1. Calavo Growers
This company is a leading supplier of avocados, papayas, tomatoes, fresh salsa, and prepared guacamole. Over the past year, Calavo Holdings’ stock price has increased from $65.85 per share to $99.00 per share. Calavo Holdings has benefited from the avocado trends in the food industry as well as a greater interest in Mexican flavors. This company is a good investment because the avocado trend shows no signs of slowing down. Fresh foods are doing better than prepared foods in today’s market.
2. Hormel
Hormel has been raising its dividends each year, making this stock an excellent purchase for people who are not looking for a short-term stock investment. Hormel has risen from $29.75 to $38.00 this year. Its brands include SPAM, Jennie-O, and Skippy peanut butter. While other prepared foods companies have struggled, Hormel has bounced back from a difficult 2017 to show earnings growth.
3. Post Holdings, Inc.
Post Holdings is historically a breakfast cereal company, though their lines of business have expanded to include freshly prepared foods like potatoes, meats, and eggs. This stock has grown from $70.66 to $88.93 this year. Post Holdings continues to do well despite an industry trend away from prepared foods.
4. McCormick & Co., Inc.
McCormick & Co. is a spice and extracts producer. This company has benefited from the trend toward home cooking rather than reliance on prepared foods. As people cook more, they look for simple products that help them make their food taste great. The stock has experienced significant growth over the past year, beginning at $90.25 and peaking at $120.23.
5. J & J Snack Foods
J & J Snack Foods made its fortune selling pretzels, ICEE frozen beverages, and other frozen novelties including Minute Maid, baked goods, and handheld frozen snacks. The company also owns Auntie Anne’s, a popular pretzel shop found in malls and airports around the country. This stock has had an overall growth in 2018, although it experienced a sell-off in February and another in May. The stock has recovered and has grown past its previous height from January. The low price for the year is $124.10 and the high is $159.05.
6. John B. Sanfilippo & Son
John B. Sanfilippo & Son specializes in nuts. They own such popular brands as Orchard Valley and Fisher. This company has benefited from the increasing health reputation of nut products. Providing a healthy but delicious snack food has made this company grow. This stock has grown significantly this year, with a low of $54.32 and a high of $77.84.
7. Tyson Foods
Tyson’s yearly low was $60.48 and its high was $84.65. While Tyson’s stock price is trending downward in the first half of 2018, market analysts recommend this stock for purchase. The chicken market is poised to turn around. Tyson’s frozen convenience foods, as well as their fresh chicken brands, continue to be popular in the United States.
These seven stocks are all highly rated by market analysts and are poised to continue growing in the second half of 2018. While no one can predict the stock market with complete precision, these stocks are considered good bets among the food sector. William Bronchick reminds investors that the trend in the food industry runs against prepared foods, sodas, and cereal and toward fresh and organic foods.