food stocks posts
FeedPosted Oct 22nd 2009 1:50PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, China, Newsletters, Stocks to Buy

"China is becoming a land of big milk drinkers; this year, China will consume 25 million tons of milk, putting it ahead of both France and Germany -- that's a 76% increase from 2000," observes
Tony Sagami.
In The Asia Stock Alert, he explains, "The best way to profit from this Chinese milk boom, in my opinion, is to invest in China-based American Dairy (NYSE: ADY)." Here's the advisor's review.
"The Chinese currently consumes 24 pounds of dairy products per person each year versus a world average of almost 220 pounds annually.
Continue reading Got milk? American Dairy gains in China (ADY)
Posted Oct 15th 2009 10:30AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Starbucks (SBUX), Newsletters, Stocks to Buy
"One of the guiding principles of our growth investing system is the concept that major trends tend to persist longer and go farther than originally expected," says Timothy Lutts.
In The Cabot Stock of the Month, he explains, "It's a principle that supports our current bullish market stance and our recommendation of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (NASDAQ: GMCR), even though the stock is already up more than four-fold since March."
"The business, of course, is coffee, a true global mass-market product. And while Starbucks' stock peaked in 2006 (ending a 14-year run), Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is younger and far less famous.
Continue reading Green Moutain (GMCR): A coffee revolution
Posted Sep 30th 2009 2:00PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, PepsiCo (PEP), Newsletters, Agriculture, Stocks to Buy
"There's a misconception out there about PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP); all too often, it's viewed as a stodgy soft drink company, fully reliant on its namesake soda line," says money manager and newsletter advisor Jim Stack.
In his InvesTech Market Analyst, he suggests, "In reality, PepsiCo owns some of the most sought after brands in the world, including Gatorade, Tropicana, Frito-Lay and Doritos." Here's his review of the company and its outlook.
"PepsiCo does business in more than 200 countries worldwide, including key emerging market economies like China and India and, perhaps most important of all, it's a growth company with analysts expecting long-term future earnings growth of 10-12% per year.
Continue reading PepsiCo (PEP): An 'under-rated' growth company
Posted Aug 3rd 2009 10:20AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newsletters, General Mills (GIS), Commodities, Agriculture, Stocks to Buy
"Few investments have a proven track record of defying a sinking economy and stock market, but General Mills (NYSE: GIS) is among them," says Martin Weiss in his Safe Money Report.
He explains, "You probably have some of General Mills' products in your pantry or freezer. The Minneapolis-based food firm makes everything from Cheerios and Chex cereals to Fruit Roll-Ups, Bisquick pancake mix, and Haagen-Dazs ice cream.
"This broad consumer product line has helped it deliver solid single-digit earnings growth not only in good times, but also the worst quarters of the recession. Now, in its fiscal fourth quarter ended May 31, General Mills knocked the cover off the ball.
Continue reading General Mills (GIS): A pantry play
Posted Apr 24th 2009 3:00PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, Newsletters, McDonald's (MCD), Agriculture, Stocks to Buy
This post is part of a seven article report -- Food for thought: Best bets in food & beverage stocks.
"Customers are trading down to McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) from higher-end restaurants," says growth stock expert Toby Smith in his ChangeWave Investing.
The fast food operator is also a buy from Bill Martin, who adds, the company continues to serve up solid results. In his BullMarket.com advisory, he reviews the stock's recent quarter.
First, Toby Smith explains, "Given the endless parade of depressing economic news, it's no wonder that most people have lost their appetite for food -- if not altogether, then at least for the finer dining.
"Our proprietary ChangeWave Alliance survey -- ongoing pols of thousands of individuals and investors in various industries and professions -- just 5% of respondents said they would spend more at restaurants, which is unchanged from the all-time low.
Continue reading McDonald's (MCD): Two bets on Big Mac
Posted Apr 24th 2009 10:30AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newsletters, ETF Investing, Agriculture, Stocks to Buy, Recession
In a difficult economic environment, it is often wise for investors to consider stocks in more defensive and relatively recession-resistant sectors. And one such area is food and beverage stocks.
As the long-standing market maxim goes, consumers can pull back on spending for vacations, remodeling, and new cars, but they still need to eat and drink.
In that light, I turned to nine leading newsletter advisors who serve up their current favorite ideas in the food and beverage sector:
Continue reading Food for thought: Best buys in food & beverage
Posted Mar 19th 2009 2:20PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newsletters, McDonald's (MCD), DJIA, Stocks to Buy, Recession
"McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) has bucked the global recession in February as both global and U.S. same *store sales rose," says Tracey Ryniec, who has chosen the fast food giant as its latest featured company in Zacks Ellite Stock of the Day.
The analyst explains, "The company, which operates more than 32,000 McDonald's restaurants in over 100 countries, reported February comparable sales results on Mar 9 that showed global sales rising 1.4% year over year even as Feb 2008 included an extra day due to leap year. Excluding the extra day, sales grew 5.4%.
"U.S. sales climbed 2.8%, or 6.8% if you exclude the extra calendar day in 2008. Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa rose 0.7%, or 4.1% if you exclude the extra calendar day. Only Europe saw a decline, losing 0.2%, but if you exclude the extra day, even Europe increased 4%.
Continue reading Zacks Elite bites into Big Mac
Posted Mar 6th 2009 11:00AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, Newsletters, ETF Investing, Commodities, Agriculture, Stocks to Buy, Green Stocks, Recession
"I remain a devoted long-term soft commodities bull; the grains and other soft agricultural commodities remain one of the most long-term compelling investment trends of our lifetime," says Eric Roseman.
In The Commodity Trend Alert, the advisor looks at the PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund (NYSE: DBA), noting "The grains and other soft agricultural commodities remain one of the most long-term compelling investment trends of our lifetime. I'm convinced that we remain in a long-term bull market for agricultural commodities.
"This historical trend began in 2006 and remains extremely powerful as population growth exceeds arable food supply combined with unpredictable weather patterns attacking supplies and causing droughts.
Continue reading Powershares Agriculture (DBA): A bull market in grains
Posted Feb 26th 2009 1:35PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International markets, PepsiCo (PEP), Newsletters, Agriculture, Stocks to Buy, Recession
"PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) Pepsi is about as dependable a company as there is and the stock would be an excellent anchor for most portfolios," says value investor Nathan Slaughter.
In his Half-Priced Stocks, he says, "All told, PepsiCo has built an impressive lineup of 18 brands that each generate more than $1 billion in annual sales."
"Long ago, management realized that carbonated drink sales would fizzle out and per-capita consumption would become sluggish. In their place, bottled water and sports drinks became two of the fastest-growing categories. And Pepsi is the dominant player in both, with its Aquafina and Gatorade brands.
"Meanwhile, energy drinks have emerged as the industry's hottest segment -- with sales soaring from $1.2 billion in 2002 to more than $6.6 billion last year. Again, Pepsi is well-represented with Amp.
Continue reading PepsiCo (PEP): A portfolio anchor
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