There are few things more profitable in the stock market than finding a long-term bullish economic trend and identifying a backdoor way to invest in the trend.

Major economic trends are often well known the observant investor, and many of them invest directly into the major companies riding the trend. While this tactic can and does work miracles at the start of any economic or societal trend, the profit potential becomes diluted when the trend matures. Shifting consumer tastes can turn one company's products from a huge hit into a has-been at the drop of a hat.

The key to long-term success is to locate those under the radar, backdoor companies that are crucial for supporting the overall trend but aren't the obvious financial media darlings. These companies are often those that support or complement the more obvious ones.