(By Arun - iStockAnalyst Writer) The problems plaguing the American citizens today are the rising fuel prices and the increasing fear of loosing their deposits made in their bank in the light of fast paced decline of the banking industry. Another factor to watch out in these market conditions is certainly how levered is the company’s balance sheet, owing to the shortage in liquidity as well credit getting costlier by the day. Any answer to either of the problems has seen the market cheering the cause. Let’s be rest assured that the market certainly has an answer for every need, which is why capitalism thrives on this land.

Quoted below are a few answers to the issues mentioned above. Amongst the winners are the conservative regional banks that did not go overboard on the sub prime mortgage lending and other related instruments which have drawn all the well known stalwarts down to the ground. WesBanco (NASDAQ: WSBC) has grown at a robust 59.39% in the last three months. In the wake of the bank’s conservative approach towards mortgages and its loan portfolio has brought the company’s very well deserved credit, while every financial institution on the street wants to cut down on its dividend budget this company has indeed increased its quarterly cash dividend to its shareholders in its recently announced results on August 29. The management has been able to achieve this due to its not so levered balance sheet and a slow credit portfolio growth process.

Another stock which has witnessed much fanfare in the past few days is Watsco, Incorporated (NYSE:WSO). The stock has appreciated by nearly 8% in the past five days, thanks to the dividend that the company declared. Also, to note the fact is that the company is an independent distributor of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) products in the US. The recent NAHB (National Association of Housing Board) study of consumers reports that 51 percent willing to pay up to $11,000 more if energy costs are reduced $1,000 annually. Also, the study notes that most of the savings would come from better insulation and more efficient HVAC and indoor-air quality systems which is in fact the main forte of Watsco. With high energy prices likely to persist over the near future, consumers will increase the purchase of higher-efficiency air conditioning systems. To add, WSO has the liquidity position and the de-levered balance sheet to continue with its aggressive acquisition strategy.

The market participants continue to be on the prowl for companies which seem to have the right business strategies in place for a continually challenging market.

Disclosure: The author does not own any stocks mentioned in this article.