Many investors have been bearish on retail-related stocks, particularly after a mediocre start to the holiday shopping season. But Validea CEO John Reese says not to ignore what he thinks is a very attractive industry.

“Wall Street always puts too much emphasis on short-term results, and analysts and the media have continually underestimated the American consumer throughout the recovery,” Reese writes in his latest Forbes.com column. “The reaction to the early results from this holiday season is a perfect example of both those trends.”

Reese talks about the strong performance of his Validea.com retailer portfolio, and looks at a handful of retail-related firms whose products make good holiday gifts, and whose shares also get approval from his Guru Strategies, each of which is based in the approach of a different investing great. Among them: Apple and Signet Jewelers.