (MS) in this event.

Losers in this environment are likely to be the regional banks that still heavily rely on deposits and lending as their primary source of revenue.

This article is commentary by an independent contributor, separate from TheStreet's regular news coverage.

Oliver Pursche is President of Gary Goldberg Financial Services, a boutique money management firm located in Suffern, NY. Additionally, Mr. Pursche is the Co-Portfolio Manager for the GMG Defensive Beta Fund, and a Founding Partner of Montebello Partners, llc. In his role as President of GGFS, and as a member of the GGFS Investment Committee, Mr. Pursche helps oversee the investment portfolio of over 2000 clients with over $500 million dollars in assets. Mr. Pursche frequently provides market and economic commentary on CNBC and Fox Business News, as well as often being interviewed by The Financial Times, US News and World Report, Thomson Reuters, Bloomberg Businessweek, and the Associated Press regarding his and the firms views on the latest market news and events. Mr. Pursche's views on the market and investment strategies have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Investors Business Daily, Smart Money, USA Today and other national business publications. In addition to writing for TheStreet.com, he is also a weekly contributor on Forbes.com and BankRate.com. His daily market commentary can be read at www.betafundcommentary.com or you can listen to him on www.financialtalkshow.com weekdays at 10:00 AM.

Select the service that is right for you!

COMPARE ALL SERVICES
Action Alerts PLUS
TRY IT FREE

Jim Cramer and Stephanie Link actively manage a real portfolio and reveal their money management tactics while giving advanced notice before every trade.

Product Features:
  • $2.5+ million portfolio
  • Large-cap and dividend focus
  • Intraday trade alerts from Cramer
  • Weekly roundups
TheStreet Quant Ratings
TRY IT FREE
New! $49.95/yr

Access the tool that DOMINATES the Russell 2000 and the S&P 500.

Product Features:
  • Buy, hold, or sell recommendations for over 4,300 stocks
  • Unlimited research reports on your favorite stocks
  • A custom stock screener
  • Upgrade/downgrade alerts
Stocks Under $10
TRY IT FREE

David Peltier, uncovers low dollar stocks with extraordinary upside potential that are flying under Wall Street's radar.

Product Features:
  • Model portfolio
  • Stocks trading below $10
  • Intraday trade alerts
  • Weekly roundups
Dividend Stock Advisor
TRY IT FREE

Jim Cramer's protege, David Peltier, identifies the best of breed dividend stocks that will pay a reliable AND significant income stream.

Product Features:
  • Diversified model portfolio of dividend stocks
  • Alerts when market news affect the portfolio
  • Bi-weekly updates with exact steps to take - BUY, HOLD, SELL
Real Money Pro
TRY IT FREE

All of Real Money, plus 15 more of Wall Street's sharpest minds delivering actionable trading ideas, a comprehensive look at the market, and fundamental and technical analysis.

Product Features:
  • Real Money + Doug Kass + 15 more Wall Street Pros
  • Intraday commentary & news
  • Ultra-actionable trading ideas
Options Profits
TRY IT FREE

Our options trading pros provide daily market commentary and over 100 monthly option trading ideas and strategies to help you become a well-seasoned trader.

Product Features:
  • 100+ monthly options trading ideas
  • Actionable options commentary & news
  • Real-time trading community
  • Options TV
To begin commenting right away, you can log in below using your Disqus, Facebook, Twitter, OpenID or Yahoo login credentials. Alternatively, you can post a comment as a "guest" just by entering an email address. Your use of the commenting tool is subject to multiple terms of service/use and privacy policies - see here for more details.
DOW 15,112.19 -206.04 -1.35%
NASDAQ 3,443.20 -38.98 -1.12%
S&P 500 1,628.93 -22.88 -1.39%
US 10 Yr 2.311% +0.129

Brokerage Partners

Advertising Partners
Special Features

Free Newsletters from TheStreet

After the Bell

Before the Bell

Booyah! Newsletter

Midday Bell

TheStreet Top 10 Stories

Winners & Losers

We respect your privacy. Manage Newsletters
Top Rated Stocks Top Rated Funds Top Rated ETFs