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4 Low-Beta Defensive Stocks to Buy as Consumer Sentiment Hits 4-Month Low
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Key Takeaways
KO, PM, MDLZ and DOLE are defensive consumer staples stocks highlighted for their low betas.
KO and PM are pursuing business strategies focused on beverages and reduced-risk products.
MDLZ and DOLE offer exposure to global snacks and fresh produce, respectively, with earnings growth.
Rising inflation and fears of another interest rate hike have been worrying Americans. Consumers fear that another rate hike could further cripple their purchasing power amid rising prices of goods and services.
Consumer sentiment dropped further in September on fears of a slowing economy. Markets have stayed volatile for most of August and September and could remain so for a longer period.
We, thus, recommend buying four defensive stocks from the consumer staples sector, namely, The Coca-Cola Company (KO - Free Report) , Philip Morris International Inc. (PM - Free Report) , Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ - Free Report) and Dole plc (DOLE - Free Report) .
Consumer Sentiment Drops
The University of Michigan reported that its Consumer Sentiment Index dropped to a final reading of 48.1 in September from 51.7 in the prior month, to hit a four-month low. Although the final reading was marginally better than the initial reading of 47.8, consumer sentiment remains sharply down.
The Consumer Sentiment index is down 15% from January. Both the long-term and short-term expectations indexes also dropped sharply.
The survey’s measure of consumers’ inflation expectations over the next 12 months jumped to 4.6% in September from 4% in August. Consumers' five-year, or long-term, inflation expectation rose to 3.4% in September from 3.3% the month before.
Inflation has been on the rise, primarily because of a surge in oil prices, after war broke out between the United States and Iran in late February. Consumers’ inflation expectations over the next 12 months were 3.4% in February, reflecting how the U.S.-Iran war has been responsible for the sharp rise.
The Federal Reserve has struggled to control inflation and finally hiked interest rates by a quarter percentage point this month, for the first time in more than three years. The decision was widely anticipated. However, the central bank has also hinted at another interest rate hike this year.
Investors are already worried that markets could remain volatile for a longer period if oil prices continue to surge, as despite efforts from both the United States and Iran, negotiations have started formally. Another rate hike by the Federal Reserve would further weigh on the purchasing power of consumers, who are already grappling with higher prices.
4 Consumer Staples Stocks With Upside
The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company’s strong brand equity, marketing, research and innovation help it to garner a market share of more than 40% in the non-alcoholic beverage industry. KO is putting its best foot forward to evolve its business model to become a total beverage company with something for everyone to drink. The Coca-Cola Company has coped with the industry-wide flattening of soda sales over the years by going on a buying spree and making investments in healthier alternatives like coffee, sparkling water and sports drinks.
The Coca-Cola Company has an expected earnings growth rate of 9.7% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.9% over the past 60 days. KO has a beta of 0.34 and a current dividend yield of 2.41%. The Coca-Cola Company currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Philip Morris International
Philip Morris International Inc. is progressing well with its business transformation in the face of consumers' rising health consciousness and stern regulations to dissuade smoking. To this end, PM has been expanding its reduced risk products (RRPs) or smoke-free products category, as evident from the success of IQOS (a heating tobacco device) that counts among the leading RRPs in the industry.
Philip Morris International has an expected earnings growth rate of 11.1% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.6% over the past 60 days. PM currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. Philip Morris International has a beta of 0.37 and a current dividend yield of 3.09%.
Mondelez International
Mondelez International, Inc. is one of the leading global snack companies. MDLZ makes snack food products. Mondelez International’s product categories include chocolates; biscuits (cookies, crackers and salted snacks); gum and candy, beverages and cheese & grocery products.
Mondelez International’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 4.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the past 60 days. MDLZ presently carries a Zacks Rank #2. Mondelez International has a beta of 0.39 and a current dividend yield of 3.32%.
Dole plc
Dole plc is a producer of fresh bananas and pineapples. DOLE will also have a growing presence in categories such as berries, avocados and organic produce.
Dole’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 11.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.5% over the past 60 days. Dole plc has a beta of 0.61 and a current dividend yield of 2.62%. DOLE currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
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4 Low-Beta Defensive Stocks to Buy as Consumer Sentiment Hits 4-Month Low
Key Takeaways
Rising inflation and fears of another interest rate hike have been worrying Americans. Consumers fear that another rate hike could further cripple their purchasing power amid rising prices of goods and services.
Consumer sentiment dropped further in September on fears of a slowing economy. Markets have stayed volatile for most of August and September and could remain so for a longer period.
We, thus, recommend buying four defensive stocks from the consumer staples sector, namely, The Coca-Cola Company (KO - Free Report) , Philip Morris International Inc. (PM - Free Report) , Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ - Free Report) and Dole plc (DOLE - Free Report) .
Consumer Sentiment Drops
The University of Michigan reported that its Consumer Sentiment Index dropped to a final reading of 48.1 in September from 51.7 in the prior month, to hit a four-month low. Although the final reading was marginally better than the initial reading of 47.8, consumer sentiment remains sharply down.
The Consumer Sentiment index is down 15% from January. Both the long-term and short-term expectations indexes also dropped sharply.
The survey’s measure of consumers’ inflation expectations over the next 12 months jumped to 4.6% in September from 4% in August. Consumers' five-year, or long-term, inflation expectation rose to 3.4% in September from 3.3% the month before.
Inflation has been on the rise, primarily because of a surge in oil prices, after war broke out between the United States and Iran in late February. Consumers’ inflation expectations over the next 12 months were 3.4% in February, reflecting how the U.S.-Iran war has been responsible for the sharp rise.
The Federal Reserve has struggled to control inflation and finally hiked interest rates by a quarter percentage point this month, for the first time in more than three years. The decision was widely anticipated. However, the central bank has also hinted at another interest rate hike this year.
Investors are already worried that markets could remain volatile for a longer period if oil prices continue to surge, as despite efforts from both the United States and Iran, negotiations have started formally. Another rate hike by the Federal Reserve would further weigh on the purchasing power of consumers, who are already grappling with higher prices.
4 Consumer Staples Stocks With Upside
The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company’s strong brand equity, marketing, research and innovation help it to garner a market share of more than 40% in the non-alcoholic beverage industry. KO is putting its best foot forward to evolve its business model to become a total beverage company with something for everyone to drink. The Coca-Cola Company has coped with the industry-wide flattening of soda sales over the years by going on a buying spree and making investments in healthier alternatives like coffee, sparkling water and sports drinks.
The Coca-Cola Company has an expected earnings growth rate of 9.7% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.9% over the past 60 days. KO has a beta of 0.34 and a current dividend yield of 2.41%. The Coca-Cola Company currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Philip Morris International
Philip Morris International Inc. is progressing well with its business transformation in the face of consumers' rising health consciousness and stern regulations to dissuade smoking. To this end, PM has been expanding its reduced risk products (RRPs) or smoke-free products category, as evident from the success of IQOS (a heating tobacco device) that counts among the leading RRPs in the industry.
Philip Morris International has an expected earnings growth rate of 11.1% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.6% over the past 60 days. PM currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. Philip Morris International has a beta of 0.37 and a current dividend yield of 3.09%.
Mondelez International
Mondelez International, Inc. is one of the leading global snack companies. MDLZ makes snack food products. Mondelez International’s product categories include chocolates; biscuits (cookies, crackers and salted snacks); gum and candy, beverages and cheese & grocery products.
Mondelez International’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 4.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the past 60 days. MDLZ presently carries a Zacks Rank #2. Mondelez International has a beta of 0.39 and a current dividend yield of 3.32%.
Dole plc
Dole plc is a producer of fresh bananas and pineapples. DOLE will also have a growing presence in categories such as berries, avocados and organic produce.
Dole’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 11.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.5% over the past 60 days. Dole plc has a beta of 0.61 and a current dividend yield of 2.62%. DOLE currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.