For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – September 22, 2022 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: PepsiCo, Inc. PEP, Constellation Brands, Inc. STZ and Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. FMX.
Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:
3 Defensive Consumer Staple Stocks for Your Portfolio
An overall inflationary landscape and disrupted supply chain have been bad news for companies across most sectors. High input costs, including the cost of raw materials, packaging and logistics, are a common concern plaguing margins. Also, a tight labor market has led to a spike in wage costs. These headwinds have been weighing on companies’ performances.
Amid such a scenario, the Consumer Staples sector – popularly known as the defensive zone – has been garnering attention. This is because demand for staples remains fairly stable when compared with discretionary categories, aiding companies in the space to withstand market turbulence. Even in the early phases of the pandemic, which had messed up operations of companies across most industries, players in the consumer staples space were riding on the burgeoning demand for essentials stemming from elevated at-home consumption and stock hoarding.
No wonder the defensive Consumer Staples sector has always been a go-to place for investors, as it offers steady growth irrespective of the state of the economy. Adding stocks from the consumer staples basket lends more stability to portfolios in an uncertain market. These stocks make up for modest growth with dependable profits, lower price volatility and defensive positioning.
All said, we have picked a few stocks from the Zacks Consumer Staples universe, which are well-positioned for growth on the back of their robust fundamentals and favorable demand. These stocks sport a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and carry a VGM Score of A or B.
3 Consumer Staple Stocks Worth a Shot
PepsiCo, Inc.: This Zacks Rank #2 company benefits from the resilience and strength of global beverage and convenient food businesses. The company has the competitive advantage of selling both snacks and beverages, which are complementary food categories. On its lastearnings call PepsiCo raised the revenue guidance for 2022. It expects organic revenue growth of 10% for 2022 compared with 8% rise mentioned earlier.
With a VGM Score of B, PEP has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 7.7%. This beverage and convenient foods company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 3.8%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PepsiCo’s current financial year sales and earnings suggest growth of 5.6% and 6.4%, respectively, from the year-ago period. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
PepsiCo, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | PepsiCo, Inc. Quote
Constellation Brands, Inc.: The alcohol beverage giant has been benefiting from strong consumer demand for its portfolio of premium, high-end products and growth in the beer business. Sales advanced 21% in the company's beer business in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, driven by robust consumer demand for its iconic brands. Constellation Brands' premiumization strategy is playing out well, as evident from the accelerated growth for Power Brands in first-quarter fiscal 2023.
Constellation Brands has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 10.8% and a VGM of A. This Zacks Rank #2 stock has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.4%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for STZ’s current financial year sales and EPS suggests growth of 7.5% and 8.7%, respectively, from the year-ago period.
Constellation Brands Inc price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Constellation Brands Inc Quote
Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V.: Fomento Economico Mexicano or FEMSA has exposure in various industries, including beverage, beer and retail. FEMSA’s digital initiatives and business expansion endeavors have also been aiding results. Its efforts to expand in the U.S. specialized distribution segment bodes well. In the second quarter of 2022, FEMSA’s revenues increased year over year, driven by gains across all business units resulting from effective growth strategies and robust demand across markets.
FEMSA has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 11.4% and a VGM Score of A. This Zacks Rank #2 stock has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 18.9%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FMX’s current financial year sales suggests growth of 11.3% from the year-ago period.
Fomento Economico Mexicano S.A.B. de C.V. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Fomento Economico Mexicano S.A.B. de C.V. Quote
Why Haven’t You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
Our 5 best-performing strategies have blown away the S&P's impressive +28.8% gain in 2021. Amazingly, they soared +40.3%, +48.2%, +67.6%, +94.4%, and +95.3%. Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Just Released: Free Report Reveals Little-Known Strategies to Help Profit from the $30 Trillion Metaverse Boom
It's undeniable. The metaverse is gaining steam every day. Just follow the money. Google. Microsoft. Adobe. Nike. Facebook even rebranded itself as Meta because Mark Zuckerberg believes the metaverse is the next iteration of the internet. The inevitable result? Many investors will get rich as the metaverse evolves. What do they know that you don't? They’re aware of the companies best poised to grow as the metaverse does. And in a new FREE report, Zacks is revealing those stocks to you. This week, you can download, The Metaverse - What is it? And How to Profit with These 5 Pioneering Stocks. It reveals specific stocks set to skyrocket as this emerging technology develops and expands. Don't miss your chance to access it for free with no obligation.
>>Show me how I could profit from the metaverse!Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Fomento Economico Mexicano S.A.B. de C.V. (FMX): Free Stock Analysis Report
PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP): Free Stock Analysis Report
Constellation Brands Inc (STZ): Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment Research
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
