After witnessing decent growth in January, a decline in February, a moderation in March, a lukewarm improvement in April, U.S. retail sales again dropped 0.3% sequentially in May. This followed a 0.4% increase in April but fell shy of market expectations of 0.1% advancement. It also recorded the largest decline in 16 months (read: Q1 Earnings Fail to Revitalize Retail ETFs).
Retail ETF SPDRÂ S&P Retail ETF XRT) lost 0.2% on June 14, 2017. We would like to note that there are several corners that can still be of investors' interest. After all, in May, four out of 13 key categories registered expansion in retail sales and two saw unchanged growth.
Below we recommend a few ETFs & stocks to make the most of U.S. retail sales, even in an environment of declining sales growth.
Food and Beverage Stores
Retail sales for food and beverage stores grew 0.1% in May after 0.2% growth in April.
PowerShares Dynamic Food & Beverage Portfolio PBJ
The underlying index of the fund comprises stocks of 30 U.S. food and beverage companies. No stock accounts for more than 5.16% of the fund. It charges 58 bps in fees (see all Consumer Discretionary ETFs here).
Whole Foods Market Inc. WFM
The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company owns and operates the largest chain of natural food supermarkets in the U.S. The Zacks Industry Rank is in the top 15%.
Non-Store Retailers
Sales at non-store retailers rose 0.8% following a 0.9% rise in May.
Amplify Online Retail ETF IBUY
The underlying index of the fund utilizes a rule-based methodology to select a globally diversified group of companies with 70% or more of revenue from online and virtual sales. The fund charges 65 bps in fees.
Bridgeline Digital Inc. BLIN
This Zacks Rank #2 company is a digital engagement company. The company's Bridgeline's iAPPS platform integrates Web Content Management, e-commerce, e-marketing, social media management and Web Analytics. The Zacks Industry Rank is in the top 22%.
Health & Personal Care
Health and personal care stores remained flat in May with 0.8% growth in April.
The Health and Fitness ETF FITS
The fund tracks the performance of companies globally that are positioned to profit from servicing those participating in health and fitness activities. It is likely to cash in on the growing health consciousness among consumers.
Herbalife LTD. HLF
The Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) is a global network marketing company offering a range of weight management products, nutritional supplements and personal care products. The Zacks Industry Rank is in the top 30%.
Building Material Stores
Retail sales for building material stores were flat in May from 0.6% growth in April.
iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor Materials MATF
The fund measures the performance of U.S. large- and mid-cap stocks in the materials sector that have ‘favorable exposure to target style factors' (read: Material ETFs Rise on Solid Q1 Earnings).
Tile Shop Holdings Inc. TTS
Tile Shop Holdings is the parent company of The Tile Shop. The Tile Shop is a specialty retailer of manufactured and natural stone tiles, setting and maintenance materials, and related accessories in the U.S.The Zacks Industry Rank is in the top 43%. The stock has a Zacks Rank #3.
Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox?
Zacks' free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Bridgeline Digital, Inc. BLIN: Free Stock Analysis Report
Tile Shop Hldgs, Inc. TTS: Free Stock Analysis Report
AMPL-ONLN RETL (IBUY): ETF Research Reports
PWRSH-DYN FD&BV PBJ: ETF Research Reports
HEALTH&FITNESS (FITS): ETF Research Reports
ISHRS-EMS M MAT (MATF): ETF Research Reports
Herbalife LTD. HLF: Free Stock Analysis Report
Whole Foods Market, Inc. WFM: Free Stock Analysis Report
SPDR-SP RET ETF XRT: ETF Research Reports
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment Research
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Comments
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.