How can this type of service or product form a sound and stable investment for your future?
Staple goods are the bread and butter of our daily lives. We use these goods regularly and they perform an important role in our home life and work. You might take many of these goods for granted and not realize how important they are! Due to their regular use and high demand, staple goods often pose a viable investment option. You can rely on their continued development and investment, and it is unlikely that the businesses who create these goods will go bankrupt or encounter financial problems. Examples of staple goods include bread, milk, sugar and paper. If you want to invest in consumer staples, you should understand the options available and the potential returns you can gain. It is important to start building a stock market investment strategy.
How can you invest in consumer staples?
The main type of investment in consumer staples is through stocks in the stock market. We use Trade King to buy stocks that produce and sell staple goods is a sure-fire way to make a steady ROI. You can either invest through a stock company that deals exclusively in staple goods or alternatively choose a selection of companies yourself. If you choose to let a business do the work for you, ensure you thoroughly research their history and predicted the annual return on investment.
If you opt to choose the stocks yourself, it is important to first consider your options. Which businesses consistently performed well over a long-time span? Which businesses produce staple goods that are never likely to lessen in demand? Does the business have a strong portfolio and a good mix of staple goods? One prime example is Proctor and Gamble. This Company defines staple goods and dabbles in many different staple markets. Their annual growth is steady and reliable. Once you have chosen a mix of stocks to invest in, you should then monitor your investment periodically and check on stock fluctuations. Don’t become obsessive, however this is a long-term investment!
What are some good consumer staple companies?
First, it is important to create a diversified investment portfolio. After that some of the best defensive stocks, or stocks that are good during a recession or stock market downturn are consumer staples. A few of the best are Proctor & Gamble with products such as Crest, Charmin and Dawn. Are you going to stop purchasing non premium toothpaste, toilet paper or dish washing products? Probably not and that is exactly why P&G is a premier example of a leading consumer staple blue chip company.
Another alternative to buying specific consumer staple stocks is to buy an ETF that diversifies into many leading companies. Vanguard offers symbol, “VDC”, Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF at a very lost expense ratio currently at 0.10%. It is always important to take expense ratios, the cost you pay for Vanguard to manage the fund, into consideration when purchasing any managed mutual fund or ETF.
What are the expected returns and why is consumer staples a viable investment option?
As consumer staples are a relatively low-risk option, you should not expect an immense ROI. For example, the demand for bread is never likely to suddenly surge therefore a bread manufacturer, think “Wonderbread” will only see marginal growth over the years. Expect a steady return that is above the standard interest rates, currently around 4% on a house, that will provide you with a decent return on your investment margin. 6 to-10% is not unheard of and depending on the amount you invest, you can make a substantial amount if you consider your options carefully.
Reinvest Dividends of Consumer Staples
However the dividend, which is the payment to the stock owner, if reinvested into the stock is one of the largest driver of long term returns. Think of it is like this, if you buy 1 share of stock worth $10 and stays at $10 for 10 years you are losing money because of inflation. However, if you are paid a 3% dividend just to own the stock over that same 10 years and reinvest your dividend by buying more stock you will own more than 1 share and get a 3% return during that same time period PLUS you will own more than your 1 share. Now you can see how dividends are a significant driver of investment returns for any stock but especially defensive consumer staples companies.
Recession Scenario
Finally, always consider the wider economic situation. The demand for staple goods rarely fluctuates. Thus, in times of recession there could be reduced impact on your stock portfolio. However, the point of staple goods, is that they are more or less required and have a consistent demand. Your “downside” risk is lower than companies that are exposed to luxury products or business to business companies. These companies generally cut back during recessions compared to the broader stock market. If we go through another deep recession such as in 2009-2010, would you stop buying milk for your cereal? The logic is that most people simply do not cut back on these types of products. Thus, this is why you should consider investing in consumer staples as a hedge against the next cyclical downturn.