Eleven billion miles? Are you kidding me?
It has to be the most sobering statistic related to the spike in gasoline prices. The Department of Transportation reported this morning that Americans covered 4.3% fewer miles -- which equals 11 billion -- on the country's roads in March than they did a year earlier.
If you've noticed a little more elbow room within the gridlock, you can thank a gas pump, apparently.
As an investor, let's think about this reasonably. Where are the investing opportunities? It really isn't so hard to fish them out. If fuel prices keep going up -- and they will -- who will thrive from a nation of homebodies?
I've got a few names.
Netflix
Amazon.com
Great Wolf Resorts
IAC
Comcast
Papa John's
Your turn
I singled out six names, but there are a lot more out there. Internet content providers and local amusement park operators should fare well, right? One can always argue that the gas companies are the ones making out like bandits, but they're the ones that will bear the brunt of lower miles and the country's push toward more energy-efficient cars.
Now that we have our reader comment boxes activated, scroll down to the bottom of the article to add a stock or two that you think will thrive this summer. Let's compare notes.
See! I just came up with a Memorial Day weekend activity that won't cost you a penny at the pump.
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