Despite inflation moderating slightly for October, the Fed doesn’t seem to be in the mood to pause the interest rate hike just yet. The continued rate hikes might bring further pain for businesses showing signs of a slowdown, with the cut in earnings estimates.
Since the market volatility is unlikely to catch a break anytime soon, shares of fundamentally strong, consumption-driven businesses, with demand and margins immune to an economic slowdown, seem ideal investments for potential upsides while ensuring adequate downside protection.
Hence, it would be opportune to add BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (BJ), Casey's General Stores, Inc. (CASY), and Lifeway Foods, Inc. (LWAY) as some technical indicators point to sustained upsides in them amid prevailing uncertainties.
BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (BJ)
BJ operates majorly on the east coast of the United States as a warehouse club operator. The company offers a curated assortment of perishables and other grocery products, general merchandise, gasoline, and other ancillary services.
Over the last three years, BJ’s revenues grew at an 11.6% CAGR, while its EBITDA grew at an 18.7% CAGR. The company’s net income grew at a 32.6% CAGR during the same period.
For the fiscal 2022 second quarter, ended July 30, 2022, BJ’s revenue increased 22.2% year-over-year to $5.10 billion, driven primarily by higher gasoline sales. During the same period, the company’s income from continuing operations and adjusted EBITDA increased 27% and 24.3% year-over-year to $141.01 million and $273.7 million, respectively.
BJ’s adjusted net income for the quarter came in at $144.30 million or $1.06 per share, up 27.3% and 29.3% year-over-year, respectively.
Analysts expect BJ’s revenue and EPS for the fiscal year ending January 2023 to increase 14.8% and 11% year-over-year to $19.13 billion and $3.61, respectively. Both metrics are expected to keep growing over the next two fiscals. Moreover, the company has impressed by surpassing consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four fiscals. Continue reading "3 Consumer Stocks For Your Watchlist"