Consumer discretionary stocks are those that are not essential for day-to-day living. This includes items like entertainment, travel, and leisure activities, as well as luxury items like jewelry and designer clothing. These stocks tend to do well in a growing economy, as people have more money to spend on non-essential items.
Over the past year, the old rules of investing have mostly gone out the window, but one thing hasn't changed: Wall Street's best value stocks are still found in the consumer discretionary sector. Not all consumer discretionary stocks have done well; some have been hit hard by the pandemic, while others have seen strong returns.
To identify the best-performing consumer discretionary stocks, investors should look for stocks with high growth potential, a strong balance sheet, and attractive valuations. Analyzing a company's financials can help determine if it has the potential for long-term growth. Additionally, investors should look for stocks with dividend yields, as these can provide income even if the stock price stagnates.