Alcoa Inc (AA) Weighs on a Sluggish Dow: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT), Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)

China’s infrastructure slowdown and attempts to curb its bubbling housing market won’t help them pick up steam, and the industrial sector as a whole could be in for a bumpy road as the U.S. and other advanced economies continue to push toward healthier growth. Still, now could be a great time to buy on the dip: Fellow Fool Richard Saintvilus recently outlined how Alcoa’s strong management and Chinese investments should position the company to succeed when aluminum prices rise.

And today’s winner? With gains of only 0.7%, International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) is leading the sleepy Dow higher. The tech giant is getting its feet wet in the health care sector by developing data-analysis technology to study traumatic brain injuries. It’s a smart move for IBM, as the health care sector’s rise is being fueled by the long-term aging and obesity trends in the U.S., which should keep the sector a profitable one for companies and investors for a long time.

The article Alcoa Weighs on a Sluggish Dow originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Dan Carroll.

Fool contributor Dan Carroll has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Home Depot. The Motley Fool owns shares of International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM).

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