Well, Im thinking that even the defensive stocks might get hit too. There is a key difference between now and 2000.
During 2000, there were some sleepy stocks that had underperformed the market and were not involved in the irrational exuberance. Witness Kelloggs
http://finance.google.com/finance?q=K
Today, everyone is swooping into Kelloggs as if it were the last bastion of hope. Its trading at record highs and P/Es. Stocks like Colgate, PG, Kelloggs, etc. are not value plays when compared to other years. They have been piled into way too much.
If the stocks do get hit, then the stocks you listed probably wont fall as hard as the less defensive plays. However, lets look at Pepsi:
http://finance.google.com/finance?q=pep&hl=en
Pay close attention to May 2002 on this rough chart. 30% drop.
Defensive stocks are not immune to drops.
So with all that said. I believe that a healthy position in cash would be appropriate going into the new year.
If you dont like to short stocks and are purely a long player, I suggest taking off in January for a long well deserved vacation. Come back during the summer when the rubble has settled.
During 2000, there were some sleepy stocks that had underperformed the market and were not involved in the irrational exuberance. Witness Kelloggs
http://finance.google.com/finance?q=K
Today, everyone is swooping into Kelloggs as if it were the last bastion of hope. Its trading at record highs and P/Es. Stocks like Colgate, PG, Kelloggs, etc. are not value plays when compared to other years. They have been piled into way too much.
If the stocks do get hit, then the stocks you listed probably wont fall as hard as the less defensive plays. However, lets look at Pepsi:
http://finance.google.com/finance?q=pep&hl=en
Pay close attention to May 2002 on this rough chart. 30% drop.
Defensive stocks are not immune to drops.
So with all that said. I believe that a healthy position in cash would be appropriate going into the new year.
If you dont like to short stocks and are purely a long player, I suggest taking off in January for a long well deserved vacation. Come back during the summer when the rubble has settled.