Most consumer discretionary businesses succeed or fail based on the broader economy. This sensitive demand profile can cause discretionary stocks to plummet when macro uncertainty enters the fray,
and over the past six months, the industry has shed 10.7%. This drop was worse than the S&P 500’s 5.2% fall.
The S&P 500 is home to the biggest and most well-known companies in the market, making it a go-to index for investors seeking stability.
But not all large-cap stocks are created equal - some are struggling with slowing growth, declining margins, or increased competition.
Value investing has created more billionaires than any other strategy, like Warren Buffett, who built his fortune by purchasing wonderful businesses at reasonable prices.
But these hidden gems are few and far between - many stocks that appear cheap often stay that way because they face structural issues.
Goldman Sachs analyst Brooke Roach warns that U.S. tariff hikes will significantly impact retail, with China's tariff rate soaring to 54% and key sourcing nations like Vietnam (46%) and Cambodia (49%) facing steep increases. Apparel and footwear tariffs will average 38%, forcing brands to adjust pricing and negotiate costs.
