9 packaged food stocks to watch

The best packaged food stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals—while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look to stocks with steadier gains over time.

9 popular packaged food stocks to watch

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the convenience food industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap stocks.

1. Beyond Meat (BYND)
2. Campbell Soup Company Common Stock (CPB)
3. General Mills (GIS)
4. ConAgra Foods (CAG)
5. Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL)
6. Kraft Heinz (KHC)
7. Kellanova (K)
8. PepsiCo (PEP)
9. Nestle SA ADR (NSRGY)

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The packaged food stocks industry is affected by a range of complex factors such as trade policies, regulations, and fluctuating supply and demand. So when considering packaged 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.

Our picks for platforms with research tools

How to invest in packaged food stocks

1. Choose an online stock trading platform. Choose from our Top Picks above, use our comparison table below or jump straight to the best stock trading apps in Canada.
2. Sign up for an account. Provide your personal information and sign up.
3. Set up a funding method to pay for the transaction. Deposit funds into your account by linking your banking information.
4. Choose the stocks you want to buy. Search for the stock by name or ticker symbol like BYND or CPB.
5. Place your order. Buy the stock. It's that simple.

Learn more about popular packaged food stocks

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the convenience food industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap US stocks.

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1. Beyond Meat (BYND)

Beyond Meat, Inc. , a plant-based meat company, engages in the development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of plant-based meat products under the Beyond brand name in the United States and internationally. The company sells a range of plant-based meat products that replicates beef, pork, and poultry meats.

• Previous close price: $2.56
• Market capitalization: $189,426,368
• 1 year performance: -64.69%

Buy BYND stock on Interactive Brokers

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2. Campbell Soup Company Common Stock (CPB)

The Campbell's Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets food and beverage products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Meals & Beverages and Snacks segments. The Meals & Beverages segment engages in the retail and foodservice businesses in the United States and Canada.

• Previous close price: $35.58
• Market capitalization: $10,692,807,680
• 1 year performance: -22.47%
• P/E ratio: 20.7283

Buy CPB stock on Interactive Brokers

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3. General Mills (GIS)

General Mills, Inc. manufactures and markets branded consumer foods worldwide. The company operates through four segments: North America Retail; International; Pet; and North America Foodservice.

• Previous close price: $55.05
• Market capitalization: $31,070,883,840
• 1 year performance: -22.08%
• P/E ratio: 12.4703

Buy GIS stock on Interactive Brokers

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4. ConAgra Foods (CAG)

Conagra Brands, Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer packaged goods food company primarily in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Grocery & Snacks, Refrigerated & Frozen, International, and Foodservice.

• Previous close price: $23.51
• Market capitalization: $11,715,859,456
• 1 year performance: -23.79%
• P/E ratio: 35.4118

Buy CAG stock on Interactive Brokers

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5. Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL)

Hormel Foods Corporation develops, processes, and distributes various meat, nuts, and other food products to foodservice, convenience store, and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Retail, Foodservice, and International segments. The company provides various perishable products that include fresh meats, frozen items, refrigerated meal solutions, bacons, sausages, hams, and guacamoles; and shelf-stable products comprising canned luncheon meats, nut butters, snack nuts, chili, shelf-stable microwaveable meals, hash, stews, tortillas, salsas, tortilla chips, nutritional food supplements, and others.

• Previous close price: $29.21
• Market capitalization: $16,161,943,552
• 1 year performance: -17.53%
• P/E ratio: 21.2971

Buy HRL stock on Interactive Brokers

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6. Kraft Heinz (KHC)

The Kraft Heinz Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets food and beverage products in North America and internationally. Its products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy products, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, and other grocery products under the Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Heinz, Philadelphia, Lunchables, Velveeta, Ore-Ida, Maxwell House, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, Heinz, ABC, Master, Quero, Kraft, Golden Circle, Wattie's, Pudliszki, and Plasmon brands. It sells its products through its own sales organizations, as well as through independent brokers, agents, and distributors to chain, wholesale, cooperative, and independent grocery accounts; convenience, value, and club stores; pharmacies and drug stores; mass merchants; foodservice distributors; institutions, including hotels, restaurants, bakeries, hospitals, health care facilities, and government agencies; and c various e-commerce platforms and retailers.

• Previous close price: $28.59
• Market capitalization: $34,453,458,944
• 1 year performance: -22.14%
• P/E ratio: 13.1826

Buy KHC stock on Interactive Brokers

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7. Kellanova (K)

Kellanova, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets snacks and convenience foods in North America, Europe, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Australia, and Africa. Its principal products consist of snacks, such as crackers, savory snacks, toaster pastries, cereal bars, granola bars, and bites; and convenience foods, including ready-to-eat cereals, frozen waffles, veggie foods, and noodles; and crisps. The company offers its products under the Kellogg's, Cheez-It, Pringles, Austin, Parati, RXBAR, Eggo, Morningstar Farms, Bisco, Club, Luxe, Minueto, Special K, Toasteds, Town House, Zesta, Zoo Cartoon, Choco Krispis, Crunchy Nut, Kashi, Nutri-Grain, Squares, Zucaritas, Rice Krispies Treats, Sucrilhos, Pop-Tarts, K-Time, Sunibrite, Split Stix, LCMs, Coco Pops, Krave, Frosties, Rice Krispies Squares, Incogmeato, Veggitizers, Gardenburger, Trink, Carr's, Kellogg's Extra, Müsli, Fruit "n Fibre, Kellogg's Crunchy Nut, Country Store, Smacks, Honey Bsss, Zimmy's, Toppas, Tresor, Froot Ring, Chocos, Chex, Guardian, Just Right, Sultana Bran, Rice Bubbles, Sustain, Choco Krispies, Melvin, Cornelius, Chocovore, Poperto, Pops the Bee, and Sammy the Seal brand names.

• Previous close price: $82.61
• Market capitalization: $28,573,528,064
• 1 year performance: 34.81%
• P/E ratio: 21.3325

Buy K stock on Interactive Brokers

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8. PepsiCo (PEP)

PepsiCo, Inc. engages in the manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sale of various beverages and convenient foods worldwide. The company operates through seven segments: Frito-Lay North America; Quaker Foods North America; PepsiCo Beverages North America; Latin America; Europe; Africa, Middle East and South Asia; and Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand and China Region.

• Previous close price: $131.99
• Market capitalization: $183,107,731,456
• 1 year performance: -24.77%
• P/E ratio: 19.6109

Buy PEP stock on Interactive Brokers

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9. Nestle SA ADR (NSRGY)

Nestlé S. A. , together with its subsidiaries, operates as a food and beverage company.

• Previous close price: $106.32
• Market capitalization: $272,219,504,640
• 1 year performance: 6.69%
• P/E ratio: 20.8698

Buy NSRGY stock on Interactive Brokers

Buy packaged food stocks from these online trading platforms

Compare special offers, low fees and a wide range of investment options among top trading platforms.

Note: The dollar amounts in the table below are in Canadian dollars.

Finder Score for stock trading platforms

To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Trading costs, account fees and features across 10+ stock trading platforms and apps are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the platform - simple.

Read the full methodology

Related: Compare the best stock trading platforms in Canada

Bottom line

While it's possible to turn a profit investing in packaged food stocks, keep in mind that—like any investment—packaged food stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions both in the market and in the convenience food industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest. If you're new to investing or if it's been a while since you've taken a critical look at your investment accounts, compare brokers to make sure you're getting the best trading features for your needs.

Related: How to buy stocks in Canada

Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades.