Peter Lynch’s most famous investment principle is to “invest in what you know.” New investors always hesitate to make their first stock purchases when the answer is often staring right at them, right in their own kitchens. The kitchen is the perfect place to start because there is a very good chance that what’s in your kitchen is not the exception, but the norm. The cyclic and predictable nature of kitchen-related purchases also provides a reliable revenue stream for the top companies in this segment.
Statistically, you already own at least one of the following ‘kitchen stocks,’ either through direct purchase, your company’s 401K plan, or one of the hundreds of S&P 500 mutual funds. These are safe picks, but they are also not dinosaurs since they are still growing.
On your kitchen counter tops…
Do brands like Sunbeam, Oster, Mr. Coffee, Crock-Pot, or FoodSaver ring a bell? These are some of the 100-plus brands within the portfolio of global consumer- products company Jarden Corp (NYSE:JAH).
The company did a three-for-two split in March and is up 32% year-to-date. Despite the countless number of kitchen-appliance accessory infomercials that create the illusion of a fragmented and competitive market, Jarden Corp (NYSE:JAH) has dominated the industry for over a decade. Jarden Corp (NYSE:JAH)’s 34% compound annual growth rate in net sales and 350%-plus stock appreciation has put the company in the 15th spot in the Fortune 500 for total rate of return to shareholders over the last 10 years.
Jarden’s second-quarter earnings revealed record net sales of $1.8 billion, although net income declined to $76.4 million from $83.2 million a year ago. The company is susceptible to changes in its leading outdoor segment, where it currently targets sporting and camping opportunities. Football and baseball accessories, for example, may be negatively affected in the coming years as more safety is required for each sport, which may open the door to improved helmets and bats from Jarden Corp (NYSE:JAH)’s competitors. Camping may also be affected, because younger people are becoming increasingly sedentary with social networking, video games, and other indoor activities.
Nevertheless, Jarden still has opportunity in several areas. It has been growing globally over the past decade, now with 39% of sales currently outside of the US. It has no direct competition despite private companies like Hamilton Beach competing in the kitchen-consumables segment.
Last quarter, Hamilton Beach’s net income was just $2 million on revenue of $110.7 million. Additionally, successful brands like Mr. Coffee can accelerate sales as Jarden Corp (NYSE:JAH) can now offer K-Cup-machine alternatives at prices much lower than Green Mountain Coffee Roasters’ Keurig products.
In your kitchen cupboards…
General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) has beaten the S&P 500 consistently in the past five, 10, 20, and 30 year periods by a significant margin. Not many companies have been this consistent for this long. General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) has also delivered regular dividends to shareholders for 114 years and counting, without interruption or reductions. After existing for over a century, General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) is often considered a boring stock with no growth potential. However, there is more to General Mills than colorful cereal boxes.
The FY 2013 earnings showed that net sales grew another 7% to $17.8 billion, with new businesses contributing much of the gains. I believe General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) has more room to run and is one of, if not the best, defensive plays in your kitchen.
Wal-Mart Stores reported disappointing earnings last quarter, which affected big-ticket items. Wal-Mart is by far General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS)’ largest retail purchaser, accounting for 31% of all U.S. sales. The silver lining is that Wal-Mart’s poor earnings did not affect General Mills’ bottom line.
General Mills’ opportunities go beyond international growth. I believe a big acquisition is due since its last large purchase/merger was with Pillsbury back in 2001 despite gaining a controlling stake in Yoplait in 2011. I wouldn’t be surprised if General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) adds a ready-to-eat meat company or healthy drink brand to its portfolio.
