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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Costco Wholesale, Dollar General, General Mills and Dollar Tree
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – August 16, 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: Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST - Free Report) , Dollar General Corp. (DG - Free Report) , General Mills, Inc. (GIS - Free Report) and Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
4 Solid Stocks to Buy on Soaring Grocery Sales
Rising costs have been worrying retailers for a while now, with many, despite reporting impressive quarterly results, revising their revenue guidance for the next quarter. Despite the existing fears, the retail industry is going strong, with sales increasing almost every month.
The grocery segment particularly has been doing well, with sales soaring. Groceries are necessary and although higher prices of food and essential goods have been hurting people, they have been spending on these. Moreover, higher demand has also been driving grocery sales. Given this situation, grocery stocks like Costco Wholesale Corp., Dollar General Corp., General Mills, Inc. and Dollar Tree, Inc. are likely to do well in the near term.
Grocery Sales Soaring
According to the latest Mastercard SpendingPulse, retail sales grew 11.2% in July on a year-over-year basis. Sales increased across a variety of segments. However, the grocery segment has been the brightest spot among all.
According to the report, grocery sales jumped 16.8% year over year in July. Moreover, sales were 29.5% higher than July 2019 figures. July was also the fourth straight month in which grocery sales recorded double-digit growth. Grocery sales rose 12.4%, 13.8% and 14% in April, May and June, respectively.
This also shows the constant growth in grocery sales and the continued growth in demand. Although many economists have attributed this growth to higher prices, demand for groceries has also been on the rise.
Interestingly, grocery sales are rising both offline and online. According to a Consumer Trends Tracker report, 45% of consumers who shop for groceries online are omnichannel consumers. Every month, the average amount spent on groceries by online customers is $594 against $388 for in-store customers.
The jump in July grocery sales was primarily driven by high demand for pickup and delivery services, according to research firm Barrington. July's e-grocery sales through pickup totaled $3.4 billion, increasing 17.2% year over year.
People have been limiting their spending on luxury goods, but they cannot stop buying basics. Grocery is one such area. At the same time, demand has also been soaring. The increase in sales shows that the market is holding up despite the Fed's aggressive rate-hike strategy, which is pushing up the cost of commodities.
Sales of groceries are therefore being driven by increased demand as well as rising costs of commodities. In the end, however, sales are increasing, which is a good sign.
Our Choices
Costco Wholesale Corp. sells high volumes of food and general merchandise (including household products and appliances) at discounted prices through membership warehouses. COST is one of the largest warehouse club operators in the United States. Costco Wholesale Corporation also operates e-commerce sites in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia.
Costco Wholesale Corporation's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 18.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Costco's current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the past 60 days. COST has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Dollar General Corp. is one of the largest discount retailers in the United States. DG offers a wider selection of merchandise, including consumable items, seasonal items, home products and apparel. Dollar General's merchandise comprises national brands from leading manufacturers, as well as its own private brand selections with prices at substantial discounts to national brands.
Dollar General's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 13.3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dollar General's current-year earnings has improved 0.4% over the past 60 days. DG has a Zacks Rank #2.
General Mills, Inc. is a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer foods sold through retail stores. GIS also serves the foodservice and commercial baking industries. General Mills' principal product categories include ready-to-eat cereals, convenient meals, snacks (including grain, fruit and savory snacks, nutrition bars, and frozen hot snacks), super-premium ice creams as well as baking mixes and ingredients.
General Mills' expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 1.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for General Mills' current-year earnings has improved 0.8% over the past 60 days. GIS has a Zacks Rank #2.
Dollar Tree, Inc. is an operator of discount variety stores offering merchandise and other assortments. DLTR's stores successfully operate in major metropolitan areas, mid-sized cities and small towns. Dollar Tree offers a wide range of quality everyday general merchandise in many categories, including houseware, seasonal goods, candy and food, toys, health and beauty care, gifts, party goods, stationery, books, personal accessories, and other consumer items.
Dollar Tree's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 40.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dollar Tree's current-year earnings has improved 4.4% over the past 60 days. DLTR has a Zacks Rank #2.
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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.
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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Costco Wholesale, Dollar General, General Mills and Dollar Tree
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – August 16, 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: Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST - Free Report) , Dollar General Corp. (DG - Free Report) , General Mills, Inc. (GIS - Free Report) and Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
4 Solid Stocks to Buy on Soaring Grocery Sales
Rising costs have been worrying retailers for a while now, with many, despite reporting impressive quarterly results, revising their revenue guidance for the next quarter. Despite the existing fears, the retail industry is going strong, with sales increasing almost every month.
The grocery segment particularly has been doing well, with sales soaring. Groceries are necessary and although higher prices of food and essential goods have been hurting people, they have been spending on these. Moreover, higher demand has also been driving grocery sales. Given this situation, grocery stocks like Costco Wholesale Corp., Dollar General Corp., General Mills, Inc. and Dollar Tree, Inc. are likely to do well in the near term.
Grocery Sales Soaring
According to the latest Mastercard SpendingPulse, retail sales grew 11.2% in July on a year-over-year basis. Sales increased across a variety of segments. However, the grocery segment has been the brightest spot among all.
According to the report, grocery sales jumped 16.8% year over year in July. Moreover, sales were 29.5% higher than July 2019 figures. July was also the fourth straight month in which grocery sales recorded double-digit growth. Grocery sales rose 12.4%, 13.8% and 14% in April, May and June, respectively.
This also shows the constant growth in grocery sales and the continued growth in demand. Although many economists have attributed this growth to higher prices, demand for groceries has also been on the rise.
Interestingly, grocery sales are rising both offline and online. According to a Consumer Trends Tracker report, 45% of consumers who shop for groceries online are omnichannel consumers. Every month, the average amount spent on groceries by online customers is $594 against $388 for in-store customers.
The jump in July grocery sales was primarily driven by high demand for pickup and delivery services, according to research firm Barrington. July's e-grocery sales through pickup totaled $3.4 billion, increasing 17.2% year over year.
People have been limiting their spending on luxury goods, but they cannot stop buying basics. Grocery is one such area. At the same time, demand has also been soaring. The increase in sales shows that the market is holding up despite the Fed's aggressive rate-hike strategy, which is pushing up the cost of commodities.
Sales of groceries are therefore being driven by increased demand as well as rising costs of commodities. In the end, however, sales are increasing, which is a good sign.
Our Choices
Costco Wholesale Corp. sells high volumes of food and general merchandise (including household products and appliances) at discounted prices through membership warehouses. COST is one of the largest warehouse club operators in the United States. Costco Wholesale Corporation also operates e-commerce sites in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia.
Costco Wholesale Corporation's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 18.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Costco's current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the past 60 days. COST has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Dollar General Corp. is one of the largest discount retailers in the United States. DG offers a wider selection of merchandise, including consumable items, seasonal items, home products and apparel. Dollar General's merchandise comprises national brands from leading manufacturers, as well as its own private brand selections with prices at substantial discounts to national brands.
Dollar General's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 13.3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dollar General's current-year earnings has improved 0.4% over the past 60 days. DG has a Zacks Rank #2.
General Mills, Inc. is a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer foods sold through retail stores. GIS also serves the foodservice and commercial baking industries. General Mills' principal product categories include ready-to-eat cereals, convenient meals, snacks (including grain, fruit and savory snacks, nutrition bars, and frozen hot snacks), super-premium ice creams as well as baking mixes and ingredients.
General Mills' expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 1.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for General Mills' current-year earnings has improved 0.8% over the past 60 days. GIS has a Zacks Rank #2.
Dollar Tree, Inc. is an operator of discount variety stores offering merchandise and other assortments. DLTR's stores successfully operate in major metropolitan areas, mid-sized cities and small towns. Dollar Tree offers a wide range of quality everyday general merchandise in many categories, including houseware, seasonal goods, candy and food, toys, health and beauty care, gifts, party goods, stationery, books, personal accessories, and other consumer items.
Dollar Tree's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 40.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dollar Tree's current-year earnings has improved 4.4% over the past 60 days. DLTR has a Zacks Rank #2.
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.
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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.