U.S. Economy Shrinks -- Time to Buy Stocks

So what isn't there to like about Wednesday's GDP figures -- in addition to a report from ADP that showed 192,000 new jobs, beating estimates?

Deceptively fast economic growth could prompt investors to buy riskier assets, posing problems for the Federal Reserve, which is working hard to keep rates low until the job market strengthens.

For instance, Peter Tchir, head of TF Market Advisors highlights a surprising surge in Amazon's (AMZN) stock after the online retailer missed earnings estimates as an indication of some Fed-fueled investor complacency. "[The] Fed seems to have created a monster that they can't control. Risk, or at least how investors and companies manage around risk, is being changed. Not necessarily for the better."

Tchir is moderately bearish on stocks because of uncertainty surrounding the Fed's continued support of asset prices such as stocks.

Meanwhile, ratings agency Moody's recently highlighted the prospect of a sharp rise in interest rates as a top risk to the banking system, as lenders get back on track. For the Fed, a jump in interest rates could make it more difficult to wind down a balance sheet that's grown in excess of $3 trillion since the crisis.

Even for banks, rising rates may be a long-term opportunity.

-- Written by Antoine Gara in New York

For where to invest in a recovering economy, see Jim Cramer's 10 stock picks for 2013 and Morningstar's list of 11 top takeout stocks.

Follow @AntoineGara

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