Investors are drifting back to staple producers as momentum fades in other parts of the market. Capital is flowing into consumer packaged goods, a group that has repeatedly weathered market volatility better than most. The shift resurfaced after Trump’s tariff shock, reinforcing how Big Food often steadies portfolios when high-growth bets start to crack.
- General Mills, Campbell’s, Hershey, and J.M. Smucker all rose in 2022, even as the S&P fell ~25%.
- Still, many food makers are down over the past three years, even as the S&P 500 climbed 79%, weighed down by healthier eating trends, weight-loss drugs, and growing private-label competition.
Selective pickings: Some investors are turning to geographic exposure at Mondelez and Nestlé, or product pivots at Coca-Cola. Household staples like Procter & Gamble and Kimberly-Clark avoid food trend risk altogether, while McCormick stands apart as it benefits from more home cooking and a shift toward fresher meals. Staples may still offer shelter — but only a few look truly stormproof.
