Recession in 2026? 3 Solid Consumer-Staple Stocks for Safety

Economic Outlook - Increasing discussions about a potential recession in 2026 as the economy shows signs of slowing after a prolonged expansion [1] - Current U.S. economy described as stable but uneven, with household spending focusing more on essentials rather than discretionary items [2] - Businesses facing margin pressure due to higher costs and selective consumer behavior, raising the risk of slower growth heading into 2026 [2] Consumer-Staple Sector - In uncertain or low-growth periods, investors tend to shift from cyclical sectors to consumer-staple stocks, which have steady demand and predictable cash flows [3] - Consumer-staple companies sell essential products that consumers continue to purchase regardless of economic conditions, benefiting from strong brands and effective cost management [4] Investment Opportunities - Three consumer-staple stocks identified as strong investment opportunities: Estee Lauder (EL), Turning Point Brands (TPB), and Monster Beverage (MNST) [5] - All three companies have gained over 35% in the past year and hold a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating favorable earnings trends and strong fundamentals [5] Estee Lauder (EL) - Estee Lauder shows early recovery signs with a focus on innovation and efficiency, supported by its Beauty Reimagined strategy [9][10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EL's EPS suggests growth of 41.7% and nearly 36% for the current and next fiscal years, respectively [11] Turning Point Brands (TPB) - TPB has experienced significant growth of 87.3% over the past year, combining stable cash flows from legacy brands with growth from modern oral nicotine products [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TPB's EPS indicates growth of 50.6% and 7.1% for the current and next fiscal years, respectively [14] Monster Beverage (MNST) - MNST has gained 46.2% in the past year, benefiting from a growing global energy drink market and strong brand loyalty [15] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MNST's EPS suggests growth of 22.2% and 13.2% for the current and next fiscal years, respectively [17] Conclusion - If economic growth slows in 2026, consumer-staple stocks like EL, TPB, and MNST may provide relative stability due to their essential products and strong brand positioning [18]