10 Cold Weather Stocks to Heat Up Your Returns

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cold weather stocks - 10 Cold Weather Stocks to Heat Up Your Returns

Source: Daniele Pieroni via Flickr (modified)

One of the perks of living in Southern California is that you don’t occupy the same reality as most Americans. Lately, a winter chill has brought on record-breaking temperatures throughout the midwest and the east coast. From my angle? All I can think about is cold weather stocks to buy.

Well, that’s not true. Over the past few days, I’ve noticed that the temperature has started to rise, necessitating my car’s air-conditioning system. Therefore, it’s also time for me to start thinking about upgrading my wardrobe to something more appropriate for February: T-shirts, board shorts and flip-flops.

For the rest of you, I can only shrug my shoulders and say that life isn’t fair. But that doesn’t mean you have to take Mother Nature — or the polar vortex — lying down. Amid this deep freeze, cold weather stocks provide an opportunity to advantage this otherwise miserable condition.

Moreover, this category is broader than you might think. For instance, several retail stocks perform better in colder temperatures, and I’m not just referring to the holiday season. In addition, some food stocks have an inverse correlation to the thermometer. Apparently, humans adopt hibernation strategies from bears in adverse conditions.

So pull up an easy chair — if you can thaw it from your floor — and let’s discuss some of the best cold weather stocks!

Compass Minerals International (CMP)

CMP stock, cold weather stocks
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Source: Source: JYE Financial, unless otherwise indicated

Better yet, Compass is quantifiably one of the best industrial stocks to buy during a morbid chill. On average, CMP stock generates annual returns of 1.3%. However, in the typically cold months of the year (December through February), CMP averages nearly 2.3%.

As you might expect, shares noticeably dip as the seasons turn warmer. Therefore, keep Compass Minerals in mind for the next winter chill.

Toro (TTC)

TTC stock, cold weather stocks
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Source: Source: JYE Financial, unless otherwise indicated

Again, what I love about Toro is the same attribute that I love for Compass Minerals: the company truly lives up to its status as one of the best cold weather stocks to buy. From December through February, TTC stock averages returns of 4.6%. For the entire year, it drops to 2.9%.

If this record-breaking chill lasts longer, you can expect Toro to at least warm up your portfolio.

Public Service Enterprise Group (PEG)

PEG stock, cold weather stocks
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Source: Source: JYE Financial, unless otherwise indicated

With such a captive audience, you really need to check out Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE:PEG). Yes, it’s a cynical play among cold weather stocks, but it’s also an effective one. Throughout the year, PEG stock averages 1.5%. However, in December and January, that average jumps to 2.8%.

Given that the current weather trends appear incessant and international, keep a close eye on PEG stock.

Home Depot (HD)

HD stock, cold weather stocks
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Source: Source: JYE Financial, unless otherwise indicated

Sure enough, the technical data seems to support the thesis. On average, HD stock jumps noticeably higher in November and December as compared to the rest of the year. Plus, February’s haul of 3.4% is notably better than the annual average return of 2.5%.

As a word of caution, I wouldn’t chase Home Depot based on individual natural disasters. However, as a general inclement-weather opportunity among retail stocks, HD simply delivers.

Netflix (NFLX)

NFLX stock, cold weather stocks
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Source: Source: JYE Financial, unless otherwise indicated

On average, NFLX stock generates annual returns of around 4.4%. However, the company generates a wild 20.1% in January.

Of course, we must caveat this unusual dynamic. Due to timing issues, Netflix has largely avoided bad news at the beginning of the year. In addition, the company has limited historical data.

That said, the cold weather months generally do better for NFLX stock, so don’t ignore the potential here.

AutoZone (AZO)

AZO stock, cold weather stocks
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Source: Source: JYE Financial, unless otherwise indicated

Usually, AZO stock generates stronger returns in colder months. For example, November and December average returns of 4.5%. In contrast, the rest of the year averages 1.8%. The anomaly here is January, which loses 2.4%. However, February picks up the slack at 3.1%.

I must say that I’m not the biggest fan of AZO stock at this price point. However, as an opportunity among cold weather stocks, AutoZone offers a fundamentally intriguing case.

Domino’s Pizza (DPZ)

DPZ stock, cold weather stocks
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Source: Source: JYE Financial, unless otherwise indicated

After all, what could be a better during a frigid winter than a piping-hot pepperoni pizza straight from the oven? Indeed, it’s not just my anecdotal offering. Apparently, DPZ stock has a strong inverse correlation with the thermometer. From December through February, shares average 5.7%. For the rest of the year, it’s 2.9%.

Should the winter chill last longer than expected, keep close tabs on Domino’s Pizza. If nothing else, keep their phone number handy should you need to order a pie yourself.

McDonald’s (MCD)

MCD stock, cold weather stocks
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Source: Source: JYE Financial, unless otherwise indicated

In fact, the reinvigorated McDonald’s brand has all the right menu items during a cold spell: various burgers, delectable French fries, and of course, one of the most familiar house coffees in the business. Plus, MCD stock generates significantly higher returns during the cooler half of the year.

If that wasn’t enough, McDonald’s also offers a decent dividend yield at 2.6%.

VF Corp (VFC)

VFC stock, cold weather stocks
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Source: Source: JYE Financial, unless otherwise indicated

But as a potential high-flyer among cold weather stocks, VF has plenty to offer. Thanks to its North Face brand, the company will likely report huge sales in the upcoming quarter. In addition, VFC stock historically performs well in bad weather. January and February returns average 4.8%, while the rest of the year sees 2.7%.

And like McDonald’s, VF Corp offers a nice 2.5% dividend to give weary investors some confidence.

Vail Resorts (MTN)

MTN stock, cold weather stocks
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Source: Source: JYE Financial, unless otherwise indicated

That said, opportunistic folks may want to pay attention here. Unlike the other companies on this list, MTN stock doesn’t usually perform well during the typical cold months. Instead, it sees a huge rise in March and April.

Because Vail has been beaten down so much over the past few months, a substantive turnaround might materialize. That gamble becomes even more tantalizing when you realize that its “sweet spot” is just around the corner.

As of this writing, Josh Enomoto did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

A former senior business analyst for Sony Electronics, Josh Enomoto has helped broker major contracts with Fortune Global 500 companies. Over the past several years, he has delivered unique, critical insights for the investment markets, as well as various other industries including legal, construction management, and healthcare. Tweet him at @EnomotoMedia.


Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2019/02/10-cold-weather-stocks-to-heat-up-your-returns/.

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