Barron's Picks and Pans: Hanesbrands, Deckers Outdoor And More

Feature stories in this weekend's

include the following. "A Perilous Outlook for Asia in 2016" by William Pesek points out that instability in Beijing, terrorism and a Japanese debt crash are among the things having an impact on Asian markets. "Seeing the back of 2015 suited many investors just fine. But what if 2016 is even worse?" asks the article. Could Kim Jong Un do something crazy in North Korea? What if further declines in commodities pushed Australia into its first recession in two decades? In "Hanesbrands Has 30% Upside," Jack Hough makes the case that

is set to shine in a bleak apparel market, thanks to smart acquisitions, efficient manufacturing and inelastic demand. Across specialty retail and apparel, there is just one company that earns a better return on the capital it puts to work than Hanes, says the article, but Nike is a much pricier stock. See why Barron's thinks "Hanes looks like a more comfortable fit." Avi Salzman's "Deckers Outdoor Could Rally 40% as UGGs' Popularity Revives" suggests that even though shares of boot maker

have plummeted, a new, slimmer line could rekindle interest in the brand. As the article says, "Investors who dismissed UGGs have been burned before, however. It's a good bet Deckers still knows what women want." After all, Oprah Winfrey has put UGG boots on her list of "favorite things" for nine years running.

With the Dow ending this past week 11 percent off its all-time high, stocks are more than halfway to bear market territory, says this week's cover story in Barron's. It also points out that the S&P 500 is down 6 percent on the week, off to its worst January start ever. The brutal beginning to 2016 has left bruised investors wondering if the long bull market dating back to March 2009 is over. See why Barron's thinks the selling may be almost over, and find out which stocks Barron's says are worth buying now.

This weekend's Barron's also includes the Mutual Fund Quarterly report. Check it out to see which exchange traded funds (ETFs) can be used to create a bond ladder, as well as why falling oil prices have weighed heavily on value-oriented stock funds. Discover four fund managers who have beaten the S&P 500 time and again. The fourth-quarter mutual fund results table covers a 10-year period, with quarterly dividends and monthly reinvestments included. Also find out which funds were the leaders and the laggards in fourth quarter of 2015.

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