The Tobacco, Leisure Goods, Diversified Utilities, Water Utilities, and Household Products sectors are showing strength this week, according to Portfolio Grader.
Tobacco is thriving this week with 100% of stocks in the sector (8 out of 8) currently rating a “buy.” With overall grades of A, Philip Morris (NYSE:PM), Altria (NYSE:MO), and Universal Corp. (NYSE:UVV) are buoying the sector. Altria is performing the best overall in the sector, with a 19.7% increase from 12 months ago. This far outpaces the S&P 500, which has seen a 3% uptick over the same period.
With 86% of the sector’s stocks (6 out of 7) rating a “buy,” the Leisure Goods sector is one of the strongest. Out of the Leisure Goods stocks, Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ:SWHC), Sturm Ruger (NYSE:RGR), and LeapFrog (NYSE:LF) are out front with A’s. LeapFrog is the best performer in this sector, with an 81.8% increase in the last 12 months.
Diversified Utilities stands out with 83% of the sector’s stocks (19 out of 23) rating a “buy.” National Grid (NYSE:NGG) and CH Energy (NYSE:CHG) are lifting the sector overall, each earning a high grade of A. Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) currently ranks B. Over the last 12 months, Sempra Energy is the best performer in this sector, with a 31.4% increase.
Water Utilities is excelling, with 80% of stocks in the sector (4 out of 5) rating a “buy.” With a score of A, Aqua America (NYSE:WTR), American Water Works (NYSE:AWK) are buoying the sector. American States Water (NYSE:AWR) also has a solid B. Showing the most overall growth in its sector in the last 12 months, Aqua America is the top stock, with a 23.2% increase.
The Household Products sector’s track record is proving one of the best with 70% of its stocks (7 out of 10) rating a “buy.” Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB), Church & Dwight (NYSE:CHD), and Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) are paving the way for the sector with A grades. Church & Dwight bests the other stocks in its sector, with a 28.2% increase from a year ago.
Louis Navellier’s proprietary Portfolio Grader stock ranking system assesses roughly 5,000 companies every week based on a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. Stocks are given a letter grade based on their results — with A being “strong buy,” and F being “strong sell.” Explore the tool here.
