7 Hot Retail Stocks to Rev Up Your Portfolio

Among the best market vehicles to play a cyclical upturn in the domestic U.S. economy is through retail apparel stocks. The consumer cyclical sector as a whole has vastly outperformed the S&P 500 as a whole in 2012, rising 18.64% versus a gain of 8.74% for the S&P, and a number of retail apparel stocks are among the leaders in this segment of the market. In order to find promising long ideas in the retail space, I ran a simple scan to pinpoint some specific names. The metrics that I used singled out apparel stocks that a majority of Wall Street analysts have Buy ratings on, and that are up at least 20% year-to-date. Below, Benzinga highlights seven names that met this criteria and could rev up investors' portfolios heading into the second half of the year. Foot Locker FL - This company has been able to capitalize on the ongoing bull market in shoes. It may sound silly, but the shoe bull market is very real, and has been lining investors' pockets in recent years. In 2012, FL shares have risen nearly 28% and are currently sitting near a new 52-week high. In addition to the stock's growth properties, FL also yields 2.36% at current levels. Hot Topic HOTT - This small-cap teen retailer has benefited from the rally in risk assets to start the year. The stock has gained 50% since January 1 and is currently trading at $9.95. The stock has created a high base pattern over the last couple of months and could experience a powerful breakout from current levels. In addition to being a good vehicle to play a continued rally in the stock market, HOTT also yields a very healthy 3.23% at current levels. Michael Kors Holdings KORS - This company went public in December 2011 and has been a must own retail stock ever since. A number of well known hedge funds such as Lone Pine Capital and Citadel are major holders of this name - and for good reason. Year-to-date, KORS shares have surged 56%. Limited Brands LTD - With brands such as Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works, Limited Brands is a major player in the retail space. Not only are shares up more than 22% in 2012, the stock also provides investors with a nice 2.03% dividend yield at current levels. Ross Stores ROST - This well-managed discount retailer has been a long-term winner with a gorgeous stock chart. Shares are up roughly 250% over the last 5 years, and the stock is currently sitting at new all-time highs. Year-to-date, ROST has rewarded shareholders with a 27% gain. With the stock breaking the $60 level to the upside on Wednesday, this is a name to keep a close eye on in the coming weeks. rue21 RUE - Since hitting a 52-week low of around $20.00 in January, RUE has caught fire. The stock is already up 38.45% in 2012 and is threatening to trade through the $30.00 level. This area has provided resistance in the name a couple of previous times, and a breakout from this level could trigger more gains in RUE in the coming weeks. Zumiez, Inc. ZUMZ - This is another teen retailer which has been racking up big gains in 2012. As of the close on Wednesday, the stock had jumped more than 29% in 2012, including 4% in the most recent trading session. With shares recently breaking through $35.00, the next rally could send the stock up close to the $40.00 level in short order.