Considering investing in specialty food stocks? While the best specialty food stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals, we've identified some specialty food stocks that are worth keeping an eye on in the health food sector. Keep reading to learn more about specialty food stocks and how to start investing.
We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the health food 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprouts Farmers Market LLC (SFM.US) | -42.36% | $8 billion (USD) | NASDAQ | 1,728,656 | Buy now |
| Beyond Meat (BYND.US) | -81.16% | $314.4 million (USD) | NASDAQ | 71,189,181 | Buy now |
| The Hain Celestial Group (HAIN.US) | -64.10% | $45 million (USD) | NASDAQ | 730,473 | Buy now |
| Lifeway Foods (LWAY.US) | 13.21% | $449 million (USD) | NASDAQ | 87,819 | Buy now |
| SunOpta (STKL.US) | (data unavailable) | $771 million (USD) | NASDAQ | (data unavailable) | Buy now |
| Amazon-com (AMZN.US) | 22.02% | $2.9 trillion (USD) | NASDAQ | 27,906,615 | Buy now |
| United Natural Foods (UNFI.US) | 80.06% | $2.9 billion (USD) | NYSE | 303,277 | Buy now |
| Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NGVC.US) | -12.32% | $736.2 million (USD) | NYSE | 102,200 | Buy now |
| Burcon NutraScience Corporation (BU.TO) | -30.77% | $24 million (CAD) | Toronto Stock Exchange | (data unavailable) | Buy now |
The health food industry is affected by a range of complex factors such as trade policies, regulations, and fluctuating supply and demand. So when considering specialty 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 specialty food stocks. Stock performance can be impacted by factors like market conditions, company decisions and global events. Plus, what may be a strong specialty food stock investment for one person might not be suitable for another.
That said, we rounded up this list of popular specialty food stocks in or related to the health food industry to help narrow down your options:
Keep in mind that this is not a "best" list or a recommendation. It highlights some specialty 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 specialty food stock below. Keep reading to decide if any of these companies are the right investment for you.
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the retailing of fresh, natural, and organic food products in the United States. The company offers healthy grocery stores; and lifestyle-friendly ingredients such as organic, plant-based, keto, paleo, non-GMO, and gluten-free.
The company also offers perishable product categories, including produce, meat and meat alternatives, seafood, deli, bakery, floral, and dairy alternatives; and non-perishable product categories, such as grocery, vitamins and supplements, bulk items, frozen foods, beer and wine, and natural health and body care.
| Closing stock price | $87.20 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $8 billion |
| Gross profit (TTM) | $3.5 billion |
| Profit margin | 5.59% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $9 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $5.07 |
| 52-week stock price range | $64.75 – $153.75 |
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.
It sells its products through grocery, mass merchandiser, club stores, and natural retailer channels, as well as various food-away-from-home channels, including restaurants, foodservice outlets, and schools.
| Closing stock price | $0.53 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $314.4 million |
| Gross profit (TTM) | $28.7 million |
| Profit margin | 94.97% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $265 million |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | -$1.09 |
| 52-week stock price range | $0.50 – $3.86 |
The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells organic and natural products in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and internationally. The company offers infant formula; infant and toddler formula, infant cereals, baby food pouches, snacks and frozen toddler and kids' foods; plant-based beverages such as soy, rice, oat, cashew and spelt; and condiments, as well as meat-free dishes and meals.
It also provides cooking and culinary oils, vinegars, and condiments; nutritional oils and supplements; broth and soups; yogurts; desserts and creamers; and nut butters.
| Closing stock price | $0.59 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $45 million |
| Gross profit (TTM) | $293.2 million |
| Profit margin | -35.47% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.5 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | -$5.70 |
| 52-week stock price range | $0.48 – $2.17 |
Lifeway Foods, Inc. produces and markets probiotic-based products in North America. The company's primary product is drinkable kefir, a cultured dairy product in various organic and non-organic sizes, flavors, and milk types.
It offers European-style soft cheeses, including farmer and white cheeses, and sweet kiss; cream and other products; drinkable yogurt; ProBugs, a line of kefir products designed for children; and Fresh Made butter and sour cream.
| Closing stock price | $31.06 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $449 million |
| Gross profit (TTM) | $68.1 million |
| Profit margin | 6.53% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $229.4 million |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $0.96 |
| 52-week stock price range | $17.31 – $34.20 |
SunOpta Inc. engages in the manufacture and sale of plant and fruit-based food and beverage products in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company offers plant-based beverage products, including oat, almond, soy, coconut, rice, hemp, and other nut, grain, seed, and legume based beverages under the Dream and West Life brands names; oat-based creamers under the SOWN brand name; ready-to-drink protein shakes; packaged teas and concentrates; meat and vegetable broths and stocks; and nut, grain, seed, and legume-based beverages.
It also provides plant-based ingredients, such as oatbase and soybase; fruit based snacks, including fruit bars, bits, twists, strips, pressed bars, and strips; conventional and organic broth and stock; liquid packaged and bulk tea concentrate; and liquid ingredients for internal use and for sale to other food and beverage manufacturers.
| Market Capitalization | $771 million |
|---|---|
| Gross profit (TTM) | $121.2 million |
| Profit margin | 1.93% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $817.7 million |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $0.13 |
| 52-week stock price range | $3.32 – $6.67 |
Amazon.com, Inc. engages in the retail sale of consumer products, advertising, and subscriptions service through online and physical stores in North America and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
It also manufactures and sells electronic devices, including Kindle, fire tablets, fire TVs, echo, ring, blink, and eero; and develops and produces media content.
| Closing stock price | $272.26 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $2.9 trillion |
| Gross profit (TTM) | $393.8 billion |
| Profit margin | 17.44% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $775.7 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $12.21 |
| 52-week stock price range | $196.00 – $287.20 |
United Natural Foods, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of natural, organic, specialty, produce, and conventional grocery and non-food products in the United States and Canada. It operates in three segments: Natural, Wholesale, and Retail.
The company distributes grocery and general merchandise, perishables, frozen food, wellness and personal care items, bulk and foodservice, home, health and beauty care, pharmacy, pet food, produce, meat, dairy, and organic/non-GMO products under the ESSENTIAL EVERYDAY, SHOPPERS VALUE, WILD HARVEST, Field Day, STONE RIDGE CREAMERY, EQUALINE, CULINARY CIRCLE, and WOODSTOCK brands.
| Closing stock price | $47.86 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $2.9 billion |
| Gross profit (TTM) | $4.2 billion |
| Profit margin | -0.12% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $31.2 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | -$0.65 |
| 52-week stock price range | $24.88 – $57.02 |
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, retails natural and organic groceries, and dietary supplements in the United States. The company's stores offer natural and organic grocery products, such as organic produce; private label repackaged bulk products, including dried fruits, nuts, grains, granolas, teas, herbs, and spices, as well as peanut and almond butters; private label products comprising grocery staples, household products, bulk foods, and vitamins and dietary supplements, as well as organic eggs, organic flavored coffee, and organic mustard; dry, frozen, and canned groceries; meat and seafood products; dairy products, dairy substitutes, and eggs; prepared foods; bread and baked products; beverages; and beer, wine, and hard cider products.
Its stores also provide name-brand supplements, as well as private label dietary supplements; body care products consisting of cosmetics, skin care, hair care, fragrance, and personal care products containing natural and organic ingredients; pet care and food products; household and general merchandise, including cleaning supplies, paper products, and dish and laundry soaps, as well as other common household products, such as diapers; and books and handouts.
| Closing stock price | $32.46 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $736.2 million |
| Gross profit (TTM) | $450 million |
| Profit margin | 3.60% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.3 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $2.04 |
| 52-week stock price range | $23.22 – $45.10 |
Burcon NutraScience Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides plant-based proteins and ingredients for the food and beverage industry in Canada and the United States. The company offers peas, hempseed, sunflower, canola, fava, and soy proteins used in dairy alternatives, meat alternatives, snacks and cereals, diet product, ready-to-mix and ready-to-drink beverages, as well as in nutritional supplements such as meal replacement shakes, egg alternatives, non-dairy frozen desserts, ready-to-mix beverages, whipped toppings, nutrition bars, protein cereal bars, soups and sauces, and breads and baked goods.
It also provides sports nutrition beverages, citrus-based drinks, fruit-flavored beverages, lemonades, powdered beverage mixes, and various non-beverage plant-based applications under CLARISOY brand; flax protein; and protein blends.
| Closing stock price | C$1.89 |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | C$24 million |
| Gross profit (TTM) | C$-7,437,036 |
| Revenue (TTM) | C$2.3 million |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | -C$1.13 |
| 52-week stock price range | C$1.51 – C$2.99 |
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