Considering investing in food stocks? While the best food stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals, we've identified some food stocks that are worth keeping an eye on in the consumer staples sector. Keep reading to learn more about food stocks and how to start investing.
We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the consumer staples industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap stocks.
| Best stock | 1-year return | Market cap | Exchange | Volume | Buy on Questrade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Mills (GIS.US) | -29.78% | $19.3 billion (USD) | NYSE | 8,322,000 | Buy now |
| Costco Wholesale (COST.US) | -5.57% | $404.9 billion (USD) | NASDAQ | 2,099,400 | Buy now |
| Loblaw Companies (L.TO) | 16.13% | $73.8 billion (CAD) | Toronto Stock Exchange | 858,108 | Buy now |
| Walmart (WMT.US) | 20.66% | $893 billion (USD) | NASDAQ | 12,453,400 | Buy now |
| Metro (MRU.TO) | (data unavailable) | $19.4 billion (CAD) | Toronto Stock Exchange | (data unavailable) | Buy now |
| Kroger Company (KR.US) | -14.22% | $36.7 billion (USD) | NYSE | 10,399,697 | Buy now |
| Starbucks Corporation (SBUX.US) | 11.66% | $116.4 billion (USD) | NASDAQ | 4,686,400 | Buy now |
| Restaurant Brands International (QSR.TO) | 16.46% | $48.6 billion (CAD) | Toronto Stock Exchange | 276,532 | Buy now |
| McDonald’s Corporation (MCD.US) | -8.44% | $198.6 billion (USD) | NYSE | 2,978,900 | Buy now |
| Yum China (YUMC.US) | -9.62% | $14.8 billion (USD) | NYSE | 1,328,500 | Buy now |
The consumer staples industry is affected by a range of complex factors such as trade policies, regulations, and fluctuating supply and demand. So when considering food stocks to buy, it's important that you have access to vital information about a company's financial health, leadership team, and market positioning.
Also keep in mind that, while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look for stocks to offer steadier gains over time.
A lot of factors go into picking the best food stocks. Stock performance can be impacted by factors like market conditions, company decisions and global events. Plus, what may be a strong food stock investment for one person might not be suitable for another.
That said, we rounded up this list of popular food stocks in or related to the consumer staples industry to help narrow down your options:
Keep in mind that this is not a "best" list or a recommendation. It highlights some food stocks for informational purposes only and does not indicate past or future performance or investment advice. We do not guarantee any investment performance.
We've outlined detailed company and stock performance details for each food stock below. Keep reading to decide if any of these companies are the right investment for you.
General Mills, Inc. manufactures and markets branded consumer foods in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: North America Retail; International; North America Pet; and North America Foodservice.
It offers grain, ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, bakery flour, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit and savory snacks, ice cream and frozen desserts, unbaked and fully baked frozen dough products, frozen hot snacks, ethnic meals, side dish mixes, frozen breakfast and entrees, nutrition bars, and frozen and shelf-stable vegetables.
| Closing stock price | $36.22 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $19.3 billion |
| Gross profit (TTM) | $6.2 billion |
| Profit margin | -0.48% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $18.4 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | -$0.16 |
| 52-week stock price range | $31.21 – $48.67 |
Costco Wholesale Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of membership warehouses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Spain, France, Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. It offers merchandise, including sundries, dry groceries, candies, coolers, freezers, deli, liquor, and tobacco; non-food merchandise comprising appliances, small electronics, health and beauty aids, hardware, lawn and garden, sporting goods, tires, toys and seasonal, automotive, stamps, tickets, apparel, furniture, domestics, housewares, special order kiosks, and jewelry; and fresh food, such as meat, produce, service deli, and bakery products.
The company is also involved in warehouse ancillary operations, which include gasoline, pharmacies, optical, food courts, hearing-aid centers, and tire installation centers.
| Closing stock price | $916.25 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $404.9 billion |
| Gross profit (TTM) | $37.8 billion |
| Profit margin | 3.01% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $293.6 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $19.08 |
| 52-week stock price range | $841.69 – $1,096.50 |
Loblaw Companies Limited, a food and pharmacy company, provides grocery, pharmacy and healthcare services, health and beauty products, apparel, general merchandise, financial services, and wireless mobile products and services in Canada and the United States. It operates through two segments, Retail and Financial Services.
The Retail segment operates corporate and franchise-owned retail food, and associate-owned drug stores.
| Closing stock price | C$64.18 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | C$73.8 billion |
| Gross profit (TTM) | C$20.2 billion |
| Profit margin | 4.28% |
| Revenue (TTM) | C$64.5 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | C$2.21 |
| 52-week stock price range | C$52.55 – C$69.27 |
Walmart Inc. engages in the operation of retail and wholesale stores and clubs, ecommerce websites, and mobile applications worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club U.S. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; and ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites.
It offers grocery items, including dry grocery, snacks, dairy, meat, produce, deli and bakery, frozen foods, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, as well as consumables, such as health and beauty aids, pet supplies, household chemicals, paper goods, and baby products; and fuel and other categories.
| Closing stock price | $113.90 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $893 billion |
| Gross profit (TTM) | $181.2 billion |
| Profit margin | 3.14% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $725.3 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $2.82 |
| 52-week stock price range | $93.60 – $135.16 |
Metro Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer, franchisor, distributor, and manufacturer in the food and pharmaceutical sectors in Canada. The company operates supermarkets, discount stores, neighbourhood stores, specialized stores, and pharmacies that provide fresh and grocery products, baked goods, prepared food products, meats, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, frozen food products, bakery products, prepared meals, delicatessen items, fruits and vegetables, frozen products and pastries.
It also manufactures ready-to-eat meals, salads, dips, pastries, pies, breads, and cakes; generic drugs under Pro Doc trademark; and provides online grocery shopping services.
| Market Capitalization | C$19.4 billion |
|---|---|
| Gross profit (TTM) | C$4.4 billion |
| Profit margin | 4.44% |
| Revenue (TTM) | C$22.2 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | C$4.69 |
| 52-week stock price range | C$86.63 – C$106.01 |
The Kroger Co. operates as a food and drug retailer in the United States. The company operates combination food and drug stores, multi-department stores, marketplace stores, and price impact warehouses.
Its combination food and drug stores offer natural food and organic sections, pharmacies, general merchandise, pet centers, fresh seafood, and organic produce; and its multi-department stores provide apparel, home fashion and furnishings, outdoor living, electronics, automotive products, and toys.
| Closing stock price | $60.54 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $36.7 billion |
| Gross profit (TTM) | $35.6 billion |
| Profit margin | 0.71% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $148.6 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $1.72 |
| 52-week stock price range | $54.15 – $76.18 |
Starbucks Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a roaster, marketer, and retailer of coffee internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Channel Development.
Its stores offer coffee, tea, and other beverages, roasted whole beans and ground coffees, complementary food, packaged coffees, single-serve products, and ready-to-drink beverages; and various food products, such as pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and lunch items.
| Closing stock price | $106.01 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $116.4 billion |
| Gross profit (TTM) | $8.4 billion |
| Profit margin | 3.89% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $38.5 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $1.31 |
| 52-week stock price range | $76.49 – $108.25 |
Restaurant Brands International Inc. operates as a quick service restaurant company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through six segments: Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Firehouse Subs, International, and Restaurant Holdings.
The company owns and franchises Tim Hortons, a coffee and baked good restaurant chain that offers beverages, sandwiches, wraps, flatbread pizzas, and others; Burger King, a quick service hamburger restaurant chain that offers flame-grilled hamburgers, chicken, and other sandwiches; Popeyes, a quick service chicken concept that offers a Louisiana style menu, including fried bone-in chicken, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, wings, fried shrimp, and regional items; and Firehouse Subs, which offers subs with meats and cheese, as well as chili, soups, soft drinks, and other sides.
| Closing stock price | C$106.57 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | C$48.6 billion |
| Gross profit (TTM) | C$3.3 billion |
| Profit margin | 9.96% |
| Revenue (TTM) | C$9.6 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | C$4.41 |
| 52-week stock price range | C$81.75 – C$110.62 |
McDonald's Corporation owns, operates, and franchises restaurants under the McDonald's brand in the United States and internationally. It offers food and beverages, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, various chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes, frozen desserts, sundaes, soft serve cones, cookies, pies, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages; and full or limited breakfast, as well as sells various other products during limited-time promotions.
The company owns and operates franchised restaurants under various structures, including conventional franchise, developmental license, or affiliate.
| Closing stock price | $274.60 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $198.6 billion |
| Gross profit (TTM) | $15.7 billion |
| Profit margin | 31.62% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $27.4 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $12.12 |
| 52-week stock price range | $264.53 – $337.56 |
Yum China Holdings, Inc. owns, operates, and franchises restaurants in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through two KFC, Pizza Hut, and All Other segments.
It operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Lavazza, Little Sheep, and Huang Ji Huang concepts.
| Closing stock price | $43.02 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $14.8 billion |
| Gross profit (TTM) | $2.5 billion |
| Profit margin | 7.83% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $12.1 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $2.61 |
| 52-week stock price range | $40.15 – $57.69 |
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