We recently published a list of 8 Best Consumer Staples Stocks To Buy Right Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) stands against other best consumer staples stocks to buy right now.
Consumer spending plays a significant role in the economy, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, in Q2, personal consumption expenditures represented nearly 68% of the US national GDP. As a result, economic growth and decline is often led by consumer spending. However, spending on consumer staples goods tends to be less cyclical due to the low price elasticity of demand and the demand for these goods remains relatively constant regardless of the state of the economy or the cost of the product.
The consumer staples sector is comprised of companies that produce and sell essential goods such as food, beverages, household products, and personal care items. This sector is further divided into six industries: beverages, food and staples retailing, food products, household products, personal products, and tobacco.
Despite challenges, the consumer staples sector has consistently outperformed other sectors, making it a popular choice for defensive investment strategies. The sector’s low volatility and consistent revenues also make it an attractive option for investors seeking steady growth and solid dividends.
A Safe Haven in a Volatile Market
Bryan Spillane, Managing Director of Equity Research at Bank of America Securities, in an interview with CNBC on September 20, discussed the performance of consumer staples stocks during periods of rate cuts associated with a soft landing. He noted that historically, these stocks tend to perform well in such environments, with some names consistently outperforming others.
Spillane explained that his analysis showed that certain companies have a history of outperforming their peers during periods of rate cuts. He attributed this to their high-quality business models and stable dividend payments, which make them attractive to investors seeking yield in a low-rate environment.
When asked about the current market environment, Spillane noted that the dynamics within consumer staples are complex, with factors such as price adjustments and disinflation affecting the sector. However, he believed that with interest rates coming down and consumers having more purchasing power, the sector should benefit. He specifically pointed to the discretionary impulse channels, such as convenience stores and gas stations, where companies have struggled with declining traffic. Spillane also highlighted the attractiveness of consumer staples stocks due to their dividend yields, which are historically in the 3% to 4% range. He noted that some names have even higher yields due to depressed valuations.
The consumer staples sector is an attractive option for investors seeking a defensive strategy. The sector has consistently demonstrated resilience and outperformance in various market environments. As interest rates come down and consumers regain purchasing power, the sector is poised to benefit significantly.
Our Methodology
To compile our list of the 8 best consumer staples stocks to buy right now, we used the Finviz and Yahoo stock screeners to find the largest consumer staples companies. We then narrowed our choices to 8 stocks according to their hedge fund sentiment, which was taken from our database of 912 elite hedge funds as of Q2 of 2024. The list is sorted in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment, as of the second quarter.
Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A close up of a glass of a refreshing carbonated beverage illustrating the company’s different beverages.
PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP)
Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 65
PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) is a global leader in the food and beverage industry, known for its popular soft drinks, snacks, and packaged foods. The company owns well-known brands like Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Lays, and Quaker. PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) operates in more than 200 countries.
PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) is well-positioned to capitalize on its dual strength in both the snacks and beverages sectors, giving it a significant advantage in the marketplace. The company’s ability to create bundled offerings or cross-promotions by leveraging its broad portfolio can help boost overall sales. Additionally, the company’s diversified product lineup enhances its bargaining power with suppliers and retailers, allowing it to negotiate more favorable terms and achieve economies of scale. With a strong global presence and well-established distribution networks, PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) is set to continue fueling long-term growth, supported by its robust research and development capabilities that allow for continuous innovation in its product offerings.
PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) is also embracing digitalization to improve operational efficiency and streamline its supply chain. Furthermore, the company is targeting long-term growth opportunities through evolving consumer habits, especially with Gen Z consumers who are shifting snacking patterns. By staying attuned to these changes, the company is in a prime position to capture a larger share of the snacking market.
From a financial perspective, PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) has consistently demonstrated its ability to navigate cost pressures through strategic price increases. The company’s strong pricing power has allowed it to grow revenues even with minor declines in organic volume, which has, in turn, bolstered earnings and cash flow.
This steady cash generation not only supports the company’s operations but also underpins its long-standing commitment to returning value to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks. PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) has raised its dividend for over 50 consecutive years and provides a reliable income stream to investors.
Overall, PEP ranks 5th on our list of best consumer staples stocks to buy right now. While we acknowledge the potential of PEP to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than PEP but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
