The housing downturn, credit crunch, gloomy employment data and a parade of maudlin financial forecasts have been enough to send some investors scrambling for bubble gum and beer.

• 房屋市场低迷、信贷危机、就业数据不佳以及一系列悲观的金融数据预期已足以让部分投资者开始竞相买进口香糖和啤酒等生活必需品类股。