NEW YORK - Elevated U.S. interest rates are pressuring the U.S. retail sector, where shares of many companies have been dented by months of tight monetary policy while a select few have soared.
"The lower to mid-income segment is getting squeezed because of gas prices and groceries," said Greg Halter, director of research at Carnegie Investment Counsel. “They feel bad even though the economy is doing well.” The divergent performance of retail stocks has pushed investors to focus on companies whose consumers can continue to withstand higher interest rates or those that offer discounts on name-brand household items like clothing or groceries, such as warehouse club company Costco Wholesale.Halter’s fund has been buying shares of companies such as Walmart, Costco, and TJX Companies whose business models emphasize value for the consumer. Their shares are up 28%, 29% and 16% respectively.
Bokeh Capital Partners owns shares of Urban Outfitters, which are up over 20% this year. Kim Forrest, Bokeh's chief investment officer, said Urban Outfitters' strength as a fashion merchandiser has helped the company weather the inflationary environment, adding "people will sacrifice to look good."
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