A housing slump. Inflation fears. Record oil prices. The demise of a major Wall Street bank. Are there any safe havens "Health care," quips David Wyss, chief economist at Standard & Poor's (MHP). "Because this economy is going to make all of us sick."

　　He's not entirely joking. Amid widespread gloom about the economy, health care is one of the few sectors that remains relatively strong. But there are others. Most technology, energy, mining, and food-production companies are holding up well. In addition, multinationals with a high percentage of sales overseas, such as General Electric (GE), Caterpillar (CAT), and Deere (DE), are benefiting from the weakening dollar and strong demand abroad.