"One stock that is holding up well and is poised to do well during hard times is Portfolio Recovery Associates (NASDAQ: PRAA), which is America's most effcient debt recovery company," says Jim Powell in Global Changes & Opportunities Report.

"The company -- which has been on our buy list -- has become especially attractive for the economic conditions I expect to see over the next few months, and probably much longer.

"Portfolio Recovery -- which is America's most efficient debt recovery company -- buys packages of non-performing debts from major credit card companies, and typically pays only 2.6% of the total amount owed. With such a low initial cost, it doesn't take a large collection rate to turn a tidy proft.

"As more consumers default on the colossal debts they ran up during the housing boom, the company should see a great deal of new business.

"The credit crisis on Wall Street is headed for Main Street," says Mark Skousen, economist, professor, financial author and investment advisor.

In his The Hedge Fund Trader, he explains, "This means business is likely to jump at the nation's pawnbrokers." Here, he looks at EZCorp (NASDAQ: EZPW).

"Both the economy and the financial markets need consumer confidence for things to go smoothly. That is sorely lacking right now. As a result, I'm expecting a bumpy ride during the next few quarters.

"Predictably, low-income earners and middle-class individuals will be particularly hard hit by the downturn. That means business is likely to jump at the nation's pawnbrokers.

"So now is an excellent time to pick up a few shares of EZCorp. Based in Austin, Texas, EZCorp is a leader in the 'specialty consumer finance industry,' better known as pawn broking.