News that consumer sentiment dropped to a 31-month low in October despite analysts' predictions prompted losses across the consumer discretionary and consumer staples sectors.
"The global surgical stapling devices market size is anticipated to reach USD 8.02 billion by 2026, progressing at a CAGR of 8.23% during the forecast period. Application of surgical staplers has gradually evolved from invasive surgeries to minimally invasive surgeries. With introduction of advanced surgical staplers, difficulties associated with the use of conventional staplers have been addressed.
Obesity is increasing among adults as well as adolescents below 18 years of age due to sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diet patterns in this age group. In case of eating habits, people are more inclined towards fast food rather than healthy food. Growing busy schedule and increasing stress are both causing people to consume packed and processed food.
Severe cases of obesity cause other conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, resulting in many opting for bariatric surgery. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) 2014 data, the number of bariatric surgeries has drastically increased from 1,600 in 2006-2007 to 6,000 in 2012-2013. This indicates high demand for these surgeries owing to increasing awareness about surgical options for weight loss."
As Consumer Discretionary stocks take on more defensive characteristics, resembling that of Consumer Staples, investors can use these volatility indices to better gauge the market.
Food companies can provide stability in the form of steady gains and solid dividends, but are they worth it when more volatile stocks offer better opportunities for profit?
Consumer Discretionary stocks, particularly retailers, have seen some nice gains over the past quarter, but is it too late for investors to get in on the holiday season?
Halloween gives sweet-toothed investors a chance to consider some of these publicly traded confectioners and candy makers, proving that trick or treating isn't necessarily just for kids.
Store credit cards are big revenue drivers for major retailers and their smaller competitors, but how has it been affected by increased regulation and changes in consumer behavior?
Cereal maker Kellogg is purchasing the Pringles brand from Procter & Gamble, marking the end of the long-troubled deal to sell the chip brand to Diamond Foods.
Retailers have shined in 2011 but the increase in consumer spending at stores may be having a troubling impact on the housing market. More available income is not the result of an improved economy but shifting priorities.
Stocks opened higher today as investors showed optimism to start 2012. Though gains faded slightly, most sectors still closed higher, with both Consumer sectors and Utilities lagging.
Starbucks plans to move into the health food with its acquisition of Evolution Juice, but can it make juice into the sort of cultural staple that it did coffee?
Wall Street hit highs investors haven't seen since 2008, but analysts expect a pullback in the near future despite improving economic data and consumer sentiment.
Wall Street traded mostly lower today as the Federal Reserve said it sees significant downside risks to the U.S. economy and that additional monetary easing is needed.
The market was trading higher today but plunged after Federal Reserve's Beige Book renewed concerns of weak economic growth for the foreseeable future.
Shares of nearly every grocer rose during the session as strong earnings expectations for the organic grocer, Whole Foods and food processing company, Kraft buoyed investor enthusiasm.