Last week, major retailers reported better-than-expected April same-store sales, led by Limited Brands, Inc. (NYSE: LTD), which reported a 20% increase in April same-store sales, while raising its first-quarter forecast. Also notable, Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST) posted a 12% April same-store sales gain, boosted by gasoline sales and appreciating foreign currencies. Excluding gasoline sales and windfall currency gains, Costso’s same-store sales rose an impressive 7% in April. (A later-than-usual Easter helped with these comparisons.)
What makes these numbers all the more impressive is that they cover April, when gasoline prices were soaring. To fight these higher gasoline prices, consumers in April seemed to plan their shopping trips more carefully, but they kept shopping! Now that crude oil prices have fallen, this will likely help consumer confidence to rise, fueling higher retail sales in May. The fact that the commodity bubble now appears to have burst may convince more businesses and consumers to resume their spending with confidence.
However, not all consumer stocks are faring as well as LTD and COST. It seems some big names continue to struggle, and it is doubtful they’ll turn things around anytime soon.
Here are seven consumer stocks investors should sell:
Nike Inc. (NKE)
During the past 12 months, sporting goods and athletic wear company Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) has watched the value of its stock drop 8%, compared to a gain of 16% for the S&P 500 Index. Earnings numbers haven’t been stellar for Nike either, which missed analysts’ estimates by 4% in the most recent quarter.
Target Corp. (TGT)
Discount retail chain Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) has had a rough year so far, dropping 17% in 2011. And in the past 12 months, this big-name retailer has watched its stock value drop 12%. Sell this stock as it trades close to its 52-week low of $48.23.
Carnival Corp. (CCL)
Cruise and vacation company Carnival Corp. (NYSE: CCL) is down 13% in the last three months, and has returned only a meager 1% in the past year compared to double-digit percentage gains by the broader markets. Analysts are projecting that CCL’s earnings will drop 9 cents this quarter compared to the company’s EPS last year. Quarterly earnings growth of -13%, year over year, in its last income statement is also discouraging.
Sony Corp. (SNE)
Global technology developer and retailer Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE) is another blue-chip stock worth selling. Year to date, SNE stock has dropped 20%. Additionally, the stock is down 16% in the last 12 months. In its last income statement, Sony posted quarterly revenue growth of -1% and a quarterly earnings growth of -9%, year over year.
Panasonic Corp. (PC)
Another consumer technology developer making the list is Panasonic Corp. (NYSE: PC), which is down 13%, year to date. Looking further back, PC stock has lost 10% in the last 12 months. Investors should also be deterred by the company’s quarterly revenue growth of -7%, year over year, from its last income statement.
Best Buy Co. (BBY)
Perhaps the biggest loser on this list is Best Buy Co. (NYSE: BBY) which has watched its stock slide 11%, year to date, and 31% over the past six months. Earnings wise, analysts are projecting a 4-cent drop in EPS compared to this quarter last year. Sell this stock, which is trading close to its 52-week low of $28.09.
Campbell Soup Co. (CPB)
Convenience food company Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB) may claim to sell hearty soups, but its stock has been unfulfilling of late. Year to date, this blue-chip stock is down 3%. Quarterly earnings growth of -8% is just another reason to ditch Campbell Soup.
