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Consumer Discretionary Stocks

Consumer discretionary stocks refer to a wide range of consumer goods and services generally considered non-essential. These include car manufacturers, luxury goods, hospitality companies, and more. Many of the biggest retailers fit into the consumer discretionary umbrella. As such, especially when the economy is strong, consumer discretionary stocks tend to shine.

Recent Consumer Discretionary Stocks Articles

What Q1 Earnings Say About the Economy

GE and Honeywell signal overall economic recovery, while McDonald's growth may be worrisome.

P&G Shares Fall 4% as Outlook Declines

Procter & Gamble lowered expectations for its full fiscal year, which ends in June, blaming slow sales and rising costs, sending its shares down 4%.

Shell and Unilever — Two Game-Changers to Buy

Shell and Unilever are strategically positioned to take advantage of market opportunities in the oil and gas and consumer markets, respectively.

Ford Earnings Beat Estimates Despite European Slowdown

Ford earnings in North America were strong, but demand in Europe and Asia for the company's cars was weak, and overall revenue and profit were lower in Q1.

UTC’s Chenevert: A Big Bet on Commercial Aircraft

His $16.5 billion Goodrich deal puts United Technology's future where the growth is.

Amazon Kills the Shorts

Q1 earnings slid, but beat the estimates -- launching the stock again. Behind the results: Strong sales of the Kindle Fire tablet.

Hanes Is Looking Ragged

The company says a turnaround is under way. Um, let's wait and see how that goes. Here's why.

5 Apparel Stocks to Dress Up Your Portfolio

Many American consumers still have an impressive level of discretionary funds available, and they are making their way to buy these name brand clothiers.

Consumer Staples in the Spotlight Next Week

After a look at sentiment indicators, CVS looks poised for a decline. But one consumer stock stands out on the bullish side. See which one.

4 Stocks to Watch as Debt Drops and Spending Rises

Household debt is at multi-year lows and consumer spending is rising. These names are ones to watch amid these trends.

US Airways’ Parker: A Smart Bid for American

Getting American's unions onboard first was a savvy move -- Parker has learned a lot from his failed bids for United and Delta.

3 Tasty Pre-Earnings Options Strategies

Consider these limited-reward, limited-risk option trading ideas ahead of earnings.

Detroit’s Big Showing at Beijing’s Auto Show

Even Chrysler is making moves to get a piece of China's market. The Detroit 3 clearly aren't limiting their initiatives to the auto exhibition.

Home Depot’s 4 New Checkout Options

Home Depot has installed four new checkout options to reduce the time customers spend at its registers.

Top 10 New Products Flying Off Store Shelves

These items introduced in 2011 reeled in the leading sales, among them Pampers Cruiser/Swaddlers with Dry Max and Nicorette Lozenge.

Wal-Mart’s Mexican Bribery Scandal: 5 Facts

Wal-Mart could face a lengthy federal investigation and possible fines amid revelations that top executives knew of systemic bribery at its Mexican subsidiary.

If You Need It, 3M Probably Makes It

3M is a conglomerate of the first order with over 55,000 products. However, growth in sales and earnings has lagged and the company is a portfolio hold.

Stocks With Young CEOs: My Top 5 Picks

Of Forbes' 40-and-under most powerful CEOs list, these five execs run companies that are well worth owning.

Cities With Most (and Least) Green Car Shoppers

Cars.com’s list of the cities with car shoppers most and least interested in high fuel economy vehicles finds California most interested in green cars and southern states the least.