Watch the packaging industry. This is a fairly well-kept secret among serious investors, but one you can use to your advantage when trying to read the economy. They all need packaging for their products. These boxes and wraps must be ordered in advance, so by watching the packaging companies' performance quarter by quarter, you can sense when a major increase in packaging has occurred. More packaging means more products being sold.
More products being sold means more profit for the company.
Judicious investing in the packaging industries themselves can give you advanced warning on any future swings in the consumer market. Bestseller's list in the newspaper. If you want to get an idea of where consumers are headed next year, keep track of the best selling books this year. If a certain diet book advocates more protein in your diet, then consider investing in cattle futures. If the book is a success with consumers, the demand for meat should increase.